The post ISI Opening Ceremony Celebrates Bio-Manguinhos’ 50th Anniversary (wednesday) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

The second day of ISI 2026 took place on Thursday, May 7, at the Museum of Modern Art (MAM) in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together national and international experts to discuss diagnostics, vaccine development, RNA-based therapies, and the challenges of disinformation in public health. The program was marked by debates on technological sovereignty, pandemic preparedness, scientific cooperation, and strengthening health communication.

The opening session featured Rosane Cuber, Director of Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, and Ione Mendonça, Executive Director of MAM. Ione highlighted the importance of hosting the symposium in a venue that recently welcomed major international meetings, including BRICS and G20 gatherings, while also reinforcing the connection between science and culture promoted by the museum.

Rosane Cuber welcomed participants to the 10th symposium and recalled that the week marked the 50th anniversary celebrations of Bio-Manguinhos. She highlighted the illumination of Christ the Redeemer in blue earlier that week as a symbol of the celebration and stated that, beyond the tributes, the meeting represents a space for work, collective knowledge-building, and strengthening science as a public good. According to Rosane, art and science share creativity, sensitivity, and the drive to question the world. The director also reinforced the importance of scientific collaboration to guarantee equitable access to healthcare and strengthen Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS).

Diagnostics in the Face of Climate Change and New Pandemics

The first panel of the day focused on “Diagnostics for a New Era” and was coordinated by Antônio Gomes Pinto Ferreira, Deputy Director of Diagnostics at Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz. Participants included Marilda Agudo Mendonça Teixeira de Siqueira, from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC/Fiocruz); Albert Ko, from the Yale School of Public Health and Fiocruz; and Marcela Abreu, from Anvisa.

Before the main presentations, two scientific studies were presented in oral poster format. Marcelle Bral de Mello presented the study “Clinical performance and agreement of the Bio-Manguinhos DPP HIV 1/2 Rapid ImmunoBlot for confirmatory HIV diagnosis using the Ministry of Health’s Flowchart,” addressing challenges related to HIV diagnostic confirmation, especially in remote regions with structural and laboratory limitations. The researcher highlighted the potential of the DPP Immunoblot platform to expand access to rapid diagnosis and mentioned possible applications of the technology to other diseases, such as Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, syphilis, and dengue, within a One Health perspective.

Next, Laís Pereira Ferreira Bento presented the study “From neglected cold to severe acute respiratory infection: human rhinovirus genomics in Brazil reveals a mosaic of diverse genotypes,” focused on genomic surveillance of Human Rhinovirus (HRV). The researcher highlighted the need to expand genomic data on respiratory viruses in Brazil and reinforced the importance of molecular surveillance for epidemiological monitoring.

Opening the main panel, Marilda Siqueira discussed the impacts of climate change on infectious diseases and health emergencies. She recalled that, in 2024, dengue reached regions previously without significant circulation of the disease, a scenario directly associated with climate change. The researcher highlighted Fiocruz initiatives such as the Climate and Health Observatory and CIDACS Clima, while warning that an influenza pandemic is considered inevitable, although it is impossible to predict when it will occur. According to her, it is necessary to prepare not only technologies, but also people and institutions for future health crises.

Albert Ko addressed the challenges of global fragmentation in the response to infectious diseases. The researcher criticized the operation of separate “silos” among sectors, networks, and regions, pointing out that the Covid-19 pandemic demonstrated the lack of global integration. He cited mpox and the Oropouche virus as examples of emerging threats expanding beyond historically affected territories and reinforced the need for integrated approaches within the One Health perspective.

Representing Anvisa, Marcela Abreu spoke about regulatory challenges posed by new health technologies. She highlighted that while innovation is usually perceived by society as something desirable, regulatory agencies are responsible for evaluating risks, establishing limits, and ensuring safety. To illustrate this difference in perception, she used the analogy of a young person interested in paragliding while the mother assumes a cautious stance similar to that of a regulatory agency. Marcela also highlighted challenges related to artificial intelligence, including data protection, cybersecurity, transparency, explainability, and risk assessment. According to her, AI is already showing significant growth in software for medical devices and across different healthcare areas.

In the final comments, Akira Homma joined the debate alongside Rosane Cuber. Rosane asked Albert Ko whether there are countries that have managed to integrate the discussed pillars more efficiently. The researcher cited experiences in Asian countries, especially South Korea. Marcela Abreu responded to questions regarding a more integrated regulatory vision, stating that although Anvisa was originally created with a focus on human health, there is openness to incorporating data and collaborations from other areas.

South-South Cooperation and Strengthening Regional Production

The second panel of the day discussed the challenges and potential of South-South cooperation in biotechnology development, technology transfer, and capacity building. Coordinated by Tiago Rocca, from the Butantan Institute, the panel brought together Priscila Ferraz, Vice President of Production and Health Innovation at Fiocruz; Iin Susanti, from Biofarma/DCVMN; Fernanda De Negri, from the Ministry of Health; and Chris Gill, from the Gates Foundation.

Opening the session, Rodrigo Soares Caldeira Brant presented the poster “Mass Spectrometry-Based Biochemical Profiling of SpiN Antigen Define Quality Control Attributes for GMP Production,” addressing quality control strategies applied to the SpiN Covid-19 vaccine. Next, Laura Alves Ribeiro Oliveira presented the study “Longitudinal follow-up of individuals with post-covid conditions: characterization of immunological biomarkers and treatment outcomes,” focused on the longitudinal follow-up of post-Covid conditions.

