This year’s International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy (ISCT) meeting in Dublin highlighted a field that is rapidly maturing beyond scientific discovery alone. A recurring theme throughout the conference was that manufacturing is now just as important as the biology itself. As cell and gene therapies move toward commercialization and broader patient access, scalable manufacturing, automation, cost reduction, and operational excellence are becoming central to success.
One of the most compelling short presentations came from David Smith of Made Scientific, who demonstrated how AI-driven robotics can redefine cell therapy manufacturing. His presentation showed how robotic systems can generate equivalent product quality while reducing manufacturing time and significantly lowering manufacturing costs — all critical challenges for the industry as it attempts to scale beyond highly specialized academic centers.
Another important takeaway from ISCT Dublin was the growing emphasis on administering therapies in outpatient settings. Moving treatments such as CAR-T therapies away from inpatient hospital stays and into outpatient clinics could dramatically reduce costs while expanding patient access. This shift reflects the broader realization that innovation must extend beyond therapeutic design and into the care delivery models (operational and clinical workflow around patient treatment).
While CAR-T therapy remains the dominant modality in the field, the pipeline is clearly diversifying. Discussions throughout the meeting showcased growing momentum behind NK cells, macrophage-based therapies, gamma delta T cells, MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), and iPSC-based platforms. The field is no longer centered around a single cell type or therapeutic strategy; instead, it is evolving into a broader ecosystem of next-generation cellular medicines.
One of the most memorable sessions at the conference was a Lincoln-Douglas style debate that featured affirmative and negative teams discussing some of the industry’s most debated technologies. In the first debate, the affirmative team defended New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and organoids. In the second, the team defended Process Analytical Technologies (PAT) and digital twins.
Interestingly, the affirmative team lost both debates.
The outcome was telling. More than simply reflecting debating skill, it underscored a deeper industry reality: the cell and gene therapy field is still largely unprepared for the widespread adoption of these enabling technologies. Despite significant enthusiasm around AI, digitalization, predictive modeling, and advanced in vitro systems, many organizations still struggle with implementation readiness, standardization, regulatory alignment, and operational integration.
The debates highlighted a disconnect between the promise of these technologies and the current state of the industry’s infrastructure and mindset. NAMs, organoids, PAT, and digital twins all have the potential to transform development and manufacturing workflows, but ISCT Dublin made it clear that the field has substantial work ahead before these tools become mainstream components of cell and gene therapy development.
Overall, ISCT Dublin 2026 reflected an industry at an inflection point — one that is shifting from scientific possibility toward industrialization, scalability, and accessibility. The science remains exciting, but the future winners in cell and gene therapy may ultimately be determined by who can manufacture efficiently, reduce costs, and operationalize innovation at scale.
