ESGCT 2025 | NecstGen
At #ESGCT2025, it’s a big conference in a small world! The passionate team from NecstGen shared their nonprofit mission to make cell and gene therapy manufacturing more accessible by reducing production costs.
The conversation also highlighted the lighter side of the industry: how taking a moment to relax and embrace networking can make a big difference. Connections formed at conferences like ESGCT often play a key role in speeding up innovation.
It was inspiring to see such a dedicated group enjoying their time in Sevilla!
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Aaron: Alright, guys can just talk to me, don't be too nervous. I'm going to turn on my radio voice and you're going to freak out. Hi everybody and welcome to ESGCT Day 2! I am in the NecstGen booth, and they are a very unique organization because they are non-profit and have a very interesting backstory. Who wants to give me the quick backstory on the organization?
Sophia: Hey, I'm Sophia. I'm a Business Developer at NecstGen. I joined NecstGen three years ago, and we are actually a spin-out of Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). Leiden University has been active in developing and conducting clinical trials with cell and gene therapies for decades. They had the unique idea of establishing an independent organization that can help bring down the costs for manufacturing and development of these unique therapies.
Aaron: That’s why they decided to establish NecstGen?
Sophia: Exactly. We were set up in 2020, and since then, we've established our site in Leiden, supporting viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing and development.
Aaron: Excellent. Now you two are on the evangelistic side of the team, right? Andre, what’s your role with the organization?
Andre: I’m also a Business Developer. I joined the company roughly two years ago to push forward our business development.
Aaron: And what about your backgrounds?
Andre: Actually, I'm a scientist by background. I did a PhD in molecular and cell biology and worked for a couple of biotech companies on the R&D side. Then I decided to switch gears and move into the "dark side of the force," which is the business side. I joined an MBA course and started doing business development roughly five years ago in the cell and gene therapy field.
Aaron: But you're empathetic to the cause and speak the language, so that’s excellent. Okay, we have an upstream specialist over here. Lindsay, why don't you introduce yourself?
Lindsay: My name is Lindsay. I've been with NecstGen for about three and a half years, coming directly from the university next door. I started as an intern and the company just embraced me. I love what I do, helping NecstGen fulfill its mission.
Aaron: Is this your first time at ESGCT? What do you think of the show so far?
Lindsay: This is my first time. It's a lot bigger than I expected it to be! So many people around from different corners. It's very fun to speak to everyone.
Aaron: Is there anything at the show that you're excited to learn about?
Lindsay: I'm mainly looking forward to hearing more about what other people are doing in manufacturing, but also new research to help me optimize my process development.
Aaron: It’s incredible how much is shared here in just a few short days. Now, for the business team—we were talking before about AAV and some of the trends. What’s the outlook here in Europe?
Andre: I can talk a little bit about that. You see quite a few big players dropping their AAV assets, which doesn't look that good for the field initially. But then you come to this conference and you see there is still a huge community working on AAVs. It’s not just about the regular AAVs right now; it’s really about engineering them. That part is quite nice to see.
Aaron: Sophia, what is NecstGen working on right now that you're excited about?
Sophia: Wow, we are working on a lot of different projects at the moment. We work across the board with different vector projects—lentivirus, retrovirus, and AAV—but also with a lot of different cell types like stem cells and immune-cell-based therapies. I think it’s a big mix of development projects and GMP manufacturing for clinical trials. These flourishing activities make us feel like we can really help support bringing therapies to patients.
Aaron: And you guys put a lot of investment in the Leiden area, correct? I think behind us is your manufacturing facility in the Leiden Bio Science Park.
Sophia: Yes, Leiden Bio Science Park is actually the largest bioscience park in the Netherlands with more than 500 companies. NecstGen has its headquarters there in a shared facility with Acellera and LUMC stem cell research groups. It’s a nice setup: industry, academia, and a manufacturer under one roof, filled with innovation.
Aaron: If you had to pick one word to describe NecstGen, what would it be?
Lindsay: Exhilarating.
Andre: Collaboration.
Sophia: I would say Mission-driven. Because of the non-profit side of things.
Aaron: I love that. Any advice for folks looking to join the life sciences industry?
Sophia: Network, network, network. It’s really incremental to join the drinks after the drinks and the networking receptions. These are the people who might open a door for you one day. Don't be afraid.
Andre: It’s a very small world, even though it looks like a big conference. Be aware that there is no second chance to make a very good first impression.
Lindsay: When I first started, I was a bit scared of the bigger companies. But they are also built out of people—they are the same people that I am. Talk to them!
Aaron: I have to agree. This industry is made up of passionate folks. altogether, we're not going to make it unless we work together and collaborate. This has been fantastic. It was wonderful to meet you all!
(Aaron turns to the camera for a footnote)
Aaron: I just need to do a quick footnote—my colleague here, Andre, is super cool, but he doesn’t always mean to pop the collar. But I think he’s starting a new trend! For the rest of the show, we all need to pop the collar. It's a look, man. It’ll start in Leiden and spread across the world. All right, thanks, man