Conference Day One - Wednesday | October 2, 2024
7:30 am Check-In & Coffee
8:15 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Unlocking Macrophages’ Full Potential: Leveraging Proof-of-Concept Data to Chart the Path for Better Patient Outcomes
8:20 am Industry Leader’s Fireside Chat: Contextualizing Macrophage-Specific Challenges in Comparison to Other Cell Types
Synopsis
- Mapping out the potential of cell therapies by outlining incentives for focusing on macrophages
- Considering broad-perspective challenges to draw comparisons between working with macrophages and other cell types
- Understanding the advantages of macrophages to propel this form of cell therapy
9:00 am Data Showcase: Recent Key Data on Bispecific Macrophage Engagers Highlighting the Promise of Future Macrophage-Directed Therapies
Synopsis
- Presenting recent pre-clinical/clinical data that amplify the potential of macrophagedirected therapies
- Discussing the advantages of macrophage engagers over T-cell engagers through comparative analysis
- Contextualizing data by unveiling models and methods used
9:30 am Morning Break & Speed Networking
Synopsis
As the community unites, this session will provide valuable networking time with your peers to foster new and lasting connections.
Illuminating the Boundless Potential of Macrophage-Directed Therapeutics Through Exploration of Novel Targets
10:30 am Advancing the Novel Target GPR65 (an Acid-Sensing Receptor) From Drug Discovery to Clinic
Synopsis
- Discussing GPR65 as a target for cancer and autoimmune disorders, along with its strong genetic link to human immunology
- Reflecting on the drug discovery journey of GPR65 to map out progression and learnings from this phase
- Unveiling future plans to advance toward clinical approval
11:00 am Exploring The Clever-1 Receptor Antibody as a Novel Mechanism to Target Macrophages in Cancer Treatment
Synopsis
- Utilizing Bexmarilimab to target Clever-1, a novel mode-of-action to activate macrophage antigen presentation (ex vivo, spatial transcriptomics MATINS trial)
- Overcoming ICI resistance by targeting Clever-1
- Exploring Clever-1 as a new player in hematological malignancies through the BEXMAB trial
11:30 am CLEC1 Novel Myeloid Checkpoint & Cell-Death Sensor, with Application in Oncology & Inflammation
Synopsis
- Understanding the biology of CLEC1 to clarify its role as a novel target and explain its mechanism
- Outlining CLEC1’s function in cancer treatment to underscore its therapeutic potential in this indication
- Mapping out CLEC1 function in inflammation and comparing its role in oncology
12:00 pm Learning from DSP107, a CD47x4-1BB bi-specific, to Advance Therapies into the Future & Consider the Continued Therapeutic Potential of CD47
Synopsis
- Improving target specificity and activity using bi-specific fusion protein
- Transforming safety profile and avoiding hematological toxicities
- Enhancing the treatment potential of solid and hematological malignancies
12:30 pm Lunch Break & Networking
Assessing the Potential of Combination Therapies to Advance Efficacy & Safety
1:30 pm Considering the Rationale Behind Developing Combination Therapies to Maximize their Potential Effectiveness
Synopsis
- Strategizing the logical design of a combination therapy to enhance the efficacy of your macrophage-directed therapy
- Weighing up the benefits and drawbacks of combination therapies to grasp their appeal
- Reviewing the costs and other limiting factors associated with combination therapies
2:00 pm Presentation by United Immunity
Synopsis
Session details to be confirmed
2:30 pm Tumor-Activated Multi-Specific Biologics for CD47-Targeting Approaches with Improved Therapeutic Index
Synopsis
- Overcoming challenges and amplifying success in CD47-targeting therapies by harnessing clinical learnings
- Exploring multi-specific antibody-based formats with enhanced phagocytosis compared to the combination of individual components
- Developing and characterizing masked multi-specific biologics for tumor-selective activity
3:00 pm Afternoon Break & Networking
Delving into Plasticity & Durability to Overcome Break Down Challenges Inherent to Working With Macrophages
4:00 pm Reprogramming Macrophages for Therapeutic Benefits
Synopsis
- Describing the common biology underlying macrophage states across various cancer indications
- Highlighting targets for inducing desired macrophage reprogramming
- Mapping out the challenges associated with macrophage plasticity
4:30 pm Locking Macrophages into a Phenotype: Assessing Methods to Overcome the Challenge of Macrophage Plasticity
Synopsis
- Discovering methods to promote a consistent macrophage phenotype and suppressing phenotype switching
- Reinforcing the importance of improving durability of phenotypes when working with macrophages
- Enhancing longevity of macrophages to prevent apoptosis from environmental factors by benchmarking effective practices
5:00 pm Discussing the Tumor Microenvironment (TME) & Considering How Macrophages Interact with Other Cell Types
Synopsis
- Delving into how macrophages interact with other cell types such as Tregs, T-helper cells, and NK cells in the tumor microenvironment to understand cell signaling and interactions
- Exploring the full complexity of the tumor microenvironment
- Targeting inhibitory receptors on myeloid cells to overcome resistance to immune checkpoint blockade