Üsküdar University contributed to strengthening Türkiye’s clinical research capacity at the 7th Early Phase Clinical Research Symposium, organized by the İzmir Association for the Support of Hematological Diseases and Cancer Research. The University was represented by Dr. Cihan Taştan, Director of the NPCELLAB Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMP) Biotechnology GMP Laboratory, and Beyza Aydın, R&D Officer.
As part of the symposium, Dr. Taştan delivered a presentation titled “Early-Phase Genetic and Cellular Therapy Studies (BCMA CAR-T, AAV Micro-Dystrophin)”. The participation was also regarded as a strategic step toward enhancing national capacity in early-phase clinical research.
The 7th Early Phase Clinical Research Symposium brought together leading scientists shaping the future of clinical research in Türkiye, regulatory authorities, and advanced research infrastructures at the Radisson Collection Hotel, Vadi İstanbul.
Üsküdar University participated through NPCELLAB ATMP Biotechnology GMP Laboratory and TRGENMER (Center for Transgenic Stem Cell Technologies and Epigenetics Research and Applications), represented by Center Director and Laboratory Director Dr. Cihan Taştan and R&D Officer Beyza Aydın.
Key topics highlighted at the symposium
The scientific program addressed critical issues including global and national perspectives in clinical research, standards, quality and risk management, emerging technologies and methods in clinical trials, acceleration of clinical study development and activation processes, public engagement, early-phase clinical research for innovative therapies, business development processes, Türkiye’s early-phase capacity, and new clinical trial designs and artificial intelligence applications.
Focus on early-phase genetic and cellular therapies
Within the scope of the symposium, Dr. Taştan presented on early-phase genetic and cellular therapy studies, focusing on BCMA CAR-T and AAV micro-dystrophin approaches. His presentation included up-to-date scientific and technical evaluations on the role of gene and cell therapies in early-phase clinical trials, GMP-compliant manufacturing processes, and translational research approaches.
In addition, the regulatory, quality, and sustainability dimensions of early-phase clinical research were comprehensively discussed with contributions from leading scientists and inspectors from the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) under the Ministry of Health.
A strategic step toward strengthening national capacity
Üsküdar University’s participation went beyond knowledge sharing and was considered a strategic initiative to reinforce national capacity in early-phase clinical research.
The GMP-compliant manufacturing infrastructure of NPCELLAB ATMP Biotechnology GMP Laboratory, combined with robust quality and risk management systems, advanced biotechnology applications, and translational research expertise demonstrated a strong ecosystem capable of supporting early-phase clinical trials in Türkiye in a more effective, rapid, and secure manner, together with TRGENMER’s academic strength and innovative R&D approach.
Direct contribution to clinical and translational projects
In this context, the symposium provided a significant gain for Üsküdar University, NPCELLAB ATMP Biotechnology GMP Laboratory, and TRGENMER by deepening the quality culture in clinical research, increasing alignment with international standards, advancing innovative genetic and cellular therapies into clinical phases, and enhancing Türkiye’s competitiveness in early-phase clinical research.
The knowledge and experience gained are expected to directly contribute to upcoming clinical and translational projects in the near future.