Genetic Medicine Workshop Recap

Date: February 28, 2026 @ 12:00 am –
Location: 1633 Old Bayshore Hwy #280, Burlingame, CA 94010

Organizer: CABS STC | Sponsor: CoSynBio

Overview

On January 24, 2026, the Science & Technology Committee (STC) of Chinese American Biopharmaceutical Society (CABS) successfully hosted the Genetic Medicine Workshop, “Expanding Horizons in RNA and DNA Therapeutics: Delivery Technologies and Beyond”. Sbrought together ponsored by CoSynBio, the event more than 70 scientists and industry leaders from academia and biopharmaceutical companies to explore emerging delivery technologies and enabling platforms for RNA and DNA therapeutics.The workshop focused on the rapidly evolving field of nucleic acid therapeutics and gene editing, with particular emphasis on key biological and technical bottlenecks—including biodistribution, endosomal escape, and nuclear entry—and how these challenges are being addressed through innovative lipid nanoparticle (LNP) engineering, antibody-based conjugation strategies, and AI-enabled discovery platforms. Through four in-depth scientific presentations and an engaging panel discussion, the event offered attendees both strategic perspectives and practical insights into the future of genetic medicine. The workshop opened with a warm welcome and introduction to CABS by Dr. Sihong Zhou (President of CABS), followed by an overview of the agenda and speaker introductions by Dr. Alex Yang (Co-Chair of the STC).

Scientific Presentations

The first presentation, “LNPs and Beyond: The Evolving Landscape of Nucleic Acid Delivery Platforms,” was delivered by Dr. Jingjing Zhou (VP, Cosychem; CEO, Cosyngen). Dr. Zhou outlined the expanding nucleic acid therapeutics market and emphasized that successful delivery remains the central determinant of clinical success. He discussed the multifactorial challenges of nucleic acid delivery—including clearance, immune recognition, off-target effects, and endosomal escape—and described how Cosychem’s three-pillar innovation platform integrates delivery systems, raw materials, and therapeutic pipelines to address these hurdles.Dr. Zhou highlighted Cosychem’s extensive database of over 1,000 ionizable cationic lipid structures and demonstrated how AI-enabled design has substantially improved development efficiency and organ-specific targeting. Through rational lipid engineering and formulation optimization, the platform has achieved selective delivery to liver, spleen, lung, brain, and muscle tissues without reliance on antibody conjugation. His presentation underscored the importance of balancing safety, efficacy, stability, and manufacturability in LNP design and concluded with examples of successful industry partnerships and licensing opportunities.

The second talk, “Development of DNA-LNP Platforms and In Vivo Liver Targeting of Complex Nucleic Acid Payloads,” was presented by Dr. Lijun Huang (former Senior Principal Scientist, Poseida Therapeutics). Dr. Huang traced the evolution of LNP technologies from mRNA delivery to advanced DNA-LNP systems capable of in vivo gene insertion. He discussed the unique challenges facing DNA delivery—including low transfection efficiency, innate immune activation, and nuclear entry—and described how these issues are being addressed through novel cyclohexyl-based ionizable lipids, GalNAc-PEG detargeting strategies, and co-delivery of mRNA and DNA payloads.

Dr. Huang further introduced innovative DNA-binding excipients that enhance intracellular trafficking and nuclear delivery, significantly improving in vivo gene editing outcomes while reducing inflammatory responses. Preclinical data demonstrated effective liver targeting, durable gene insertion, and functional protein restoration in disease models, highlighting the promise of DNA-LNP platforms for scalable and repeat-dosable gene therapies.

After a short break, Dr. Kai-Yuan Chen (Director and Head of Computational Genomics and Data Science, Scribe Therapeutics) delivered the third presentation, “Rewriting the Genome with Code: AI-Driven Next-Generation Gene Therapeutics.” Dr. Chen addressed the immense design complexity inherent in CRISPR-based drug development and discussed why traditional experimental and computational approaches are insufficient to navigate this vast search space.He introduced the concept of a “lab-in-the-loop” framework that integrates next-generation sequencing, multimodal AI models, and automated high-throughput experimentation to accelerate the design–build–test–learn cycle. By combining high-quality data generation with AI-driven optimization, this approach has dramatically improved hit rates and shortened development timelines. Dr. Chen concluded by challenging the audience to reconsider long-held assumptions about the pace of drug development in an era increasingly shaped by automation and artificial intelligence.The final presentation, “Cutting-Edge Advances Shaping the Future of RNA Therapeutics,” was delivered by Dr. Ivy Fu (Senior Scientist, Eurofins). Dr. Fu provided a broad overview of the evolution of RNA therapeutics, from vaccines to chronic and disease-modifying treatments, and highlighted why RNA-based medicines can access targets beyond the reach of traditional modalities.She discussed emerging strategies to overcome key delivery barriers, including engineered LNPs for extrahepatic targeting and antibody-conjugated delivery systems. Dr. Fu presented compelling examples of antibody-conjugated LNPs enabling cardiomyocyte delivery, supported by rigorous analytical and imaging methodologies. She also introduced Antibody–RNA Conjugates (ARCs) as a modular, carrier-free delivery platform with favorable tolerability and broad applicability. Her talk emphasized how advances in bioanalytics, automation, and machine learning are accelerating development and enabling scalable RNA delivery platforms.

Panel Discussion and Networking

The workshop concluded with a lively panel discussion and Q&A session moderated by Dr. Alex Yang. Panelists and attendees engaged in thoughtful discussions on delivery modality selection, translational challenges, regulatory expectations, and long-term safety considerations. Topics included the balance between transient and permanent gene modification, lessons learned from recent viral vector setbacks, ethical considerations in genetic medicine, and the growing role of nonviral and in vivo cell-based approaches.Participants emphasized the importance of robust analytics, transparent risk assessment, improved translational models, and AI-enabled data integration to de-risk first-in-human studies. The discussion reflected a shared recognition that delivery technologies will continue to define the trajectory of RNA and DNA therapeutics.

Closing Remarks

The workshop concluded with strong enthusiasm and overwhelmingly positive feedback. Attendees valued the depth of scientific discussion, practical insights, and opportunities for cross-sector exchange. A networking lunch provided a relaxed environment for continued dialogue, fostering new connections and potential collaborations.With the support of CoSynBio, the speakers, organizers, and dedicated volunteers, the 2026 CABS Genetic Medicine Workshop was a resounding success. The event left participants inspired and well positioned to translate emerging delivery innovations into impactful therapeutic programs.

This workshop was made possible through the generous support of CoSynBio.