At this year’s Innate Killer Summit in San Diego , one of the most powerful and lasting impressions came from the work and wisdom of our beloved scientific founder, Dr. Anahid Jewett . Dr. Jewett, a pioneering immunologist and globally recognized NK cell expert, gave what would become some of her final public presentations—leaving an unforgettable mark on the international community of innate immune researchers and biotech leaders. Her talks, delivered with characteristic brilliance and humility, distilled decades of research into a clear, compelling vision: that natural killer cells are the future of cancer therapy , and that future is already within reach. Her presentations spanned the arc of her life’s work—from her early discoveries in NK cell cytotoxicity and tumor immune evasion, to the breakthrough techniques she developed to “supercharge” NK cells for clinical use. She walked the audience through the translational path from lab bench to bedside, showing data from patient studies that support the promise of non-toxic, precision immunotherapy for some of the most treatment-resistant cancers. But what made her presence at BPI’s Innate Killer Summit so deeply moving was not just the science—it was her spirit. Her commitment to patients, her fierce intellect, and her belief in the power of immune-based healing came through in every word. The response from the audience was overwhelming. Researchers, physicians, and investors alike approached our team throughout the week to express their gratitude for her work and their admiration for her clarity of vision. One attendee called her “the North Star of NK cell science.” We couldn’t agree more. As a company, NKore BioTherapeutics has been built on the foundation of Dr. Jewett’s groundbreaking research. And though she is no longer with us physically, she has left behind something far more powerful: a blueprint for innovation, a roadmap for clinical success, and an unshakable commitment to saving lives . We are proud to carry forward her legacy. We are advancing the very therapies she envisioned, treating patients who once had no options, and moving closer every day to an era where cancer can be treated effectively and gently—through the body’s own immune defenses. Thank you, Dr. Jewett, for everything. You’ve given the world more than it knows, and we will never stop building the future you helped us see.

At this year’s BioProcess International U.S. West (BPI West) conference in San Diego, Tracy Ryan , Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of NKore BioTherapeutics , delivered a powerful plenary keynote that resonated deeply with attendees. The keynote wove together a deeply personal origin story with a compelling scientific roadmap for NKore’s flagship therapy, NK101 , an off-the-shelf natural killer (NK) cell immunotherapy platform. From Personal Tragedy to Scientific Breakthrough Ryan opened her address with the emotional account of her daughter Sophie’s diagnosis with a brain tumor at just eight and a half months old. This life-altering event became the catalyst for founding NKore, in collaboration with Dr. Anahid Jewett of UCLA, with the goal of advancing safer, more effective immunotherapies—especially for children facing aggressive cancers. NK101: A Next-Generation NK Cell Therapy During the keynote, Ryan introduced NK101 , NKore’s allogeneic NK cell product designed to be potent, non-toxic, and ready-to-use. The company’s preclinical data show promising safety and efficacy, and NK101 is on track to enter U.S. clinical trials in 2026. The announcement generated enthusiastic feedback from investors, scientists, and biopharma leaders alike, signaling strong momentum for NKore’s platform. Reflections from the Conference Floor Ryan’s presentation aligned closely with BPI West’s broader themes around innovation in advanced biologics manufacturing. Industry leaders like Amy Shaw of Takeda emphasized the importance of early-stage design and scalable automation for cell therapy manufacturing—principles that NKore has embraced from the outset. Other conference highlights included forward-looking panels on AI-driven optimization , digital twin technology , and the industrialization of allogeneic platforms , underscoring the sector’s commitment to turning complex cell therapies into reproducible, commercial-grade products. A Vision for the Future The energy at BPI West 2025 reflected a pivotal moment in NK cell therapy development. NKore BioTherapeutics is now moving from vision to validation, bringing NK101 to the clinic in pursuit of safe, non-toxic, and scalable solutions for cancer patients. Learn More Bioprocess Online featured coverage of the event, including insights from Ryan’s keynote. Read the full article here.