Enhancing Speed and Scalability in Upstream Bioprocessing of Monoclonal and Bispecific Antibodies

Shahram Misaghi, PhD

Shahram Misaghi, PhD, is a research fellow at Prolific Machines where he leverages his deep research and biological systems expertise to help shape the optogenetic company’s cell line development (CLD) capabilities. He is a research leader with over two decades of extensive work in biomanufacturing stable and inducible systems, from which he has demonstrated and published the impact of chemical inducible gene expression applications in CHO CLD.

Prior to Prolific, he worked in Genentech’s CLD Group for 18 years. He has 52 publications which speak to a broad range of contemporary topics in the space. Misaghi has been a leader in the CLD research at Genentech and was part of the team that produced their targeted integration platform, which is regarded as an industrial best-in-class for titers. He received his PhD in biological sciences from Harvard University where he utilized cell biology, biochemistry, and structural biology approaches to delineate the role of viral proteins during immune evasion.

In his time there, he investigated the role of ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) machinery in the viral immune evasion process. Previously, he attended the University of California Berkeley to receive his bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology where he utilized structural biology techniques to unravel function of multidrug resistant pumps in bacteria with an emphasis on immunology. He is passionate about research and mentorship and leveraging these to contribute to the betterment of life and environment through research.

Sri Madabhushi, PhD

Sri is a senior director at AstraZeneca, where she leads teams focused on cell culture process development and material supply. She has served as CMC lead across multiple early- and late-stage programs, shaping timelines and strategy, orchestrating stakeholder management, and delivering end-to-end outcomes spanning drug substance, drug product, clinical supply, and regulatory submissions. As a recognized scientific leader, she defines the strategic roadmap for scientific and technology investments and has advanced next generation innovations, including ultra productive fed batch processes (>20 g/L), process intensification and continuous manufacturing, media development, and end to end platform design.

Christopher Brau

Christopher Brau is a senior manager of R&D for Bioprocess Production Innovation–Integration and for cell culture and cell therapy process development at Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Grand Island, New York site. Prior to this role, he was a key contributor to the Single-Use Technology R&D team, where he focused on bioprocess optimization and scale-up, reactor design, process analytical technologies, and advanced control systems. With a multidisciplinary background in chemical engineering, biochemistry, and computer networks, Christopher brings a systems-level perspective to bioprocess innovation. His work centers on advancing scalable, data-driven solutions that enable more efficient and robust biomanufacturing.