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Programme
To see the full details, including session descriptions and speaker biographies, please click on the session titles below.
Welcome
- 10 mins
Chaired by Steve Bates
Steve Bates
Since his appointment as Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association in 2012, Steve has led major BIA campaigns for, amongst other things, improved access to finance, the refilling of the Biomedical Catalyst, anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to generalist long term investors. Steve champions the adaptive pathway approach to the licensing of new drugs, the need for Early Access and is particularly proud of the working relationship the BIA has established with the UK’s leading medical research charities.
A founder member of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally, Steve attends the UK’s Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, and sits on The Royal Society's Science, Industry and Translation Committee.
Beyond the UK Steve is a member of EuropaBio’s Board and its National Association Council and is a founder member of the International Confederation of Biotech Associations. An expert and regular commentator on the sector in the media and at industry-leading conferences Steve has worked both in biotech (as Senior Director at Genzyme UK and Ireland) and at the highest levels of UK government (as Special Advisor to John Reid, MP, during his time in Tony Blair’s government) for over 15 years. Steve was awarded the OBE in January 2017.
Derek Ellison
UK strategy update
- 10 mins
- Steve Bates
Steve Bates
Since his appointment as Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association in 2012, Steve has led major BIA campaigns for, amongst other things, improved access to finance, the refilling of the Biomedical Catalyst, anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to generalist long term investors. Steve champions the adaptive pathway approach to the licensing of new drugs, the need for Early Access and is particularly proud of the working relationship the BIA has established with the UK’s leading medical research charities.
A founder member of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally, Steve attends the UK’s Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, and sits on The Royal Society's Science, Industry and Translation Committee.
Beyond the UK Steve is a member of EuropaBio’s Board and its National Association Council and is a founder member of the International Confederation of Biotech Associations. An expert and regular commentator on the sector in the media and at industry-leading conferences Steve has worked both in biotech (as Senior Director at Genzyme UK and Ireland) and at the highest levels of UK government (as Special Advisor to John Reid, MP, during his time in Tony Blair’s government) for over 15 years. Steve was awarded the OBE in January 2017.
UK manufacturing perspective
- 10 mins
- Dr Stephen Ward
Dr Stephen Ward
Stephen became the Chief Manufacturing Officer of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in 2018, leading the strategic manufacturing, supply chain, skills and industrial growth programmes. Prior to this, Stephen was the founding Chief Operating Officer from January 2013, establishing the world-class process and analytical capabilities at both the Guy’s Hospital facilities in London; plus, designed, built and obtained a GMP license for the innovative manufacturing centre in Stevenage. He brings a career in biological medicine research, development, and manufacturing to the organisation, with a cell and gene focus for almost 2 decades. Stephen enjoys bringing cutting edge technologies to patients, by developing commercially viable products. Stephen is passionate about securing and growing the cell and gene therapy manufacturing and development supply chain. He is the current Chair of the BIA’s Manufacturing Advisory Committee, actively promoting and supporting UK bio-manufacturing at Government as well as grass root level. His first degree was from the University of Birmingham, and his second degree from the Medical School of Southampton University.
Richard Wilson impact award
- 15 mins
- Dr Stephen Ward
Dr Stephen Ward
Stephen became the Chief Manufacturing Officer of the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult in 2018, leading the strategic manufacturing, supply chain, skills and industrial growth programmes. Prior to this, Stephen was the founding Chief Operating Officer from January 2013, establishing the world-class process and analytical capabilities at both the Guy’s Hospital facilities in London; plus, designed, built and obtained a GMP license for the innovative manufacturing centre in Stevenage. He brings a career in biological medicine research, development, and manufacturing to the organisation, with a cell and gene focus for almost 2 decades. Stephen enjoys bringing cutting edge technologies to patients, by developing commercially viable products. Stephen is passionate about securing and growing the cell and gene therapy manufacturing and development supply chain. He is the current Chair of the BIA’s Manufacturing Advisory Committee, actively promoting and supporting UK bio-manufacturing at Government as well as grass root level. His first degree was from the University of Birmingham, and his second degree from the Medical School of Southampton University.
