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GenScript Biotech Global Forum: Shaping the Future of Biopharma

On January 14, 2026, San Francisco hosted the highly anticipated 2026 GenScript Biotech Global Forum during the annual J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Under the theme "Scripting Possibilities – The Future of Therapeutic Innovation", the forum attracted nearly 1,000 participants from the realm of biopharma and artificial intelligence. The event aimed to examine the transformative impact of AI on biopharma drug discovery and address the pathways necessary for responsible and reliable innovation scaling.

Ray Chen, PhD, President of GenScript Life Science Group, emphasized that the biotechnology sector is on the cusp of a revolutionary change. He remarked, _“The conversations throughout the day reinforced that biotechnology is indeed at an inflection point.”_ What emerged rapidly from the discussions was a clear understanding that integrating speed, precision, and collaboration into tangible workflows and operating models is crucial for impactful innovations.

AI in Drug Discovery

The future of drug discovery is looking toward AI to change the landscape. A fireside chat featuring Nobel Laureate David Baker and Microsoft's Chief Scientific Officer Eric Horvitz shed light on how artificial intelligence is fast-tracking the process of biological discovery, particularly in the field of protein design. Key takeaways from their discussion included the challenges and opportunities AI brings:

• - AI is helping rapidly generate hypotheses and allowing researchers to focus on the most promising protein designs.
• - However, the realization of durable impacts hinges on rigorous experimental validation and access to high-quality datasets.
• - The ability of computational protein design to create customized proteins can expand their applications across various fields.
• - The crucial step lies in swiftly transforming AI-generated concepts into actionable DNA and proteins for testing, invigorating the cycle of iterative discovery.

Advancement in Cell Therapy

Another significant segment addressed cell therapy advancements, marking a transition beyond initial approvals and fostering a patient-centric ethos. Esteemed panelists from firms like DeciBio and AstraZeneca drove home the evolving trajectory of cell therapy with a focus on:

• - The comparative advantages of ex vivo versus in vivo therapies, including safety and delivery modes that influence adoption.
• - The importance of meeting varying durability and delivery needs across different indications while discussing next-gen progress in challenging environments such as solid tumors.
• - A vital shift in CAR-T therapy towards outpatient care bolstered by automation for cost reduction and streamlined regulatory processes.

In essence, the future of cell therapy will not recognize novelty alone, but seek practical, scalable, and durable solutions tailored for real-world environments.

Enterprise-Scale AI Integration

The event's leaders from companies such as NVIDIA and Amazon discussed the shift from experimental AI applications to enterprise-scale adoption, asserting that the true benefits lie not in isolated pilots but in embedding AI into comprehensive discovery workflows. They elaborated on:

• - The need to translate computational insights into laboratory practices, drawing a direct connection between models and experimental outcomes.
• - Enhanced integration of AI outputs into laboratory settings to ensure repeatable and scalable impacts on discovery.
• - The consensus among experts that AI's true potential can only be unlocked when it seamlessly integrates into existing research workflows.

Trust and Governance in Biopharma

Concluding the day, a panel of regulatory experts discussed the necessity of trust, governance, and geopolitical awareness in advancing AI within biopharma. They emphasized that:

• - Governance should facilitate innovation rather than constrain it; progressive regulatory oversight is essential to manage risk and safeguard intellectual property rights.
• - Trust must be integral from the outset to ensure responsible and sustainable adoption of AI technologies.

Conclusion

Aylin Kosova Bilgin, Chief Marketing and Corporate Communications Officer of GenScript, encapsulated the discussions by stating that the theme of "Scripting Possibilities" reflected a collaborative acknowledgment of the industry's potential, focusing on intentional design and execution of innovations for impactful outcomes. She expressed her excitement about the openness of dialogues, signifying readiness to turn insights into actionable strategies in drug discovery and development which will influence the future.

For further insights from the GenScript Biotech Global Forum, attendees and interested parties can explore sessions on demand on the GenScript Biotech Global Forum page.

About GenScript Biotech Corporation

Founded in 2002 in New Jersey, GenScript remains committed to enhancing biotechnology and healthcare by providing critical resources to researchers and companies in their quest to develop groundbreaking treatments. With a robust workforce of over 5,700 employees, GenScript has served more than 200,000 customers across over 100 countries and regions, underscoring its mission to bridge innovation in biotech and healthcare.