A Standing Ovation for Hope: Our Plenary Keynote at the 2025 Innate Killer Summit
Tracy Ryan • March 5, 2025
At this year’s Innate Killer Summit in San Diego, one moment stood out among the many brilliant talks and groundbreaking discoveries—a plenary keynote that brought the room to its feet not once, but twice.
That keynote was ours.
Sharing the stage with my daughter—who has battled brain cancer her entire life—was one of the most profound honors of my life. Together, we shared not just a personal journey through the darkest days of pediatric cancer, but a story of scientific resolve, patient courage, and the incredible promise of NK (natural killer) cell therapy.
Our presentation, which opened Day 2 of the Summit, chronicled the birth of NKore BioTherapeutics, the company we founded to develop non-toxic, supercharged NK cell therapies for cancer and immune-related diseases. We spoke candidly about the devastating diagnosis my daughter received at just 8 1/2 months old, the years of failed treatments, and the ultimate turning point—an experimental NK cell infusion that marked a turning point in her recovery.
The room was silent as we walked through the science: how our NK cells are engineered to work smarter, last longer, and target tumors without harming healthy tissue. But what made the biggest impact wasn’t just the data—it was my daughter walking on stage herself, full of life and spirit, to share her voice.
The first standing ovation came after her speech.
The second came at the end, when we declared our mission loud and clear: We will not stop until every patient has access to the same kind of hope.
We left the stage overwhelmed with emotion, gratitude, and even greater resolve. The support we received from leading researchers, clinicians, and investors reminded us that the tide is turning in cancer care. The future isn’t just coming—it’s already being built, and it’s being built by people who believe that the immune system, when properly supported, can do what once seemed impossible.
Thank you to the organizers of the Innate Killer Summit, to the community that welcomed our story, and to every patient and family who continues to inspire our work. This was more than a keynote. It was a call to action.
We heard you. And we’re just getting started.
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.
NKore's Chief Communications Officer has proudly served as a dedicated member of the prestigious, invitation-only marketing organization, PTTOW, for an impressive nine years. This distinguished group focuses on fostering connections among the top marketing executives from some of the largest and most influential brands in the world. As a regularly invited speaker at their events, Tracy draws upon her nearly 40 years of marketing expertise, complemented by her extensive experience in building successful companies. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Tracy offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on patient care, informed by her enduring role as the mother of a cancer survivor. She provides attendees with an insightful and heartfelt look at how she transformed a life-altering tragedy into a story of resilience and triumph. Her own child's battle with a relentless form of cancer that ravaged her brain for nearly seven years serves as a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, inspiring others to find hope and healing in the face of life's greatest challenges.
NKore BioTherapeutics is proud to announce that Dr. Anahid Jewett, renowned immunotherapy cancer research scientist, has been honored with the distinguished recognition of being named one of the top 2% of scientists in the world by Stanford University. This prestigious accolade is a testament to Dr. Jewett's exceptional contributions to the field of natural killer (NK) cell therapy for cancer.
Our CoFounder and Chief Communications Officer Tracy Ryan had the incredible honor and privilege of being invited back to the White House for the 4th time in just a span of 12 months!
On May 16th and 17th, 2022, the NKore team journeyed to Washington, DC to speak at the DIPG Advocacy Group's Moonshot Kids reception and Congressional Briefing in an effort to bring more awareness to the unmet needs of children suffering from deadly brain tumors. NKore's co-founders Dr. Anahid Jewett and Tracy Ryan were among the list of presenters that included world-renowned oncologists, top tier cancer foundations, and members of Congress. Mrs. Ryan presented on her family's 9-year journey to cure their daughter Sophie of a low-grade brain tumor, which led them to the formation of NKore alongside Dr. Jewett, NKore's CEO Greg Brophy who was also in attendance, and the company's COO Tim Brahm. Dr. Jewett followed Ryan with the hard hitting science that had Congressman Michael McCall of Texas so excited that he asked Ryan, Jewett and Brophy to join him in his office after the Congressional Briefing for further discussions. But the real star of the show was Ryan's daughter Sophie, the inspiration behind NKore, who stole the heart of everyone in attendance...especially Rep McCall. Sophie and her family spent extra time with Congressman McCall, and received a private tour of the Capitol Building from one of his top aides. They were also able to reconnect with their longtime friend and avid supporter, Congressman Eric Swalwell, who has followed the Ryan's journey for over 6 years, and who has worked with Ryan to advance legislation. Thanks to Janet Demeter of the DIPG Advocacy Group and the 501(c)3 Jack's Angels who produced the event, the Ryans, along with other cancer families in attendance, also received a private tour of the White House where the children were surprised by a meeting with the First Dog, Commander. It is the goal of the Ryans and the whole NKore team to work closely to gain bi-partisan support for their very important mission to help patients of all ages battling cancer. Working alongside accomplished advocates like Janet Demeter, they further hope to secure more funding through President Biden's Moonshot Initiative for pediatric cancer research, and to extend the amount of funding allocated to pediatric research as a whole. Currently only 3.8% of all government funding is allocated to research for children, and very few drugs have been brought to market for kids in over 40 years.
