Karin Abitorabi | Head Process and Analytical Development & Innovation
Minaris Regenerative Medicine

Karin Abitorabi is an internationally recognized expert in cell therapy development with more than 30 years of experience spanning discovery research, process development, and GMP manufacturing. She began her career after completing her CTA apprenticeship and biology studies at the University of Konstanz and the University of California, Berkeley. Karin joined SyStemix, a Novartis company in California, in 1994, where she gained comprehensive hands-on expertise in stem cell research and GMP-regulated manufacturing. She subsequently held roles of increasing responsibility at Schering-Plough Biopharma (now Merck) and Progenitor Cell Therapy (now Minaris Advanced Therapy, USA), contributing to both early-stage and Phase II/III cell therapy programs in company-owned and CDMO environments. In 2013, Karin moved to Novartis’ Cell and Gene Therapy department in Basel, where she played a key role in advancing multiple pipeline programs, including Kymriah. Her work spanned process development, global CMO collaboration, and technology transfer, as well as the progression of hematopoietic stem cell initiatives. Since 2021, Karin has served as Head of Process and Analytical Development & Innovation at Minaris Regenerative Medicine GmbH in Munich, a CDMO dedicated exclusively to cell and gene therapy, supporting clients from development through commercial manufacturing.