2024 ARCHIVES
Sunday, May 12
Main Conference Registration1:00 pm
Recommended Pre-Conference Short Course2:00 pm
SC4: Safety and Efficacy of Bispecifics and ADCs
*Separate registration required. See short course page for details.
Monday, May 13
Registration and Morning Coffee7:00 am
Chairperson's Remarks
Horacio G. Nastri, PhD, Vice President, Protein Science and Technology, Incyte Corporation
Antibody and Protein Engineering: Innovation, Design and the Triple Point
Daniel Chen, MD, PhD, Founder & CEO, Synthetic Design Lab
Monoclonal antibody therapies represent the majority of approved biologics. Most are relatively simple in their action and reliant on the importance of their target (eg Her2, VEGF, TNFa and PD-L1/PD-1). Advances in protein engineering, from bioconjugation, payload selection, multi specific constructs, conditional binders and complete framework redesign enable therapeutic approaches that were not previously possible. When combined with a deep understanding of human biology and AI, we can start to create more specific and potent human therapeutics needed to overcome increasingly difficult and complex clinical challenges in human disease.
Precision-Guided Bicycle Therapeutics for Treatment of Cancer
Philip E. Brandish, PhD, Senior Vice President, Immuno-Oncology, Bicycle Therapeutics
Small bicyclic peptides constrained by a central scaffold can have pharmacologic and pharmacodynamic properties that fit very well with the design goals that are optimal for targeted delivery of toxins, radionuclides, or immune agonists for the treatment of cancer. This presentation will highlight the application of the Bicycle technology to activation of anti-tumor immunity in the setting of cancer, in particular via the activating receptors CD137 and NKp46.
Twin Fc-Immune Cell Engager (ICE): A Novel Platform to Potentiate Therapeutic Efficacy of Antibody for Cancer Therapy
Eun Shik Choi, PhD, CTO, Centenaire Biosciences, Inc.
Twin Fc-ICE is an engineered antibody platform designed to effectively engage multiple immune effector cells and complement as well as to maximize the Fc load on tumor targets, while retaining the size and drug-like properties of IgG1. Anti-HER2 Twin Fc-ICEs demonstrated augmentation of diverse immune mechanisms including macrophage-dependent phagocytosis and stronger in vivo efficacy against HER2-positive and HER2-low tumors than anti-HER2 IgG1 antibodies, highlighting the clinical potential of Twin Fc-ICE.
Kathrin Herbst, Director of Science and Business Development, Lightcast
Drug development is advancing with single-cell profiling in high-throughput screenings. Traditional methods yield extensive data but lack direct functional analysis at scale, requiring costly, time-consuming secondary screens. We introduce a new platform merging droplet microfluidics, optical electrowetting-on-dielectric (oEWOD), and machine learning, enabling controlled, parallel, and multiplexed single-cell assays. This platform's utility is demonstrated through workflows for antibody discovery and cell and gene therapy.
Networking Coffee Break10:30 am
Next-Generation DARPin-Based Protein Therapeutics
Daniel Steiner, PhD, Vice President, Lead Generation, Molecular Partners AG
This presentation unveils the future of protein therapeutics, delving into the design, mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of next-generation DARPin-based drugs. An update on our clinical stage, tetra-specific T cell-engaging DARPin designed for avidity-driven selective killing of heterogeneous malignant AML cells and a deep dive into our Radio DARPin Therapeutics platform for effective and safe delivery of therapeutic radionuclides will be presented.
HRPro—A Peroxidase for Antibody-Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy
Stefan Kittler, PhD, Postdoc Researcher, Institute of Chemical Environmental & Biological, TU Wien
Recombinant horseradish peroxidase produced in E. coli has an outstanding advantage since it is not glycosylated. The conjugation of this protein to Trastuzumab is investigated to develop a site-directed cancer treatment by establishing an enzyme pro-drug therapy. A conjugation protocol was developed, and first studies show a high potential for this HRP-antibody conjugate.
Session Break12:00 pm
Mingkun Zhang, Director, NeoMab Platform, GemPharmatech
Antibodies and their derivatives have proven significant effectiveness against human diseases, but challenges like immunogenicity and engineering failures hinder their progress. GemPharmatech's platform, based on humanized transgenic animal models, addresses these issues, and enable the efficient development of therapeutic antibodies. This presentation will share the development and validation of these models, as well as case studies for antibody discovery.
Devarshi Kapadia, Associate Director, Licensing, Biologics, Lonza
Biological pipelines for oncology indications are evolving, with next-generation molecules joining more traditional monoclonal antibodies. These advances increase pressure on cell line construction timelines, creating challenges in identifying cell lines that meet production needs. Lonza optimizes the GS Gene Expression System® to address these demands. We present a customer case-study on how GS piggyBac® transposon technology can boost titers and increase the chances of selecting a high performing clonal cell line.
