January 2024

This edition of CellSource is sponsored by BioBuzz .?

BIOTHERAPIES NEWS: Highlights and Top Stories

BIOTHERAPIES AT AABB: Community and Association News

Cell Notes: A Monthly Column by Christina M. Celluzzi, PhD, MS, CABP(H), Director, Biotherapies at AABB?

BioBuzz Q&A: Skills Needed in Biotech

Christina Celluzzi, PhD, MS, CABP(H) ,PhD, MS, CABP(H), interviewed Chris Frew , founder of BioBuzz , in this sponsored edition of AABB’s CellSource newsletter, January 2024.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you first get into biotherapies?

I am the founder of BioBuzz Networks , and its sister company Workforce Genetics , two companies that both serve the biotherapies market. My journey into the field began at Towson University in Maryland where I started as a Biology major. After hitting a challenging semester of Organic Chemistry, I switched to Business which I ultimately graduated with. My first job out of college was in 2004 as an IT recruiter. I never lost my love for life science though and eagerly encouraged the company to let me start recruiting for biotech companies. In just over a year, my persistence paid off and I launched the Life Science recruiting division in Maryland and never looked back.

Read the full interview on the AABB website as they discuss skills needed for biotech in 2024.??

CellSource Gets a New Look for 2024?

Happy new year from AABB ! As we enter 2024, AABB is excited to unveil CellSource’s new look. Along with the refreshed assets, AABB is also announcing the launch of two new sponsorship opportunities:?

• The CellSource edition basic sponsorship offers sponsors inclusion of their logo and a short sponsorship message at the top of the newsletter. ?
• The CellSource edition premium sponsorship offers the above, as well as a partnership on one piece of edition content, subject to AABB approval.?

For further information on pricing or to discuss upcoming availability for these new CellSource sponsorship opportunities, please contact Margie Boraz at [email protected] .?

Alternatively, for all AABB advertising and sponsorship opportunities please see the AABB Media Kit webpage .

CABP Q&A Interview with Zach Thompson?

AABB is kicking off the new year with a new CABP Q&A interview.?Zach Thompson, MD, FCAP, CABP, is senior associate consultant at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville where he serves as the medical director of the human cell therapy lab. In this new Q&A, AABB sat down with Thompson to discuss his career, his journey into biotherapies, why he decided to pursue the CABP credential and where he sees the field heading.?

"I would hope that as many early-career professionals as possible pursue this certification. I am specifically looking at pathologists and other physicians who seek to bring these investigational biotherapies to the bedside,” said Thompson.?

Read the full interview and learn more about AABB’s CABP credentialing program on the AABB website.?

Did you know??

AABB’s Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP) Credentialing Program is the first and only certification for advanced biotherapies professionals. The CABP certification benefits the entire biotherapies field by:

• Establishing minimum standards of competence.?
• Identifying qualified and proficient professionals.?
• Advancing safety and quality.

Are you eligible or do you know someone who is??Learn more about AABB's CABP, if you’re eligible and how to apply on the AABB website.?

?AABB Employee Spotlight Interview with Susan Leppke??

Meet our team! In a new employee spotlight interview, AABB sat down with Susan N. Leppke, MPH , senior director, public policy and strategic partnerships, to discuss her background and her role at AABB.? Susan also discussed how she worked with stakeholders in the blood community to shape AABB’s response to the FDA ’s proposed rule on laboratory-developed tests.?

"I am motivated by AABB's mission, as well as the opportunity to increase access to the availability of blood and biotherapies for patients that need it most,” said Leppke.?

Read the full interview with Leppke and find out more about AABB’s regulatory and advocacy efforts on the website. ?

Biotherapies Sales and Business Development Manager Opening?

AABB is hiring a sales and business development manager . This role is a great opportunity for anyone who is:?

• A highly dedicated professional who is organized and driven by new challenges.?
• A team player who believes in providing best in class service.?
• Looking for a work environment that values and promotes teamwork and collaboration.?

The sales and business development manager will be responsible for generating revenue through the sale and promotion of AABB’s products and services with an emphasis on the biotherapies industry. This person in this role will develop and implement institutional recruitment and retention efforts including research, prospect development, lead generation and follow through via outreach, special events, conferences, industry meetings and other strategies that contribute to ROI. The manager will develop new prospects and interact with existing clients to increase revenue and will share market intelligence with the AABB team.?

For more information about the role, requirements and how to apply please view the full job description on AABB’s LinkedIn page .

AABB BIOTHERAPIES NEWSFEED: More Updates from the Field

Read more from the AABB Newsfeed , an essential resource offering the latest news, analysis, commentary and updates on critical topics for the blood and biotherapies community.

AABB MEMBERS ZONE: Biotherapies Resources and Events

AABB Update on Cellular Therapies Subsection Activities?

As a benefit, AABB members can enroll in subsections that meet monthly to enrich their professional experience and to keep informed about happenings in the field of cellular therapy. All subsections welcomed the new year with discussion on challenges and hot topics for 2024.?

• Asia Pacific Group (APG) welcomed Erwin Cabana , Technical Manager, ICCBBA who spoke on the ISBT 128 Chain of Identity (COI) identifier . There are circumstances in the collection and processing of cellular therapy products for further manufacture where more than one donation may need to be collected to deliver a given therapy.? This new identifier provides a standardized, globally unique identifier that can be used to link donations together. All ISBT 128 standards and implementation guides are available to the public in the ICCBBA technical library on the ICCBBA website.??
• Cellular Therapies Current & Emerging Topics (CT-CET) subsection members welcomed Dr. Asawari (Asa) Bapat Global Regenerative Medicine Consultant who presented a thorough overview of changes in Environmental Monitoring ISO Standards for Cell and Gene Therapies .?
• Cord Blood (CB) Subsection members discussed storage failures and how members are securing their own banks’ inventories.??
• Quality, Regulatory & Management (QRM) Subsection discussed the FDA Draft Guidance: Potency Assurance for Cellular and Gene Therapy Products. In the draft guidance, the agency provides recommendations to develop a science- and risk-based strategy to help assure the potency of a human cellular therapy or gene therapy (CGT) product at all stages of the product lifecycle.??
• Spanish Language Subsection (SLS). The SLS will host a kick-off meeting on Jan. 31 from 5 to 6 p.m. as it reorganizes in 2024. AABB invites its Spanish-speaking members of the blood and biotherapies community to join the SLS 2024 kick-off meeting.

Learn more information about subsections on the AABB website.

AABB Accepting 2024 Annual Meeting Education Session Proposals?

AABB encourages members to become a part of the AABB Annual Meeting by submitting an educational session proposal for the 2024 meeting, taking place Oct. 19-22 in Houston, Texas.?

The field’s premier educational event for more than 75 years, the AABB Annual Meeting is known for providing timely, high-quality education sessions to professionals working in the fields of transfusion medicine, blood banking and biotherapies. AABB strongly encourages community members to contribute to this storied tradition by submitting an education session proposal or topic idea . Presenting at the meeting is a powerful way to help shape the success of the field and stand out as a thought leader.?

The submission deadline is Monday, Feb. 26. Individuals interested in presenting at the meeting can download the educational session proposal guide on preparing proposals for submission. Please note that you can access your proposal to add, update or edit the content through the submission period.?

Those with questions about the AABB Annual Meeting may contact [email protected] .?

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Not an AABB Member?

Join AABB to gain access to essential benefits, including professional development opportunities, critical tools and resources, and opportunities to collaborate with leaders in the field. Be a part of a diverse community of health care professionals working to make transfusion medicine and biotherapies safe, available and effective worldwide. Find out more on the AABB website.