About NanoCell Therapeutics

Dr. Charles F. Albright, Ph.D., has a substantial background in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, particularly in the development of gene therapy and gene editing technologies. He has recently been appointed to our Scientific Advisory Board.

Before joining Affinia Therapeutics, Dr. Albright served as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Editas Medicine. Under his leadership, the company delivered the first IND for in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 editing and advanced a treatment for sickle cell disease towards clinical trials. At Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, as Vice President, he led efforts in discovering therapeutics for rare diseases, including treatments for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. His work also encompassed the development of therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, Schizophrenia, and neuropathic pain.

Dr. Albright's earlier career includes significant roles at Dupont Pharmaceutical Company and academic contributions as an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. His research has provided insights into cell signaling and the biology of Ras-family GTPases.

Holding a Ph.D. in Biology and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dr. Albright has been recognized with awards like the Jack Grebb Award for Excellence in Leadership. He has contributed to numerous publications and holds patents related to gene therapy and drug discovery.

Dr. Gianpietro Dotti is a renowned Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, specializing in the fields of hematology and immunology. With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, Dr. Dotti has made significant contributions to the field of cancer research and treatment using gene-modified T lymphocytes. He is recognized for his expertise in developing innovative strategies to redirect the antigen specificity of T lymphocytes and overcome tumor inhibitory mechanisms.

Throughout his career, Dr. Dotti has been at the forefront of gene-modified T-cell therapy for malignancies. He has successfully facilitated the development and implementation of over 15 cell therapy trials, focusing on hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. Notably, his work has been published in esteemed scientific journals, including Science Translational Medicine, Cancer Cell, Nature Biotechnologies, Nature Cancer, Journal of Clinical Oncology, and Blood.

In addition to his significant contributions in CAR-based immunotherapy approaches for various cancers such as Neuroblastoma, Glioblastoma, Pancreatic Cancer, and Ovarian Cancer, Dr. Dotti has also played a pivotal role in the gene modification of NKT cells with CARs. As a Principal Investigator for more than 20 years, he has mentored numerous postgraduate fellows, graduate students, and undergraduate students, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in academia and research.

Dr. Dotti currently serves as the Director of the UNC Lineberger Cellular Immunotherapy Program at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He holds the position of Professor with tenure in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the same institution. Previously, he served as a Professor with tenure at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Dr. Dotti's expertise and leadership in the field of immunotherapy have earned him several honors and recognition. He has served on the Editorial Board of Molecular Therapy and is an active member of the American Society of Cell and Gene Therapy. Notably, he received the Outstanding New Investigator Award from the American Society of Gene Therapy at their 10th Annual Meeting.

Dr. Dotti received his medical education at the University of Milan, Italy, where he obtained his MD in Medicine and Surgery in 1989. He further pursued his studies at the University of Parma, Italy, and completed his MD in Hematology in 1995.

Perry Hackett is a professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development since 1980. As a co-founder of the Center for Genome Engineering and a member of the University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center, he has made significant contributions to the field of genetics and molecular biology.

The invention of the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System, a groundbreaking non-viral gene therapy tool was developed in his lab. This pioneering technology has revolutionized the field of gene therapy and opened new avenues for treating genetic disorders.

In addition to his academic career, Prof. Hackett is also an accomplished entrepreneur, co-founding three biotech companies. Discovery Genomics, acquired by Immusoft, focuses on innovative genetic research. Recombinetics specializes in genome editing in large animals, offering promising solutions for various applications. Furthermore, NovoClade, another venture co-founded by Prof. Hackett, specializes in synthetic speciation for environmentally friendly pest control.

With over 50 years of experience in molecular genetics and genome engineering, Prof. Hackett brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to NanoCell Therapeutics. His educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Physics from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. in Biophysics and Genetics from the University of Colorado. He further honed his skills through postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute for Cell Biology in Germany and the University of California in San Francisco.

