【活動訊息】2/5_SPARK-BIH National GCT Webinar Series 2026

Translating Stem Cell Innovation to Clinical Reality: The Bemdaneprocel Journey

In this SPARK-BIH National Gene and Cell Therapies Webinar, Dr. Stefan Frank will provide a detailed overview of bemdaneprocel, one of the first pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-derived therapies to progress to pivotal clinical trials. Dr. Frank will walk you through the scientific, regulatory, and clinical milestones that shaped its journey from initial concept to the clinic, highlighting how the partnership between BlueRock Therapeutics and Bayer serves as a model for successful collaborations between biotech and pharma.

This session will focus on the key drivers behind the success of emerging Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP), such as manufacturing, trial design, and strategic collaborations. Attendees will gain practical insights that can be applied to their own Gene and Cell Therapy (GCT) innovations, providing them with valuable lessons for advancing their research from bench to clinic.

Dr. Stefan Frank has an extensive background in molecular biomedicine and human pluripotent stem cells. He joined Bayer in 2017 as a lab head, where he expanded the company’s in-house iPSC platform for target validation. Following Bayer’s acquisition of BlueRock Therapeutics in 2019, he played a pivotal role in shaping Bayer’s GCT strategy and strengthening the collaboration with BlueRock. In 2023, Dr. Frank rejoined Bayer’s R&D Strategy team to lead large-scale cross-portfolio initiatives, continuing his passion for translating cutting-edge science into real-world applications.

Event Details:

Date: 05 February 2026 (Tuesday)

Time: 15:30 - 16:30 CET

Location: Online via MS Teams

Speaker:

Dr. Stefan Frank
Bayer – Head of R&D Strategy. Expert in stem cell therapies, gene and cell therapy strategy, and biotech-pharma collaborations.

What You Will Learn:

• The scientific, regulatory, and clinical milestones involved in the development of PSC-derived therapies.
• How collaborations between biotech companies and pharma can accelerate the path to clinical trials.
• Key factors for success in manufacturing, trial design, and strategy for emerging ATMP programs.
• Practical insights for translational teams preparing GCT innovations for clinical development.

Online via MS Teams | Registration Required
Click here to register

Registration required by 3rd February 2026. You will receive the MS Teams link and access code the evening before the event. Please note that we cannot guarantee access for late registrations.