NIH/NHLBI-funded PACT Group Announces Audio-Conference Scheduled for April 25, 2005, 1:00 pm ET

The Production Assistance for Cellular Therapies (PACT) Group has announced the scheduling of its audio-conference on April 25, 2005, at 1:00 pm ET. This will be a free interactive webcast to discuss the project and to answer participants questions about the projects goals, the application process and criteria, and the details surrounding PACT manufacturing assistance. We will share information regarding a clinical product currently being manufactured by PACT and a product in the translational stage.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) April 20, 2005 -- Presentation topics and speakers will include the following:

- Program Objectives and Organization, Dr. Traci Heath Mondoro, Project Officer, NHLBI

- CMV-Specific CTL for the Protection of Allogeneic Stem Cell Recipients, Dr. Cliona Rooney, Baylor College of Medicine

- Vaccination with Mature Dendritic Cells Loaded with Apoptotic T Cells Infected with Autologous HIV-1, Dr. Theresa Whiteside, University of Pittsburgh

- Product Development Process, Diane Kadidlo, MT, University of Minnesota

- The Application Process, Jamie Winestone, Project Director, The EMMES Corporation

- Question and Answer Session

Register online at www.pactgroup.net. Participants will receive an email detailing telephone and internet access requirements after registration.

The PACT Group is also re-opening its cell therapy survey. The survey, which was originally available from March 1 to March 18, 2005, is currently available online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=91889893079 until April 29, 2005.

The results of the survey will have a significant influence on the way PACT develops its initiatives by providing information that will assist the Group in identifying the best methods for addressing the needs of the cell therapy community. All stakeholders in the cell therapy community are invited to participate.

About PACT

The PACT Group is an NHLBI-funded initiative that is committed to the advancement of effective cell therapies. PACT supports the development of novel somatic cell therapy products by providing production assistance to the cell therapy community, as well as educational training via web seminars and at meetings. Production assistance is provided through the funded contract manufacturing of therapeutic cell products at PACT processing facilities. These facilities offer scale-up capability and expertise in the translational development needed to produce cell therapy products under cGMP and cGTP regulations. PACT manufactures quality cell therapy products on behalf of investigators with funded clinical trials requiring support in product development and approval. PACTs educational training focuses on three general areas: translational development/scale-up and manufacture of cell therapy products; and quality assurance and regulatory issues.

Contact:

PACT, Rockville

Jamie Winestone

301-251-1161

http://www.pactgroup.net

This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the NHLBI, NIH under Contract No. NO1-HB37166.

# # #