ELRIG has unveiled the keynote speakers for its inaugural Cell and Gene Therapy 2026 conference, taking place from 9–10 March at Hinxton Hall in Cambridge. Dr Stephen Ward, chief technology officer at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, and Dr Annarita Miccio, laboratory director at the Imagine Institute in Paris, will lead the two-day event, which is free to attend and designed to bring together scientists, patient advocates, and industry leaders from across the drug discovery ecosystem.

The programme spans neurological disorders, sensory diseases, rare conditions, and cancer immunotherapy, with talks and poster sessions highlighting translational research and patient impact. Attendees will also have access to an exhibition hall, networking sessions, and the Early Career Professional Poster Award, recognising emerging talent in the field.

Dr Stephen Ward brings over 20 years of expertise in cell and gene therapy, having shaped process development, analytical capabilities, and strategic manufacturing initiatives at the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult for more than a decade. He will present on the sector’s current trajectory, asking whether the “coming of age of advanced therapies is now within our grasp or ephemeral hope.” Ward said: “We sit on the cusp of an exciting era that could offer patients game-changing treatment choices and reduce the healthcare burden for policy makers. I look forward to sharing examples of how the Catapult is supporting the UK and global sector to tackle hurdles and enact real change at this foremost ELRIG conference.”

Dr Annarita Miccio focuses on transcriptional control in haematopoiesis and developing therapies for beta‑haemoglobinopathies. Her work includes optimisation of lentiviral vectors for sickle cell disease trials and CRISPR/Cas9 strategies for gene therapy. Miccio will speak on “Successes and Challenges in Gene Therapy: The Example of Beta-Haemoglobinopathies,” highlighting both scientific progress and ongoing challenges. She commented: “ELRIG provides a unique platform to engage with diverse audiences across the drug discovery community, and I very much look forward to discussing the successes and challenges in gene therapy at the conference.”

Dr Verena Brucklacher-Waldert, board member and conference director at ELRIG, said the event was created in direct response to community demand for collaboration and insight across drug discovery. She added: “Cell and Gene Therapy 2026 is not just a conference — it’s a catalyst for collaboration. By uniting experts and encouraging dialogue across disciplines, ELRIG is accelerating the journey from discovery to delivery for life-changing therapies.”

Dr David Baker, associate director at AstraZeneca and conference director, said the programme was designed to combine cutting-edge talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to spark new ideas. “Drs Ward and Miccio are renowned leaders in cell and gene therapy, and we are privileged to have them as keynote speakers to share their expertise,” he said.

The inaugural conference aims to foster collaboration between academia, biotech, pharma, and investors while highlighting the translational impact of cell and gene therapy on patient care and the future of medicine.