DAY TWO
8:30 am Light Breakfast
8:55 am Chairs Opening Remarks
Examining the Latest Research & Development in Antifibrotic Research & Development
Targeting Pathogenic Cells with Novel Modalities Including ADCs
9:00 am Exploring ADC-Mediated Depletion of Pathogenic Fibroblasts as a Therapeutic Strategy for Fibrosis
Synopsis
- Highlighting the use of single-cell-based target discovery engines to identify and target specific pathogenic sub-populations of fibroblasts
- Examining the precision and specificity of identifying and targeting fibroblast subsets that drive fibrosis with antibody-drug conjugates
- Evaluating the effectiveness of these biologics in preclinical models of various fibrotic diseases, focusing on their sensitivity, specificity, and impact on disease-relevant endpoints
Exploring Transformative Mechanisms Capable of Reversing Fibrosis with Tissue Repair & Regeneration
9:30 am Immune Targeting of Senescence Cells for the Treatment of Fibrotic Lung Disease
Synopsis
- Discuss the role of invariant Natural Killer T cells (iNKTs) in the modulation of cellular senescence
- Examine the development of a novel glycolipid antigen that potently activates endogenous iNKTs with potent single-dose efficacy in the bleomycin-mediated murine model of IPF
- Explore the potential for iNKT-based therapeutics across different fibrotic diseases
10:00 am Deep Diving into Cardiac Fibrosis & Novel Therapeutic Mechanisms Capable of Remodelling Fibrotic Features
Synopsis
- Exploring the role of the NRG/ErbB4 pathway in cardiac regeneration
- Examining NRG-1 growth factor in myocardial development, homeostasis, and repair, and its potential for reversing fibrotic features in heart failure
- Exploring preclinical data showing remodelling of fibrosis in animal models
10:30 am Morning Break
Exploring the Current State of Play of Promising Therapeutic Mechanisms in Early Clinical Development to Uncover the Future of Antifibrotic Therapeutics
11:30 am Leveraging the Power of NKT Cell Targeting for Therapeutic Efficacy in Fibrotic Conditions
Synopsis
- Innate-like adaptive Natural Killer T-cells that drive chronic inflammatory and fibrotic conditions
- NKT cells are elevated in patients with fibrosis, regulate the activity of both adaptive and innate immune responses, and are associated with progressive disease
- NKT cells are upstream of many of many of the key targets in fibrotic disease
12:00 pm Examining Anti-Claudin-1 (CLDN1) Monoclonal Antibodies in Development for Liver, Kidney & Lung Fibrosis as a Novel Mechanism to Reverse Fibrosis
Synopsis
- Discover how lixudebart, a first-in-class monoclonal antibody, selectively binds to exposed Claudin-1 in fibrotic tissue, blocking fibrotic signaling and breaking down the collagen barrier to preserve or restore organ function in liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis
- Gain insights into the clinical development of lixudebart, including ongoing and planned Phase 2 trials for kidney and lung fibrosis, as well as a Phase 1b study in liver fibrosis, highlighting its safety, tolerability, and potential therapeutic benefits
12:30 pm Analyzing the Phase 2a Open Label Study of an Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Agonists Improving Lung Function
Synopsis
- Highlighting the scientific rationale behind targeting angiotensin II type 2 receptor and how ATRAGs promotes alveolar repair
- Exploring an observed improvement in lung function highlighting the potential to halt disease progression, restore lung function and improve outcomes
1:00 pm Lunch Break
Identifying & Prioritizing the Most Promising Therapeutic Targets in a Sea of Possibilities to Achieve Efficacious Targets Selection
2:00 pm Harnessing Oxidative Stress & DNA Damage Response Pathways for Innovative Antifibrotic Therapies
Synopsis
- Exploring the role of the enzyme OGG1 in excision repair and cellular reprogramming in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, and detailing the promise of OGG1 inhibitors to halt inflammation and fibrosis
- Examining the potential of OXC-201 to offer curative solutions rather than merely symptomatic relief
2:30 pm Detailing Characteristic of Fibrostenotic Crohn’s Disease Biology & the Potential of Locally Activated Pro-Drug PDE4 Inhibitor to Minimize OffTarget Effects & Maximize Therapeutic Efficacy
Synopsis
- Discussing the prevalence and clinical presentation of fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease, and the underlying biological mechanisms, focusing on fibrosis pathways and the role of chronic inflammation in disease progression
- Describing the mechanism of the PDE4 inhibitor and its dual antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties
- The innovative pro-drug approach allowing for local activation in the colon or distal small intestine, aiming to reduce systemic side effects and improve drug specificity
3:00 pm Developing Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors of Serum & Glucocorticoid Regulated Kinase 1 (SGK1) for the Treatment of Fibrotic Diseases
Synopsis
- SGK1 is involved in the integration of pro-fibrotic signalling through the TGFb, PI3K, and MAPK pathways
- Inhibiting SGK1 decreases expression of several fibrotic markers in vitro and in vivo
- Leveraging how SGK1 inhibition offers a novel approach to address several pro-fibrotic pathways simultaneously