2026 GEAR Session Descriptions

Gene Editing

Our Gene Editing session will cover not only "classic" CRISPR/CAS technologies but also related epigenetic tools and immunotherapies (including CAR-T).  A range of topics spanning pure academic research through to manufacturing of final drug products will be discussed.

Targeted Delivery

Our Targeted Delivery session is tailored for those looking for an in depth look at the current state of the art in targeted delivery of RNA-based therapeutics.  Whether you are focused on tailoring the composition of RNA LNPs, developing novel routes of administration, or harnessing intrinsic properties in vivo to arrive at a specific destination this session is sure to be scintillating.

Vaccines

Our Vaccines session will dive deeper into the future direction of this important vaccine modality. Moving beyond the proof of concept established with the COVID vaccine products, this session will begin with the role of mRNAs directed at new targets and then proceed to novel RNA constructs and delivery vehicles.  Join us for this discussion to get a sense for what some of the next drug product approvals in this space are likely to be.

RNA Technologies

This session will highlight cutting-edge RNA-based modalities belonging to classes not captured in our other sessions.  Starting with the well-known siRNA therapeutics, this session will expand to include immune system modulators and RNA nanoparticles, with a focus on their expanding roles in disease intervention. Speakers will discuss advances in RNA design, delivery, and manufacturing, as well as emerging strategies to harness RNA-mediated immune activation or suppression for improved safety, durability, and therapeutic efficacy across infectious disease and oncology applications.

Manufacturing

This session will be dedicated to exploring the practical realities of bringing the bright ideas of RNA science to the marketplace. We will dive deeper into process development, scale-up, and manufacture of drug products. 

Applications of AI/ML in RNA Therapeutics 

This session will highlight how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming RNA therapeutics by shifting the field from slow, trial-and-error experimentation to high-speed, data driven design.  Speakers will discuss how these technologies are addressing key bottlenecks in RNA sequence stability, targeted formulation and delivery, personilized medicine and accelerating the development and manufacturing of RNA processes.