Cell & Gene Therapy Congress: Advancing the Future of Medicine - 6th - 8 Aug 2026

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I recently had the privilege of participating in three intensive days of the Cell & Gene Therapy Congress, bringing together local and international experts in cellular therapy, physicians, researchers, scientists, industry professionals and other stakeholders involved in this rapidly developing field.

Learning from Local and International Experts

Throughout the congress, I had the opportunity to engage with experts from Malaysia and overseas, exchanging experiences and listening to research and clinical discussions covering areas such as mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs), CAR-T cell therapy, extracellular vesicles (EVs) and gene therapy.

The congress provided an important platform to understand current developments, challenges and future directions in cell and gene therapy.

It was also encouraging to see the capabilities Malaysia has developed in this field. Our country is home to increasingly sophisticated laboratories, facilities, researchers and professionals contributing to the advancement of cellular therapies.

Quality and Patient Safety Must Come First

One of the strongest messages throughout the congress was the importance of quality and patient safety.

Cellular therapy involves many critical stages — from sample collection, cell culture and processing to storage, identification, washing and final delivery. Every stage requires careful quality control, appropriate procedures and adherence to applicable regulatory and professional standards.

Cost should therefore never be the only consideration when evaluating cellular therapy. The quality of the laboratory, processing procedures, traceability, safety standards and professional oversight are equally important considerations.

Across the discussions, there was a consistent emphasis that patient safety must remain the highest priority as this field continues to develop.

Recognising the People Behind the Science

Behind every laboratory and every advancement is a dedicated team.

Laboratory technicians, technologists, cell culturists, scientists, quality personnel, collection and delivery teams, cleaners, administrative staff, sales and marketing personnel, managers, HR and PR teams all contribute to maintaining the standards required in this highly specialised field.

Their contributions deserve recognition.

Appreciation to CryoCord Malaysia and UTAR

My sincere gratitude to Ms. May, Mr. Yeap and the team at CryoCord Malaysia for the invitation and hospitality.

I would also like to thank UTAR, the professors and their team, together with CryoCord Malaysia, for organising the hands-on training session related to stem cells. The opportunity to combine scientific discussions with practical exposure made the experience particularly valuable.

After three days of learning and exchanging perspectives, I returned with an even greater appreciation for the possibilities being explored through MSCs, CAR-T cells, EVs and gene therapy.

These emerging areas have significant potential to contribute to the future of medicine. At the same time, their development must continue to be guided by scientific evidence, responsible clinical practice, appropriate regulation, quality assurance and, most importantly, patient safety.

I look forward to continuing to learn, collaborate and contribute to the responsible development of regenerative medicine and cellular therapies in Malaysia and beyond.