Dr. Cihan Taştan, Assistant Professor and Director of Üsküdar Üniversitesi NPCELLAB İTTÜ Biotechnology GMP Laboratory, and Beyza Aydın, R&D Manager, contributed to Turkey's clinical research capacity at the '7th Early Phase Clinical Research Symposium' organized by the İzmir Blood Diseases and Cancer Research Aid Association. Within the scope of the symposium, Dr. Cihan Taştan, Assistant Professor, delivered a presentation titled 'Early Phase Genetic and Cellular Therapy Studies (BCMA CAR-T, AAV Micro-Dystrophin)'. At the same time, the participation was also evaluated as a strategic step towards strengthening national capacity in the field of early-phase clinical research.
The 7th Early Phase Clinical Research Symposium brought together scientists shaping the future of clinical research in Turkey, regulatory authorities, and advanced research infrastructures at the Radisson Collection Hotel Vadi İstanbul.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi, represented by Dr. Cihan Taştan, Assistant Professor, Center Manager and Laboratory Director of NPCELLAB İTTÜ (Advanced Medicinal Treatment Products) Biotechnology GMP Laboratory and TRGENMER (Transgenic Stem Cell Technologies and Epigenetic Research and Application Center), and Beyza Aydın, R&D Manager, participated in the symposium.
Important topics highlighted within the symposium
In the scientific program of the symposium, critical topics such as global and national perspectives in clinical research, standards, quality and risk management, new technologies and methods in clinical studies, acceleration of clinical research development and activation processes, interaction with society, early-phase clinical research for innovative therapies, business development processes, Turkey's early-phase capacity, and new designs and artificial intelligence applications in clinical research were addressed.
Early-phase genetic and cellular therapy studies were discussed
Within the scope of the symposium, Dr. Cihan Taştan, Assistant Professor, delivered a presentation titled 'Early Phase Genetic and Cellular Therapy Studies (BCMA CAR-T, AAV Micro-Dystrophin)'. In his presentation, Taştan provided current scientific and technical evaluations on the place of gene and cellular therapies in early-phase clinical research, GMP-compliant production processes, and translational approaches.
Additionally, with the contributions of pioneering scientists in the field as well as inspectors working within the Ministry of Health's Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK), the regulation, quality, and sustainability dimensions of early-phase clinical research were comprehensively evaluated.
A strategic step towards strengthening national capacity…
Üsküdar Üniversitesi's participation in the symposium was evaluated not only as a process of information sharing but also as a strategic step towards strengthening national capacity in the field of early-phase clinical research.
NPCELLAB İTTÜ Biotechnology GMP Laboratory's GMP-compliant production infrastructure, quality and risk management systems, advanced biotechnology applications, and translational research capabilities, combined with TRGENMER's academic knowledge and innovative R&D approach, created a strong ecosystem that contributes to the more effective, rapid, and safe conduct of early-phase clinical studies in Turkey.
Aims to directly contribute to clinical and translational projects
In this regard, the symposium provided a significant gain for Üsküdar Üniversitesi, NPCELLAB İTTÜ Biotechnology GMP Laboratory, and TRGENMER in terms of deepening the culture of quality in clinical research, increasing compliance with international standards, bringing innovative genetic and cellular therapies to clinical phases, and enhancing Turkey's competitiveness in early-phase clinical research. The acquired knowledge and experience are aimed to directly contribute to clinical and translational projects to be carried out in the coming period.