Participating virtually, Lin Susanti highlighted the work of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) and emphasized the historic role of Bio-Manguinhos as one of the pioneering institutions within the international network of vaccine manufacturers from developing countries. The network works to strengthen production, innovation, research, and the supply of high-quality vaccines to approximately 170 countries, focusing on expanding equitable access to immunization. According to Lin, the DCVMN seeks to strengthen vaccine manufacturers through professional training programs, promotion of technology transfer, support for innovation, and facilitation of partnerships and financing. The initiative also promotes strategies aimed at preparedness for emerging infectious diseases and strengthening global health security.

Priscila Ferraz delivered the second presentation of the panel and took the opportunity to introduce the Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access, an initiative focused on strengthening regional production of health technologies and promoting equitable access. The coalition was created as a global international cooperation platform bringing together governments, international organizations, scientific institutions, industry, philanthropic organizations, and civil society with the goal of expanding access to vaccines, therapies, diagnostics, and other health technologies, especially for neglected diseases and vulnerable populations, particularly in developing countries.

The initiative emerged as a response to structural inequalities exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the geographical concentration of production capacity and the fragility of global supply chains revealed historical asymmetries in access to health technologies. In 2024, G20 Health Ministers reinforced their commitment to addressing these barriers and promoting fairer access to essential supplies.

Priscila also highlighted the launch of calls for projects focused on dengue as part of the coalition’s first operational initiatives, aimed at stimulating international collaboration, innovation, and strengthening regional productive capacities in healthcare.

Chris Gill, from the Gates Foundation, congratulated Bio-Manguinhos on its 50th anniversary and highlighted as a distinguishing feature the institution’s integration with the Brazilian Ministry of Health. According to him, this differentiates Bio-Manguinhos from other vaccine manufacturers worldwide by placing public health as its central mission. His presentation addressed challenges related to vaccine coverage and the need for combined vaccine development, especially in light of Gavi’s funding gaps. Gill mentioned diseases such as measles and yellow fever and defended South-South collaboration models as a strategy to expand access and production capacity.

Fernanda De Negri, Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation at the Ministry of Health, began her remarks by paying tribute to Akira Homma and emphasizing the importance of bringing international debates to Brazil, especially in the face of challenges experienced by Global South countries. She highlighted the need to strengthen technological sovereignty, expand consistent public policies, and invest in international cooperation. According to Fernanda, the Brazilian government has been working to stimulate technological development through radical innovation programs and strategic partnerships, seeking to consolidate the country as a relevant actor in the global health landscape.

In the final debate, one of the central topics was the international agreement on pandemic preparedness. Iin Susanti commented on the difficulties of the negotiations and cited discussions involving pathogen sharing and access to strategic information. Tiago Rocca asked Priscila Ferraz about institutional coordination and workforce development, and she highlighted training initiatives linked to the RNA Hub, while also mentioning that Fiocruz is expected to play a strategic role in training for vaccine production and development. According to her, coalition financing is also associated with purchase commitments from member countries.

Akira Homma questioned Fernanda De Negri about challenges related to the competitiveness of national production within international procurement agreements. She replied that it is necessary to balance cost criteria with strategic response capacity for future pandemics.

The Advancement of RNA-Based Therapies

The day’s third panel was dedicated to therapeutic perspectives related to non-coding RNAs and new RNA platforms. Coordinated by Patricia Neves, from Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the session brought together researchers and startup representatives focused on the development of innovative therapies.

Opening the session, Renata Maria dos Santos presented the work “Analysis of Aggregates in Naked mRNA and mRNA Extracted from Lipid Nanoparticles in a mRNA Vaccine against COVID-19,” focused on aggregate analysis in messenger RNA vaccine platforms.

Next, Daniele Ramos Rocha presented the study “Bio-Manguinhos and New Generation of Vaccines: Consolidation of mRNA-LNP Production and Evaluation of Critical Quality Attributes at Pilot Scale.” The researcher highlighted the development of the first 100% Brazilian RNA platform with a patent filing in Brazil and addressed production and scale-up processes for RNA synthesis.

John Mattick, from UNSW, presented the lecture “Long Non Coding RNAs discovery and new therapies,” discussing therapeutic possibilities associated with long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their potential impact on biomedicine and precision medicine.

Paulo de Paiva Amaral, from Insper, presented the lecture “From Non-Coding RNA biology to therapeutic translation.” The researcher recalled his early career studying plants and highlighted the impact of discovering the functional complexity of the human genome. According to him, the current moment represents a strategic opportunity for Brazil to participate in the RNA revolution applied to diagnostics and therapies.

Representing the startup Mirscience, Lucas Rocha presented the development of synthetic RNAs targeting genetic muscle diseases. The researcher explained that the company developed the ATENA platform and a synthetic molecule called MT-29, with potential to increase muscle mass and strength. According to him, traditional therapies present limitations and toxicity for rare muscular diseases, while the new approach seeks more specific alternatives. The technology is currently in the preclinical stage.

Closing the panel, Danielle Cunha, from Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, presented research on RNAi for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. She highlighted that RNA interference-based therapies already have international approvals and stated that the results obtained so far are promising. According to the researcher, the next step of the study will be conducting in vivo tests.

