Elsa Abranches

Elsa Abranches is a Senior Director and Head of Cell Therapy Bioprocess Development and Manufacturing, within the Cell Therapy Department of BioPharmaceuticals R&D at AstraZeneca. Elsa is responsible for leading the section providing translational technology and high-quality cells for pre-clinical research, to enable the efficient development and delivery of Cell Therapy projects to patients, primarily across cardiovascular, renal, metabolic, respiratory and immunological disease areas.

Elsa Abranches is internationally recognized for her expertise in stem cell biotechnology, standardization and Advanced Therapies regulation areas, with over 20 years of experience ranging from applied research through to manufacturing and regulatory compliance of stem cell-derived products.

Elsa has received her degree in Chemical Engineering in 2001 and her Ph.D in Stem Cell Biotechnology in 2006, from the Technical University of Lisbon. Since then, Elsa has delivered on multiple collaborative projects both in Academia and within the UK Regulator (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, MHRA), focused on assuring the quality of clinical grade stem cell lines alongside a program of cell and gene therapy standardisation. Elsa has also been involved in several national and international committees supporting regulatory compliance and delivery of Advanced Therapy Medicinal products.