Early career researcher poster flashes
- 60 mins
- Dr Peter R. Levison
Dr Peter R. Levison
In his current position within Pall Biotech, Peter Levison is responsible for developing strategic partnerships within the Biotech community through the management of a global Key Opinion Leader network. Working with key industrialists and academics around the world, Peter is actively looking for solutions to tomorrow’s challenges today. Previously he has held a global product management leadership role for the continuous processing portfolio of products and process chromatography columns and systems. He joined Pall in July 2003 and has over 25 years experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, holding positions of increasing responsibility in research and development, technical management, and product management.
Dr. Levison holds a BSc (Hons) Class I in Biochemistry from the University of Manchester, Manchester, UK and a PhD gained in the Dept. of Biochemistry, University of Manchester. He has an MBA awarded through the Open University Business School, Milton Keynes, UK. He is a member of various professional bodies and has the status of C.Chem, FRSC (Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in the UK) and C.Biol, FRSB (Chartered Biologist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in the UK).
Workshop 1 - One size does not fit all
- 75 mins
Personalised medicine is a move away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach, with treatments now being developed and tailored for individual patients. Often these medicines have a short shelf life, and this session will showcase examples of such therapies, and infrastructure to support their rapid release and delivery.
Title TBC
Dr Jim Faulkner
Jim Faulkner joined Autolus from GlaxoSmithkline, where he spent 15 years in a series of progressively senior roles within the Biopharmaceutical R&D Unit, latterly serving as Vice President, Manufacturing and Supply within the GSK Rare Diseases unit. Jim’s role spanned all the unit’s projects and products including its ex vivo autologous gene therapy portfolio, therapeutic oligonucleotides and monoclonal antibodies. Previously Jim worked within small biotech and has also held academic posts. He received a BSc in biotechnology from the University of Leeds and a PhD in molecular biology in association with the University of Kent and has authored a number of publications and patents in the field of biopharmaceutical development.
Developing the next generation of personalised T cell therapies for the treatment of solid cancer
The Achilles approach is based on the science of tumour evolution which allows us to identify clonal neoantigens that arise early in the cancer’s development and are personalised to each patient. By directing a patient’s own T cells against clonal neoantigens we are able to target every cancer cell without attacking healthy tissue, an approach that has the potential to drive long term durable disease control in solid cancer.
Dr Edward Samuel
Ed serves as SVP Manufacturing at Achilles and has more than 16 years of industry and academic experience in process development, technology transfer, GMP manufacturing and regulatory affairs in the field of cell and gene therapy. Before joining Achilles, he was the Cell Therapy Operations Manager for Europe at Orchard Therapeutics where he was responsible for establishing the supply-chain infrastructure to support cell therapy manufacturing and regulatory submissions in the US and Europe. Previously, Ed held positions at Cognate BioServices Ltd as Director for Manufacturing and in post-doctoral translational research at University College London (UCL). He holds a PhD in T cell immunology and transplantation from UCL, and an MSc in Medical Immunology from King’s College London.
Title TBC - ATTCs
Dr Jacqueline Barry
Jacqueline Barry is the Chief Clinical Officer for the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT), the UK’s centre for the acceleration of the translation of cell therapies towards commercialisation. Before this this Jacqueline was Director of Regulatory at CGT and prior to her time at CGT she worked at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service in a number of senior regulatory and quality positions, the responsibility for which included designing the regulatory strategy for the Cellular Therapies developed by the Blood Transfusion Service, acting as Responsible Person for Blood and Qualified Person for medicinal product release. Before that she held a number of post-Doctoral academic posts at the University of Edinburgh studying neuromuscular regeneration. She has considerable experience in the development, translation, clinical trial and approval of cell based medicinal products and therapies.
Manufacturing Science
Chaired by Mark Carver
Despite significant advances over the past two decades there remain huge gaps in industry’s ability to manufacture medicines in a timely and cost-effective manner such that access to all patients is achieved. The UK has developed a leading position in closing the manufacturing gap for biotech products and some examples of recent advances in manufacturability will be presented in this session, across industry and academia.
Development of novel inducible promoter platforms for production of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells
Synpromics have developed novel, synthetic small molecule and physiochemical responsive promoters for use in Lonza’s GS Xceed expression system. These inducible promoters enable gene expression to be turned on or off in response to signals in the cell environment, enabling fine-tuning of bioproduction. The design, testing and validation of these promoters will be presented.