During the debate, Patricia Neves asked John Mattick about the main future bottlenecks involving non-coding RNA. The researcher responded that the possibilities are broad and that the field still holds enormous discovery potential. Akira Homma asked participants about the main barriers to transforming research into final products. Paulo Amaral highlighted funding difficulties for high-risk projects, especially up to the clinical phase. Danielle Cunha mentioned regulatory and quality control challenges, while Lucas Rocha pointed to limitations in funding and infrastructure for preclinical development in Brazil.

Scientific Communication and the Challenges of Disinformation

Closing the day’s program, the final panel addressed the challenges of disinformation in public health and the role of scientific communication. Coordinated by Margareth Dalcolmo, the session brought together Carolina Ofranti Sampaio, Flavia Ferrari, and Billy Nascimento.

Before the main lectures, Manoela Ribeiro Bastos presented the project “MartinLab in schools: promoting science communication through the educational board game CARTelas,” an initiative aimed at science communication on advanced therapies and CAR-T cells for high school students through educational games.

Opening the panel, Margareth Dalcolmo highlighted that denialism and disinformation are not new phenomena, although they have gained new proportions with social media and digital platforms. The physician shared experiences from the Covid-19 pandemic, recalling that she initially underestimated the impact of fake news and information circulation on social networks. She reported that a video recorded at the beginning of the pandemic reached millions of views within hours, expanding her participation in public debate and the media. Margareth also highlighted her current work on initiatives focused on preparedness for future pandemics.

Carolina Ofranti Sampaio, Digital Policy Advisor at the Social Communication Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic, addressed strategies for confronting disinformation in public health. According to her, disinformation has gained new characteristics in a decentralized communication environment in which digital platforms, algorithms, and filters act as mediators of information. Carolina cited studies indicating that nearly 90% of Brazilians admit to having believed fake news at some point and emphasized the impacts of disinformation and hate speech on public institutions.

The speaker also presented the Health with Science program, an interministerial initiative focused on strengthening public health policies and valuing science. The program includes actions to identify and understand disinformation, promote reliable information, and respond to the effects of disinformation networks, especially in the context of vaccination. The initiative’s five pillars are: strategic communication; training and capacity building; institutional cooperation; monitoring, analysis, and research; and accountability.

Flavia Ferrari, a biologist, educator, and science teacher in basic education, founded the movement Todos pelas Vacinas and presented experiences related to the initiative, created to strengthen positive narratives about immunization. According to her, trust cannot be imposed, but must be collectively built. The researcher also highlighted the importance of understanding different audiences and breaking informational bubbles.

Closing the panel, Billy Nascimento discussed mechanisms of influence and information assimilation based on studies in neuroeconomics and neuromarketing. According to him, the human brain does not necessarily seek facts and truth, but emotional connections. The speaker stated that disseminators of disinformation exploit these emotional dynamics and emphasized that combating fake news requires bridge-building, empathy, and understanding the languages used by different social groups. He also explained that human irrationality has its own logic and that by understanding it, it becomes possible to communicate with those who think differently.

During the final debate, Akira Homma highlighted the efforts made to combat fake news and restore public confidence in vaccination. According to him, declining vaccination coverage demonstrates that confronting disinformation must involve all sectors of society.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: André Rocha

The post Health innovation, international cooperation, RNA therapies, and combating disinformation (thursday complete) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

The third day of ISI 2026 brought together national and international experts to discuss advanced therapies, vaccine platforms, adjuvants, and artificial intelligence applications in the development and production of immunobiologicals. Thursday’s program (May 8) was marked by debates on technological innovation, access to high-cost treatments, preparedness for future pandemics, and digital transformation in healthcare.

Gene therapies and CAR-T advance, but access remains a challenge

The day’s first panel addressed advances in advanced therapies for different diseases, focusing on gene therapy and the implementation of CAR-T therapies. Coordinated by Antônio Carlos Campos de Carvalho, from Fiocruz, the session brought together international specialists and representatives from Brazilian institutions involved in the clinical and translational development of these technologies.

Before the main presentations, two scientific studies were presented in oral poster format. Luiza de Macedo presented a study on CAR-T cell engineering using hybrid transposons as a non-viral alternative for genetic modification. The researcher highlighted that CAR-T therapy production remains highly complex, time-consuming, and expensive, reaching costs of approximately US$500,000 per patient. The study seeks to evaluate strategies capable of reducing costs and expanding the feasibility of these therapies. Next, Rafael de Freitas Azevedo Repossi presented research on CB1 receptor overexpression mediated by an AAV vector in an experimental model of retinal degeneration, discussing perspectives for the national development of gene therapies.

Participating remotely, Marina Cavazzana, from Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, presented experiences involving gene therapy for immunodeficiencies and hematological diseases. The researcher highlighted studies related to Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies (SCIDs), a rare group of genetic disorders characterized by the body’s inability to produce functional T and B cells, severely compromising patients’ immune systems. Marina also mentioned ongoing scientific collaborations with the Fernandes Figueira Institute (IFF/Fiocruz).

David Williams, from Boston Children’s Hospital, addressed advances and challenges in gene therapies targeting sickle cell disease. The presentation discussed curative strategies based on gene editing and cell therapy, as well as the regulatory, financial, and manufacturing challenges associated with implementing these technologies on a large scale.