Session Break1:05 pm
Engineering a Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody Targeting CD24, a Macrophage Checkpoint
John Burg, PhD, Senior Director, Protein Sciences, Pheast Therapeutics
CD24 is a tumor antigen with a restricted expression profile that acts as an important macrophage “don’t eat me” signal, but the small size and heavy glycosylation of CD24 make it a challenging target for antibody discovery. We identified an anti-CD24 antibody that reverses CD24-mediated inhibition of phagocytosis, and used sequence analysis and yeast display to enhance antibody affinity and maximize humanization. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrate efficacy and justified further development of this antibody.
Characterization of a Novel Anti-A2aR Antagonist Antibody for Cancer Immunotherapy
Changyun (Eric) Hu, PhD, CSO & Co-Founder, Adept Therapeutics Inc.
Currently, small molecule inhibitor is the only modality employed by a handful of companies to modulate the A2aR signaling pathway, due to the challenge of discovering functionally potent antibodies against GPCR target A2aR. The anti-A2aR we will present here represents the first molecule of antibody modality that demonstrated functional potency in antagonizing the A2aR signaling pathway and thus can restore T and NK cell function within an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment.
Tumor-Selective Anti-Tumor Immune Response of ROSE12, a Novel Fc-Enhanced Antibody
Kanako Tatsumi, PhD, Global Project Leader, Project Planning & Coordination, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
One of the remaining issues of antibody therapeutics is on-target, off-tumor, toxicity induced by binding to target antigens expressed in normal tissues. Here we report ROSE12, a novel Fc-enhanced tumor specific antibody which can overcome the safety issue and expect a wide therapeutic window. ROSE12 is currently being tested in a Phase 1 clinical study (NCT05907980).
Ross Chambers, PhD, Vice President of Antibody Discovery, Integral Molecular
GPRC5D is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed on multiple myeloma cells but absent from most healthy tissues. Clinical data demonstrate that combination therapy of T cell-engaging molecules individually targeting GPRC5D and BCMA offers unprecedented therapeutic effects in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients. Comparable or added benefits are expected for a trispecific molecule. We will present in vitro and in vivo data for our lead molecules targeting GPRC5D.
Networking Refreshment Break3:15 pm
Transition to Plenary Keynote Session4:15 pm
Plenary Keynote Introduction
Laszlo G. Radvanyi, PhD, President & Scientific Director, Ontario Institute for Cancer Research
Driving New CAR T Cells
Marcela V. Maus, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Medicine; Director, Cellular Immunotherapy, Massachusetts General Hospital
We will talk about various roads and challenges in driving new CAR T cells toward the clinic, and learnings from clinical experience.
High-Throughput Discovery of Protein Folding Stability and Dynamics
Gabriel J. Rocklin, PhD, Assistant Professor, Pharmacology, Northwestern University
Every protein has its own conformational energy landscape that governs its folding stability and dynamics. These varied landscapes are rarely predictable in protein engineering but strongly influence function, aggregation, immunogenicity, and more. Our lab develops new large-scale methods to measure stability and dynamics. I will share lessons from stability measurements of >750,000 protein domains and dynamics measurements of >5,000 domains, highlighting the potential to rationally engineer stability and dynamics.
Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing6:05 pm
Facilitators of Young Scientist Meet Up: IN-PERSON ONLY
Orhi Esarte Palomero, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Pharmacology, Northwestern University
Alexandros Karyolaimos, PhD, Researcher, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics, Stockholm University
Shakiba Nikfarjam, PhD, Postdoc, Lawrence Livermore National Lab
Network, Inspire Others and Connect
The young scientist meet-up is an opportunity for scientists entering the field to develop connections across institutions, and for established leaders to come build relationships with the next generation of scientists. The meet-up will pave the way for mentorships, professional opportunities, and scientific discovery.
Close of Day7:30 pm
Tuesday, May 14
Registration and Morning Coffee7:30 am
Daniel A. Vallera, PhD, Lion Scholar and Professor; Director, Section on Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Professor, Therapeutic Radiology, University of Minnesota Masonic Cancer Center
Attacking the Cancer Surfaceome
James A. Wells, PhD, Professor, Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology, University of California, San Francisco
The cell surface proteome, the surfaceome, is a major hub for cellular communication and a primary source of drug targets, especially for biologics. Identifying how the surfaceome changes in cancer is a central challenge for identifying and targeting new disease associated proteins. We have used chemical methods and engineered proteins to facilitate identification of membrane proteins, both native and post-translationally modified versions, that change with oncogene transformation and or hypoxia a characteristic of the tumor micro-environment. We then target proteins either upregulated, proteolyzed or both with recombinant antibodies derived by phage display to be used as validation tools and potential therapeutic leads.
