Program
The Future of CGT brings together the people, expertise, and practical insight needed to move from early development to clinical execution. The day is structured to support deep focus, cross-functional exchange, and real progress on the challenges that shape CGT companies.
08:00 – Registration open & Fireside chat
08:30 – Fireside chat
09:00 – General welcome
The General Welcome will open the afternoon with a brief introduction to Future of CGT and the purpose of this edition. We will outline how the programme is structured, what you can expect from the sessions and discussions, and a few practical notes for participants.
09:15 – Morning Keynotes
We open with two keynote talks from CGT veterans who have led programs through the complexities of building and scaling. These talks will set the tone for the day: grounded, specific, and forward-looking.
Eelco de Koning
LUMC
10:15 – Coffee break and informal networking.
10:45 – Parallel Program
The expert parallel streams push beyond theory into the decisions that will shape tomorrow’s trials, regulatory strategies, and manufacturing models. Alongside, the enabling tech carousel spotlights the tools set to redefine analytics, automation, and quality. Workshops turn big questions into practical roadmaps, and 1:1 partnering connects you with peers who share your focus areas. This is where the next wave of CGT progress takes shape.
Regulatory & Preclinical Aspects
Regulatory strategy starts long before the first patient. This session looks at how developers can design programs with the end in mind. Speakers will discuss where the CGT regulatory landscape stands today, what authorities increasingly expect to see, and how those expectations translate into preclinical and CMC decisions. From Annex 1 implications to the realities of limited budgets, the session examines what must be in place before clinical material and how approaches differ between startups and larger organizations.
Melissa van Pel
NecstGen
Esther Peters
Leiden Bio Science Park
Getting to the Clinic
For CGT teams, reaching the clinic is rarely straightforward. Manufacturing complexity, hospital infrastructure, CDMOs, CROs, and financing all need to align at the same time. In this session, speakers share real stories from TCR-T, stem cell, and dendritic cell programs. The discussion focuses on what it actually takes to move from promising science to a first-in-human trial, how teams build the right partnerships, and how founders recognize when their therapy is truly ready for patients.
Ricardo Baptista
SmartCella
Olga Labovitiadi
JnJ Innovative
Terri Gaskell
Rinri Therapeutics
Building for Success
Building a CGT company often follows a familiar script, but not every success story does. This session brings together entrepreneurs and operators who have approached the sector from different angles. The conversation explores how experienced founders evaluate new opportunities, what they expect from emerging companies, and how partnerships can turn promising science into a sustainable business.
Vincent van der Wel
Orfenix
13:30 – Lunch in the exhibit
Lunch break with space to connect with peers across the Dutch CGT ecosystem. A moment to meet founders, developers and specialists in an informal setting.
13:45 – Parallel Program
The next parallel sessions split into two tracks. One examines the practical challenges developers encounter in early clinical work, while the other turns to digitalization and showcases tech companies advancing tools for CGT development.
Jos Joore
Mimetas
Monique den Boer
Prinses Maxima Centrum
Ester Weijers
NTrans Technologies
In the Clinic
Once a CGT therapy reaches the clinic, the challenges shift quickly. Clinical infrastructure, trial logistics, and real patient care introduce complexities that rarely appear in early planning. In this session, clinicians and trial leaders reflect on their experiences running advanced therapy trials, discussing what tends to go wrong, what teams underestimate, and how thoughtful preparation can prevent costly setbacks.
Tom van Meerten
UMCG
Rob Meijer
Amphera
Hans de Munter
NeuroPlast
Peter Ketelaar
CEO / Ipsomics
15:30 – Break
16:00 – FAST-NL: ATMP
During this talk, ATMP-NL will show how the Dutch ATMP community is joining forces to make development smoother and more predictable. The platform is building practical tools that help developers plan smarter, avoid avoidable delays, and navigate key steps with more clarity.
Mike Broeders
FAST: ATMP-NL
16:15 – Closing keynotes
We close with two keynotes from an academic CGT veteran and seasoned entrepreneur to share their lessons learned and vision of the future of CGT.
Hans Schikan
Founder / Serial Entrepreneur
17:00 – Networking in the exhibit
The networking will be an informal close to the programme, designed to make it easy to continue conversations that started during the sessions. You can meet speakers, connect with other developers and partners, and discuss your favorite topics at your own pace.