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ForwardJonas Center Cellular Therapy Symposium
Chicago, IL US
September 25, 2026
Cellular Therapy, Reimagined Together
Join leading clinicians, researchers, and innovators for a comprehensive symposium focused on the latest scientific advances and clinical applications in cellular therapies. This collaborative forum will showcase cutting-edge basic and translational research, emerging technologies, and real-world clinical insights across hematologic cancers, solid tumors, and immune-mediated conditions.
Designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and strategic partnerships, this event offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the development and implementation of transformative cellular therapies. Engage with thought leaders, share expertise, and explore collaborative pathways that drive innovation from laboratory discovery to patient care.
Register now to contribute to medical innovation, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of cellular immunotherapy!
Designed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and strategic partnerships, this event offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the development and implementation of transformative cellular therapies. Engage with thought leaders, share expertise, and explore collaborative pathways that drive innovation from laboratory discovery to patient care.
Register now to contribute to medical innovation, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of cellular immunotherapy!
Target Audience
This activity is designed for basic and translational researchers, hematology and medical oncology physicians and fellows, immunologists, and other healthcare professionals interested in tumor immunology and cellular immunotherapy.
Learning Objectives
After this activity, participants will be able to:
- Identify mechanisms underlying acute and delayed toxicities associated with CAR T-cell therapy and their clinical implications.
- Explain the scientific rationale for applying cellular therapies in autoimmune diseases.
- Analyze novel antigen targets and mechanisms of resistance in cellular therapy for multiple myeloma.
- Differentiate alternative effector cell platforms from CAR T-cell therapies based on efficacy, safety, and scalability.
- Assess strategies to enhance the safety and durability of cellular therapies, including multi-antigen targeting and engineered constructs.
- Appraise the relative advantages and limitations of allogeneic versus autologous CAR T-cell therapies in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
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| Time | Session | Faculty |
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration, Exhibits, & Breakfast | |
| 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Welcome and Introductions | Peter Riedell, MD |
| Session 1: Innovations in Cellular Therapy for Pediatric and AYA Populations | ||
| 8:40 – 8:45 AM | Introduction to Session | James LaBelle, MD, PhD |
| 8:45 – 9:15 AM | Armoring Strategies for CAR T-Cells to Treat Solid Tumors | Andras Heczey, MD |
| 9:15 – 9:45 AM | Presentation 2 | Bilal Omer, MD |
| Janet Rowley Keynote Lecture | ||
| 9:45 – 9:50 AM | Presentation of the Janet Rowley Award | John DiPersio, MD, PhD |
| 9:50 – 10:30 AM | From Specificity to Scalability: Reframing TCR Biology for Cancer Immunotherapy | Christopher Klebanoff, MD |
| 10:30 – 10:50 AM | BREAK | |
| Session 2: CAR-T for Multiple Myeloma: Understanding Novel Targets and Toxicities | ||
| 10:50 – 10:55 AM | Introduction to Session | Benjamin Derman, MD |
| 10:55 – 11:25 AM | Presentation 1 | Eric Smith, MD, PhD |
| 11:25 – 11:55 AM | Presentation 2 | Joseph Fraietta, PhD |
| 11:55 – 1:00 PM | LUNCH | |
| Jonas Memorial Keynote Lecture | ||
| 1:00 – 1:05 PM | Presentation of Jonas Memorial Award | Michael Bishop, MD |
| 1:05 – 1:45 PM | Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Virus-Specific T-Cell Platforms for Tumor Immunotherapy | Catherine Bollard, MD |
| Session 3: Advancing Cellular Therapy in Autoimmune Disease | ||
| 1:45 – 1:50 PM | Introduction to Session | Nirav Shah, MD, MS |
| 1:50 – 2:20 PM | The Ins and Outs of Antigen-Specific CAR T-Cell Therapy for Neuroinflammatory Diseases | Gregory Wu, MD, PhD |
| 2:20 – 2:50 PM | Presentation 2 | Gwen Binder, PhD |
| 2:50 – 3:10 PM | BREAK | |
| Session 4: Beyond CAR-T: Alternative Effector Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy | ||
| 3:10 – 3:15 PM | Introduction to Session | Brian Betts, MD |
| 3:15 – 3:45 PM | Presentation 1 | Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD |
| 3:45 – 4:15 PM | Understanding iNKT Cell Biology Through a Lens of Cell Therapy Design | Melissa Mavers, MD, PhD |
| Debate Topic: Should Allogeneic CAR-T Replace Autologous CAR-T in B-NHL? | ||
| 4:15 – 4:20 PM | Introduction to Session | Renier Brentjens, MD, PhD |
| 4:20 – 4:35 PM | In Favor of Autologous | Marco Davilla, MD, PhD |
| 4:35 – 4:50 PM | In Favor of Allogeneic | Armin Ghobadi, MD |
| 4:50 – 5:00 PM | Voting and Q&A | |
| 5:00 – 5:05 PM | Closing Remarks | Peter Riedell, MD |
The agenda is subject to change.
David Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago
1201 E 60th St
Chicago, IL
60637
United States
DAVID RUBENSTEIN FORUM
The David Rubenstein Forum combines a variety of spaces, both formal and informal, large and small, calm and animated, focused and diffuse, scheduled and spontaneous. Its ten-story tower features vibrant and distinct “neighborhoods.” For example, the third and fourth floors are home to Friedman Hall, a 285-seat auditorium optimized for spoken word, including keynote speeches, invited-speaker addresses, and select performances; these floors and other neighborhoods are connected by a two-story lounge. Meeting rooms on the eighth and ninth floors feature premium furnishings, finishes, and equipment, such as the Peter May Boardroom, a tiered meeting space that seats over 70. The Rubenstein Forum’s unique position on the Midway allows for expansive views toward the campus and surrounding communities as well as downtown Chicago and Lake Michigan.
SPECIAL HOTEL RATES ARE AVAILABLE!
A block of rooms has been held at The Study at the University of Chicago! Featuring 167 rooms, including nine brand signature Study units and a complement of premium Suites. Rooms are equipped with all the amenities the modern traveler needs—whether he or she is a scholarly guest seeking the perfect leather reading chair, a visiting executive in need of an expansive work desk, or a prospective student looking for a view of the campus through floor-to-ceiling windows. All guestrooms feature comfortable feather-topped beds, Frette linens and towels, a soft leather chair and ottoman from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, lighting from Spain-based Marset, and modern bathrooms with C.O. Bigelow toiletries. Guests enjoy essential complimentary amenities including wireless high-speed Internet, bottled water, newspapers, and morning coffee available through our Living Room.
The Study is located at 1227 E 60th St, right next door to the Rubenstein Forum.
Guests can reserve rooms by contacting the hotel directly:
The Study is located at 1227 E 60th St, right next door to the Rubenstein Forum.
Guests can reserve rooms by contacting the hotel directly:
- Phone: 773.643.1600
- Please mention the Jonas Center Cellular Therapy Symposium when booking.
The discounted rate expires on August 21, so reserve your room today!
PARKING
Valet Parking
Complimentary valet parking is available from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm CT. If you will be utilizing valet parking, please drive up to the front entrance of the Rubenstein Building on East 60th Street and inform the valet staff that you are attending the Jonas Symposium.
Free Parking
In addition, street parking is an option, both in the blocks around the Forum and along the Midway. During the school year, it is often more difficult to find a spot on the street, especially in the mornings. There is a free parking lot several blocks east at the corner of E. 60th Street and S. Stony Island.
Complimentary valet parking is available from 7:30 am – 5:30 pm CT. If you will be utilizing valet parking, please drive up to the front entrance of the Rubenstein Building on East 60th Street and inform the valet staff that you are attending the Jonas Symposium.
