We are very delighted to inform you that the IOZ/ISCR-CAS, Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration are hosting an International Symposium and Panel Discussions on hPSC Manufacturing to identify and prioritise the areas of hPSC research where further development is needed to progress hPSC-based therapies. 

The meeting will comprise a one-week programme and held together with the International Stem Cell Forum, Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research, National Stem Cell Resource Center (China), and Innovation Alliance of National Stem Cell Resource Centers (China) during 23-30 April 2021.

In order to incorporate participants from multiple time zones, major panel discussions will be arranged between 8:00 to 10:00 pm (Beijing time, GMT +8). If you are a member of the steering groups for ISCI or ISCBI or a national representative for hPSCreg you will be contacted by those organisations regarding the programme for their sessions. Please note that CAS, ISCF and the CSSCR and we are very concerned to assure that all delegates are committed to the ethical delivery of novel therapies. Accordingly, all delegates will be asked to complete a conflict of interest form and a statement confirming that they are not involved in unregulated stem cell therapies before their invitation is confirmed. Due to the unprecendented pandemic development, the meeting will be arranged in a combined manner of offline and online teleconference. Concurrent sessions are arranged as follows:

Day 1 (Apr 23rd, Friday)    

4:00-6:15 pm (GMT +8)    The International Symposium & The 2nd CAS-Korean National Scientific Committee Joint Symposium

7:00-8:00 pm (GMT +8)    The Committee Meeting of Innovation Alliance of National Stem Cell Resource Centers (China)

                                          hPSCreg National Representative Meeting

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)   Bridging Session: Summary and Engaging Chinese Networks

Day 2 (Apr 24th, Saturday)

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)    Panel Discussion: hPSC Ethics and Regulation

Day 3 (Apr 25th, Sunday)

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)    Panel Discussion: hPSC Manufacturing -- Donor and Data Management

Day 4 (Apr 26th, Monday)

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)    Panel Discussion: hPSC Manufacturing -- Scale-up, Differentiation, Product Formulation

Day 5 (Apr 27th, Tuesday)

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)    Panel Discussion: hPSC Manufacturing -- Product Release, QC, Safety Evaluation/Testing

Day 6-7 (Apr 28-29th)        Preparation for Summary

Day 8 (Apr 30th, Friday)

8:00-10:00 pm (GMT +8)    Closing Ceremony and Concluding Remarks (Summary from Panel Discussions)

We anticipate that the International Symposium on challenges for the delivery of hPSC-based therapies will result in a published report from which the delegates and organisations involved may wish to take up certain aspects within their current workplans and/or nominate proposals for funding under the CAS International Stem Cell Network programme.

We hope you will agree the upcoming ISCN Webinar / International Symposium as an unusual and exciting opportunity to bring together a diverse range of expertise in a cutting-edge area of science and therapy that we hope will investigate new collaborative activities.

An upcoming ISCN webinar will be arranged after the International Symposium in the 2nd week of May 2021. If you have any questions and suggestions for the topics, please do not hesistate to contact Jingyi Cao at ISCR/IOZ office (caojingyi@ioz.ac.cn).