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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

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