Explore the Agenda

8:30 am Check-In & Morning Coffee

9:20 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Chief Scientific Officer, Ascelia Pharma

9:29 am Linking Different Model Data to De-Risk Oncology Therapeutic Development Across Modalities & Indications

9:30 am Optimizing Tumour Models to Empower Target Validation for IO Therapies

Owner & Chief Executive & Science Officer, Hervolution Therapeutics
  • Identifying and validating target orthologs in mice to ensure accurate immuneoncology efficacy studies
  • Employing syngeneic and xenograft mouse models and organoid systems to study tumour growth and immune response dynamics
  • Linking the data from these models to elucidate the mode of action of vaccines and guide translational strategies

10:00 am Advancing Targeted DNA Damage Therapy for Glioblastoma – From Preclinical Success to Clinical Trials

Chief Scientific Officer, Hemispherian
  • Discussing the rationale behind applying orthotopic xenograft models to empower small molecule development to better treat glioblastoma
  • Demonstrating potent anti-tumour activity of this small molecule in multiple glioblastoma models with strong blood-brain barrier penetration and favourable safety in toxicology studies
  • Leveraging these preclinical findings to build a strong IND package and begin treating patients with high unmet medical need with the hope of better understanding the translational relevance of these models

10:30 am Scientific Poster Session & Morning Break

Witness some of the latest and greatest research in the tumour modelling field in this spotlight

poster session! Check out the website for T&Cs.

11:44 am Spotlighting Alternative Models Beyond Classic Mouse Models & Tumour Model Selection Rationale for Novel Modalities

11:45 am Spotlighting Lessons Learned to Advance ADC Development Through Preclinical Models

Preclinical Development Scientist, SOTIO Biotech a.s.
  • Understanding the rationale behind selecting the tumour models that were employed to aid the development of ADCs
  • Overcoming the challenges with uncovering the therapeutic potential of the candidate to ensuring its effective translation to the clinic

12:15 pm Modelling Epithelial Regeneration Without Tumorigenesis: Insights from Organoids & In Vivo Tumour Models

Senior Research Scientist, Karolinska Institutet
  • Integration of transcriptomics, organoid platforms, and in vivo regeneration and tumour models to study the relationship between tissue repair and tumour development
  • Use of spatial transcriptomics and in vivo tumour modelling to reveal hidden cellular dynamics and link experimental findings to patient data
  • Consideration of the translational relevance of these models and their implications for future research

12:45 pm Lunch Break

1:44 pm Managing Investor & C-Suite Expectations with the Science to Empower Strategic Resourcing & Safeguard R&D Cost-Efficiencies

1:45 pm Mastermind Session: Balancing Science & Stakeholder Expectations: Navigating Non-Animal Testing Roadmaps in Tumour Model Strategy

  • How will the new roadmaps encouraging non-animal tests from the FDA, and the UK affect your tumour model selection?
  • How do you manage investor and senior-level expectations following these changes?
  • Will investors continue to ask for in vivo/NHP data, or will their requirements change?

2:29 pm Building More Patient-Derived Tumour Models to Supercharge Dosing Strategies for Promising Oncology Therapies

2:30 pm Navigating Model Selection Challenges in ADC Research: From Target Validation to Toxicity Assessment

  • Discussing the rationale behind selecting human cell lines in immune-deficient mice (CDX and PDX) to evaluate ADCs targeting human-origin antigens
  • Addressing the lack of robust models for predicting bone marrow and hematologic toxicity during early-stage development
  • Exploring insight from platform validation experiments on efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and optimising model selection for translational success

3:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks & End of Summit

Chief Scientific Officer, Ascelia Pharma