#Germany #Frankfurt #gene therapy #Cell Therapy #Cellex

Insights from the 2025 Cellex International Symposium

On November 6, 2025, over 100 professionals from various regions, including Europe, Asia, and North America, convened at the Cellex International Symposium held in Frankfurt, Germany. The event focused on the theme "The Evolving Field of Cell and Gene Therapy," highlighting recent advancements and future prospects within this rapidly advancing sector. The symposium attracted a diverse group of attendees, including scientific experts, industry leaders, clinicians, investors, and regulatory authorities, engaging in meaningful discussions about the state of cell and gene therapy (CGT).

Dr. Armin Ehninger, Chief Scientific and Strategic Officer at Cellex Cell Professionals GmbH, opened the symposium by emphasizing the company's commitment to advancing CGT through scientific excellence, collaboration, reliable production, and adherence to the highest quality standards. "These factors are indispensable for fostering innovation and establishing the networks necessary to facilitate significant progress in advanced therapies," he stated.

Driving Innovation and Investment in Immune Cell Therapies

The opening session was dedicated to discussing innovation, funding, and next-generation immune cell therapy platforms. Karl Nägler from Sofinnova Partners offered an in-depth analysis of the investment opportunities and challenges facing the CGT sector. Kenneth Locke shared insights regarding the use of nanoparticles derived from cells to address critical hurdles associated with T cell activation and proliferation.

Moreover, Dr. Jiri Eitler from the Dresden University of Technology introduced novel accessibility strategies for CAR-NK therapies in oncology and beyond. Dr. Jessica Hartmann from the Paul-Ehrlich Institute underscored the necessity of robust frameworks that can transform scientific breakthroughs into scalable, high-quality manufacturing solutions—an area where Cellex continues to set new industry standards.

Clinical Support: Translating Innovation into Patient Impact

The session on "Clinical Support" showcased therapeutic frontiers and digital transformation within clinical settings. Dimitrios Mougiakakos from the University Hospital of Magdeburg and Ralf Gold from Ruhr University Bochum presented groundbreaking work on CAR-T therapies for autoimmune and neuromuscular diseases. Professor Christof Scheid from the University Hospital of Cologne shared preliminary experiences demonstrating how outpatient CAR-T therapy models are becoming a clinical reality.

Dr. Moritz Middeke from Cancilico introduced the concept of integrating artificial intelligence in cancer diagnostics and treatment pathways, illustrating how AI-powered decision-making can accelerate precision medicine.

Transformative Shifts in Science, Systems, and Scale by 2035

In a roundtable discussion titled "Cell and Gene Therapy 2035: Transformative Shifts in Science, Systems, and Scale," industry and academic leaders engaged actively with attendees to explore ways to broaden access to CGT, revolutionize manufacturing approaches, leverage AI in treatment decisions, and identify disruptive innovations anticipated over the next decade.

Strategic Catalysts: Manufacturing and Quality

The final session brought manufacturing to the forefront of discussions. Gabriela Valentová from Johnson & Johnson opened dialogue by illustrating how early and relevant data can optimize manufacturing outcomes. Tom Brenner from Stefan Morsch Foundation addressed challenges related to donor material procurement and registry integration. Gunther Busam from Orchard Therapeutics elaborated on process designs tailored for scalability and supply chain efficiency. Furthermore, Professor Michael Hudecek from Würzburg University Hospital and Dr. Marcus Dühren-von Minden from SinABiomedics showcased innovations in CAR-T manufacturing and the development of the first tumor-specific CAR-T for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). These discussions reinforced a central message: CMC capabilities are not merely operational necessities but strategic catalysts for innovation.

Cellex's integrated approach to process design, manufacturing analysis, and quality management demonstrates how strong production infrastructures support both scientific advancements and clinical translation in CGT.

Networking, Diversity, and Collaborative Dynamics

Beyond the scientific program, the Cellex 2025 Symposium served as a forum for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration. Researchers, clinicians, and industry representatives engaged in dialogues about strategies to enhance therapy accessibility, harmonize standards, and incorporate data-driven quality control in CGT manufacturing.

Professor Gerhard Ehninger, founder and CEO of Cellex Cell Professionals GmbH, remarked, "The success of the Cellex 2025 Symposium reinforces our belief that progress in CGT requires both scientific excellence and the collaborative efforts of many brilliant minds. Cellex is proud to contribute to this global endeavor by forging bridges across various sectors."

About Cellex Cell Professionals GmbH

Cellex Cell Professionals GmbH is a leading development and manufacturing contract organization specializing in cell and gene therapy (CGT). With state-of-the-art facilities located in Cologne, Germany, and over a decade of experience in manufacturing compliant autologous and allogeneic cell therapies, Cellex collaborates with numerous innovative pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, supporting clinical and commercial process development and manufacturing. Furthermore, Cellex offers customized starting materials from healthy donors and patients with specific pathologies for research, clinical, and commercial manufacturing, as well as storage and logistics services.

For more information, visit Cellex's website.