Pre-Conference Workshop Day

7:30 MORNING REFRESHMENTS & CHECK IN

NEUROIMMUNOLOGICAL TARGETS

TRANSLATIONAL TOOLS

2024 is an exciting time for CNS discovery, and neuroimmunology is no exception. Attend this workshop stream to explore the cutting-edge research taking place in glial pathophysiology investigation and neuroimmunology discovery, to learn the hottest therapeutic opportunities for neuroinflammatory modulators against neurodegenerative indications

Despite increased evidence of the role of neuroimmune cells in neurodegenerative indications, longlasting translational barriers still remain to see neuroinflammatory modulators succeed in the clinic. Join these workshops to optimize your translational toolbox across in vitro and in vivo glial models, reverse translation case studies, and neuroinflammatory biomarkers

Workshop A
8:30-10:30

Workshop B
8:30-10:30

Investigating Functions & Roles of Astrocytes in Neuroinflammation Pathology

With the historical spotlight focused on microglia, recent functional investigation and therapeutic development has focused on astrocytes to better understand and target the wider neuroinflammatory environment.

Workshop highlights include:

  • What is our current understanding of the significance of astrocytes associated with neuroinflammation?
  • Advancements in in vitro modeling, assay development, and biomarker discovery for studying reactive astrocytes
  • Brainstorming targets and therapeutic development against reactive astrocytes
Sarah Jolly

Sarah Jolly

Senior Research Associate, Operational Leadership Team

ARUK-UCL Drug Discovery Institute

Francesca Rapino

Francesca Rapino

Senior Scientist

Sanofi

Yongjie Yang

Yongjie Yang

Professor, Neurology

Tufts University School of Medicine

In Vitro or In Vivo? Contrasting Neuroinflammatory Preclinical Models to Maximize Translatability

Understanding and leveraging the best preclinical models are fundamental to maximize successful translation into the clinic. Join this workshop for deep-dive case studies and
discussions contrasting in vitro and in vivo model complexity and translatability.

Workshop highlights include:

  •  Showcasing in vitro models for drug discovery, and genetic screening for neuroinflammatory fingerprints in neurological indications
  • What are the most translatable in vitro and in vivo preclinical models?
  • Debating the necessary models needed for the required complexity to ensure successful translation
Akshata Almad

Akshata Almad

Senior Scientist, Neuroscience

Merck

Thomas Tamsett

Thomas Tamsett

Director of Neuroscience, RU Neuroscience & Immunology

EMD Serono

10:30 REFRESHMENT BREAK & NETWORKING

WORKSHOP C
11:00-1:00

WORKSHOP D
11:00-1:00

Shining a Light on the Emerging Role of Neuroimmunology in Neuropsychiatric & Neurodegenerative Disorders

With increasing evidence of the role of the neuroimmune system in neurological indications, join this workshop to learn in vitro investigation, and inflammation target investigation in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Workshop highlights include:

  • Analyzing neuroinflammation as a novel avenue for target identification and modulation in neurological disorders
  • Investigating the role of neuroinflammation to delve into biology of neurological disorders and disease sub-types
  • Exploring the role of C4 complement signaling associated with inflammation and synapse loss in schizophrenia
Borislav Dejanovic

Borislav Dejanovic

Director Translational Sciences & External Innovation

Vigil Neuroscience

James Fink

James Fink 

Director, Epilepsy Lead

Quiver Biosciences

Evaluating Reverse-Translating Human Target Evidence to Investigate in Preclinical Models

Successful translation into the clinic remains a major hurdle in the neuroimmunology field. Join  this workshop to discuss the debate the back translation of human target evidence to investigate and validate in preclinical models.

Workshop highlights include:

  • Exploring challenges and achievements of reverse-translation in glial target validation
  • Using human evidence from genetic and biomarker studies to inform hypothesis testing in preclinical models
  • Capitalizing on consortia biomarker data to accelerate back translation and therapeutic development
Peng Jiang

Peng Jiang

Associate Professor

Rutgers University

Katia Karalis

Katia Karalis

Executive Director, Research &
Development, Head of Human Systems for Disease
Modeling

Regeneron

1:00 LUNCH & NETWORKING

WORKSHOP E
2:00-4:00

WORKSHOP F
2:00-4:00

Connecting Neuroinflammation to the Periphery: Investigating Links to the Adaptive Immune System

Beyond multiple sclerosis, there are significant unanswered questions on characterizing the crosstalk between peripheral and central inflammatory cells across the BBB, and the role of infiltrating adaptive immune cells in neurodegenerative disorders.

Workshop highlights include:

  • What evidence is there for T and B cell contribution to neuroimmunology indications beyond multiple sclerosis?
  • Outlining evidence for peripheral immune system implications is Alzheimer’s and neurodegeneration
  • Investigating adaptive immune cell penetration across the BBB
Laurence Goffin

Laurence Goffin

Director & Cluster Head,
Neuroinflammation & Neuroimmunology

Lundbeck

Deep-Diving into Neuroinflammatory Biomarkers & Endpoints

Fluid and imaging biomarkers are crucial for monitoring target engagement and efficacy of neuroinflammation modulators. Join this workshop to discover and evaluate ongoing development to identify and validate biomarkers in preclinical and clinical settings.

Workshop highlights include:

  • Reviewing the current status of neuroinflammatory biomarkers and highlighting significance to support more therapies entering the clinic
  • Evaluating biomarker selection for progranulin and relating biomarkers to biology
  • Identifying proof-of-concept biomarkers correlating with clinical outcomes
Capture tarel

Tarek Samad

Senior Vice President & Global Head,
Research

Lundbeck

Andrew Pincetic headshot

Andrew Pincetic

Director of Biology, Immuno-Neurology

Alector

4:00 END OF PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP DAY