Of Note: Registration Opens For 2025 Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, the blood and biotherapies field’s premier event. This year’s meeting will bring community members from throughout the world to San Diego, Oct. 25-28, to connect, network, learn and advance the field.

The 2025 AABB Annual Meeting’s General Session will be a celebration of the AABB community and will include a keynote address from Tom Whitehead, co-founder of the Emily Whitehead Foundation and father of the first pediatric patient to receive chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. In his remarks, Whitehead will reflect on his family’s experience navigating cancer and the life-saving impact of CAR T-cell therapy.

Immediately following the General Session, AABB will host the opening celebration of the Exhibit Hall, where industry partners will showcase the field’s latest innovations and solutions. The Exhibit Hall will also feature the AABB Learning Theater, offering corporate-sponsored presentations alongside short, informal sessions on timely topics in blood banking, transfusion medicine and biotherapies. The Biotherapies Pavilion will return as a dedicated space for those working in advanced therapies to meet, exchange ideas and explore new developments.

This year’s educational program will include expert-led sessions on emerging issues and core topics, blending new content with long-standing attendee favorites. AABB is also pleased to welcome Cord Blood Connect to the 2025 Annual Meeting, offering focused education and research on cord blood banking along with expanded opportunities to engage with experts in this area.

The Annual Meeting will continue to spotlight the latest practice-changing research. Highlights include guided tours of “Top Poster Award” recipients, an expanded lineup of oral abstract presentations and the return of abstract “spotlight sessions,” featuring leading voices examining key challenges and advances in transfusion medicine and biotherapies.

AABB encourages members to register today to join colleagues from across the globe at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting. Those who register by July 30 will save $300 on the cost of full-meeting registration. Non-members may join AABB to receive the AABB member rate.

12th Edition of Standards For Cellular Therapy Services Takes Effect July 1

The 12th edition of  Standards for Cellular Therapy Services will take effect July 1 and is now available in the AABB Store as a print edition, digital edition or print-digital bundle. AABB also offers a bundle that includes the print edition and the accompanying Guidance for Standards for Cellular Therapy Services.

To support implementation, members of AABB’s Cellular Therapy Services Standards recently hosted an eCast to highlight significant changes in the new edition, along with the committee’s responses to public comments. Those who were unable to attend can view the eCast on demand.

Organizations interested in adopting the Standards for Cellular Therapy Services can participate in a complimentary two-week trial of the electronic version of the 12th edition in the Standards Portal. Individuals with questions regarding the standards should contact standards@aabb.org.

Take Action: AABB Urges Members To Advocate For NIH Research Funding

As Congress prepares the federal budget for fiscal year (FY) 2026, AABB is urging members to join a new campaign in support of strong funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). AABB’s call to action follows a proposed $18 billion cut to NIH funding in President Trump’s FY 2026 budget request.

Bipartisan majorities in Congress have long recognized the essential role of NIH in advancing medical research, improving public health preparedness and supporting national security. NIH-funded research has led to critical advancements in transfusion medicine and biotherapies, including innovations in blood safety and the development of novel cancer treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy.

In addition to driving medical breakthroughs, federal investment in NIH research contributes significantly to the U.S. economy. According to estimates, every dollar in NIH funding generates approximately $2.46 in nationwide economic activity.

AABB encourages members to add their voices to the organization’s advocacy efforts by contacting their policymakers and urging robust support for NIH in the FY26 budget.

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AABB Welcomes Charles River Laboratories To 2025 Biotherapies Pavilion

AABB is pleased to welcome  Charles River Laboratories to the Biotherapies Pavilion at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting, taking place Oct. 25-28 in San Diego.

Charles River, an AABB corporate partner, provides products and services that help expedite the discovery, early-stage development and safe manufacture of novel drugs and therapeutics.

Presented by Abbott, the Biotherapies Pavilion is a dedicated networking space in the Exhibit Hall that offers biotherapies companies curated opportunities to connect with key audiences and engage with the broader AABB Annual Meeting community.

Charles River joins several additional participants at this year’s pavilion:  BioBridge Global, Eurofins CellTx, Versiti and Vitalant.

The Biotherapies Pavilion at the 2025 AABB Annual Meeting will once again feature industry expert open-mic conversations, a highlight from the 2023 and 2024 meetings. AABB will announce the schedule for this year's sessions and events in September.

Biotherapies companies interested in securing a networking table or connection package at this year’s pavilion can find additional details in the Biotherapies Pavilion brochure.