IMAPAC | Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2026

Cell & Gene Therapy World Asia 2026 (#CGTAsia2026) is set to drive breakthroughs in research, clinical applications, and manufacturing, while addressing Asia’s unique challenges. Returning for its ninth year, the conference serves as a key knowledge-sharing event as the region solidifies its position as a global leader in regenerative medicine. The event aims to connect stakeholders across the cell and gene therapy ecosystem, offering a platform to explore the latest advancements in cell therapies, gene therapies, and CAR-T technologies.

Registration for the conference is currently open.

Attendees will gain insights from selected experts on current trends, challenges, and developments within this dynamic field. Discussions will cover scientific discoveries and the future of biopharmaceuticals.

Confirmed speakers include:

Chethan A J: Assistant Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs at the Center for Ocular Regeneration (CORE), LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. Mr. A J specializes in Quality Management Systems, Risk Management, and Indian Regulatory Affairs. With over 13 years of experience in cell and gene therapy, he has led teams in CMC aspects including manufacturing, Quality Assurance, and Regulatory Affairs. Under his leadership, the CORE GMP manufacturing facility obtained manufacturing and test licenses (CT-11) for five cell therapy products and clinical trial licenses (CT-06) for Phase I trials of two cell therapy products from the Indian FDA, CDSCO. He is recognized for his expertise in developing Quality Management Systems for cell therapy products that comply with cGMP standards. Mr. A J holds a master's degree in Medical Biochemistry from Manipal University, an MBA in Total Quality Management, a Diploma in GMP, a Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and is a certified Internal Auditor for ISO 9001:2015 QMS. He is an active member of the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) and the Indian Society for Clinical Research (ISCR).

Ryuichi Morishita, M.D., Ph.D.: Dr. Morishita graduated from Osaka University Medical School in 1987 and received his Ph.D. from Osaka University in 1991. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University School of Medicine, he served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Osaka University Medical School from 1994 to 1998. He then became an Associate Professor in the Division of Gene Therapy Science at Osaka University Medical School from 1998 to 2003, before being appointed Professor and Chairman of the Division of Clinical Gene Therapy, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University Medical School, a position he has held since 2003.

Dr. Horak: Dr. Horak brings over 20 years of experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, primarily focusing on oncology drug development. A board-certified medical oncologist, Dr. Horak previously served as Head of Global R&D and Chief Scientific Officer at Tessa Therapeutics, a cell therapy company in Singapore, prior to funding Tikva Allocell. His career also includes eight years as Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer at Symphogen, a clinical-stage antibody company, and President of R&D at Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Horak has held senior research leadership positions at various pharmaceutical companies and at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health in the U.S. Throughout his career, he has advanced multiple oncology treatments into clinical stages and successfully led several FDA new drug applications.

The conference will also feature a leader with over 20 years of experience in aseptic manufacturing and quality excellence, known for fostering innovation and continuous improvement in the pharmaceutical industry.

Dr. Rebecca McQualter: CEO of Chimeric Therapeutics since May 2024, Dr. McQualter brings extensive senior experience from various large pharmaceutical roles. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine from Monash University. Her commercial career includes significant exposure to international pharmaceutical operations, such as Head of Strategic Access at Novartis Australia, where she developed new commercial partnerships, built external networks with policymakers, research institutes, and NGOs, and engaged with federal and state governments and trade associations to implement policy and process improvements. Previous roles also include Country Medical Head for Bioverativ ANZ, a Biogen spinout focused on rare diseases, and leadership positions at Amgen and GSK.

Industry professionals are invited to contribute to discussions on advancements in the biopharmaceutical sector. Further details regarding registration and participation opportunities will be made available.

Charles River, with over 50 years of experience, offers an integrated, flexible, and scalable portfolio of contamination control, manufacturing, and biosafety testing products and services. Supported by a global network of scientific experts, testing labs, and regulatory specialists, Charles River aims to expedite the development process and ensure safe product release. Its GMP biologics testing facilities conduct over 40,000 tests annually, providing comprehensive services for modalities including monoclonal antibodies/recombinant proteins, viral vectors, vaccines, and cell therapies.