image: The summit convenes global leaders to confront scientific, economic, and systematic barriers that may limit patient access to potentially curative cellular medicines.
Credit: ISSCR
Bringing the promise of cell and gene therapies to patients is one of the greatest defining opportunities in, and responsibilities of, modern medicine. To that end, The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), in collaboration with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) and the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, will host the Summit on Access and Affordability in Cell and Gene Therapies on 20 March 2026.
The summit convenes global leaders to confront scientific, economic, and systematic barriers that may limit patient access to potentially curative cellular medicines. Experts in research, clinical care, policy, market access, economics and patient advocacy will engage in cross-sector dialogue to explore pricing, manufacturing, regulation, and reimbursement strategies.
“The mission of the ISSCR is to promote excellence in stem cell science and its applications to human health,” said Keith Alm, chief executive officer, ISSCR. “For decades, in partnership with organizations like CIRM and UCLA, we’ve helped foster rigorous, responsible research at the highest level. Now, as the field enters a new chapter, we must also ensure this extraordinary science delivers on its promise for patients.”
Through a series of moderated discussions and expert-led exchanges, participants will examine key barriers and emerging solutions across the access and affordability landscape, including:
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Risk Reduction and Payer Engagement – Exploring innovative approaches to commercial insurer participation, evidence generation, and shared-risk frameworks that support coverage decisions.
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Evolving Policy and Financing Models – Assessing public and private sector strategies, including outcomes-based reimbursement and new affordability models for one-time, high-impact therapies.
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Manufacturing and Regulatory Innovation – Highlighting advances in scalable manufacturing, regulatory science, and quality systems that can reduce costs and accelerate global access.
The summit program reflects the full complexity of the access challenge, with speakers representing health economics, clinical care, government and private payers, biotechnology, regulatory innovation, and advanced manufacturing. Confirmed faculty include leaders from the University of Southern California, City of Hope, the University of Chicago, Covered California, the University of California system, the Innovative Genomics Institute, Charles River Laboratories, Lonza, the UK Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, and emerging biotechnology companies developing next-generation manufacturing platforms.
Opening and closing keynote perspectives will frame the discussion with insights on health economics, policy tradeoffs, and long-term sustainability, while panels will integrate viewpoints from clinicians, economists, payers, manufacturers, and regulators – underscoring the need for coordinated, system-wide solutions.
The summit is organized by a multidisciplinary committee whose expertise spans stem cell biology, clinical translation, health economics, policy, and market access:
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Amander Clark, Ph.D, – University of California, Los Angeles
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Darius Lakdawalla, Ph.D. – University of Southern California
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Deepak Srivastava, M.D. – Gladstone Institutes
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Maria Bonneville – California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)
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David J. McLean, Ph.D. – Emerging Therapy Solutions
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Thomas A. Rando, M.D, Ph.D. – University of California, Los Angeles
Participation is intentionally limited to ensure a highly interactive environment. The ISSCR welcomes expressions of interest from individuals committed to advancing equitable access to cell and gene therapies worldwide. Use this form to express interest.
The ISSCR gratefully acknowledges UCLA College, CIRM, and Mytos Bio for their generous support of this inaugural summit. Explore the program and speakers.
About ISSCR
Across more than 80 countries, the International Society for Stem Cell Research (@ISSCR) is the preeminent global, cross-disciplinary, science-based organization dedicated to advancing stem cell research and its translation to medicine.