Closing the panel, Nelson Hamerschlak, from Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, presented experiences with the clinical implementation of CAR-T therapies in Brazil. The hematologist explained that T cells are collected from patients through leukapheresis and later genetically modified before being reinfused in a single dose. Hamerschlak highlighted that international clinical studies have demonstrated robust and long-lasting results for different approved CAR-T products, especially in pediatric patients. However, he emphasized that real-world clinical practice involves more complex patients, including elderly individuals, people with comorbidities, and patients with more aggressive tumors.

According to him, while the United States performs between 6,000 and 8,000 CAR-T infusions annually, Brazil currently records around 250 cases per year. The specialist stated that the future of the therapy depends on optimizing manufacturing processes, expanding therapeutic indications, developing new technologies, and, above all, increasing access for the Brazilian population.

During the final discussion, Antônio Carlos Campos de Carvalho asked David Williams about prospects for continuing a study published in 2022. The researcher replied that he intends to advance toward clinical trials but highlighted funding-related difficulties. Addressing Nelson Hamerschlak, the chair asked about strategies to expand national production of these therapies. The hematologist emphasized the importance of collaboration among Brazilian institutions, stating that the country still faces structural limitations for GMP-standard manufacturing, although preclinical initiatives involving vector development and new cellular platforms are already underway.

Adjuvants gain prominence in vaccine development

The day’s second panel discussed the strategic role of adjuvants in the development of new immunobiologicals and next-generation vaccines. Coordinated by Hugo Defendi, Deputy Director of Innovation at Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the session gathered international experts who presented new approaches involving delivery systems, lipid nanostructures, and glycobiology applied to immunization.

Opening the session, Barbara Araujo Nogueira presented a comparative study on immunization against Acinetobacter baumannii using OMV and OmpA, analyzing the relationship between humoral response and functional protection.

Next, Francisco Ibanez presented results related to a Chagas disease vaccine adjuvanted with QS-21 GH, discussing immunological efficacy and therapeutic perspectives.

Dennis Christensen, from Croda, delivered a lecture on the rational design of adjuvant systems for next-generation vaccines. The researcher discussed how different combinations of adjuvants can modulate specific immune responses and enhance the effectiveness of vaccines targeting different infectious diseases.

Aneesh Thakur, from VIDO/University of Saskatchewan, addressed the use of lipid nanostructures as a new platform for vaccine adjuvants. According to him, these technologies represent a new paradigm for global vaccines, enabling greater stability, immune targeting, and scalability in production.

Pi-Hui Liang, from ImmunAdd, presented research involving glycobiology applied to the development of new vaccine adjuvants. The lecture highlighted how carbohydrates and glycobiological interactions can influence immune responses and open new possibilities for vaccine design.

Closing the panel, Milena Akamatsu, from the Butantan Institute, presented the development of IB160, a squalene-based emulsion designed for influenza pandemic response. The researcher discussed the platform’s advances and its strategic potential for pandemic preparedness.

Artificial intelligence transforms research, industry, and pandemic preparedness

The next panel discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on technological development, industrial production, and preparedness for health emergencies. Coordinated by Eduardo Krempser, from Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the session brought together researchers, digital transformation specialists, and representatives of international initiatives.

Opening the scientific presentations, Caio Velloso presented a study on the application of artificial intelligence and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for regulatory analysis in the pharmaceutical industry. The researcher explained that much of today’s regulatory documentation still depends heavily on human experts and that the study evaluated the performance of AI systems in supporting this process. According to him, the results indicate that hybrid models combining human expertise and AI agility show the greatest potential for efficiency.

Charlotte Deane, from St Anne’s College, opened the main panel discussing applications of bioinformatics, statistics, and artificial intelligence in drug discovery. The researcher emphasized that data are the main driver of AI and stated that, although artificial intelligence has transformative potential for drug development, it is not a universal solution. According to Charlotte, AI outperforms traditional methods in some scenarios, while conventional approaches still deliver better results in others.

Next, Caetano Penna, from the Center for Management and Strategic Studies (CGEE/MCTI), presented perspectives on the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA). The economist highlighted that Brazil already possesses important structural capacities in AI, especially in healthcare, chemistry, and biotechnology — sectors that have concentrated public investment and knowledge production.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Tiago Bahia Fontana presented initiatives related to digital transformation in Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) and strategies for health data integration within the PBIA framework.

Nestor Ayala discussed the impacts of artificial intelligence on industrial transformation and the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. According to him, the current focus is no longer solely on automation but increasingly on collaboration between humans and intelligent systems. The researcher stated that the main challenge today is organizational rather than technological and highlighted the importance of gradual training and AI literacy processes within companies.

Closing the program, Newton Wahome, from CEPI, presented the concept of the “Pandemic Preparedness Engine,” a global AI-based platform aimed at preparing for future pandemics. The initiative seeks to accelerate vaccine development for emerging health threats within 100 days after the identification of a new pathogen.

According to Wahome, the platform would function as a kind of “ChatGPT for vaccine developers,” integrating genomic surveillance, epidemiological, and molecular modeling data to predict antigenic structures capable of generating effective immune responses. The project involves partnerships with institutions such as Houston Methodist Research Institute, the University of Leipzig, and UC Davis.

The researcher also highlighted that the platform incorporates biosafety mechanisms to prevent misuse of the technology and includes plans for the creation of “AI factories” — distributed computational centers in different regions of the world aimed at expanding global access to AI capabilities applied to healthcare.

