On November 12 and 13, São Paulo hosted the Deep Tech Summit, one of the largest events focused on deep tech innovation. Held at USP’s Inova Complex and organized by Emerge, the event brought together investors, entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, and industry representatives with the goal of fostering the convergence of science and the market. Celluris, a pioneering company in CAR-T cell immunotherapy in Brazil, was selected to exhibit at the event, showcasing its technology and contributing to discussions on the future of biotechnology.
About the Deep Tech Summit
The Deep Tech Summit is a key platform for exchanging knowledge and experience in cutting-edge technological and scientific innovation. The event stands out for bringing together a diverse audience, including investors interested in transforming science into sustainable businesses and scientist-entrepreneurs applying technology to solve complex problems and explore new pathways for society. This year’s edition featured over 60 speakers who shared their experiences and perspectives on the transformative potential of deep tech.
Notable figures from the scientific and business world graced the event, including Pedro Wongtschowsky, President of the Superior Council for Innovation and Competitiveness at FIESP, and Celso Pansera, President of Finep. Other attendees included Guy Perelmuter, founder of GRIDS Capital and a specialist in artificial intelligence and robotics, and Plinio Targa of the startup Brain4Care, which won first place in the startup competition. Finep, BNDES, CNI, Sebrae, CGEE, and ABDE reiterated their commitment to supporting deep techs through the Protocol of Intent. President Pansera emphasized Finep’s dedication to fostering a national policy for valuing these new innovation agents, crucial for the country’s scientific and economic progress. These professionals and initiatives enriched the discussions, offering insights into the impact of technology in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and life sciences.
Celluris at the Event
Celluris, the first company in Latin America to develop personalized cancer treatment through CAR-T cell therapy, stood out at the event by presenting its solutions in immunotherapy. This innovative technology is based on reprogramming the patient’s own T cells to recognize and combat tumor cells precisely and personally. This approach has shown promise in various clinical studies worldwide, yielding remarkable results in treating hematological and solid tumors.
As a pioneer in applying CAR-T therapy in Brazil, Celluris’ participation in the Deep Tech Summit marks an important milestone in integrating science with the market. The company shared not only its advancements but also the challenges and prospects of implementing this technology in the country. Through interaction with professionals and investors at the event, Celluris reinforced its commitment to scientific development and its goal of offering increasingly effective and personalized cancer treatments to the Brazilian population.
The Revolution of CAR-T Therapy and Celluris’ Role
CAR-T therapy (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cells) is a groundbreaking innovation in cancer treatment. This method involves collecting the patient’s T cells, genetically modifying them to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR), and reinserting them into the patient’s body. With this modification, the T cells can identify the tumor as a target, effectively eliminating cancer cells in a targeted manner.
Celluris stands out for developing CAR-T therapy for solid tumors. This approach represents an unprecedented innovation in Latin America, allowing cancer patients in Brazil to access cutting-edge therapies previously only available in developed countries. The Deep Tech Summit provided Celluris with an opportunity to showcase its promising results and emphasize the potential of immunotherapy in treating a wide range of tumors.
Highlights and Discussions at the Event
The Deep Tech Summit brought together some of the brightest minds in technology and innovation. Pedro Wongtschowsky, for example, shared insights on the importance of public policies and research incentives, a crucial topic for companies like Celluris that rely on a robust innovation ecosystem. As President of FIESP’s Superior Council for Innovation and Competitiveness, Wongtschowsky highlighted the private sector’s role in supporting technological initiatives that bring tangible benefits to society.
Celso Pansera, President of Finep, addressed the progress and challenges of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Legal Framework enacted in 2016. This framework aims to facilitate collaboration between universities and companies, promoting scientific development in Brazil. For deep tech companies like Celluris, which depend on synergy between academic research and practical applications, the support of science and technology incentive policies is essential. Pansera underscored the event’s role in connecting science-based companies with the government and investors, fostering a favorable environment for innovation.
Guy Perelmuter, founder of GRIDS Capital, highlighted trends and the impact of artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology on the future of businesses and society. His experience in creating technological solutions for the financial market and artificial intelligence offers strategic insights valuable to companies like Celluris, which leverage advanced data and algorithms to optimize therapy development.
Partnerships and Projections for Innovation in Healthcare
Celluris’ participation in the Deep Tech Summit provided valuable networking opportunities and the chance to expand partnerships. Engaging with investors and technology leaders allowed the company to explore potential collaborations that could accelerate the development and dissemination of CAR-T therapies in Brazil and, eventually, Latin America. Additionally, the event offered insights into emerging trends in deep tech, helping Celluris align its strategies with market demands and global technological advancements.
The event also helped Celluris solidify its position as a leader in immunotherapy in Brazil, reinforcing its mission to offer next-generation cancer treatments. The convergence of science and the market, fostered by the Deep Tech Summit, underpins Celluris’ mission to integrate scientific innovations directly into the healthcare sector to bring tangible benefits to cancer patients.
