Upcoming Learning Opportunities

BioCanRx and Stem Cell Network are pleased to present this webinar on clinical translation, offering trainees a high-level introduction to how cell and gene therapies (including regenerative medicine and cancer biotherapeutics) move from the lab to clinical trials. By walking through the major stages of translation, expert speakers will highlight the scientific, logistical, and regulatory hurdles that make this translational pathway uniquely complex. The session will conclude with a real-world case study and interactive Q&A panel.

Participants will gain an introductory understanding of the translational pathway from discovery to bedside: the key transition stages, the multidisciplinary expertise required, and the unique hurdles faced in advancing cell and gene therapies.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is ideal for trainees and highly qualified personnel who are interested in learning more about how cell or gene therapies are advancing toward clinical application. Whether your research is still in the discovery phase or you’re part of a team looking towards preclinical development, this session will equip you with the big-picture overview of the translational stages and multidisciplinary nature of this work. Experienced researchers looking for a high-level overview are welcome to attend.

Workshop Learning Objectives:

• Explore how cell and gene therapies move from bench to the clinic.
• Clarify the difference between discovery research and clinical translation, including key milestones and decision points. 
• Learn about the unique challenges of first-in-human trials, including aspects of study design and logistics.
• Demystify the regulatory processes used to mitigate risks and deliver safe clinical trials for novel biologics in humans.
• Walk through a real-world case-study of a translational programme from bench to clinic to gaining an understanding of how these principles work in practice.

Speakers:

• Erin Bassett, Ph.D., Director of Regulatory Affairs and Policy, BioCanRx
• Megan Levings, Ph.D., Professor, University of British Columbia, & Investigator, BC Children’s Hospital
• Somya Viswanathan, Ph.D., Scientist, Krembil Research Institute & Associate Professor, University of Toronto
• Risini Weeratna, Ph.D., Director, Disruptive Technology Solutions for Cell and Gene Therapy Program, Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada

Moderator:

• Matthew Jeffers, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Ottawa

For further information on this workshop, please email trainingSCN@stemcellnetwork.ca or Julie Jonkhans at jjonkhans@biocanrx.com.