Meet the experts driving the next wave of neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory drug development
3 Sessions That Will Transform Your Neuroimmune Drug Development:
Translating Biomarker Discovery into Clinical Impact
Featuring:
Michael Levy, Research Director, Division of Neuroimmunology & Neuroinfectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital
Manuela Polydoro, Head of Translational Medicine, Muna Therapeutics
As molecular and cellular technologies rapidly expand the biomarker discovery toolkit, distinguishing meaningful biological signals from background noise remains a critical challenge in neuroimmunology. In this interactive workshop, Michael Levy of Massachusetts General Hospital and Manuela Polydoro of Muna Therapeutics will explore how fluid-based, cellular, and tissue-level analyses can be translated into clinically actionable biomarkers.
The session will examine strategies for identifying and experimentally validating novel biomarkers across neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases, addressing the limitations of relying solely on RNA or protein readouts. Attendees will gain insight into the role of patient samples, biobanks, functional studies, and machine learning approaches in strengthening mechanistic links and improving translational relevance.
Neuroinflammation & Neuroimmune Pathways as a Common Thread in Early-Onset & Neurodegenerative Psychosis
Featuring:
Peter Flynn, President & Chief Executive Officer, Arialys Therapeutics
Matthew Johnson, Senior Group Leader, Broad Institute of MIT & Harvard
Psychosis has long been classified as a psychiatric condition distinct from neurodegeneration, yet emerging data suggest neuroinflammation may be a unifying driver across early-onset and degenerative disease. In this thought-provoking session, Peter Flynn of Arialys Therapeutics and Matthew Johnson of the Broad Institute will examine how microglial activation, cytokine signalling and autoantibody activity connect Alzheimer’s disease, autoimmune encephalitis, and anti-NMDA receptor syndromes.
The discussion will explore whether the timing and anatomical context of inflammation shapes clinical presentation, from psychosis to cognitive decline, and how inflammation-first models could unlock novel biomarkers, trial strategies, and immune-modulating therapies for psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders alike.
Panel Discussion: Are We Moving on From Animal Models? What Does the Future Hold for In Vivo Neuroimmunology?
Featuring:
Christian Mirescu, Chief Scientific Officer, Monument Biosciences
John Silbereis, Principal Scientist & Preclinical Program Leader, Biogen
Rebecca Mathew, Principal Scientist, Merck
Olga Liaudanskaya, Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati
As translational challenges mount in neuroimmunology, confidence in traditional animal models is being re-examined. In this forward-looking panel, leaders from Monument Biosciences, Biogen, Merck, and the University of Cincinnati will debate whether the field is moving beyond conventional rodent systems or simply redefining how in vivo data are generated and interpreted.
Panellists will explore what animal models have truly delivered, where they fall short in replicating human neuroimmune complexity, and how chimeric or humanised systems aim to bridge the gap. The discussion will also address model-light approaches, the balance between phenotypic and target-driven strategies, and how in vitro systems complement smarter, more selective in vivo experimentation.
