CAR-T therapies have transformed cancer treatment, demonstrating that engineered immune cells can deliver deep and durable responses in patients with otherwise refractory disease. As the field evolves, new challenges are coming into focus. The conversation is now shifting from proof of concept, addressing challenges in manufacturing, cost, and accessibility into new indications, larger patient populations, and next-generation approaches, including in vivo strategies.

The discussion will provide a cross-functional perspective on translating innovation into real-world patient impact. Panelists bring expertise across cellular therapy, clinical development and trial operations, translational strategy, and advanced therapeutic technologies. Together, they will explore the full CAR-T continuum, from scientific innovation and clinical implementation to manufacturing, scalability, and commercial strategy, highlighting the key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of cell and gene therapies.

Note: Each ticket includes appetizers and two drink tickets.

Program

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Check-in and Networking
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  Welcome Remarks & Intros
6:30 p.m. – 7:20 p.m.  Panel Discussion
7:20 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.  Audience Q&A
7:40 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  Post-panel Networking

Speaker Bios

Caitlin Costello, MD, Physician at UC San Diego Health Moores Cancer Center

Dr. Costello is a board-certified hematologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and specializes in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. As a physician in UC San Diego Health's Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, Dr. Costello provides comprehensive blood and cellular therapy services, including autologous transplantation for all hematologic malignancies, with a focus on plasma cell dyscrasias, specifically multiple myeloma, AL amyloidosis, and Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia. In addition, Dr. Costello’s clinical expertise and research interests include operational efficiency, clinical innovation, and quality improvement. As the leader of the Multiple Myeloma Program at UC San Diego, Dr. Costello has an active, broad research portfolio that includes clinical trials of novel therapies in myeloma and related disorders. She has a special focus on research with immunotherapies such as CAR-T cell therapy and bispecific antibodies, which have been published and presented at national and international meetings. Dr. Costello has co-authored numerous articles, and her work has appeared in medical and research publications, including Blood Journal, Lancet Hematology, and Journal of Clinical Oncology. Dr. Costello is a member of the International Myeloma Working Group and International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation, and serves as a member of the American Society of Hematology Education Committee. Dr. Costello serves as the Clinical Director of the Division of Hematology and Cellular Therapy, overseeing clinical operations of the program, both inpatient at the Jacobs Medical Center and outpatient at the Moores Cancer Center.

Michelle Duquette, PhD, Chief Scientist at Invetech

Dr. Michelle Duquette is Chief Scientist for Cell Therapy at Invetech, where she leads scientific strategy and innovation supporting next-generation therapy development and manufacturing. With more than 20 years of experience spanning genetics, cell biology, and bioengineering, her work focuses on automated solutions and the seamless integration of biological processes with advanced manufacturing technologies.

Jenny Hamilton, PhD, CEO of Azalea Therapeutics

Dr. Hamilton is the co-founder and CEO of Azalea Therapeutics, a biotechnology company redefining precision genomic medicines through in vivo cell engineering. A virologist by training, she completed her PhD studying RNA viruses at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai before joining Jennifer Doudna's laboratory at UC Berkeley, where she developed the foundational technology behind Azalea's Enveloped Delivery Vehicle (EDV) platform. Under her leadership, Azalea has raised $82 million in combined seed and Series A financing to advance its lead in vivo CAR-T programs toward the clinic, with a focus on transforming cell therapy into an injectable medicine accessible to more patients.

Kathy Hassig, Senior Vice President and Therapeutic Area Leader for Oncology at Syneos Health

Kathy brings more than 30 years of clinical development experience translating complex science into executable development strategies. Since 2010, her work has focused on emerging modalities across oncology and hematology, including oversight of CAR-T and other cell and gene therapy programs spanning disease selection, platform feasibility, and operational scale-up. Kathy works at the intersection of science, execution, and decision-making by helping teams stress-test innovation against real-world operational, scientific, and commercialization constraints.

Vicki Plaks, PhD, Sr. Director, Head of Cell Therapy Oncology Translational Research at Johnson & Johnson

Vicki is a senior scientific executive with 18+ years of experience spanning immuno-oncology and cell therapy, recognized for bridging rigorous translational science with regulatory expertise to advance programs from discovery through commercialization and life-cycle management. Following postdoctoral work in breast cancer immuno-oncology at the University of California, San Francisco, where she also served as an Assistant Adjunct Professor, she built deep biomarker and translational capabilities at Genentech, leading bioanalytical strategies to inform IND-enabling decisions across solid-tumor programs. At Kite, A Gilead company, Vicki supported both forward and reverse translation to support regulatory interactions for Yescarta and uncover resistance mechanisms and biomarker signatures, such as work published in Blood and Nature Medicine, and used to inform next-generation CAR-T programs. Vicki later joined AbbVie as Head of CAR-T Cell Therapy Oncology Discovery, where she built and scaled a cell-therapy discovery organization and helped drive strategic partnerships across switchable, allogeneic, genome-edited, and in vivo CAR-T modalities. Since 2023, she has served at Johnson & Johnson as Head of Cell Therapy, Oncology Translational Research, leading translational strategy for a global CAR-T portfolio across myeloma, lymphoma, and solid tumors, contributing to regulatory submissions and interactions including support for the FDA’s 2024 ODAC recommendation on Carvykti; she is also a frequent invited speaker and a co-author/co-inventor across 40+ publications and multiple patent applications in liquid biopsy and CAR-T biomarker innovation.

Laura Shawver, PhD, Venture Partner at RA Ventures, Moderator

Laura is a scientist and biotech executive with more than 30 years of experience in Life Sciences, including as CEO of private and public companies since 2002. Currently a Venture Partner at RA Ventures, she was most recently CEO of Capstan Therapeutics (acquired by AbbVie), Silverback Therapeutics (acquired by ARS Pharmaceuticals), and Synthorx (acquired by Sanofi). Laura also serves as a Director of several companies and non-profit organizations.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $25
• Non-members*: $40

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Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

100

Parking Information

Free parking is available in the parking garage designated for building #3580.

Accessibility Accommodations

The location is fully accessible to those with physical disabilities.