Free Parking
In addition, street parking is an option, both in the blocks around the Forum and along the Midway. During the school year, it is often more difficult to find a spot on the street, especially in the mornings. There is a free parking lot several blocks east at the corner of E. 60th Street and S. Stony Island.
Visitor Parking
Several options exist around campus for visitor parking. These lots include Young, Chapin, Dorchester, and the community lot at the corner of E. 60th Street and S. Stony Island Avenue. The visitor parking rate at University-operated lots is $4 an hour.
Campus North (Ellis) Garage is another option for visitor parking. Visitor parking rates at Campus North (Ellis) Garage are:
- 0-2 hours – $12
- 2-3 hours – $16
- 3-4 hours – $22
- 4-24 hours – $28
These rates apply 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Parking rates include any required City of Chicago and Cook County parking taxes.
Temporary parking permits must be obtained for all guests or visitors parking in permit spaces; prices to apply. Visitors may only park at the location designated on the temporary permit. If the parking assignment designation is “various,” the holder may only park in non-gated lots.
Mobile Payment Parking
The University offers a mobile payment solution for visitor parking in the following lots: McGiffert, Wells, Chapin, Young, and Dorchester. Payments can be made by downloading the Passport app from the app store or the Google Play store; through their desktop website or their mobile website; or by calling 312-273-5691. Signs in these lots provide more specific information necessary to complete the mobile payment process.
VISITING CHICAGO
Discover why Condé Nast Traveler readers voted Chicago the Best Big City in the U.S. for a historic eighth year in a row. To help plan your stay in Chicago, visit Choose Chicago.
ACCESSIBILITY The University of Chicago is committed to providing equal access appropriate to need and circumstances and complies fully with legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you are in need of special accommodation, please contact our office via email.
The University of Chicago reserves the right to cancel or postpone this conference due to unforeseen circumstances. In the unlikely event this activity must be cancelled or postponed, the registration fee will be refunded; however, the University of Chicago is not responsible for any related costs, charges, or expenses to participants, including fees assessed by airline/travel/lodging agencies.
COURSE DIRECTORS
| Renier Brentjens, MD, PhD Deputy Director Chair, Department of Medicine The Katherine Anne Gioia Endowed Chair in Cancer Medicine Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center | John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD Virginia E and Sam J Golman Professor Section Director – Cellular Therapy Washington University |
| Peter Riedell, MD Associate Professor of Medicine University of Chicago | Nirav N. Shah, MD Professor Clinical Director, BMT and Cellular Therapy Medical College of Wisconsin |
Disclosure Declarations
As a provider accredited by the ACCME, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine asks everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies. This includes any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Financial relationships are relevant if a financial relationship, in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company during the past 24 months, and the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any relevant financial relationships before the start of the activity.
Additionally, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine requires authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at first mention and, where appropriate, in the content.
As a provider accredited by the ACCME, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine asks everyone in a position to control the content of an educational activity to disclose all financial relationships with any ineligible companies. This includes any entity whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Financial relationships are relevant if a financial relationship, in any amount, exists between the person in control of content and an ineligible company during the past 24 months, and the content of the education is related to the products of an ineligible company with whom the person has a financial relationship. Mechanisms are in place to identify and mitigate any relevant financial relationships before the start of the activity.
Additionally, the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine requires authors to identify investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration at first mention and, where appropriate, in the content.
Physician Credit
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Other Participant Credit
Other participants will receive a Certificate of Participation. For information on the applicability and acceptance of Certificates of Participation for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME, please consult your professional licensing board.
Please note: The credit-claiming process closes 1 month after the activity ends. Requests submitted more than 1 month after the event date may incur additional fees.
Registration: For complete information and registration, click the button below!
Claiming Credit: After creating an account or logging in, enter the access code to unlock the credit claiming process.
Please note: The credit-claiming process closes 1 month after the activity ends. Requests submitted more than 1 month after the event date may incur additional fees.
Please note: The credit-claiming process closes 1 month after the activity ends. Requests submitted more than 1 month after the event date may incur additional fees.
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