Final Program - American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy
Final Program - American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy
Final Program - American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy
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A Welcome from Xandra O. Breakefield, PhD<br />
Dear Colleagues,<br />
Welcome to the <strong>American</strong> <strong>Society</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Gene</strong> & <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Therapy</strong> (ASGCT) 16th Annual<br />
Meeting! Salt Lake City’s rich history in the study <strong>of</strong> genetics and genealogy<br />
makes it a perfect city to feature this year’s latest advancements in our vibrant<br />
ield. The environs are also rich in majestic state parks and I hope you will<br />
take advantage <strong>of</strong> the chance to visit them, including Antelope Island State<br />
Park, as well as a guided tour <strong>of</strong> Temple Square on May 14 as part <strong>of</strong> an ASGCT<br />
networking adventure series.<br />
The program this year relects the increasing focus on reaching the<br />
commercialization phase <strong>of</strong> gene and cell therapeutics. On Wednesday evening,<br />
the Outreach Committee and BioIndustry Liaison Committee developed a two<br />
hour workshop on commercialization to discuss the low <strong>of</strong> funding in pipeline<br />
development along with some <strong>of</strong> the key conditions that must be in place in<br />
order to insure appropriate and eficient utilization <strong>of</strong> resources. On Saturday,<br />
the Translational Science & Product Development Committee will explore the<br />
unique issues we face in manufacturing biologics. Lastly, the BioIndustry Liaison<br />
Committee has organized a symposium on Friday comprising a series <strong>of</strong> talks<br />
and panel discussion aimed towards the latter steps <strong>of</strong> commercialization.<br />
In addition, we will continue to focus on our historic strengths in novel<br />
technologies in delivery platforms for oligonucleotide, gene and cell<br />
therapies, as well as advances in preclinical and clinical trials, with important<br />
breakthroughs on many fronts. I hope you will be able to stay for the full four<br />
days <strong>of</strong> programming, including the series <strong>of</strong> evening symposia sponsored by<br />
our foundation partners – the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the Muscular<br />
Dystrophy Association, the French Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the<br />
Alliance for Cancer <strong>Gene</strong> <strong>Therapy</strong>.<br />
My special thanks to all the ASGCT members, exhibitors, sponsors and attendees<br />
who are making this such an exciting meeting!<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Xandra O. Breakeield, PhD<br />
President, ASGCT<br />
2<br />
<strong>Final</strong> <strong>Program</strong> SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH May 15–18, 2013