Insights from ISCT 2026 Dublin and the Future of Localized Advanced Therapeutics

Dear SSCTR Members,

Returning from the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) 2026 Annual Meeting in Dublin, I am filled with a renewed sense of purpose for our work here in Sarawak. The gathering of global leaders in cell and gene therapy (CGT) reinforced the critical importance of our mission to advance clinical translation and establish robust frameworks for these life-saving treatments.

It was a privilege to present our research at the conference. Sharing our findings on the competency requirements and frameworks for the localized production of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) sparked highly productive discussions. The global CGT community is increasingly recognizing that scientific breakthroughs must be matched by a skilled workforce capable of handling complex manufacturing and clinical translations. Our society’s focus on building this local capacity is precisely aligned with the sector's most pressing global needs.

With Dr Boro Dropulic, Executive Director of Caring Cross

One of the most impactful moments of the trip was meeting with Dr. Boro Dropulic of Caring Cross. We had an in-depth conversation about the decentralized, place-of-care manufacturing models that his organization champions. Their vision of dramatically reducing the cost of CAR-T cell therapies and improving patient access through localized production resonates deeply with our objectives. Dr. Dropulic’s insights into empowering local healthcare institutions provided a practical blueprint for how we can overcome logistical and economic barriers to ensure advanced therapeutics can be manufactured closer to the patient.

The keynote addresses brilliantly framed both the history and the cutting-edge future of our field. Dr. Fred Appelbaum’s closing remarks offered a profound retrospective on the evolution of cell therapy, reminding us that the cell therapy revolution, stemming from early marrow transplantations, was built on unwavering persistence.

With keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Joseph Wu (Former president of American Heart Association and the current Director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute)

Complementing this, Dr. Joseph Wu’s opening address painted an exciting picture of the future, highlighting how the integration of iPSC technologies, organoids, and artificial intelligence will rapidly accelerate drug discovery and translational cell and gene therapy.

As we move forward, the lessons from Dublin are clear. We are operating within the "Golden Age of Cell and Gene Therapy," and our focus on establishing localized production capabilities and developing workforce competency will ensure our region is positioned to thrive in this era.

I look forward to discussing these insights further at our upcoming meetings and continuing our collaborative work to bring advanced therapeutics to those who need them most.

Warm regards,

Dr. Samuel Ting Chuo Yew (陈祖耀药师/博士)

President

Sarawak Society for Cell and Gene Therapy Research (SSCTR)