Driving the expansion of mRNA into the therapeutic sphere

Thursday 08:00 PST / 11:00 EST / 16:00 GMT / 17:00 CET

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Driving the expansion of mRNA into the therapeutic sphere

The advanced therapies industry is heavily engaged in capitalizing upon the extensive ‘proof of concept’ gained through the success of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines. Novel therapeutic applications in major disease areas, including oncology, continue to show promise in preclinical and early clinical studies, yet challenges remain.

Here, a panel of thought-leaders from the mRNA field will consider the ever-expanding reach of mRNA technology, exploring at a high level how and where it will impact the advanced therapies space moving forward. The panel will then dive deeper into specific trends, issues, and innovations in mRNA processing (particularly downstream) and analytical development, discussing key areas for improvement and corresponding solutions.

Attend this webinar for:

Expert analysis of recent R&D trends and progress pointing to how and where mRNA technology will have its next major impact in therapeutic application
Assessment of remaining challenges in mRNA processing and supply chain
Insights into the utility of new and emerging downstream purification and analytical technologies, and their potential to improve both the safety profile and efficacy of tomorrow’s mRNA therapeutics

Alejandro Becerra

Principal Applications Scientist and Global Purification Technical Lead, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Dr. Alejandro Becerra is a Principal Applications Scientist and Global Purification Technical Lead. Alejandro has over 14 years of experience in downstream processing and customer support having worked as Purification Team Manager and other bioprocess engineering roles prior to joining Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2018. Dr. Becerra is a subject matter expert in preparative chromatography with expertise in the development, optimization and scale-up of antibody, recombinant protein and viral vector purification processes. Alejandro holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University.

Andreas Kuhn

SVP RNA Biochemistry & Manufacturing, BioNTech

Andreas Kuhn has worked with RNA for almost thirty years. This started with his diploma and PhD theses on the structure and function of small non-coding RNAs using biochemical and molecular biology methods. In his post-doctoral work, Andreas studied RNA-protein interactions in the spliceosome in yeast and later worked on small molecules to affect pre-mRNA splicing. His work on mRNA-based immunotherapies began in 2007 in the academic group of Ugur Sahin at the University Clinic Mainz, and Andreas joined BioNTech SE shortly after its founding in 2008. In his current role as Senior Vice President RNA Biochemistry & Manufacturing the main focus is expanding proprietary technologies to increase the efficacy of mRNA-based therapies and to develop and optimize GMP-compatible manufacturing processes and analytical methods for RNA. He has co-authored numerous publications and patents ranging from basic research on RNA to its application as a therapeutic agent and vaccine.

Metin Kurtoglu

Chief GMP Manufacturing and Chief Medical Officer, Cartesian Therapeutics

Metin Kurtoglu, M.D., Ph.D., is a medicaloncologist board certified in internal medicine. Dr. Kurtoglu’s clinical andbasic science research career spans over 20 years and has focused on developingnovel targets for drug-resistant cancer cells and cancer stem cells, includingmultiple myeloma. He has also been an investigator in various cancerimmunotherapy trials.

CartesianTherapeutics is pioneering RNA cell therapies in and beyond oncology, withthree assets in clinical trials for autoimmune, oncologic and respiratorydisorders. The investigational therapies are manufactured at Cartesian’s cGMPmanufacturing facility.