Women Shaping the Future of Phage Therapy: Meet the Day 2 Speakers
This article introduces Dr. Minmin Yen, Ms. Amanda Burkardt, and Dr. Shawna McCallin — three leading experts driving innovation, commercialization and clinical advancement in the rapidly evolving phage therapy ecosystem.
Dr. Minmin Yen — Innovating Phage Therapeutics for Global Health
Dr. Minmin Yen is the CEO and Co‑founder of PhagePro, a biotechnology company developing bacteriophage‑based solutions to prevent infectious disease outbreaks. With a mission centered on global health impact, PhagePro focuses on scalable, practical tools for preventing bacterial diseases in vulnerable and underserved populations.
Dr. Yen has been recognized among top innovators worldwide, including:
- MIT Technology Review’s 35 Innovators Under 35
- Boston Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business
- Henri Termeer Legacy Fellowship
Her session:
“Defining the Pathway for Phage Therapeutics in Global Health: Translating Outbreak Prevention from Concept to Clinic”
will examine how phage‑based interventions can move from early‑stage development into validated clinical tools. Attendees will gain insights into regulatory considerations, clinical feasibility, and the unique challenges of deploying phage solutions in low‑resource settings.
Ms. Amanda Burkardt — Commercializing Next‑Generation Phage Therapies
As the CEO of PHIOGEN, Amanda Burkardt brings over 15 years of experience bridging scientific innovation and commercialization strategy. She leads global efforts to advance next‑generation phage therapies targeting deadly and drug‑resistant bacterial infections.
With deep expertise in biotech product development, market access, and translational strategy, Burkardt plays a critical role in accelerating phage therapeutics toward real‑world deployment.
Her talk:
“Developing a Differentiated Product: Dual‑Action Immunizing Therapeutics”
will uncover what sets advanced phage therapies apart in a competitive biotech landscape. She will discuss dual‑action therapeutic approaches, product differentiation, and how commercialization strategies influence clinical adoption.
Dr. Shawna McCallin — Advancing Phage Therapy Through Academic and Clinical Research
Dr. Shawna McCallin leads the Phage Therapy and Research Group at Balgrist University Hospital, where she focuses on developing, optimizing, and clinically translating bacteriophage therapy. Her research spans clinical study design, therapeutic refinement, and real‑world patient applications — bridging the gap between laboratory innovation and clinical practice.
Dr. McCallin also plays an essential role in international phage communities, holding leadership positions within:
- ISVM — International Society for Viruses of Microorganisms
- ESGNTA — ESCMID Study Group for Non-traditional Antibacterials
- International Phagistry
Her session:
“Academia’s Role in Phage Development”
will highlight how academic research drives scientific validation, therapeutic optimization, and the generation of high‑quality clinical evidence — essential foundations for regulatory acceptance and therapeutic integration.
Why These Leaders Matter for the Future of Phage Therapy
Together, Dr. Yen, Ms. Burkardt, and Dr. McCallin represent the interdisciplinary collaboration needed to bring phage therapy into mainstream medical practice. Their work spans:
- Innovation and discovery
- Clinical translation and evidence generation
- Commercial scaling and market readiness
As antimicrobial resistance continues to grow, their leadership demonstrates how diverse expertise can accelerate bacteriophage therapies into effective, accessible solutions for global health.
Join Us on Day 2 of the Conference
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from three of the most influential voices in modern phage research and development. Day 2 will provide deep insights into the future of bacteriophage therapy — from concept and research to commercialization and clinical adoption.
