8:50 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Harnessing Autoantibody Signatures and Mapping Out the B&T Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Disease Landscape
9:00 am The Human Antigenome: Autoantibody Signatures Identify Molecularly Distinct Lupus and MS Cohorts
Synopsis
- Learn how all individuals make autoantibodies to a complex array of 300-1,000 autoantigens that are durable and unique to that individual
- Explore how Lupus patients can be divided into at least four cohorts based on unique autoantigen patterns, with some autoantigens shared among cohorts
- Discover unique autoantigens shared among disease cohorts that may provide insights into mechanisms of disease and treatments
9:30 am Systemic vs. Organ-Specific Autoimmune Disease: Unique Challenges & Opportunities
Synopsis
- Overview of systemic vs. organ-specific autoimmunity using SLE and stage 2 T1D as examples, relating to “mainstream” vs. rare autoimmune disease states
- Central and peripheral tolerance mechanisms of these diseases
- Exploiting the disease process – successes and remaining challenges
10:00 am Panel Discussion:Mapping the Therapeutic Target Landscape for B-Cell Mediated Autoimmune Disease & T-Cell Dependent Autoantibody Responses
Synopsis
- Assessing the depletion of B-cells with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies
- Exploring how to best target CD8 T suppressor cells
- Discussing the various autoantigen specific B cell depleting and modulating therapies (CAART, BTK inhibitors, anti-CD20), targeting T-cell co-stimulatory pathways (CD40/CD40L, CD28/CTLA-4, OX40, ICOS, PD-1), and subduing autoantibody (FcRn inhibitors) approaches
10:30 am
Speed Networking & Morning Break
Synopsis
This session is the ideal opportunity to network and forge meaningful business relationships with many of the brightest minds working in the B & T cell field, face to-face for the first time
Highlighting T-Cell Interactions & Nanoparticle-Based Interactions for Immune Tolerance
11:30 am PLG Nanoparticle-Based Antigen Delivery for The Tolerogenic Treatment of Autoreactive T & B Cell Responses in a Mouse Model of Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)
Synopsis
- Review the mechanisms of PLG nanoparticle-induced tolerance and its translational potential in a Phase 1/2a clinical trial in celiac disease
- Describe the requirements for induction of a new mouse model of NMO
- Decipher the efficacy of tolerance using PLG nanoparticle delivery of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) for prevention and treatment of NMO
12:00 pm Session Reserved for Adaptive Biotechnologies
12:30 pm A Novel NanoDisc Platform for Induction of Antigen-Specific Immune Tolerance
Synopsis
- Examine how subcutaneous administration of NanoDisc targets multiple lymphoid tissues and immune system organs
- Discover how NanoDisc carrying autoantigens induce antigen-specific T-Regs and Tr1 cells, while reducing autoreactive IgG response
- Learn how NanoDisc therapy exerts robust efficacy in preclinical models of Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 Diabetes
1:00 pm Manipulation of Apoptosis for Induction of Antigen-specific T-regs to Treat Autoimmunity
Synopsis
- Inducing specific immunotherapy to autoimmunity without compromising overall immune responses
- Explore how to induce autoantigen-specific Tregs in animals, and ultimately in patients with established autoimmune disease
- Learn about the manipulation of the apoptosis of immune cells with antibodies and nanoparticles together with administration of autoantigens
1:30 pm
Lunch & Networking
Comparing the Efficacy of Small Molecule Targeting on Signaling Pathways & their Impact on Autoimmune Diseases
2:30 pm Investigating GB7208: An Oral, CNS-Penetrant, Irreversible BTK inhibitor for the Treatment of Neuroinflammatory Diseases
Synopsis
- Learn how BTK inhibitors are actively being explored in inflammatory diseases
- Discover how they are characterized by modest selectivity and/or limited central nervous system (CNS) penetrance
- Assess GB7208, an orally available, selective, irreversible small molecule BTK inhibitor which has been selected based on its potency, specificity, and high brain penetrance in preclinical models
3:00 pm Exploring NX-5948: A CNS Penetrant Selective Degrader of BTK that Significantly Reduces Inflammation in Mouse Models of Autoimmune Disease
Synopsis
- Uncover NX-5948, a highly potent, CNS penetrant, targeted protein degrader of BTK in Phase 1 clinical development for B cell malignancies
- Evaluate how daily oral administration of NX-5948 provides efficacy in multiple preclinical models of autoimmune disease
- Learn how NX-5948 preclinical data supports further exploration of NX-5948 to treat autoimmune diseases
3:30 pm
Scientific Poster Session & Afternoon Break
Translating Therapeutics into the Clinic: Autoimmune Disease Biomarkers & Clinical Trial Considerations
4:00 pm Identifying the Challenges & Opportunities with Type 1 Diabetes Biomarkers
Synopsis
- Reviewing the current state of T1D biomarkers
- Exploring the advances and challenges that the field is facing
- Drafting a proposed path to implementable biomarkers
4:30 pm Biomarkers & Environmental Factors that Can Predict Prognosis & Treatment Response in Multiple Sclerosis
Synopsis
- Developing precision medicine approaches for hard-to-treat autoimmune patients
- What is the immune cell phenotype of the individual patient?
- Environmental factors and their influence on MS patients