During the final debate, Eduardo Krempser raised questions regarding data quality and data sharing for training AI systems, as well as the challenges of digital transformation in the healthcare sector. The speakers emphasized the importance of gradual technological implementation processes and international collaboration to ensure the safe and equitable development of these tools.

Extracellular matrix engineering and translational innovation close ISI

Closing the scientific program of ISI 2026, the symposium’s final panel addressed Brazilian perspectives on extracellular matrix engineering for neural regeneration, focusing on the development of polylaminin technology. Coordinated by Rosane Cuber, Director of Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the session brought together Tatiana Coelho de Sampaio, from UFRJ, and Rogério Almeida, Vice President of Research and Development at Cristália Laboratories.

Opening the panel, Rosane Cuber emphasized the importance of encouraging not only basic research but also strategies capable of transforming scientific knowledge into concrete solutions for the population. According to her, translational science represents a fundamental link between universities, innovation, and access to healthcare.

Tatiana Sampaio began her presentation by explaining the role of laminin, a protein present in the extracellular matrix and essential for the structural organization of tissues. The researcher described how different types of extracellular matrix function within the body, including filling structures and membrane-like layers responsible for tissue compartmentalization.

According to Tatiana, laminin is present in virtually all tissues of the body and plays an especially important role in peripheral nerves, which have regenerative capacity. In the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord, however, this regeneration does not occur naturally. Based on this observation, the researcher presented the central hypothesis of her work: whether the presence of laminin could favor regenerative processes in spinal cord injuries.

Next, Rogério Almeida presented the collaborative trajectory between Cristália and UFRJ in the development of polylaminin technology. The executive highlighted that the partnership represents a still uncommon example in Brazil of translating academic research into industrial application and therapeutic development.

Presenting Cristália’s trajectory, Rogério emphasized the company’s history of national pharmaceutical innovation, including more than one hundred granted patents and projects developed in partnership with public institutions. He cited as an example the development of somatropin in partnership with Bio-Manguinhos, a process that took 14 years before reaching Brazil’s public healthcare system (SUS).

According to the researcher, one of the main challenges for health innovation in Brazil remains the limited connection between universities and industry, causing many promising projects to remain restricted to academia without advancing toward therapeutic applications.

Rogério explained that the invention process related to polylaminin began in 1999, while formal cooperation between UFRJ and Cristália started a few years later. The patent was granted in 2025, and clinical studies are expected to begin soon. He emphasized that the project represents a radical innovation, requiring unprecedented evaluations by Anvisa due to the lack of previous international references regarding the safety of intracellular application of the technology.

Closing the symposium, Rosane Cuber stated that the panel symbolically represented the event’s objectives by bringing together basic science, innovation, and practical application. The director also highlighted structural challenges in Brazilian academic training, pointing out that biomedical fields still provide limited education focused on translating scientific knowledge into products and therapies.

Rosane further emphasized that cultural barriers between universities and industry persist, both among researchers and within the productive sector, hindering strategic partnerships for health innovation. According to her, strengthening these connections is essential for scientific discoveries to effectively reach the population through new medicines and therapies.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Imagem: André Rocha

The post Advanced therapies, adjuvants, and artificial intelligence (friday complete) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

The closing ceremony of ISI 2026 was marked by the presentation of the Scientific Poster Exhibition awards, recognizing outstanding research showcased throughout the symposium and reinforcing the event’s role as a platform for fostering innovation, talent development, and the advancement of public health science. The awards covered studies in the fields of vaccines, biopharmaceuticals, diagnostics, advanced therapies, artificial intelligence, and science communication, highlighting both the thematic diversity and multidisciplinary nature of the meeting.

The studies were evaluated by an Independent Awards Evaluation Committee (CIAP), composed of researchers external to Fiocruz: Daniel Pacheco, from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC); Marco Stephano and Maria Sato, from the University of São Paulo (USP); Matias Melendez, from the National Cancer Institute (INCa); Milena Akamatsu, from the Butantan Institute; and Telma Oshiro, also from USP. The selection process considered criteria such as scientific quality, methodology, originality, relevance, and clarity of the presented work.

The first part of the ceremony was dedicated to honorable mentions awarded to studies considered particularly noteworthy by the evaluation committee. Among the recognized works was “Molecular evidence of transfusion risk: first report of Oropouche virus in asymptomatic blood donors in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,” by Barbara Araujo Nogueira, focused on the detection of the Oropouche virus in asymptomatic blood donors. Also honored was “Advancing CAR-T Cell Engineering: Hybrid Transposons as Cost-Effective Non-Viral Alternatives,” by Luiza de Macedo Abdo, addressing non-viral alternatives for CAR-T cell engineering; “Scaling up YFV 17DD virus to a 40-liter pilot-scale stirred-tank bioreactor at Bio-Manguinhos pilot plant,” by Adrian Chaves Beserra Penha, related to scaling up yellow fever vaccine production; and “MartinLab in Schools: promoting science communication through the educational board game CARTelas,” by Manoela Ribeiro Bastos, aimed at promoting science communication in schools through educational games.

