Lecture Series
SPARK Europe Webinar Series
SPARK Europe has joint forces for education on translational research and technology transfer!
The online webinar series takes place on the first Wednesday of the month at 16:00 - 17:00 CET.
The SPARK EUROPE WEBINAR SERIES will be organized by the different SPARK sites from all over Europe including Israel: SPARK-BIH, SPARK Finland, SPARK FLI, SPARK Poland, SPARK Tel Aviv, SPARK Norway, SPARK Denmark, SPARK Zürich and SPARK at the Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University. The series takes advantage of the collective expertise and experiences from top-quality speakers and will cover topics from design thinking to challenges in selling complex high-tech products.
- The SPARK Europe Webinar Series aims at teaching academic scholars the principles of Drug, Medical Device & Diagnostic Development with focus on topics, which are relevant for translational medicine.
- The SPARK Europe Webinar Series recruits experts from different disciplines such as Legal, Finance, or Industry directed to entrepreneurial scientists.
In addition to the regular educational lectures, talks and panel sessions, the SPARK Europe webinar series now features a format dedicated to the Dos and Don’ts of Entrepreneurship. The so-called “Innovator Café” brings together experienced entrepreneurs and young CEOs to share their success stories and failures.
The SPARK Europe Webinar Series is open to all interested staff and students from SPARK associated organizations. Upcoming sessions will be announced at Events.
SPARK-BIH National Gene and Cell Therapy Lecture Series
SPARK-BIH National Gene and Cell Therapies (GCT) | Lecture Series 2025
This lecture series is organized by the SPARK-BIH National GCT Team as part of the project funding of the National Strategy for Gene and Cell Based Therapies. Its goal is to educate participants on key translational topics and to encourage a shift toward a translational mindset.
Each session brings together leading experts with in-depth knowledge to share insights on real-world applications, clinical impact and the future of gene and cell-based therapies. The series covers a broad spectrum of topics, offering participants a comprehensive look at the GCT innovation pipeline. Whether you are new to the field or already working at the forefront of therapeutic development, this series will equip you with the knowledge and mindset to take your products further.
What to expect:
- Expert-Led Lectures selected Thursdays, 15:30–16:30 CET
- Free Online Webinars open to researchers, clinicians, and innovators and everybody in the community interested in gene and cell therapies
- Practical Insights on moving from lab to clinic
You can find the agenda — featuring past and upcoming lectures, including hyperlinks for registration — below.
February
Thursday, February 6th
Lecture I: Therapy Development — From Target Identification to Clinical Studies
Speaker: Dr. Madhusudan Natarajan, Founder and CEO of Crosswalk Therapeutic
This lecture introduces the entire gene and cell therapy development pipeline — from identifying promising targets, through preclinical evaluation, to the initiation of first-in-human clinical trials.
Thursday, February 27th
Lecture II: How to Develop a Target Product Profile (TPP) in GCT
Speakers: Dr. Rehma Chandaria, Dr. Laura Beswick and Dr. Keith McLuckie from Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult UK
Learn how to define a Target Product Profile (TPP) that guides therapeutic development, aligns with regulatory and clinical goals, and increases the chance of successful translation in gene and cell therapy.
May
Thursday, May 15th
Lecture III: Intellectual Property Matters
Speaker: Dr. Stefanie Grunwald, Technology Transfer Officer & Patent Assessor from the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin (BIH)
Explore the basics and strategic considerations of intellectual property in the gene and cell therapy field, including patents, licensing, protection of innovation and relevant patents in the field.
June
Thursday, June 19th
Lecture IV: Regulatory Affairs
Speaker: Dr. Christoph Conrad, Head of the Regulatory Support Unit from Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin (BIH)
An overview of regulatory frameworks and submission strategies essential for the successful approval of gene and cell therapies in Europe and beyond.
Thursday, June 26th
Lecture V: Process Development, Manufacturing, and Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC)
Speaker: Dr. Melissa van Pel, Head of Cell Therapy at NecstGen
Explore the challenges of scaling up gene and cell therapy products and the critical role of Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs). This lecture will focus on process development, and manufacturing strategies and models as applied in different countries.
July
Thursday, July 24th
Lecture VI: Patient Stakeholder Engagement
Speaker: Dr. Sarah Weschke, Team leader patient stakeholder engagement at QUEST Center for Responsible Research, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité Universitätsmedizin (BIH)
Discover the importance of integrating patient perspectives throughout the development of gene and cell therapies. This lecture highlights strategies for meaningful engagement with patient communities to ensure therapies address real-world needs and enhance clinical impact.
August
Summer Break
October
Thursday, October 16th
Lecture VII: From Lab to Launch — Business & Innovation in Gene and Cell Therapy
Speaker: TBA
Gain insights into the entrepreneurial journey of GCT technologies—from academic discovery to spin-offs, funding, and market access.
November
Thursday, November 13th
Lecture VIII: Tools for Competitive Landscape Analysis
Speaker: TBA
Learn to assess the therapeutic landscape, identify competitors, and position your innovation using modern landscape analysis tools.
December
Thursday, December 4th
Lecture IX: Clinical Trial Design in GCT
Speaker: TBA
This session focuses on best practices in designing clinical trials tailored for gene and cell therapies, considering safety, endpoints, and patient populations.
