Day Two

7:50 am Coffee & Registration

8:20 am Opening Remarks

  • Shamin Li Team Leader - In Vitro Pharmacology, Servier

Evaluating In Vitro & Complex 3D Models for Precinical Research

8:30 am Characterization of Physiologically Relevant Ex Vivo Models

  • Shamin Li Team Leader - In Vitro Pharmacology, Servier

Synopsis

  • Understanding pros and cons of working with patient-derived 3D tumour models
  • Development of functional readouts pertinent to the selected models
  • Assessment of ex vivo efficacy to immune modulators

9:00 am 3D Bioprinted Bone Mimics for Cancer Research & Drug Screening

  • Mads Daugaard President & Chief Scientific Officer, Rakovina Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Discussing the development of these models
  • Interrogating how these models can be used to study metastases and for drug screening

Unlocking Forward & Reverse Translational Studies to Revolutionise Precision Medicine

9:30 am Addressing Project Optimus: Use of Preclinical, Modelling, & Clinical Data to Identify the Optimal Dose of the PARP1-Selective Agent Saruparib for Phase 3 Studies

Synopsis

  • Interrogating in vitro models to understand mechanisms of action and exposure thresholds for activity
  • Analysing in vivo models to understand dose responses and exposure relationships needed for optimal efficacy
  • Exploring mathematical quantitative systems pharmacology modeling to correlation of clinical exposures, PD and efficacy in relation to preclinical data and modeling
  • Understanding how cross-validation of preclinical results with patient outcomes can drive more effective and personalised cancer treatments

10:00 am Morning Break & Networking

11:00 am Bedside to Bench: Interrogating Preclinical Models for Precision Oncology

  • Somaieh Hedayat Principal Scientist, Translational Models Lead, Econic Biosciences

Synopsis

  • Exploring how precision oncology customises cancer treatment based on the genetic and molecular profiles of patients’ tumours
  • Utilising mono- and co-culture patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and xenografts to help identify biomarkers for optimising regorafenib treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer
  • Using paired tissue and liquid biopsies from a phase II trial, identified MIR652-3p as a biomarker and molecular driver of resistance to regorafenib

Mapping Insights with Digital Pathology & Spatial Biology to Accelerate Drug Discovery & Cell Therapy

11:30 am Leveraging Digital Pathology & AI Analytics to Drive Novel Insights into Disease Pathophysiology

  • Revashnee Naidoo Senior Scientist – Tumour Profiling, Translational Sciences Group, Adaptimmune Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Utilising digital pathology and advanced analytics to enable deeper understanding of the complexity and underlying mechanisms of the tumour microenvironment
  • Employing AI to analyse protein expression and decipher complex pathophysiology

12:00 pm Roundtable Discussion: Leveraging CRISPR-Cas9 for Target Discovery & Validation in Oncology

Synopsis

  • In Vivo CRISPR sxreens for target identification to uncover novel oncology and immuno-oncology targets
  • Advantages and disadvantages of using CRISPR for target validation

12:30 pm Lunch & Netowrking

1:30 pm Application of the Preclinical Model Pathology Workflow: From Tissue to Insight

  • Wesley Minto Senior Associate Scientist, Preclinical Pathology Team Lead, Gilead Sciences

Synopsis

  • Optimizing a preclinical model pathology workflow
  • Considerations for a digital pathology environment
  • Application of traditional and AI-based image analysis for drug discovery

Model Validation & Characterisation to Optimise Research Efficiency & Increase Translational Impact

2:00 pm Optimising Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Models for Preclinical Testing of Intravesical Therapies

  • Lucas Trucco Principal Scientist, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Synopsis

  • Establishing orthotopic bladder xenograft models that resemble local urothelial carcinomas using a minimally invasive method
  • Monitoring tumour burden with bioluminescence imaging and histologic analysis for efficacy evaluation
  • Validating the approach by demonstrating a dose-dependent response upon intravesical treatment

2:30 pm Afternoon Break & Networking

3:00 pm Comparative Study to Validate Genomics Vendors

Synopsis

  • Evaluating the efficacy of each technique to determine the optimal workflow
  • Comparing the analysis of protein and RNA on the same slide versus separate slides to identify the best service providers

Uncovering Regulatory Insights for Successful Drug Development

3:30 pm Exploring Regulatory Ingredients in Pharmaceutical Development for Oncology Medicine

  • Michaela Nahler Head of Regulatory Affairs, Former Senior Director, Head Regulatory Affairs Europe, Former Urovant Sciences

Synopsis

  • Highlighting AI concepts and use in precision medicine
  • Identifying biomarker concepts today and outlook
  • Examining general pharmaceutical legislations in Europe and HTAR

4:00 pm Closing Remarks

  • Mads Daugaard President & Chief Scientific Officer, Rakovina Therapeutics

4:10 pm End of Day Two