agenda

First Look: 8 rapid fire presentations

Biopharmaceuticals and The Inflation Reduction Act: A Status Report on IRA Implementation

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 will impose some of the most far-reaching changes in federal policy on biopharmaceuticals in recent years, including direct negotiation of drug prices by Medicare, and significant redesign of Medicare prescription drug benefits to lower costs borne by Medicare beneficiaries. The panel will examine the current status of key IRA provisions that may influence biopharmaceutical innovation in the years ahead, including new reporting requirements faced by industry; Medicare’s new authorities to negotiate “Maximum Fair Prices” for selected drugs; and the potential impact of lower patient costs on drug utilization.

First Look: 8 rapid fire presentations

The Inflation Reduction Act: The Emerging Implications for Biopharmaceutical Innovation

This panel will take a focused look at the potential implications of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 on biopharmaceutical innovation. While the full impact of the IRA is not yet clear, drug developers, patient advocates and other stakeholders are watching for the potential impact on small molecule drug development, on overall development of cancer therapies, on patient care for major chronic diseases, among other concerns.

Lunch and Dr. Is In Sessions

Doctor Is In

Opening Remarks

Opening Remarks

1:1 Fireside Chat

The Disruptors: The Next Wave of Promising Psychiatry and Neurology Drugs

Drugs that target the brain are among the most challenging to develop, yet they also signify an area of extraordinary unmet need. Driven by a deeper understanding of the complex biology of the human brain and the emergence of validated molecular targets for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases, the field is beginning to make important strides. This panel will discuss the innovative drugs for conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and depression that are now in and/or emerging from the drug development pipeline.

The Science of Happiness

The Innovation Gap: Dissecting Emerging Modalities and Mechanisms for Treating CNS Diseases

Working at the intersection of multiple fields, researchers are wielding a suite of new-age tools to diagnose and treat diseases of the brain. Those include digital health tools, remote patient monitoring and telemedicine technologies, as well as novel apps and AI-based approaches. This panel will feature experts from across these varied domains to discuss the latest trends in brain health.

A Deep Dive on Genetic Modalities for CNS Diseases: The Genetic Medicine Frontier and Applications in CNS

A new era of precision medicine is upon us and has yielded some notable successes in key disease areas. Scientists are now pursuing this vision for diseases of the brain and spinal cord, harnessing biomarkers, molecularly targeted drugs, as well as gene and cell therapies aimed at the root causes of CNS diseases. This panel will feature a discussion of the major opportunities and challenges for the field.

1:1 Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat

The Disruptors: The Biologic Revolution in Cancer Continues

A new generation of oncology drugs is emerging that includes bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates and other novel feats of protein engineering. Together, these new biologic drugs seek to maximize tumor killing while minimizing immune and healthy tissue toxicities. The panel will discuss this new wave of innovation and what it means for the treatment of solid tumors.

The Innovation Gap: Crumblin’ Down – Driving Cell Therapy into Solid Tumors

CAR-T cell therapy has been a game-changer for some patients with hematologic malignancies, yielding remarkable responses. Now, researchers are working to adapt and harness this technology not only to target solid tumors, but also to improve outcomes in liquid tumors. This panel will discuss the latest advances in this field — which strategies seem to hold promise, and where innovation can help move the needle for this important therapeutic modality.

A Deep Dive on Targeted Oncology: Small Molecule Discovery and Development Remains Robust

By scouring the cancer genome, scientists are illuminating a suite of molecular targets and pathways that drive cancer growth and progression. These discoveries are fueling a new era of small molecule drug discovery in oncology. Hear from the leaders of key biotech companies in the field about the latest trends, opportunities, and key challenges.

First Look Award Presentation

Capital Formation: Putting Money to Work – State of Affairs in Capital Markets

The biotech sector has taken a significant downturn — and so have investments. How are these changes impacting investing patterns and habits? Will the market slump transform investment going forward or will the “old ways” return? What is the outlook for the future? Hear what leading venture capitalists are thinking about these and other topics.

Lunch & The Bigger Economic Picture

Fireside Chat

The Disruptors: What’s Next for Cell Therapy in Liquid Tumors?

Since 2017 six CAR-T therapies have been approved by the FDA for a number of liquid tumors and these therapies have produced remarkable results for patients. In many respects these are all first generation agents and this raises the question of where does the field go next? Dual or n-plexed targeting, side effect reduction, use of different T-cell subtypes and alternative applications outside of cancer are among the possibilities. This panel of experts will discuss their view of where is this evolving field is heading.

Fireside Chat

The Innovation Gap: The Promise of Precision Oncology for Liquid Tumors

Precision oncology, defined as molecular profiling of tumors to identify targetable alterations, is rapidly developing and has entered the mainstream of clinical practice. While the focus has been on different mutations, this panel will look at precision medicine from a different lens ranging from unique targets (ie. Menin) to harnessing different effector cells (NK-cells).

A Deep Dive on Cell Therapy: Applying Lessons Learned from First-Generation Cell Therapies

For a long time, the products developed and marketed by the pharmaceutical industry consisted of small molecule drugs and natural products such as insulin. A couple of decades ago, biologics revolutionized the drug industry with the introduction of agents such as recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. Today, a third arm is emerging in the form of “cells as drugs” or more concisely, cell therapy. This panel will describe some of the technological, regulatory and commercial differences implied by cell therapy adoption and some development directions that are expected to enable the greatest benefit.

Fireside Chat

M&A and Business Development Roundtable: Who Wants to Make a Deal – Biopharma M&A/BD Perspectives

Fireside Chat

The Disruptors: Driving I&I Therapy Adoption with Oral Formulations

Focus on Inflammation and Immunology has grown massively over the past couple of decades. Initial focus was on the utilization of antibodies to block key inflammatory cytokines. Beyond cytokines, the focus shifted to also include B-cell and complement targets. More recently, the field has evolved to incorporate novel chemistry to provide patients with simple, oral solutions in a world dominated by biologics.

The Innovation Gap: Old Dog, New Tricks – Reprogramming the Immune System

Scientists are developing a new generation of treatments for autoimmune and inflammatory disease that seek to restore balance to the immune system. A variety of approaches are underway, ranging from engineered immune cells, such as regulatory T cells, to re-engineered hematopoietic stem cells that rebuild patients’ blood and immune cells from the ground up. This panel will discuss these and other innovative therapies that are now under development.

A Deep Dive on Newly Validated Modalities: The Pathway Less Traveled – Emerging Targets in I&I

Precision medicine has dominated the oncology landscape over the past several years. Now, it is time for the Immunological revolution through targeted, precision medicines. This panel will assess the various means novel companies are taking to approach this ranging from rebalancing the immune system to genomic and proteomics paired with AI.

Fireside Chat

Disruptive Dozen

Closing Remarks and Adjourn