Cecile Brocard
Director & Head - Downstream Development Boehringer Ingelheim
Cécile Brocard, a trained biochemist, and molecular cell biologist, holds a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Cell Biology from France and a PhD in Biochemistry from the prestigious University of Vienna, Austria. Currently, she serves as the Director of Downstream Development in the Process Science department at Boehringer Ingelheim Regional Center Vienna. Leading a talented team, Cécile is responsible for developing downstream processes for various recombinant proteins expressed in microbials, crucial for clinical supplies for phase I, II, and III trials, and overseeing tech transfer to production. Her team includes two downstream development units and a non-GMP pilot plant. Under Cécile’s leadership, they have driven technology programs and strategic initiatives within the organization, fostering innovation and improving process flows. As a speaker and participant in international conferences, Cécile Brocard aims to bring her knowledge and experience to the forefront, contributing to the advancement of biotechnology on a global scale.
Seminars
DNA serves as a foundational component across multiple therapeutic modalities, from templates for mRNA and viral vectors to raw materials for cell and gene therapies. Designing DNA with downstream processing in mind is critical to ensure scalability, product quality, and regulatory compliance. This workshop will explore key design and process considerations that influence DNA manufacturability, purity, and functional performance. Participants will examine how DNA sequence design, synthesis methods, and process architecture affect subsequent purification and formulation steps across different therapeutic platforms.
Join this workshop to:
- Explore design factors (vector architecture, sequence composition, size, and topology) that DNA processability and downstream behavior
- Select the right capture method: comparing resin based, HIC and affinity techniques across modalities
- Evaluate the interplay between DNA quality attributes (supercoiling, residuals, impurities) and product performance in various modalities
- Discuss emerging technologies for scalable DNA manufacturing, from enzymatic synthesis to continuous downstream platforms
