Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Inaugural
SYMPOSIUM: Novel & Alternative Expression Systems
Alternative Hosts. Optimal Products. New Possibilities.
Monday, August 10, 2026
The Novel & Alternative Expression Systems is a one-day symposium discussing the various alternative host systems – bacterial, yeast, insect, plant and cell-free; their advantages and limitations compared to CHO/human cell systems; as well as challenges to broader implementation at GMP level. With the rising demand for complex biologics, there is an increase interest in novel and alternative expression systems. The symposium will primarily showcase examples of recombinant proteins, vaccines and viruses, as well as antibodies produced using these alternative cell systems and address the barriers to broader adoption.
Coverage will include, but is not limited to:
- The Case for Alternative Expression Systems
- Overview of available host options- bacterial, yeast, insect cell, plant-based, cell-free, and non-CHO human cell systems
- Rationale for selecting an alternative system
- Matching the expression system to the product needs
- Highlight of where alternative expression systems are currently used
- Challenges of Alternative Cell Lines
- Process development strategies tailored to novel expression hosts
- Analytical and characterization challenges
- Evaluating the balance between yield, complexity, cost, speed
- Scale up challenges across novel expression systems
- Data Integration Across Diverse Host Platforms
- Design strategies for data management, comparability, and cross-system analytics
- Challenges in integrating data across host systems
- Frameworks for effective data integration
- Barriers to Broader Adoption of Alternative Expression Systems
- Regulatory acceptance
- Glycosylation/ post translational modification hurdles
- Unique challenges among hosts
The deadline for priority consideration is January 23, 2026.
All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.
Opportunities for Participation: