Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 12th Annual

Advances in Purification & Recovery

Optimizing Downstream Efficiency

August 12 - 13, 2026 ALL TIMES EDT

Purification and recovery strategies are evolving rapidly to keep pace with an increasingly diverse biologics pipeline. This conference brings together purification scientists and process engineers to address the full scope of downstream challenges — from the purification of bispecific antibodies, novel formats, and hexameric IgGs, to AAV vectors and extracellular vesicles. Sessions will also highlight innovation in chromatography platform development, and the growing role of mechanistic modelling and automation in accelerating purification process design.

Wednesday, August 12

12:20 pmRefreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

12:30 pmRegistration Open

MECHANISTIC MODELING, AUTOMATION & PROCESS OPTIMIZATION

1:00 pm

Chairpeson's Remarks

Khushdeep Mangat, PhD, Associate Director, GMU Purification Process Development, Sanofi Group

1:05 pm

Applied Automation and Mechanistic Modeling for Purification Development of Challenging Molecules under Accelerated Timelines

Scott H. Altern, PhD, Senior Scientist II, AbbVie Inc.

This talk presents a case study in the practical application of automation and mechanistic chromatography modeling in early-stage (FIH) purification process development. High-throughput screening and modeling are used in conjuction to support PD and subsequent tech transfer of a cation-exchange polishing step for an mAb with high aggregate burden. Importantly, the model is shown to be useful in adapting operating conditions to changing feed impurity levels due to cell-line improvements, thereby improving process outcomes at scale. Overall, the proposed workflow allowed for timeline acceleration, process improvement, and de-risked tech transfer, enabling the toxicology study to support IND.

1:35 pm

Enabling in silico Process Characterization with Mechanistic Chromatography Models

Spyridon Konstantinidis, PhD, Principal Scientist, Merck

Mechanistic and data-driven approaches are reshaping biologics development, yet process characterization (PC) remains experiment-intensive. An in silico PC workflow is presented based on mechanistic chromatography models for automated, scale-aware characterization of downstream unit operations. Applied to Protein A capture and cation exchange polishing, the framework combines targeted experiments, model calibration and validation, surrogate modeling, Monte Carlo sampling, defect-rate analysis, global sensitivity analysis, and equivalence testing against manufacturing-scale data. The workflow determined proven acceptable ranges and critical process parameter classification entirely in silico, with close agreement to experimental PC. The study supports in silico PC as an enabler for Bioprocessing 4.0.

2:05 pm

Utilizing Advanced Modeling Techniques for Investigating and Optimizing Buffer Exchange in Ultrafiltration/Diafiltration (UF/DF) Processes

Chadakarn Sirasitthichoke, PhD, Principal Data Scientist, MS&T Systems and Engineering, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.

Adequate mixing and buffer exchange during ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF) are critical for robust downstream bioprocess performance, particularly when mechanical agitation is constrained by equipment or operating limits. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling was applied to evaluate hydrodynamics, mixing efficiency, and buffer exchange performance in a large-scale UF/DF vessel operated without active agitation during diafiltration.

2:35 pm

3D Imaging for Enhancing Design of 3D-Printed Chromatography Columns

Thomas F. Johnson, PhD, Lecturer, Biochemical Engineering, University College London

3D-printed chromatography columns provide advantages over conventional packed bed resins, in particular, control over the multiscale structure that can be tailored to the needs of the separation. However, possible disparities between design and fabricated columns lessens this benefit. We apply 3D imaging to evaluate and compare printed structures to original CAD files to refine the design process, creating more effective separation capabilities for emergent biological products.

3:05 pm Predicting SV40 Removal via Nanofiltration in a Downstream AAV Process Through the Use of a BSL-1 SV40 Surrogate

David Cetlin, Senior Director, MockV Products, R&D, Cygnus Technologies

AAV viral clearance validation provides a unique challenge as the therapeutic product is itself a virus-like particle (~20–25 nm), similar in size to small model viruses. Unlike mAbs, where viruses can be readily separated by nanofiltration, AAV vectors may be retained along with contaminants. Therefore, AAV processes often use intermediate-pore size filters (e.g., 35 nm) and larger model viruses such as SV40 (~45 nm). This presentation describes the generation of a BSL-1 SV40-like particle, its analytical characterization, and applications in AAV downstream process development.

3:35 pmRefreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION

4:20 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

Susan Hynes, Global Head of Quality, GSK

4:25 pm

The Correct Way to Bring Digitalization and AI into Biopharmaceutical Quality

Anthony R. Mire-Sluis, PhD, Senior Vice President, Global Quality, Gilead Sciences

Digitalizing quality systems and artificial intelligence could revolutionize the way we work in quality. However, it needs careful planning and execution to gain the maximum benefits to the business. Appropriate use cases, change management, training, and streamlining processes before you digitalize is essential—adding complexity just results in digital complexity. In addition, the implementation of AI must follow GxP principles in what is currently a vague regulatory framework.

4:55 pm

Fireside Chat with Audience Q&A

PANEL MODERATOR:

Susan Hynes, Global Head of Quality, GSK

PANELISTS:

Lynn Bottone, Senior Vice President, Quality Operations, Environment Health & Safety, Pfizer Inc.

Anthony R. Mire-Sluis, PhD, Senior Vice President, Global Quality, Gilead Sciences

5:15 pmNetworking Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

6:15 pmClose of Day

Thursday, August 13

7:30 amRegistration and Morning Coffee

CHROMATOGRAPHY PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION

8:00 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Ronit Ghosh, PhD, Senior Scientist II, Biologics Purification Development (Operation Science and Technology), Abbvie Bioresearch Center

8:05 am

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Next-Generation Cation Exchange Chromatography Platform Process Development for Biologics Purification

Lihua Yang, PhD, Senior Principal Research Scientist, BioProcess Purification Development, AbbVie, Inc.

This study evaluated five cation exchange (CEX) resins using three mAbs to identify optimal resins and develop a CEX process with superior dynamic binding capacity (DBC), impurity clearance, recovery yield, and robustness. In addition to experimental approaches, a mechanistic model was utilized to streamline the programming process as well as offering the potential to significantly reduce or even replace labor-intensive laboratory experiments in future process development.

8:35 am

Chromatographic Control of dsRNA Impurities Using a Mixed Mode Method with Platform Potential

Sabeen Nadir, Scientist, Pfizer Inc.

In vitro transcription enables large-scale mRNA production but generates difficult-to-remove double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) impurities. Existing chromatographic approaches for dsRNA removal are limited by scalability and manufacturing cost. We report a mixed-mode PrimaS monolith chromatography method that selectively clears dsRNA from 1–10 kb mRNA under RNA-compatible conditions, preserving integrity and supporting its potential as a platform purification solution.

9:05 am

Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC) as an Innovative Platform for High Purity and Yield ASO Manufacturing

Juan Cueva Tello, Scientist, Purification Process Development, Biogen

This presentation introduces Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography (HIC) as a powerful, aqueous alternative to traditional anion exchange and reverse-phase methods for ASO purification. We demonstrate how retaining the 5' hydrophobic blocking group enables a high dynamic binding capacity, allowing for an efficient bind-and-elute process. Our data highlights a systematic optimization of salt types and stepwise gradients to achieve >90% product yield with superior resolution of failure sequences and process-related impurities.

9:35 amCoffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

MENTORING MEET-UP

9:40 am

Mentoring Meet-Up: Creating and Fostering a Productive and Effective Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Sebastien Latapie, MBA, Partner, Avant Bio

Juergen Mairhofer, CEO & Co-Founder, enGenes Biotech GmbH

This meet-up is designed to connect scientists that are interested in becoming a mentor as well as junior scientists who are interested in being a mentee:

  • What it takes to be a mentor
  • Finding the right match
  • Goal of Mentoring is to provide support for professional career development and informal coaching
  • The Mentor: Mentee relationship: you get out of it what you put into it
  • Establishing boundaries and clear action items to make the most of the experience
  • How can having a mentor help you?
  • What kind of time commitment does being a mentee entail?
  • How many mentors do I need?​

VIRAL VECTOR & EXTRACELLULAR VESICLE PURIFICATION

10:15 am

Enhancing Sanitization for AVB Sepharose Resin in AAV Vector Purification

Albert Kao, Senior Scientist, Purification Development, Genentech, Inc.

This talk shares an enhanced pre-use sanitization strategy for AVB Sepharose resin in adeno-associated virus (AAV) production. By evaluating various alcohol, acid, and NaOH combinations against environmental microbial contaminants and assessing the identified combination in AAV resin re-use studies, we offer a solution that enhances microbial control without compromising resin performance or product quality.

10:45 am

Assessing AAV Stability on Affinity Resin and the Effects of Extended Binding Times on Impurity Removal and Transduction Efficiency

Lukas Bongers, PhD Student, Gene Therapy Technical R&D, Roche Diagnostics GmbH

This dataset evaluates how extended affinity resin binding times impact adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. We assessed key quality attributes, including yield, aggregation, post-translational modifications, and transduction efficiency. While serotype and ligand strongly influence certain outcomes, host-cell impurity clearance trends consistently across multiple AAV clades. Ultimately, these findings deepen process understanding to optimize downstream AAV manufacturing.

11:15 am

Chromatin Removal by Fibrous Chromatographic Media Enables Safer, Large-Scale EV Production

Tomas Mesurado, PhD Student, Acib GmbH

We have developed a scalable, enzyme-free, closed workflow using fibrous chromatographic media before tangential flow filtration (TFF) to selectively remove extracellular chromatin (DNA/histones) from extracellular vesicle (EV) preparations. This strategy prevents proinflammatory responses while preserving EV yield and identity. Moreover, the use of fibrous chromatographic media improves purity, safety, and manufacturability, de-risking late-stage development and enabling GMP-compliant, large-scale EV production.


11:45 am Purification Strategies for ADCs: Optimizing Purity with Mixed-Mode Chromatography

Sharon Bola, Global Product Manager, Process Chromatography, Bio Rad Laboratories

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) present unique downstream purification challenges, where removal of aggregates and control of drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) are critical to product quality. In this presentation, we demonstrate how CHT Ceramic Hydroxyapatite chromatography media leverages a unique calcium-affinity cation-exchange mechanism to separate monomeric ADCs from high molecular weight and over-conjugated species. Results demonstrate robust aggregate clearance, target DAR enrichment, and scalability.

12:15 pmTransition to Lunch

12:20 pm LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Intensification of Protein A Capture Step Using Membrane Technology

Anupama Kante, Scientist, Process Development Downstream, Avid Bio

With growing focus on process intensification in biopharmaceutical manufacturing, this study compared resin-based batch chromatography (rbBC), multi-column chromatography (MCC), and membrane chromatography (MC) for protein A capture in mAb production. MC delivered the highest productivity (19–20× rbBC) and up to 91% lower cost-of-goods, while MCC achieved up to 72% savings. Pilot-scale testing confirmed MC maintained yield and impurity clearance, demonstrating a scalable, cost-effective alternative to rbBC.

12:50 pmRefreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Last Chance for Poster Viewing

PURIFICATION OF COMPLEX & EMERGING MODALITIES

1:30 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

Lihua Yang, PhD, Senior Principal Research Scientist, BioProcess Purification Development, AbbVie, Inc.

1:35 pm

Purification and Analytical Strategies to Overcome Production Challenges for Hexameric IgGs

Rujin Cheng, PhD, Principal Scientist, Biotherapeutics, ImmunEdge

Hexameric IgGs are a class of complex biologics with unique pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties arising from their high valency (up to 12 antigen-binding sites), large molecular weight (~900 kDa), and increased hydrodynamic radius. Despite their therapeutic promise for certain indications, technical challenges in purification and analytical characterization continue to hinder the broader application of hexameric IgGs. This talk aims to demystify these challenges by providing a comprehensive analysis of hexameric IgG molecules, accompanied by illustrative examples and case studies in which key technical issues were identified and successfully resolved. It will offer practical insights and serve as an introduction for researchers interested in the discovery and development of large, complex biologics.

2:05 pm

Application of MabSelect SuRe 70 to Improve Capture Purification of a Bispecific Antibody for Phase I Manufacturing

Nicholas Delatorre, Principal Scientist, CMC, Third Arc Bio

We present the evaluation and optimization of MabSelect SuRe 70 for capture purification of a bispecific antibody in comparison with an alternative Protein A resin. MabSelect SuRe 70 demonstrated higher dynamic binding capacity, improved specific product recovery, and increased monomer purity. Further process improvements were achieved through optimization of elution conditions to enhance resolution and host cell protein (HCP) clearance.

2:35 pm

Continuous Purification Process Development for Trispecific Antibody Production: From Concept to Reality

Yanhuai (Richard) Ding, PhD, Senior Director, CMC DS/DP, EvolveImmune Therapeutics

This presentation discusses trispecific antibody (tsAb) intensified and/or continuous purification process design, development, and manufacturing. Challenges associated with molecule complexities and product-related impurity are addressed. Process design and development strategy and achievement are addressed. A prototype of tsAb continuous manufacturing is proposed to enhance process efficiency, productivity, and reduce cost of goods. The ultimate goal is to produce adequate amount of biologic drug substance and product with high purity, quality, safety, and potency for clinical and commercial needs.

3:05 pmClose of Summit





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