Webinar
SPARK-BIH National GCT Webinar: Stefan Frank
Join Stefan Frank for the next lecture on “Translating Stem Cell Innovation to Clinical Reality: The Bemdaneprocel Journey”.
Talk
In this SPARK-BIH National Gene and Cell Therapies Webinar, Stefan Frank will present an in-depth overview of bemdaneprocel, one of the first PSC-derived therapies to reach pivotal clinical trials. He will outline the scientific, regulatory, and clinical milestones that guided its path from concept to clinic and highlight the collaboration between BlueRock Therapeutics and Bayer as a model for effective Biotech–Pharma partnerships. The session will address key drivers of success in emerging ATMP programs such as manufacturing, trial design, and collaboration strategy, and provide practical insights for translational teams advancing their own GCT innovations.
About the Speaker
Stefan Frank studied Molecular Biomedicine in Bonn, Germany. He spent his academic training and career on human pluripotent stem cells. After joining Bayer as a lab head in 2017, he expanded the in-house iPSC platform for target validation before playing a key role in the acquisition of BlueRock Therapeutics in 2019. In the following years, he significantly shaped Bayer’s GCT strategy and evolved the scientific, technical, governance, and interpersonal relationships between Bayer and BlueRock. In 2023, he joined BlueRock to advance their strategy and operational excellence. Since June 2025, Stefan is back in Bayer R&D Strategy, driving larger cross-portfolio strategic initiatives. He is passionate about translating cutting-edge science into application, having supported various initiatives like the European Bank for iPSCs (EBISC), the Berlin Center for Gene & Cell Therapies and the German National Strategy for GCT.