Pre-Conference Workshop Day

Pre Conference Workshop Day

Wednesday, July 26 | Boston, MA

7:30 am Registration & Morning Coffee

08.30 – 10:30 am
Workshop A

LNPs & Beyond – A Drug Delivery Masterclass

  • Annette Bak Head of Advanced Drug Delivery, AstraZeneca
  • Heinrich Haas Vice President - RNA Formulation & Drug Delivery, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz
  • Michiel Lodder Chief Executive Officer, 20Med Therapeutics
  • Apiwat Wangweerawong Associate Director - Lipid Nanoparticle Chemistry, Tessera Therapeutics

Synopsis

LNPs have demonstrated high efficacy as the vaccine delivery of choice against SARS-CoV-2. The modular nature of LNP formulations and the flexibility of mRNA as a payload provide many pathways to implement these strategies. This drug delivery masterclass will delve into the innovation of LNP formulations and beyond for applications in therapeutics and implications for the success for next-generation biological therapies.

Join this Masterclass to address the following questions:

  • What will the next generation of LNP drug delivery systems look like?
  • How can new delivery vehicles and innovative formulations enable efficient and safe targeting?

10:30 am Morning Break & Networking

11:00 – 1:00 pm
Workshop B

Unleashing the Potential of Circular RNA – Design, Stability & Immunogenicity

  • Gilles besin Chief Scientific Officer, Orbital Therapeutics
  • Francis Poulin Vice President - Ribonucleic Acid Science & Platform Analytics, Laronde

Synopsis

mRNA has broad potential for novel medicines, yet, one fundamental limitation to its use is the relatively short half-life in biological systems and eliciting an immunogenic response. Circular RNA is now gaining attention as a novel strategy offering a stable choice, reduced dosing and costs. This workshop will dive into circular RNA chemical and physical properties and applications as a new modality of choice.

Join this workshop to answer:

  • What is the best way to generate circular RNA with superior quality attributes?
  • What is the therapeutic potential of the circular RNA platform for vaccines and beyond?

1:00 pm Afternoon Lunch Break & Networking

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Workshop C

Delving into an mRNA Analytical Toolbox – From Drug Substance to Drug Product

  • Mohammad Safari Head of Analytical Biochemistry, Seqirus Inc.
  • Diane McCarthy Senior Director, Science and Standards, Global Biologics, U.S. Pharmacopeia
  • Yue Fu Staff Scientist, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc
  • Li Li Principal Scientist, Merck & Co

Synopsis

With the mRNA community seeking clinical validation of their candidates, the industry continues to face challenges in overcoming analytical and bioanalytical hurdles from mRNA sequencing to drug product formulation and manufacturing. This workshop will dive deep into the importance of analytics and how to overcome these challenges creating an all encompassing toolbox, and sparking conversation to develop safe, stable and effective mRNA therapeutics

Join this session to discuss:

  • How best to develop CQAs for your mRNA platform of choice
  • How can we better use analytics to assess drug substance and product attributes?
  • How to trouble shoot and improve analytical value beyond typical manufacturing supports

End of Pre-Conference Workshop Day