The ceremony continued with the presentation of the Young Scientific Talent awards, dedicated to researchers up to 26 years old. In the Henrique de Azevedo Penna category, the award was presented to Eliza Lima dos Santos for the study “Development of optical and electrochemical biosensors applicable to the diagnosis of infection caused by the Hepatitis Delta virus,” focused on the development of biosensors for Hepatitis Delta diagnosis. In the Evandro Chagas category, the winner was Andressa Borges de Almeida, author of the research “Scaling up a chromatography-based downstream process for 17DD yellow fever viral vaccine manufacturing: from the bench to the pilot stage in Eukaryotes Pilot Laboratory/Bio-Manguinhos,” related to scaling up production processes for the yellow fever vaccine. The Sérgio Arouca award was presented to Bernardo Monteiro de Vasconcelos for the study “Functional application of the iCASP9 suicide gene system as a safety mechanism for CAR-T cells,” addressing safety mechanisms applied to CAR-T cell therapies.

Among the symposium’s top awards, third place in the Alcides Godoy category went to Caio Velloso Mergh for the work “Artificial Intelligence and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) for Regulatory Compliance in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Tripartite Comparative Study.” The research evaluated the use of artificial intelligence and RAG systems to support regulatory analysis in the pharmaceutical industry, proposing hybrid models combining human experts and AI to enhance process efficiency and reliability.

Second place, in the Carlos Chagas category, was awarded to Juliana de Sousa dos Santos Pereira for the study “Production of anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody (Nivolumab) using an mRNA platform,” which explored the use of messenger RNA platforms for the production of monoclonal antibodies applied to cancer treatment.

The symposium’s highest distinction, the Oswaldo Cruz award, was presented to Daniele Ramos Rocha, author of the study “Bio-Manguinhos and new generation of vaccines: consolidation of mRNA-LNP production and evaluation of critical quality attributes at pilot scale.” The research addresses the consolidation of the national platform for producing vaccines based on messenger RNA and lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNP), considered one of the leading global technological approaches for future immunization strategies and responses to health emergencies.

Before the announcement of the top award, Bio-Manguinhos Director Rosane Cuber and scientific advisor Akira Homma delivered the event’s closing remarks. Rosane emphasized the importance of the independent scientific committee and thanked the teams involved in organizing the symposium, including communications, fundraising, and sponsors. According to her, ISI has established itself as a space for exchanging experiences, collective knowledge-building, and strengthening innovation in health.

Akira Homma highlighted the high quality of the studies presented and emphasized the leading role of younger generations in the institution’s future. In a lighthearted tone, he commented on the diversity of the evaluation committee before stating that the next 50 years of Bio-Manguinhos will be in the hands of the young scientists attending the event.

The closing ceremony consolidated ISI 2026 as a strategic platform connecting science, innovation, industry, and public health, bringing together Brazilian and international researchers around contemporary challenges in the production of immunobiologicals, advanced therapies, artificial intelligence, and equitable access to health.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post ISI 2026 closing ceremony honors innovative research and highlights the next generation of scientists first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Experts discuss how climate change, emerging technologies, and regulatory challenges are reshaping the role of diagnostics in public health.

The session “Diagnostics for a New Era”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together national and international experts to discuss the challenges and pathways for strengthening diagnostics in a global context marked by climate change, pandemic risks, and rapid technological advances.

Chaired by Antonio Gomes Pinto Ferreira, Deputy Director of Diagnostics at Bio-Manguinhos/Fiocruz, the session featured Marilda Siqueira (Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fiocruz), Albert Ko (Yale School of Public Health), and Marcella Melo Vergne de Abreu (Anvisa).

Prior to the main session, two poster oral presentations contributed important insights. Marcelle Bral de Mello presented a study on the clinical performance of the DPP HIV 1/2 Rapid Immunoblot test, highlighting its potential to expand access to confirmatory diagnosis in resource-limited settings. Laís Pereira Ferreira Bento addressed the genomic diversity of human rhinovirus in Brazil, underscoring the importance of molecular surveillance for epidemiological monitoring.

Opening the discussion, Marilda Siqueira highlighted the impact of climate change on the dynamics of infectious diseases, citing the recent expansion of dengue into regions where it had not been previously endemic. She emphasized that, beyond technological development, it is essential to prepare both people and institutions to respond to future health emergencies.

Albert Ko then pointed to the fragmentation of global responses to infectious diseases. He criticized siloed approaches and advocated for integrated strategies based on the One Health perspective as a way to address emerging threats that transcend geographical boundaries, such as mpox and the Oropouche virus.

Closing the session, Marcella Abreu, from Anvisa, addressed regulatory challenges related to new health technologies, including digital platforms and artificial intelligence. She noted that regulatory agencies must balance innovation and safety, dealing with issues such as data protection, transparency, and risk assessment in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Throughout the discussion, it became clear that strengthening diagnostics depends not only on scientific advances, but also on cross-sector integration, international collaboration, and the development of regulatory frameworks capable of keeping pace with innovation.

Texto: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post Diagnostics for a New Era: climate, global integration, and regulation at the center of the debate (thursday 1) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Discussion highlights the role of international collaboration, public policies, and financing in addressing inequalities in access to vaccines and other health technologies.

The session “Potentialities and Challenges for Stimulating South-South Cooperation in Biotechnological Development, Tech Transfer and Capacity Building”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together experts to discuss strategies for strengthening cooperation among countries in the Global South, with a focus on expanding manufacturing capacity, fostering innovation, and promoting equitable access to health technologies.

Chaired by Tiago Rocca (Butantan Institute), the session featured Iin Susanti (Biofarma/DCVMN), Priscila Ferraz (Fiocruz), Fernanda De Negri (Ministry of Health/SECTICS), and Chris Gill (Gates Foundation).

