Speaker Profile
M.D., Professor, Stanford
Biography
Sabine Heitzeneder, M.D., is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in Hematology and Oncology at Stanford University and a physician-scientist developing cellular immunotherapies for childhood cancers. Her laboratory focuses on identifying tumor-restricted antigens and translating those discoveries into engineered T-cell therapies that can be tested clinically. A major emphasis is overcoming the challenges posed by pediatric solid tumors and brain tumors, where target selection, antigen heterogeneity, and the tumor microenvironment can limit the effectiveness of CAR T-cell therapy. Dr. Heitzeneder and colleagues have advanced work targeting GPC2 and other pediatric cancer antigens, including preclinical strategies designed to improve the potency and specificity of adoptive cell therapies. Her research bridges molecular target discovery, antibody and receptor engineering, disease modeling, and translational development. The goal is to create therapies with sufficient selectivity and activity for early-phase clinical testing while reducing damage to normal tissues, expanding the reach of cellular immunotherapy beyond hematologic malignancies.
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
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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.
