Following the success of its inaugural edition, the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), in partnership with the BBVA Foundation, is pleased to announce the second VHIO-BBVA Foundation Cell-Based Therapies in Oncology International Symposium, to be held on November 13 and 14, 2025, at the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau in Barcelona, Spain.
This high-level international event is set to convene leading experts in the field of advanced cancer therapies. Over the course of two days, participants will explore the latest scientific and clinical advances in cell-based oncology treatments while gaining key insights into the future direction of these innovative approaches. The symposium aims to attract scientists, researchers, clinicians, patient representatives, and students from Europe and beyond who are interested in the latest frontiers of cancer therapy.
Cutting-Edge Scientific Program
The 2025 edition will offer a dynamic and comprehensive program addressing a broad spectrum of critical topics. Sessions will explore determinants of adoptive cell therapy (ACT) activity, applications in solid tumors and pediatric malignancies, early-phase clinical development, and the evolving regulatory framework in Europe.
In addition to lectures, the program will feature poster sessions, roundtable discussions, and dedicated networking opportunities to promote dialogue and collaboration across disciplines.
First-class Faculty in Cell-Therapy
This year’s symposium will welcome 22 distinguished speakers from prominent institutions around the world. Keynote presentations include Dr. Saar Gill, Scientific Co-Director of the Cell Therapy and Transplant Program and Associate Professor of Medicine (Hematology-Oncology) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and Dr. Thomas Blankenstein, Group Leader at the Molecular Immunology and Gene Therapy Lab at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin, Germany.
VHIO will be represented by three of its leading scientists who will also serve as symposium hosts: Dr. Joaquín Arribas, Group Leader of the Growth Factors Group; Dr. Alena Gros, Group Leader of the Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy Group; and Dr. Silvia Martin-Lluesma, Head of the Advanced Therapies Program. Their involvement underscores VHIO’s continued leadership in advancing innovative, translational cancer research.
Registrations Now Open
If you are interested in being part of this dynamic two-day event—designed to share cutting-edge science, foster discussion, and promote collaboration in the field of cell-based therapies in oncology—registrations are now open.
The symposium welcomes participation from across the oncology community. Attendees are also encouraged to contribute to the scientific exchange by submitting abstracts for poster presentations.
The registration deadline is October 1, 2025, and the abstract submission deadline is September 14, 2025.
For full details and to register, please visit: https://vhio.net/vhio-bbva-foundation-international-symposium/
The VHIO-BBVA Foundation Cell-Based Therapies in Oncology is organized by VHIO and supported by the BBVA Foundation through the Comprehensive Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunology Program (CAIMI and CAIMI II), the symposium is also backed by the Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA), the Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence Program, and the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC).
