Coordinators: Eric J. Kremer (CNRS, IGMM Université de Montpellier, FR), Joaquim Vives (Banc de Sang I Teixits, ES), Margarida Serra (iBET, PT)
We will inform you here as soon as applications are open.
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 6th Bioprocessing and Manufacturing of Gene and Cell Therapy Products Course in Llafranc, Costa Brava/Spain, in September 2026. 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 course program will be published here as soon as it is available.
Lecturers
Eric J. Kremer
CNRS and IGMM, France
Margarida Serra
iBET and ITQB Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, portugal
Joaquim Vives
Coordinator
Banc de Sang i Teixits 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
Editas Medicine, 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
Alexa Stümpke
Remember Management GmbH
E-mail: gro.tcase@eciffo
Application
Applications are open until 1 June 2026.
Acceptance decisions will be announced in June 2026.
Registration Fee
The course fees for 2026 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. Applications open in January/February. After the application deadline, the course coordinators will evaluate the applications and announce acceptance decisions a few weeks later.
- In a next step, all accepted applicants will receive an e-mail with the link for the 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 e-mail at your earliest convenience with the following information:
- Full name
- Country of residence
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Address
Information before departure
When will I receive detailed information about the course (how to get there, etc.)?
Around one week prior to the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with all the information about the course schedule, the airport pick-up, transfer etc.
Transport from/to the Barcelona Aiport
How is transport 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.
Accommodation
Accommodation in two-bed rooms (shared with another participant)
We are unable to comply with individual special requests beyond the official arrangements. If you are sharing a room with another participant, we kindly ask you to be considerate and respect your roommate’s needs and privacy.
Accommodation in a single room
If you wish to stay in a single room during the course, please make sure to let us know during the registration process. The price for a single room is 250 €.
Course book
When will I receive the course book?
Around one week prior to the course you will receive a detailed e-mail with important information before your departure as well as a link to the course book, so that you can download it.
Cancellation policy
What is the cancellation policy?
The Organizer (ESACT Office) must always be contacted in writing. A repersonalisation is possible up to 31 days before the start of the course, but must be approved by the Organizer. A fee of 50,00 EUR will be charged. Re-personalisation is no longer possible less than 31 days before the start of the event.
With regard to cancellation without a substantial change to the event, cancellation must always be made in writing and sent to and confirmed in writing by the ESACT office. The registration fee will be refunded minus an administrative fee of 50,00 EUR if the cancellation is made up to one month before the start of the course.
Refunds less than 31 days prior to the event are not possible. Participants who have not attended the event are responsible for paying the full ticket price. There will be no refund of fees for non-participation in the event.
Overview
Date:
27 September – 1 October 2026
Registration Fee:
Academia: 1.250,00 EUR
Industry: 1.950,00 EUR
Address:
Passeig de Cipsela 1
17211 Llafranc, Girona, Spain