Ncardia’s team had a very productive time at ASGCT in Baltimore this month. The event was a hub of innovation, showcasing cutting-edge research and promising developments in cell and gene therapy. Here are some key highlights and observations from the conference:
Exciting Research Developments
The conference featured numerous posters that outlined groundbreaking research using iPSC technology. These studies demonstrated significant advancements in the application of iPSCs for the discovery of new gene and cell therapies.
Here are some of our favorite posters:
- 616: Phenotypic Rescue of STXBP1 In Vitro and In Vivo Models Using AAV-STXBP1 Gene Replacement Approach
- 1598: Disruption of Aberrant Splicing of STMN2 by Gene Editing with a Type V CRISPR-Cas Enzyme as a Potential Treatment for ALS
- 1801: iPSC-Derived Macrophages Engineered to Express IL-12 Enhance Cancer Cell Killing of a Multi-Cell Type Therapeutic Platform
Trends in Cell Therapy
One notable trend observed at the conference was the balanced focus on autologous and allogeneic cell therapies. Both approaches are being actively explored and developed, with each offering unique advantages. Autologous therapies, derived from a patient’s own cells, minimize the risk of immune rejection. Allogeneic therapies, which use donor cells, offer the potential for mass production and off-the-shelf availability. With the allogeneic approach, iPSCs are particularly popular as a starting material, thanks to their versatility and potential for differentiation into various cell types.
Growing Industry Focus
The industry’s focus on cell and gene therapies is expanding rapidly. This trend is reflected in the increasing attendance at the ASGCT conference, which has nearly doubled over the past five years. This year, the conference attracted 8,000 attendees, highlighting the growing interest and investment in this sector.
Ncardia's Distinctive Presence
Ncardia also had something that drew the attention of other attendees: Our striking orange outfits. Worn in honor of the Netherlands, our home country, they made us easy to find on the conference floor, and became a big hit with everyone passing by. This unique touch not only showcased our national pride but also facilitated numerous connections and conversations, enhancing our overall conference experience.
Additionally, we presented two posters with our human iPSC-based platforms to advance the discovery of new gene therapies.
- 632: A Human iPSC-Based Platform to Screen Therapeutics for ALS Using Specific and Robust Phenotypic Assays Covering Disease Relevant Readouts
- 607: Evaluating the Transduction Efficiency of Different AAV Serotypes on Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes
Looking Ahead
Ncardia is excited about the future advancements this increased interest and collaboration will bring. We look forward to continuing our work in this rapidly evolving field and sharing more updates and breakthroughs in the future.
What did you see at ASGCT? How are you thinking about incorporating iPSCs into your gene or cell therapy discovery programs? Let’s discuss your goals, and the attention-getting work we can do together.