Dr Graham Whyteside
Dr Graham Whyteside is a Principal scientist at Synpromics Ltd where he is the head of the regulatable systems program. This program aims to develop next generation gene expression control mechanisms for both the bioprocessing and gene therapy fields. Graham completed his PhD in 2003 on yeast genetics and has subsequently worked on a diverse range of projects ranging from fungal genetics, vaccine/cell line development, GMP manufacturing to synthetic biology. During this time Graham has been awarded 2 personal fellowships and numerous grant awards. In his current role Graham has developed systems that have led to 4 IP claims in 3 yrs and the securing of 6 figure licencing deals.
Navigating the manufacturing challenges for gene therapy treatments
Dr Linda Randall
Title TBC
Suzy Farid
Workshop 2 - Manufacturing science
- 75 mins
Chaired by Mark Carver
Despite significant advances over the past two decades there remain huge gaps in industry’s ability to manufacture medicines in a timely and cost effective manner such that access to all patients is achieved. The UK has developed a leading position in closing the manufacturing gap for biotech products and some examples of recent advances in manufacturability will be presented in this session, across industry and academia.
Development of novel inducible promoter platforms for production of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells
Synpromics have developed novel, synthetic small molecule and physiochemical responsive promoters for use in Lonza’s GS Xceed expression system. These inducible promoters enable gene expression to be turned on or off in response to signals in the cell environment, enabling fine-tuning of bioproduction. The design, testing and validation of these promoters will be presented.
Dr Graham Whyteside
Dr Graham Whyteside is a Principal scientist at Synpromics Ltd where he is the head of the regulatable systems program. This program aims to develop next generation gene expression control mechanisms for both the bioprocessing and gene therapy fields. Graham completed his PhD in 2003 on yeast genetics and has subsequently worked on a diverse range of projects ranging from fungal genetics, vaccine/cell line development, GMP manufacturing to synthetic biology. During this time Graham has been awarded 2 personal fellowships and numerous grant awards. In his current role Graham has developed systems that have led to 4 IP claims in 3 yrs and the securing of 6 figure licencing deals.
Navigating the manufacturing challenges for gene therapy treatments
Dr Linda Randall
Title TBC
Suzy Farid
Medicines manufacturing industry partnership
- 30 mins
Chaired by Nick Gardiner
Nick Gardiner
Nick is responsible for overseeing the BIA’s operations, ensuring that all activities are professionally delivered to the highest standard. He will be providing an organisation-wide operational perspective to, and support for, activities and projects.
He has specific responsibility for office management/facilities, financial systems/processes and credit control, company secretariat, human resources and IT/telecoms. Nick joined the BIA in October 2014, bringing with him extensive industry and not-for-profit management experience.
Prior to this role he ran the Clinical Laboratory Division of Lab21. This involved providing specialist laboratory services to the healthcare, pharmaceutical and clinical trials markets. He had management responsibility for all operations, income, laboratory and customer services and client liaison across the Group. He also has specific experience of diagnostic testing within the HIV and HCV disease areas. This was gained through building Delphic Diagnostics into a one-stop-shop for clinicians, enabling more effective patient monitoring and subsequent treatment options.
Nick also has extensive management experience within the not-for-profit sector, working for a trade body representing and building the profile of the business communication industry.
An update on MMIP progress in the context of the Life Sciences Strategy will be given, along with MMIP plans going forward
James Miskin
Peter Dunnill award presentation and lecture
- 45 mins
Presented by Steve Taylor, first recipient of the award
Summary and close of day one
- 5 mins
- Steve Bates
Steve Bates
Since his appointment as Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association in 2012, Steve has led major BIA campaigns for, amongst other things, improved access to finance, the refilling of the Biomedical Catalyst, anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to generalist long term investors. Steve champions the adaptive pathway approach to the licensing of new drugs, the need for Early Access and is particularly proud of the working relationship the BIA has established with the UK’s leading medical research charities.
A founder member of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally, Steve attends the UK’s Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, and sits on The Royal Society's Science, Industry and Translation Committee.
Beyond the UK Steve is a member of EuropaBio’s Board and its National Association Council and is a founder member of the International Confederation of Biotech Associations. An expert and regular commentator on the sector in the media and at industry-leading conferences Steve has worked both in biotech (as Senior Director at Genzyme UK and Ireland) and at the highest levels of UK government (as Special Advisor to John Reid, MP, during his time in Tony Blair’s government) for over 15 years. Steve was awarded the OBE in January 2017.