Dr. Marlene Haffner is a highly accomplished expert and advisor with a remarkable career dedicated to advancing the field of orphan therapy development. With over 20 years as the Director of the Office of Orphan Products Development at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), she played an instrumental role in establishing the program as the global leader in orphan products.

Under Dr. Haffner's visionary leadership, the program thrived, contributing to the development of over 300 products in the United States. Her impact extended far beyond national borders, as she actively collaborated with international stakeholders to establish similar programs in Japan, the European Union, Australia, and other regions, solidifying her reputation as a respected authority in the field. She propelled the term "orphan products" into the forefront of the pharmaceutical world, raising awareness and fostering dialogue on this critical area of medical research and development.

Dr. Haffner founded Haffner Associates in 2009 through with which she leverages her experience in orphan product development to collaborate with biotech and pharmaceutical companies of all sizes, patient advocacy groups, and government agencies. In addition to her role at Haffner Associates, Dr. Haffner serves as an expert advisor and board member for companies worldwide, where her insights and regulatory expertise guide strategic decision-making and promote innovation.

Dr. Haffner is trained as an internist and hematologist, graduating from the George Washington University School of Medicine, with further training at the Columbia University School of Medicine and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. She holds a Masters of Public Health from the prestigious Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

Dan Peer is a distinguished Professor and the Director of the Laboratory of Precision NanoMedicine at Tel Aviv University (TAU), where he also serves as the Vice President for Research and Development. Prof.Peer leads a dynamic research team focused on developing innovative genetic medicines to address inflammatory diseases, rare genetic disorders, and cancers. His lab is at the forefront of designing highly targeted and selective nanocarriers that enhance the ability to reprogram cells with precision. Their cutting-edge research aims to translate these findings into practical clinical applications, revolutionizing the way diseases are treated.

In 2017, he co-founded and currently serves as the Managing Director of SPARK Tel Aviv, Center for Translational Medicine, further exemplifying his commitment to bridging the gap between scientific discoveries and real-world healthcare solutions. He also served as the chair of the TAU Cancer Biology Research Center, Tel Aviv, from 2016 to 2020.

In recognition of his contributions, Prof. Peer was elected as a member of the Israel Young Academy of Science in 2014 and later, in 2023, he was honored with election to the US National Academy of Engineering.Prof. Peer holds advisory roles in more than 15 companies and serves on the scientific advisory board of 20 prestigious journals.

Dr. Molly Stevens is a renowned academic and leading expert in the field of Biomedical Materials and Regenerative Medicine. As a Professor at Imperial College London, she holds positions in both the Department of Materials and the Department of Bioengineering. Additionally, Dr. Stevens serves as the Research Director for Biomedical Material Sciences at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

Dr. Stevens' expertise expands beyond her primary institution. She also holds a part-time appointment as a Professor at the renowned Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, contributing to global medical research and innovation.

Recognized for her outstanding contributions to academia, Dr. Stevens is a distinguished Fellow of eight UK Societies, including the prestigious Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering. In 2019, she was elected as a Foreign Member of the National Academy of Engineering in the United States, solidifying her global reputation as a leader in her field.

With a focus on collaborative and interdisciplinary research, Dr. Stevens has held various leadership positions throughout her career. She currently serves as the Director of the UK Regenerative Medicine Platform "Smart Materials" Hub, driving innovation and breakthroughs in regenerative medicine. Additionally, she holds the position of Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at the University of Oxford, where she joined as the John Black Professor of Bionanoscience in April 2023.

As an Associate Director of the British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Dr. Stevens demonstrates her commitment to tackling cardiovascular diseases and improving patient outcomes. Her influence also extends beyond academia and research. She serves as a Scientist Trustee of the National Gallery in London, UK, where she contributes her expertise to the intersection of science and art. Furthermore, her role as an Associate Editor of ACS Nano showcases her dedication to fostering scientific discourse and publishing impactful research.