To meet the demand for innovative treatments based on cell therapy, it’s essential that we deliver solutions that are both faster and more cost-effective. Optimizing lentiviral vector (LVV) design and production is critical for advancing a subset of these therapies like CAR-T.
The primary challenge lies in developing scalable production systems that achieve high viral titers while ensuring the purity and stability of viral vectors to preserve safety and efficacy. Moreover, compliance with stringent regulatory requirements is paramount.
In this symposium, we will address key questions facing the biotech industry today: What are some of the main challenges in improving cutting-edge manufacturing techniques? How can we boost LVV yield and enhance safety profiles? What insights can we gain from viral vector production applied in other areas like vaccines and gene therapy?
Join us during this Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS program as we delve into the latest advancements in viral vector production, focusing specifically on lentiviral vectors. We will also explore potential future developments and identify bottlenecks that may hinder implementation. Through collaboration and ongoing research, we aim to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of cell therapies, paving the way for innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes and benefit healthcare systems worldwide.
Mark van Ooij, PhD, is currently working in the process development department as a Distinguished Scientist I, J&J Innovative Medicine on virus vector projects as Adenoviruses, Adeno Associated Virus and Lentiviruses. Mark has obtained his PhD in Molecular Virology at Nijmegen UMC St Radboud. He has been working at J&J for >19 years in different departments; Analytical Development and Process Development.
Currently responsible for project management for an AAV project and Tech transfer of a lentivirus process from a development lab into a pilot plant GMP factory. In addition, responsible for product virus safety strategies and PER.C6 cell bank strategies/ licensee interactions.
Besides internal J&J project management, Mark is also chairing two trade association working group focusing on Vaccines & Gene Therapy regulations across Pharma industry . One interacts with EMA and the other interacts with US-FDA.
Viggo is part of the Johnson & Johnson Innovation team as an external Innovation scout for the Benelux region. Within this role he focuses on the sourcing, screening and evaluation of opportunities and potential matches between internal and external research needs of high strategic value to Johnson & Johnson.
In his previous role Viggo lead the Innate & Adaptive Immunosciences team within the J&J cross-sector World Without Disease Accelerator (WWDA) and the Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) to drive new immunology drug targets towards NME
stage.
Viggo received a PhD in cell & gene therapy in 2000 at the University of Antwerp and was a full professor Cellular ImmunoTherapy at the University of Antwerp (2007-2023). In 2005, he founded the Center for Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CCRG) at the Antwerp University Hospital of which he served as the scientific director until 2012 and later as Head, Immunomonitoring & Translational Research. His team pioneered and successfully developed an mRNA-engineered autologous cancer vaccine for acute myeloid leukemia patients.
He has authored over 150 publications (h-index of 54), several books and book chapters.