Engineering Antibodies to Reduce Their High-Concentration Viscosity
Paul J. Carter, PhD, Genentech Fellow, Antibody Engineering, Genentech
Antibody self-association may lead to high viscosity that is problematic for manufacturing and subcutaneous delivery. In one strategy, extensive mutational analysis of antibody variable domains identified variants with reduced viscosity while maintaining binding affinity and developability properties of the parent antibody. In a second strategy, the high viscosity of several different antibodies was reduced by clinically validated Fc mutations. These strategies may be useful in engineering other antibodies for subcutaneous delivery.
Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing9:00 am
Jennifer R. Cochran, PhD, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Research, Macovski Professor of Bioengineering, Stanford University
Laboratory Evolution of Genome Editing Proteins for Precise Gene Correction and Targeted Gene Integration in Mammalian Cells
David R. Liu, PhD, Richard Merkin Professor and Director, Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare; Core Institute Member and Vice-Chair of the Faculty, Broad Institute; Director, Chemical Biology and Therapeutic Sciences Program; Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of the Natural Sciences and Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University
In this lecture I will describe the use of protein evolution and protein engineering to develop precision genome editing technologies. These technologies include base editors, prime editors, recombinases, and CRISPR-associated transposases (CASTs). Base editors and prime editors have been used by many laboratories around the world to correct pathogenic mutations, resulting in ex vivo and in vivo one-time treatments that rescue disease phenotypes in many animal models of devastating genetic disorders. At least nine base editing clinical trials have begun, with positive clinical readouts from at least three of these trials, and the first prime editing clinical trial was recently cleared by FDA to begin in the U.S. I will also describe the use of phage-assisted continuous evolution (PACE) to evolve prime editors, recombinases, and CASTs to enable efficient targeted gene-sized integration in human cells, addressing a longstanding challenge in the genome editing field. These engineered and evolved proteins enable precise target gene correction, disruption, or insertion in a wide range of organisms with broad implications for the life sciences and therapeutics.
Celebrating 20 Years in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing11:00 am
Enhancing NK Cell Invasion to Promote the Anti-Tumor Effects of CAR-NK Cells
Louis M. Weiner, MD, Professor & Director, Oncology, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Georgetown University
We have determined that human fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is expressed by human natural killer cells. FAP is a dipeptidyl peptidase and collagenase. FAP enzymatic inhibition or gene knockdown significantly impairs NK cell migration or invasion through tissue matrix, and forced overexpression of FAP enhances both migration and invasion through matrix and into tumor spheroids. These findings point to an important role of FAP in regulating NK cell invasion, and suggest that manipulating FAP biology in NK cells can have therapeutic value in cancer.
Antibody Fc Domains Engineered for Selective ADCC Activity in the Tumor Microenvironment
Jennifer A. Maynard, PhD, Henry Beckman Professor, McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas Austin
Antibody-based therapeutics enjoy considerable success as cancer treatments, but can cause serious toxicities due to recognition of tumor-associated antigens in healthy tissues. We will discuss recent efforts to develop advanced antibody therapeutics with Fc-mediated activities that are restricted to the solid tumor microenvironment. With the intent of decreasing toxicities and expanding therapeutic windows, protein engineering strategies can render antibody activity sensitive to multiple tumor-specific characteristics.
Jordon Wang, PhD, COO, Senior Vice President, Technology Development, AvantGen
We will explore some of the cutting-edge advancements in our antibody discovery and engineering approaches to engineer unique properties in next generation therapeutic antibodies. With the aim to enhance specificity, potency, and to expand the therapeutic index, we will discuss how they hold the promise to significantly improve patient outcomes.
Session Break1:30 pm
Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available) or Enjoy Lunch on Your Own1:40 pm
Close of Antibodies for Cancer Therapy Conference2:40 pm
Recommended Dinner Short Course6:30 pm
SC8: Developabiilty of Bispecific Antibodies
View By:
May 12-13
Display of Biologics
Antibodies for Cancer Therapy
Advances in Immunotherapy
Difficult-to-Express Proteins
ML and Digital Integration in Biotherapeutic Analytics
Biologics for Immunology Indications
May 13-14
Engineering Antibodies
Advancing Multispecific Antibodies
Emerging Targets for Oncology and Beyond
Engineering Cell Therapies
Optimizing Protein Expression
Biophysical Methods
Predicting Immunogenicity with AI/ML Tools
Radiopharmaceutical Therapies
May 15-16
Machine Learning for Protein Engineering
Driving Clinical Success in Antibody-Drug Conjugates
Engineering Bispecific and Multifunctional Antibodies
Next-Generation Immunotherapies
Maximizing Protein Production Workflows
Characterization for Novel Biotherapeutics