Speaker Profile
Ph.D., SVP, AstraZeneca
Biography
Mark Cobbold is Senior Vice President of Discovery and Head of Oncology Cell Therapy in AstraZeneca Oncology R&D, where he leads research aimed at creating next-generation cellular immunotherapies for cancer. A physician-scientist and immunologist, his work has spanned human T-cell biology, viral immunity, cancer neoantigens, immunodeficiency, and the engineering of immune cells to recognize and eliminate tumors. He has helped develop technologies for identifying clinically relevant antigens and for designing T-cell therapies with improved specificity and function. Before joining AstraZeneca, Dr. Cobbold built an academic and entrepreneurial career in translational immunology and has co-founded several biotechnology companies, including ventures focused on immune targets and cancer immunotherapy. His research has connected basic discoveries in antigen recognition with therapeutic platforms intended to overcome tumor escape and broaden the reach of engineered cell therapy. At AstraZeneca, he works across discovery science, translational development, and portfolio strategy to move new cell-therapy concepts toward clinical testing in both hematologic and solid tumors.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2027 Silicon Valley
Track Chair:
Cindy Perettie, Kite Pharma
PMWC Award Ceremony
• Katy Rezvani, MD Anderson (Luminary)
• David Miklos, Stanford (Luminary)
• Frederick Locke, Moffitt Cancer Center (Luminary)
Featured Speakers
• Katy Rezvani, MD Anderson
• David Miklos, Stanford
• Frederick Locke, Moffitt Cancer Center
• Arie Belldegrun, Allogene Therapeutics
• Paul Hastings, Nkarta Therapeutics
• Priti Hegde, Kite Pharma
• Andrew Scharenberg, Umoja Biopharma
• Brett Staahl, Scribe Therapeutics
• Marcela Maus, Mass General Brigham / Harvard
• Antoni Ribas, UCLA
• Saul Priceman, USC
• Sabine Heitzeneder, Stanford
Off-the-Shelf Cell Therapies
NK, iPSC, and allogeneic T cells: what wins beyond autologous CAR-T.
AI in Cell Therapy: Research to Commercialization
How AI is reshaping discovery, product design, manufacturing, and clinical translation.
The Bottleneck: Manufacturing at Scale
Capacity, automation, cost of goods, and the realities of getting engineered cells to patients.
In Vivo Delivery: The Make-or-Break Layer
Targeting the right tissue safely enough to make in vivo engineering real.
Why Cell Therapies Fail in Solid Tumors and What Works
The microenvironment, antigen escape, and programs showing real responses.
Approved to Effective
Real-world outcomes, access, and what CAR-T still gets wrong after approval.
Davos of Precision Medicine
PMWC 2027 Program
January 27–29, 2027 · Santa Clara Convention Center
Swipe speakers · Tap a card for sessions →
In a few words.
PMWC is indeed The Davos of Biotech
PMWC Hall of Impact
Previous Speakers Include
Nobel laureates, technology founders, regulators, CEOs and scientific pioneers who have taken the PMWC stage.