Next generation analytics to remove the bottleneck
- 105 mins
Next generation analytics has featured in the bioProcessUK Conference for several years now for a very good reason - analytics are now becoming a key barrier to the advanced manufacture of medicines. Traditional timelines and methods are not appropriate for the next generation medicines that will be required to deliver healthcare into the 21st century
Automated analytics to support advanced bioprocessing
This presentation will make use of practical examples to review how automated analytics bring benefit to both in-process monitoring including upstream and downstream steps and helping to accelerate the introduction of next generation products and processes.
Harvey Branton
Harvey joined CPI in April 2010 and is currently a Chief Technologist within the Biologics Business Unit. In his current role he has responsibility for the technical oversight on a range of both Collaborative Research and Development and commercial projects. Activities are technically diverse and include a range of analytical and automation work focused on bioprocessing and next generation products. He provides CPI with more than 25 years of experience in commercial manufacture of biopharmaceuticals and biochemicals. Prior to joining CPI, Harvey spent 18 years in the biotechnology industry in both small start-up firms and large multinationals. During this period he spent 13 years at Genzyme in a managerial role, working at the interface between R&D and manufacturing. Harvey’s knowledge extends through R&D, automation, manufacturing support and production management.
Vaccine Analytics - TBC
Cath Green
Bioprocessing in the digital age
- 105 mins
Digital and AI technologies are transforming the way we live and biologics manufacturing is not immune to it’s benefits – come and learn more in our conference finale
Title TBC
Despite the potential that data mining and machine learning has to improve our understanding of bioprocesses and improve product consistency, quality and costs, our industry has made slow and limited progress in using modern data science approaches to data analysis in bio-process development and manufacture. While academic groups yearn to apply ever more sophisticated machine learning approaches, the reality for most is that data does not live in well curated data lakes and major barriers exist to getting data into a useful form, with data produced by dozens of individual instruments from many different vendors in many different formats, without a common approach to data labelling, output files which may not align or may contain missing values etc, not to mention historical data often only existing on written records. Fujifilm have surveyed available approaches to cleaning up and processing data coming from a variety of sources to allow it to be used by machine learning programs and will report on if current systems offer hope that our data can be unlocked.
Andy Topping
Andy has worked in the biopharmaceutical industry for more than 25 years. Originally trained as a molecular biologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Wales in Cardiff he has led development and manufacturing projects bringing over 50 proteins from microbial and mammalian expression systems into the clinic. He is Chief Scientific Officer for the CDMO Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, responsible for science and innovation across the company’s sites in the UK and US.
Cultural changes required within organisations to embrace digitalisation and AI
Martin Welsh and Aimee Doole
Managing Director & Head of Engagement & Communications, Booth Welsh
Title TBD
Billy Sisk
Rockwell Automation
Title TBC – AI/digitalisation in biopharma
Carol Marshall, GSK
Vice President, Medicine and Process Delivery
Closing summary and awards
- 15 mins
- Steve Bates
Steve Bates
Since his appointment as Chief Executive of the BioIndustry Association in 2012, Steve has led major BIA campaigns for, amongst other things, improved access to finance, the refilling of the Biomedical Catalyst, anti-microbial resistance and the opportunity the sector presents to generalist long term investors. Steve champions the adaptive pathway approach to the licensing of new drugs, the need for Early Access and is particularly proud of the working relationship the BIA has established with the UK’s leading medical research charities.
A founder member of United Life Sciences, a strategic partnership representing over 1000 life science and healthcare member companies across the UK and internationally, Steve attends the UK’s Ministerial Industry Strategy Group, and sits on The Royal Society's Science, Industry and Translation Committee.
Beyond the UK Steve is a member of EuropaBio’s Board and its National Association Council and is a founder member of the International Confederation of Biotech Associations. An expert and regular commentator on the sector in the media and at industry-leading conferences Steve has worked both in biotech (as Senior Director at Genzyme UK and Ireland) and at the highest levels of UK government (as Special Advisor to John Reid, MP, during his time in Tony Blair’s government) for over 15 years. Steve was awarded the OBE in January 2017.