Cell Therapy Strategies: Preparing for Commercial Manufacturing of an Autologous Cell Therapy

August 15, 2023

In this episode of Evaluating Biopharma, host Ben Locwin, Vice President of Project Solutions at Black Diamond Networks, speaks with Jonathan Tsang, Senior Director, Manufacturing Sciences & Technology at Kite Pharma, who shares his experiences and provides advice on how autologous cell therapy companies can better prepare for commercial manufacturing, including: addressing the challenge of variability of patient cell behavior, process development characterization using healthy donor vs. patient cells, volume and logistical complexity of personalized therapy, and planning and implementing fast and efficient business systems to support scale-out. He also discusses critical quality attributes he looks for during process development and his thoughts on developing processes that can cope with variability in reagents, media, and more.

GUEST BIO

Jonathan Tsang, Senior Director, Manufacturing Sciences & Technology, Kite Pharma
Currently Senior Director MAST at Kite Pharma, Jonathan’s first Biopharm memories was being a bright-eyed 23 year old, placed on an airplane bound for India for a technology transfer. Nineteen years later, a grizzled veteran of the Pharma and Biotech industry, he has participated in over 17 technology transfers, 3 product launches, $800+MM in capital project design and facility start-up, and Commercial GMP operations support as part of early, late, and commercial development organizations. With experience spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asian, he currently leads the MSAT organization at the world’s premiere cell therapy facility for Kite a Gilead Company, in El Segundo, CA.

MODERATOR BIO

Ben Locwin, Vice President of Project Solutions at Black Diamond Networks
Ben Locwin is a healthcare executive and industry expert. His work has involved bringing new and innovative medical treatments (drug therapies, vaccines and medical devices) to patient populations with unmet needs across a variety of indications and health conditions. He has also worked with investors on the ‘next big things’ in the industry. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, The Associated Press and other top-tier media.