Prior to the main discussion, two poster oral presentations provided relevant contributions. Rodrigo Soares Caldeira Brant presented a study on the biochemical profiling of the SpiN antigen, highlighting quality control strategies for GMP-scale production. Laura Alves Ribeiro Oliveira shared findings from a longitudinal follow-up of individuals with post-COVID conditions, focusing on immunological biomarkers and treatment outcomes.

Opening the session, Iin Susanti emphasized the role of the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) in strengthening vaccine production across developing countries. The network promotes capacity building, technology transfer, innovation, and partnerships, aiming to expand access to high-quality vaccines globally.

Priscila Ferraz then presented the Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation and Equitable Access, an initiative designed to strengthen regional manufacturing through international collaboration. The coalition brings together governments, scientific institutions, industry, and international organizations to address structural inequalities in access to vaccines, diagnostics, and therapeutics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.

Fernanda De Negri, from Brazil’s Ministry of Health, highlighted the importance of consistent public policies to enable international cooperation and strengthen technological sovereignty. She noted that Brazil has been advancing through innovation programs and strategic partnerships to consolidate its role in the global health landscape.

Closing the session, Chris Gill, from the Gates Foundation, addressed challenges related to vaccine coverage and financing for new technologies, highlighting combination vaccines as a strategy to expand access. He also emphasized the importance of South–South collaboration as a pathway to strengthen manufacturing capacity and respond to global health demands.

Throughout the discussion, it became clear that South–South cooperation plays a central role in addressing longstanding inequalities in access to health technologies. The alignment of local production, financing, innovation, and public policy emerges as a strategic pathway to strengthen health systems and enhance global health security.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post South–South Cooperation: pathways to strengthen regional production and expand access to health technologies (thursday 2) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Discussion highlights the potential of non-coding RNAs and emerging RNA platforms to transform therapeutic development and precision medicine.

The session “A Future Beyond Messengers: Non-Coding RNAs as Targets for New Therapies”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together researchers and experts to discuss scientific advances and challenges in applying non-coding RNAs and other RNA-based technologies to the development of new therapies.

Chaired by Patricia Neves (Fiocruz/Bio-Manguinhos), the session featured John Mattick (UNSW), Paulo de Paiva Amaral (Insper), Lucas Rocha (Mirscience), and Danielle Cunha (Fiocruz/Bio-Manguinhos).

Prior to the main presentations, two poster oral sessions provided relevant contributions. Renata Maria dos Santos discussed the analysis of aggregates in naked mRNA and mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles, highlighting implications for the quality and stability of mRNA vaccines. Daniele Ramos Rocha presented advances in consolidating mRNA-LNP production at Bio-Manguinhos, including the evaluation of critical quality attributes at pilot scale.

Opening the session, John Mattick explored the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their potential to transform biomedicine. He emphasized that these elements, once considered non-functional, are now recognized as key regulators in gene expression and in the understanding of complex diseases.

Paulo de Paiva Amaral then addressed the challenges of translating scientific knowledge on non-coding RNAs into therapeutic applications. According to him, progress in this field represents a strategic opportunity for Brazil to expand its role in cutting-edge technologies related to precision medicine.

Lucas Rocha, from the startup Mirscience, presented the development of synthetic RNAs for the treatment of genetic muscle diseases. He highlighted the potential of new therapeutic platforms to overcome limitations of traditional approaches, particularly for rare diseases.

Closing the session, Danielle Cunha presented research on the use of RNA interference (RNAi) for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer. She noted that results so far are promising, although challenges remain in advancing these therapies through clinical development and regulatory pathways.

Throughout the discussion, key bottlenecks in translating scientific discoveries into therapeutic products were highlighted, including funding constraints, regulatory challenges, and the need for robust infrastructure to support preclinical and clinical development.

The session made clear that, although still evolving, RNA-based technologies — particularly non-coding RNAs — represent one of the most promising frontiers in health innovation, with the potential to reshape therapeutic approaches and expand the reach of personalized medicine.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post Beyond mRNA: non-coding RNAs open new frontiers for innovative therapies (thursday 3) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Experts discuss the role of science communication, public policy, and cognitive dynamics in addressing health misinformation.

The session “Research, Scientific Dissemination, and Combating Fake News”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together experts to examine the challenges posed by health misinformation and the strategic role of science communication in building trust and strengthening public health responses.

Chaired by Margareth Dalcolmo (Fiocruz), the session featured Carolina Ofranti Sampaio (Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency of Brazil), Flavia Ferrari (Instituto Mário Schenberg & Todos pelas Vacinas), and Billy Nascimento (Forebrain).

Prior to the main session, Manoela Ribeiro Bastos presented the “MartinLab in Schools” project, which uses the educational board game CARTelas to promote science communication on advanced therapies among high school students, highlighting the potential of interactive approaches to bridge science and society.

Opening the discussion, Margareth Dalcolmo emphasized that misinformation is not a new phenomenon, but has gained scale and complexity with the rise of digital platforms. She shared experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring the critical role of communication in mediating between science and society during times of crisis.

Carolina Ofranti Sampaio then addressed institutional strategies to tackle health misinformation. She noted that in a decentralized communication environment, digital platforms, algorithms, and filters play a central role in shaping how information circulates. Among the initiatives presented was the Saúde com Ciência program, aimed at promoting reliable information and strengthening public communication.

