Conference Day One
8:25 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
In-Human Studies to Boost Confidence in Inflammasome Therapeutic Clinical Trials & Progressing Forward With Therapeutic Candidates for Specific Diseases
8:30 am Preclinical to Clinical Development: Targeting the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Synopsis
- NLRP3 inflammasome is constitutively active in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Novartis is starting clinical trials to assess the impact of anti-inflammatory molecules in low-risk MDS
9:00 am A Comprehensive Approach to Investigating Inflammasome Function & Antagonism
Synopsis
- Evaluating six putative NLRP3 inhibitors with the NanoBRET™ NLRP3 Target Engagement Assay, Caspase-Glo 1 Inflammasome Assay, and the Lumit™ IL-1β Immunoassays.
- Developing the Lumit™ Immunoassay to specifically detect active IL-18.
- Exploring the fundamentally different biology of IL-18 and IL-1β using Lumit™ and Caspase-Glo tools.
9:30 am Advancing NT-0796 to the Clinic for Central Nervous System Indications
Synopsis
- Collating the preclinical data to support the indication decisions made prior to human studies
- Reviewing the formulation and delivery decisions to achieve the optimal PK/PD profile
- Navigating the next steps in the clinical development path in neurodegenerative diseases
10:00 am Speed Networking
Synopsis
Put a face to a name – this session is the perfect opportunity to get face-to-face time with the key opinion leaders in the inflammasome field. Establish meaningful connections to build upon for the rest of the conference and gain individual insight beyond the papers and press releases into the pioneering research and therapeutic development in the autoimmune and inflammation field.
10:45 am Morning Break
Track One – Discovery Science & Mechanisms
Supercharging Inflammasome Targeting Therapeutics Beyond NLRP3 as Druggable Targets
11:00 am Frontier Inflammasome Therapeutics: Capitalizing on Inflammasome Structure to Function for Drugs Beyond NLRP3
Synopsis
- Considerations of inflammasome assembly, regulation, and signalling to identify therapeutic targets
- Assessing the opportunity mechanistically to develop new drug candidates beyond NLRP3 inhibitors
11:30 am Exploring the Opportunity of Therapeutically Targeting the Other NLRs: Understanding the Activators of NLRs in Disease Beyond Infections
Synopsis
- Harnessing the knowledge of NLRP3 to understand whether NLRP1 will be activated similarly
- Evaluating the druggability of inflammasomes beyond NLRP3
Track Two – Preclinical & Translational Advancements
Synopsis
Chair: Marianna Rowlands, Director, Immunology, Therapeutic Area Biomarker Lead, Translational Medicine, Novartis
Addressing the Biomarker Bottlenecks in Inflammasome Therapeutics R&D to Hone Effective Predictive Markers
11:00 am Implementing a Biomarker Strategy in Inflammasome Preclinical & In-Human Studies
Synopsis
- Understanding the bench-to-bedside and back translation of biomarkers studied
- Navigating biomarker selection for inflammasome therapeutics; the known and unknown
11:30 am Exploring Biomarkers: Early Clinical Evaluation of HT-6184 a Potent, Selective, Orally Bioavailable, Allosteric Inhibitor of Nek7/NLRP3
Synopsis
- Discussing HT-6184 binds to Nek7, induces conformational rigidity that prevents Nek7 binding to NLRP3, and HT-6184 reverses NLRP3 inflammasome assembly
- Analyzing biomarkers from secreted proteins from immune cells from patients from the phase 1 clinical trial and evaluating biomarkers for both patient selection and response evaluation
12:00 pm Lunch & Networking
Supercharging Inflammasome Targeting Therapeutics Beyond NLRP3 as Druggable Targets
1:00 pm Highlighting ASC Antibodies: Illuminating Disease Pathways Through Mechanistic Insights
Synopsis
- DMapping and development of functionally active monoclonal antibodies generated against different regions of ASC
- Unveiling the mechanism of action of ASC antibodies to understand how antibody-mediated ASC inhibition can modify inflammatory processes
- Discovering the potential therapeutic avenues in CNS and peripheral inflammatory diseases
1:30 pm Discovery of a first-in-class inflammasome pathway and multi-cytokine inhibitor for the treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Synopsis
- DESN-X is an oral, small-molecule gut-preferred, inflammasome assembly inhibitor discovered using optimization of a natural product lead discovered via phenotypic screening of inflammasome activation
- ESN-X was discovered to be an allosteric modulator of HSP90 function via binding to its CTD, thereby modulating NLRP3 protein stability and inflammasome assembly
- ESN-X, via a putative change in client protein interactions of HSP90, also potently inhibits TNFa and IL-23 signaling, which are validated targets for the treatment of IBD
- The combination of limited systemic bioavailability and established preclinical safety suggests the opportunity for a novel approach to treating IBD. This approach holds promise as an orally administered multi-biologic, offering enhanced convenience and safety
Using & Implementing Biomarker Strategies to Step Towards Adopting & Validating Clinical Inflammasome Biomarkers
1:00 pm Panel Discussion: Uncovering the Tangible Translation of Biomarkers for Therapeutic Effectiveness & Target Engagement
Synopsis
- Discussing the current state of play in inflammasome biomarkers to understand the landscape and missing pieces
- Debating where to go next for inflammasome biomarker strategies and clinical development considerations
1:30 pm Roundtable Discussions: Inflammasome Biomarker Strategies
Synopsis
- CNS vs peripheral inflammasome biomarkers
- Peripheral biomarkers for CNS targeting therapeutics
- Creating a preclinical and clinical biomarker strategy – where do we go?
- Effectiveness of downstream biomarkers for inflammasome inhibitors/activators
- Assessing PET probes for neuroinflammation biomarkers and inflammasome inhibitors
2:00 pm Afternoon Break & Poster Session
Synopsis
Connect with peers in a relaxed atmosphere and continue to forge new and existing relationships while exploring the latest inflammasome therapeutic development and research advancements
To submit a poster, or to find out more, contact: info@hansonwade.com
Analyzing the Role of Inflammasomes in Human Disease to Navigate Translational Implications & Optimize Disease Selection
3:00 pm Stimulating Inflammasomes to Promote Memory T-Cell Activation
Synopsis
- Exploring the Connections Between Inflammasome Activation, Inflammatory Cell Death, & Disease
- How, when, where, and why inflammasomes are expressed to illuminate the geographical location and pattern of activation in the body to explain the connection with disease
3:30 pm Activation of the NLRP1 Inflammasome
Synopsis
- Discuss how TRX1 and DPP9 restrain inflammasome activation to understand the upstream regulators of inflammasomes
- Discuss how certain molecule activate NLRP1 to illuminate NLRP1 as a druggable target