ACTO–ASPI 2026: Bringing Asia’s Regenerative Medicine Community Together in Indonesia

Jakarta, Indonesia, 26–28 August 2026 — The Annual Meeting of the Asian Cellular Therapy Organization (ACTO) returned in 2026, marking an important milestone as the international scientific meeting was held in Indonesia in collaboration with the Indonesian Stem Cell Association (ASPI). Held at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta, ACTO–ASPI 2026 brought together researchers, clinicians, academics, regulators, industry representatives, and healthcare professionals from Indonesia and across Asia.

Carrying the theme “Advancing Research & Clinical Translation of Cell-Based Therapies: Academia, Industry, Clinicians, and Government,” the meeting provided an important platform for scientific exchange and international collaboration. It also placed Indonesia at the center of discussions on the future of cell therapy and regenerative medicine in Asia, at a time when developments in stem cell technology, extracellular vesicles, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), CAR-T and NK cell therapies, tissue engineering, and advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) are progressing rapidly.

ACTO–ASPI 2026 featured 57 speakers, comprising 30 local speakers and 27 international speakers. The international representation covered 11 countries, with Japan contributing the largest number of speakers, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, the United States, India, Vietnam, and the European Union. This diverse participation demonstrated the growing regional and international interest in regenerative medicine and created opportunities for Indonesian participants to learn from different scientific, clinical, and regulatory experiences.

The meeting also reflected the multidisciplinary nature of regenerative medicine. Local speakers came from academia, clinical practice, government, and industry. This composition emphasized that the development of cell-based therapies cannot be achieved by one sector alone. Scientific discoveries need to move from the laboratory into preclinical research, clinical studies, regulatory assessment, manufacturing, and eventually patient care. Collaboration across these areas is therefore essential.

Over three scientific days, the meeting featured 27 sessions across two parallel rooms. The scientific program addressed major areas of regenerative medicine, including MSC and extracellular vesicles, iPSC, CAR-T and NK cell therapy, tissue engineering, clinical translation, and regulatory or ATMP perspectives.

MSC and extracellular vesicles were among the key areas of discussion, with 12 sessions exploring the continuing development of MSC-based approaches and the growing interest in extracellular vesicles and secreted factors. The discussions reflected the evolution of regenerative medicine beyond simply replacing damaged cells, toward understanding cellular communication, immune modulation, tissue repair, and potential cell-free therapeutic approaches.

The program also featured 10 sessions on iPSC technology, highlighting its potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, developmental biology, and regenerative medicine. For Indonesia, exposure to international developments in iPSC research is valuable as the country continues to strengthen its research capacity and consider the infrastructure, quality systems, ethical considerations, manufacturing processes, and regulatory pathways required for clinical translation.

Another important focus was CAR-T and NK cell therapy, with eight sessions dedicated to this rapidly developing field. These technologies demonstrate the increasing intersection between regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, gene therapy, cellular engineering, and precision medicine. Their development also highlights the need for highly specialized expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities, rigorous quality control, and appropriate regulatory systems.

A central message throughout ACTO–ASPI 2026 was the importance of translational research. The journey from Basic Research and Discovery to Preclinical Research, Clinical Trial and Application, and finally Regulatory Approval and Commercialization requires continuity and collaboration. A promising laboratory discovery is only the beginning. Its ultimate value lies in whether it can be safely and effectively translated into a clinically meaningful therapy.

Regulation was therefore another important part of the meeting. Advanced cell-based therapies and ATMPs require careful consideration of product characterization, manufacturing consistency, quality control, potency, traceability, long-term safety, and clinical benefit. At the same time, regulatory frameworks need to evolve alongside scientific innovation. Continuous communication between researchers, clinicians, industry, and regulators will be essential to support innovation while protecting patients.

For Indonesia, hosting the ACTO Annual Meeting represents more than an opportunity to welcome international experts. It provides a platform to demonstrate Indonesia’s growing capabilities and strengthen its position within the regional regenerative medicine community. The country has researchers, clinicians, universities, hospitals, research institutions, and industry stakeholders working in areas related to stem cells and regenerative medicine. The next challenge is to connect these resources into a stronger and more sustainable ecosystem.

Moving forward, Indonesia will need continued investment in research and translational infrastructure, human-resource development, clinical research, quality systems, and regulatory capacity. Stronger international partnerships will also be important. The relationships developed through ACTO–ASPI 2026 have the potential to lead to joint research projects, publications, collaborative clinical trials, researcher exchanges, training programs, technology partnerships, and regulatory cooperation.

Ultimately, the impact of ACTO–ASPI 2026 should extend beyond the three-day meeting. The event should serve as a starting point for continued collaboration and concrete action. Indonesia has an opportunity not only to adopt technologies developed elsewhere, but also to become an active contributor to regenerative medicine innovation in Asia.

The future of regenerative medicine will require collaboration across disciplines, institutions, countries, and sectors. ACTO–ASPI 2026 has provided an important platform to strengthen those connections. For Indonesia, the meeting represents a meaningful step toward connecting scientific discovery with clinical needs, innovation with responsible regulation, and national capabilities with international collaboration.

With sustained commitment, stronger partnerships, and continued investment in research and translation, Indonesia can play a greater role in shaping the future of regenerative medicine in Asia and bringing promising scientific advances closer to the patients who need them.