Flavia Ferrari brought the perspective of social mobilization, highlighting the importance of building trust and engaging with diverse audiences. According to her, initiatives such as Todos pelas Vacinas demonstrate that effective science communication must consider different contexts, languages, and realities.

Closing the session, Billy Nascimento explored how cognitive and emotional factors influence how people process and absorb information. Drawing on neuroscience and neuromarketing concepts, he emphasized that addressing misinformation requires not only data, but also strategies grounded in empathy, connection, and an understanding of human behavior.

Throughout the discussion, it became clear that combating health misinformation requires an integrated approach, combining science, communication, public policy, and insights into human behavior.

The session reinforced that strengthening trust in science depends not only on producing knowledge, but also on how it is communicated, shared, and understood by society.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post Communication, trust, and disinformation: key challenges for science in the digital age (thursday 4) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Discussion highlights advances in gene therapy and CAR-T, while underscoring challenges related to cost, scalability, and clinical implementation.

The session “Advanced Therapies across Disease Modalities: Viral Gene Delivery and CAR-T Implementation”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together experts to discuss recent advances in advanced therapies — particularly gene therapy and CAR-T — and the challenges of scaling their implementation.

Chaired by Antônio Carlos Campos de Carvalho (Fiocruz), the session featured Marina Cavazzana (Assistance Publique – Hôpitaux de Paris), David Williams (Boston Children’s Hospital), and Nelson Hamerschlak (Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein).

Prior to the main session, two poster oral presentations provided relevant contributions. Luiza de Macedo Abdo presented a study on CAR-T cell engineering using hybrid transposons as a non-viral alternative, highlighting its potential to reduce production costs. Rafael de Freitas Azevedo Repossi presented research on AAV-mediated overexpression of the CB1 receptor in a mouse model of retinal degeneration, pointing to opportunities for nationally developed gene therapies.

Opening the session, Marina Cavazzana presented advances in gene therapy for immunodeficiencies and hematological diseases, with a focus on Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies (SCIDs). She highlighted the potential of these approaches to deliver curative treatments for rare genetic conditions.

David Williams then discussed curative strategies for sickle cell disease based on gene editing and cell therapy. While scientific progress has been significant, he emphasized key challenges related to regulation, financing, and large-scale implementation.

Closing the session, Nelson Hamerschlak brought a clinical perspective, addressing the implementation of CAR-T therapies in Brazil. He explained the process from cell collection and genetic modification to reinfusion, and highlighted the strong outcomes observed in international clinical studies.

Despite these advances, he pointed to a major gap in access: while thousands of treatments are performed annually in countries such as the United States, the number of procedures in Brazil remains limited. Expanding access, he noted, will depend on reducing costs, strengthening local production, and expanding clinical infrastructure.

Throughout the discussion, it became clear that while advanced therapies represent one of the most promising frontiers in medicine, their real-world impact still depends on overcoming structural barriers related to cost, production, and access.

The session reinforced that the future of these technologies lies not only in scientific innovation, but in making them viable and accessible across different health systems.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post Advanced therapies are progressing, but access remains a global challenge (friday 1) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.

Experts highlight how advanced adjuvant systems are reshaping vaccine efficacy, immune responses, and global immunization strategies.

The session “Adjuvants as a Game Changer for New Biologicals”, held during the 10th International Symposium on Immunobiologicals (ISI), brought together international experts to discuss the strategic role of adjuvants in the development of next-generation vaccines and biologicals.

Chaired by Hugo Tonioli Defendi (Fiocruz/Bio-Manguinhos), the session featured Dennis Christensen (Croda), Aneesh Thakur (VIDO/University of Saskatchewan), Pi-Hui Liang (ImmunAdd), and Milena Akamatsu (Instituto Butantan).

Prior to the main session, two poster oral presentations provided relevant contributions. Barbara Araujo Nogueira presented a comparative study on immunization against Acinetobacter baumannii, analyzing the relationship between humoral response and functional protection. Francisco Ibanez presented results on a Chagas disease vaccine adjuvanted with QS-21 GH, highlighting its immunological efficacy and therapeutic potential.

Opening the session, Dennis Christensen discussed the rational design of adjuvant systems for next-generation vaccines. He emphasized how different adjuvant combinations can modulate specific immune responses, enabling the development of more effective and targeted vaccines.

Aneesh Thakur then presented lipid nanostructures as a platform for next-generation vaccine adjuvants. According to him, these technologies represent a new paradigm, offering improved stability, targeted immune responses, and scalability for global vaccine production.

Pi-Hui Liang introduced the application of glycobiology in adjuvant design, highlighting how carbohydrate interactions can influence immune responses and open new possibilities for vaccine development.

Closing the session, Milena Akamatsu presented the development of IB160, a squalene-based emulsion adjuvant developed at Instituto Butantan for influenza pandemic response. She highlighted its strategic potential for pandemic preparedness and strengthening rapid response capabilities.

Throughout the discussion, it became clear that adjuvants are no longer secondary components, but central elements in designing more effective, adaptable, and scalable vaccines.

The session reinforced that innovation in biologicals increasingly depends on the ability to precisely shape immune responses, expanding the impact of vaccines on global health.

Text: Marcela Dobarro
Image: Monara Barreto

The post Adjuvants as a game changer in next-generation vaccines (friday 2) first appeared on International Symposium on Immunobiologicals.