Explore the Agenda

7:55 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Harnessing AI & Computational Approaches to Improve Predictive Modelling & Translational Success

8:00 am Evidence – Leveraging Digital Pathology & AI to Improve Translational Decision-Making in Oncology

Director, Medical, Translational, & Computational Pathology, GlaxoSmithKline
  • Applying digital pathology and AI-driven image analysis to generate deeper insights into tumour biology, therapeutic response, and biomarker expression
  • Integrating pathology, imaging, and translational datasets to improve confidence in development decisions and patient stratification strategies
  • Understanding how computational pathology can accelerate biomarker discovery and support more predictive oncology research

8:20 am Evidence – Leveraging Digital Twins & In Silico Clinical Trials to Improve Predictive Modelling and Translational Success

Machine Learning Senior Scientist, Bayer
  • Applying digital twin approaches to simulate patient outcomes and support development decisions before clinical testing
  • Integrating clinical, biological, and computational datasets to improve prediction of efficacy, safety, and patient variability
  • Understanding how in silico models can complement traditional preclinical approaches to reduce uncertainty and strengthen translational confidence

8:40 am Session Reserved for Partner

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9:10 am Insight Exchange – How Can AI & Computational Models Improve Confidence Before the Clinic?

Director, Medical, Translational, & Computational Pathology, GlaxoSmithKline
Machine Learning Senior Scientist, Bayer
  • Which data sources provide the greatest opportunity to improve prediction of patient outcomes: pathology, imaging, clinical, biomarker, or multi-omic data?
  • How can digital pathology, digital twins, and computational approaches be integrated with traditional tumour models to strengthen translational confidence?
  • What evidence is needed before organisations can trust AI-generated insights to influence development and progression decisions?
  • Audience Q&As

9:40 am Structured Modality Networking Session & Morning Break

Take this opportunity to connect with peers working on similar tumour model modalities or explore cross-disciplinary insights with those from different specialisms. These informal breakout sessions are designed to help you soundboard challenges, share learnings, and build meaningful connections. It’s also a great moment to reflect on the day’s discussions and strategise your next steps. This session will take place in the conference room.

Understanding the True Predictive Value of Models Across Efficacy, Safety & Translational Outcomes

10:40 am Evidence – Human-Relevant Safety NAMs for Translational Confidence & Therapeutic Index in Oncology Drug Development

Director, Oncology Safety Combinations, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca
  • Human-relevant target organ NAMS can improve translation beyond traditional in vivo models, enabling more predictive assessment of specific safety risks
  • A bone marrow MPS enables assessment of drug-induced marrow suppression for oncology monotherapies and combination therapies
  • Bone marrow MPS integrated with quantitative systems toxicology modelling supports reliable prediction of patient hematologic effects for oncology therapeutics

11:00 am Session Reserved for Partner

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11:30 am Evidence – Predicting Safety & Clinical Outcomes Using Preclinical Tumour & Normal Tissue Models with T-Cell Engagers

Director - Nonclinical Safety, Immunocore Ltd
  • In vitro approaches to assess safety and efficacy of T cell engagers
  • Understanding the opportunities and limitations of current in vitro and in vivo systems in predicting unwanted side effects
  • Exploring emerging approaches to improve safety assessment in early drug development

11:50 am Insight Exchange – Can We Ever Reliably Predict Safety & Efficacy Before the Clinic?

Director, Oncology Safety Combinations, Clinical Pharmacology & Safety Sciences, AstraZeneca
Director - Nonclinical Safety, Immunocore Ltd
  • Which endpoints remain hardest to predict with current models?
  • How should teams balance efficacy and safety when selecting models?
  • What breakthroughs are needed to improve prediction of clinical outcomes?
  • Audience Q&As

12:10 pm Lunch Break

Exploring Reverse Translation, Human-Relevant Models & Regulatory Learning

1:10 pm Applying Reverse Translation to Improve Predictive Models for Next Generation CAR-T Development

Head, Research, OneChain Immunotherapeutics
  • Using clinical learnings from advanced ex vivo CAR-T programmes to identify limitations in existing preclinical models and improve future model design
  • Understanding how efficacy, persistence, resistance, and safety observations can be translated back into preclinical systems to strengthen development strategies
  • Creating continuous feedback loops between clinical, translational, and preclinical teams to improve confidence in ex vivo and in vivo CAR-T progression decisions

1:30 pm Identifying Novel Immunotherapy Targets Using Human-Relevant Tumour Models

Chief Executive Officer, 4C Biomed
  • Leveraging patient-derived tumour systems to identify and validate novel targets across both tumour and immune cell populations
  • Understanding how human-relevant screening approaches can uncover therapeutic opportunities missed by conventional preclinical models
  • Evaluating the translational relevance of novel immunotherapy targets and therapeutic strategies in tumours resistant to first-generation checkpoint inhibitors

1:50 pm Panel Discussion: What Evidence Gives Us Confidence That a Model Will Translate?

Head, Research, OneChain Immunotherapeutics
Chief Executive Officer, 4C Biomed
  • How can clinical observations and reverse translational insights be used to improve future model development and regulatory confidence?
  • What role should patient-derived and human-relevant tumour models play in identifying novel targets and improving candidate selection?
  • Which biological, translational, or clinical endpoints provide the strongest evidence that a programme is ready for progression?
  • Audience Q&As

2:10 pm Poster Winner Awarding Ceremony & Afternoon Break

The winning poster will be announced at this time. The winner will receive their award, and have their poster showcased on our website as a downloadable file.

Building Integrated External & Internal Strategies to Improve Development Decisions

2:40 pm Evidence – Building Integrated Development Strategies to Improve Development Time-lines & Reduce Late-Stage Risks

Co-founder, Apeikon Therapeutics
  • Reducing late-stage risk by integrating decision making across biology, pharmacology and regulatory functions
  • Aligning model selection, biomarker strategy, PK/PD understanding, formulation and regulatory planning earlier in development
  • Updating ‘traditional’ organisation structures to improve communication between discovery, translational, and clinical and regulatory functions

3:00 pm Evidence – Moving Beyond Data Generation to Strategic CRO Partnerships in Tumour Model Development

Senior Scientist, Research, Bioscience & Oncology, AstraZeneca
  • Evaluating CROs not only on execution, but on their ability to provide scientific insight and study design support
  • Avoiding cost driven decisions that compromise data quality and long term development success
  • Building effective collaborations that strengthen decision making and improve translational confidence

3:20 pm Insight Exchange – Building an End-to-End Development Strategy That Delivers Better Decisions

Co-founder, Apeikon Therapeutics
Senior Scientist, Research, Bioscience & Oncology, AstraZeneca
  • Where do development programmes most commonly break down between discovery, translational, clinical, and external partners?
  • How early should CROs, translational scientists, and pharmacology teams be involved in model selection decisions?
  • What distinguishes a strategic partner from a service provider when generating decision-grade data?
  • How can organisations balance speed, cost, scientific rigour, and translational confidence throughout development?
  • Audience Q&As

3:40 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

3:40 pm End of Conference