The event will bring together researchers, clinicians, policy makers, regulators, biotech entrepreneurs, pharma and patient advocates to discuss equity, innovation, and global health implications.
Preliminary programme
Tuesday, October 28
Panel 1 – “Technicalities”
This panel will explore the scientific and regulatory specificities of the new generation of gene therapies – from ex vivo editing (e.g., CAR-T, CRISPR-based therapies) to in vivo delivery platforms. It will examine how choices in technology design, clinical translation, and intellectual property regimes affect costs, scalability, and downstream affordability.
Key Questions:
- What makes current gene therapies so expensive?
- How are advances in base editing, delivery systems, or manufacturing likely to influence future accessibility?
- Are there design choices that can “bake in” affordability from the start?
Panel 2 – Access/Affordability: Perspectives from Different Regions
This panel brings together diverse voices from the Global South and North to reflect on regional disparities in accessing gene therapies. It will discuss economic, regulatory, and infrastructural barriers – and highlight innovative models of equitable access.
Key Questions:
- What are the main obstacles to accessing gene therapies in different regions?
- How do health systems, reimbursement schemes, and regulatory pathways impact affordability?
- Are there promising regional or international approaches (e.g., licensing pools, public-private partnerships) that could be scaled up?
Wednesday, October 29
Panel 3 – Ethical and Policy Challenges of Pricing Innovation
This panel will examine the tension between innovation incentives (e.g., patents, exclusivity) and health equity. It will also assess the role of public funding in therapeutic development and the expectations it creates for pricing and access.
Key Questions:
- Should the pricing of gene therapies reflect public contributions to their development?
- What ethical frameworks are most useful in guiding access policies for high-cost therapies?
- What responsibilities do industry, states, and scientific communities share in ensuring global equity?
Confirmed Speakers
- Paul Aliu, Novartis, Switzerland
- Fabiana Arzuaga, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Alta Charo, University of Wisconsin, USA
- Marina Cavazzana, University of Paris Descartes, France
- Kazuto Kato, University of Osaka, Japan
- Kiran Musunuru, UPENN, USA
- Michael S Pepper, University of Pretoria, South Africa
- Pawel Lukow, University of Warsaw, Poland
- Julian März, University of Zürich, Switzerland
- Fyodor Urnov, UC Berkeley, USA
