Coordinators: Eric J. Kremer (CNRS, IGMM Université de Montpellier, FR), Joaquim Vives (Banc de Sang I Teixits, ES), Margarida Serra (iBET, PT)
Applications are open!
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
Gene and cell products are paving the way towards more effective therapeutics for unmet medical needs. Currently, one of the main translational challenges is a consistent and cost-effective supply of these complex medicinal products. Taking into account the interest raised by ESACT members and other learned societies, we are organizing the 5th Bioprocessing and Manufacturing of Gene and Cell Therapy Products Course in Llafranc, Costa Brava/Spain, in September 2025. ESACT is introducing this activity as one more contribution to the community targeting the use of viral vectors, stem cells and immune cells for therapy. This course is intended for Ph.D. students, post-docs, junior scientists, engineers and clinicians searching to improve their understanding of the development and manufacturing of gene and cell therapy products.
Course Topics
The speakers will address key bioprocessing aspects, analytical toolsets to assess the quantity and quality attributes, and regulatory challenges for the manufacturing of ATMPs, providing also a solid fundamental basis on vectorology and stem cell biology. The course is designed as an interactive 5-day program with the number of participants restricted to 30 to foster interaction among speakers and attendees. The course comprises lectures covering the main topics of Gene & Cell Therapy:
The course comprises lectures covering the main topics of Animal Cell Technology:
- Introduction to Gene Therapy & to Cell Therapy
- Immunology, Virology & Vectorology
- Cell Line Development for Viruses Production
- Stem Cell Biology
- Gene Modification of Cells for Therapy
- Bioreactor scale-up, scale down and single use Bioreactor for Cells based Products & Viral Vectors
- Downstream processing for Cells based Products & Viral Vectors
- Omics in Bioprocess Development
- Manufacturing Cells based Products & Viral Vectors
- Novel Modalities in Gene & Cell Therapy
- Scale-up and the Role of Automation in Gene & Cell Therapy
- Process & Product Analytics
- Health Technology Assessment/Economics
- Decision Tools
Program
The program has also slots dedicated to presentation of case studies by lecturers, workshops, exercises and discussion groups with the lecturers.
The full program of the course can be downloaded here (as of April 2025, topics may change):
Lecturers
Eric J. Kremer
CNRS and IGMM, France
Margarida Serra
iBET and ITQB Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, portugal
Joaquim Vives
isct barcelona, spain
Dominik Bruecher
Vector Biopharma, switzerland
Ana Coroadinha
ITQB Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, portugal
Kerry Fisher
University of Oxford, UK
Chantal Martin
CMConsultinG & Capital BioVentures, Canada
Eoin McGrath
ICCBBA,
USA/Spain
Mercedes Segura
ElevateBio, USA
Ioannis Papantouniou
KU Leuven, Belgium
All other lecturers to be announced
Detailed Course Information
Organizing Committee
Margarida Serra
Animal Cell Technology Unit
iBET/ITQB Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Apartado 12
2780-901 Oeiras Portugal
Tel.: +351 21 4469431
E-mail: tp.tebi@arresm
Joaquim Vives
Servei de Teràpia Cellular
Banc de Sang i Teixits
Edifici Doctor Frederic Duran i Jordà
Passeig Taulat 116
08005 Barcelona, Spain
Tel.: +34 93 557 35 00 (ext 6708)
E-mail: jvives@bst.cat
Eric J. Kremer
CNRS, Institut de Génétique Moléculaire de Montpellier (IGMM)
Université de Montpellier
1919 rt de Mende
34293 Montpellier, France
Tel.: +33 4 34 35 96 72 (lab 74)
E-mail: eric.kremer@igmm.cnrs.fr
Contact for registration
Ms. Marie Groll & Ms. Marierose von Ledebur
Remember Management GmbH
E-mail: gro.tcase@eciffo
Application
Applications are open until 16 May 2025.
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2025.
Registration Fee
The course fees for 2025 will be as follows:
1.250,00 EUR for participants of academia and 1.950,00 EUR for participants from industry.
The fee covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport (see the time schedule for the bus below). Participants have the possibility to be hosted in single room (limited to availability) at an extra cost of 250,00 EUR.
Bursaries
A limited number of bursaries covering the course fee are provided by ESACT. Priority will be given to young PhD students from academia.
Applicants for a bursary should indicate this on the course application, together with a statement of motivation.
Please note: The bursary covers only the course fee, not travel costs.
Travel Information
The course will be held in Hotel Terramar, a 3-star hotel (www.hterramar.com) in a small town named Llafranc in the heart of Costa Brava, Girona, Spain.
The hotel is right on a very nice sandy beach, providing a cosy and relaxing atmosphere for the participants. Weather in Llafranc at this time of the year is generally pleasant. Travel organization to the meeting is of participants responsibility, ensuring their participation to the full course. Access by road from Girona airport (30 min) or Barcelona airport (90 min) is suggested.
Important Note:
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organized on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organize your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm, and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Testimonials
“The experience was truly outstanding. The course not only took place in a breathtakingly beautiful location but also featured an exceptional faculty. They brought diverse professional backgrounds and experiences and showed a genuine willingness to share their expertise, sparking enriching discussions that went beyond the expected.[…]”
Paloma Fuentes Robert
IMPACT – Ponti
ficia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso
FAQ
Application & Registration Procedure
How and when do I apply for the ESACT Courses?
- The ESACT courses take place every year. The application opens in January/February. After the deadline for applications, the course coordinators will evaluate, and acceptance decisions will be announced a few weeks after the application deadline.
- In a next step, all accepted applicants will receive an E-Mail with the link for registration.
Bursaries
How and when do I apply for an ESACT bursary?
You need to apply for a bursary during the application process. The bursary covers course registration and materials (course book), accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant), meals, transportation from/to Barcelona airport.
Please note: the bursary does not cover travel costs.
VISA Application letter
Can you provide me with an invitation letter to apply for a VISA?
- We can assist you with your visa application. Please send us an email at your earliest convenience with the following information: Full name
- Country of residence
- Nationality
- Address
Information before departure
When will I receive detailed information about the course (how to get there, etc.)?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with all the information about the course schedule, he airport pick-up, transfer etc.
Transport from/to the Barcelona Aiport
How istransport organized from/to the Airport to the hotel in Llafranc?
A bus transfer from Barcelona Airport will be organized on the respective Sunday around 6pm to bring participants to the hotel at Llafranc in time for dinner. Please make sure that your flight arrives well before that time so you can catch that bus – if you are not able you need to organize your own travel to Llafranc.
Likewise at the end of the course, a bus will be available to transfer participants back to Barcelona – leaving Llafranc by 3pm and arriving at Barcelona Airport around 4:00-4:30. Again, please make your travel arrangements considering these time limitations.
Coursebook
When will I receive the coursebook?
Around one week before the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with important information before departure and a link to the course book, so that you can download it.
Overview
Date:
21 – 25 September 2025
Application Deadline:
16 May 2025
Registration Fee:
Academia: 1.250,00 EUR
Industry: 1.950,00 EUR
Address:
Passeig de Cipsela 1
17211 Llafranc, Girona, Spain