Next Generation Undruggable Agenda

Keynote Panel with Open Q&A – Lessons Learned from the First Wave of Drugging the Undruggable

With the extensive history and previous difficulties in the field of “undruggable diseases” we have gained a wealth of experience from the mistakes and challenges of the past. This panel aims to highlight the obstacles of previous research in order to have a greater rate of success in the future. 

• What were the key lessons learned from previous ventures into drugging the undruggable?
• What makes this field of research so difficult?
• How can we overcome the challenges and difficulties of the past?
• How can we increase efficiency in the discovery of new drugs?
• What are the most promising new approaches in undruggable research?

Christian Dillon, Chief Scientific Officer, Phoremost Ltd

Uli Stilz, Vice President, Novo Nordisk Bio Innovation Hub

Greg Verdine, Founder, President and CEO, FogPharma/LifeMine Therapeutics 

Pascal Fortin, Chief Scientific Officer, Relay Therapeutics 

Maria Van Dongen, Head of External Innovation, Therapeutics Discovery, The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson

Stephen Fawell, VP Head Oncology Discovery, AstraZeneca

Morning Refreshments & Speed Networking

Case Study: Unlocking Oncogenes with Covalent Approaches 

• History of the relationship between oncology and covalent molecules
• The first highly specific covalent molecule against the most mutated oncogene in cancer (PI3K-alpha)
• Tools involved in finding new covalent drugs

Neil Dhawan, Chief Executive Officer, Totus Medicines

Case Study: Drugging the Next Wave of Oncology Targets: Precision Oncology 2.0

• Integrating and optimizing discovery technologies to drug next generation targets in oncology
• Defining the path to discovery for challenging targets
• Leveraging chemical proteomics to target transcription factors

Darrin Stuart, Chief Scientific Officer, Scorpion Therapeutics

Presentation: Hit Generation Sciences, the Novartis Approach to Tackle the Undruggable

• HGS combines cutting edge technology platforms with Medicinal Chemistry
• Extensive sampling of chemical space through DNA encoded small molecules and in vitro-translated peptides
• Integration of AI/ML to explore virtual chemical space
• A broad host of modalities allow target and disease tailored hit generation strategies are required

Horst Hemmerle, Executive Director Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis

Case Study: Utilizing Oligonucleotides to Upregulate Genes 

• Understanding how harnessing regulatory RNA can be used to control gene expression.
• Case example – utilizing oligonucleotides to address haploinsufficient disease 
• Determine the future potential of this method.

Josh Mandel-Brehm, Chief Executive Officer, CAMP4 Therapeutics

Lunch & Networking

Roundtables

During these intimate breakout sessions, attendees will discuss the key questions involved in drugging the “undruggable”. Through deep-dive discussions, examples and peer-to-peer learning, these interactive roundtable sessions will allow attendees to uncover answers to questions that are not possible through presentations and panels. The topics in these three sessions will remain the same; giving you the opportunity to participate in two sessions. You are spoilt for choice!

Time To Switch!

Afternoon Refreshments & Networking

Case Study: Application of the ReSOLVE Platform to Identify Druggable Pockets and Conduct Virtual Screening in the Absence of any Known Chemical Matter  

• Learn about novel approaches of advanced protein MD and solvation analysis to rapidly identify novel pockets and pocket conformations 
• See/Hear/Review examples of high fidelity virtual screens using ReSOLVE and libraries of billions and potentially trillions of compounds
• Explore a vision for the future to identify pockets and novel chemical matter for difficult-to-drug targets

Mike Crackower, Chief Scientific Officer, Ventus Therapeutics

Panel with Open Q&A : First wave and Next Generation Protein Degradation: How has the Exploitation of Protein Degradation Evolved 

We all know of protein degradation but where is it heading in the future? This panel will discuss the more well known methods of protein degradation and lessons learned along the way. We will also discover the up and coming, novel approaches and how these can impact the future of undruggable disease as we know it.

• What are the different methods of protein degradation?
• What challenges remain in the field of protein degradation?
• How does the exploitation of protein degradation help us to treat the once undruggable diseases?
• What are the risks of these methods?
• What future effect do these methods have on how we approach undruggable discovery?

Nicki Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Amphista Therapeutics 

Randy Teel, Senior VP, Corporate & Business Development, Arvinas 

Gwenn Hansen, Chief Scientific Officer, Nurix Therapeutics 

Chris De Savi, Senior Vice President and Head of Drug Discovery, Kymera Therapeutics

Chair’s Closing Remarks 

• Summary of key learnings discussed throughout the day.
• What is the impact on medicine and the future of undruggable research?

Adrian Gill, Senior Vice President Discovery Chemistry, Revolution Medicines

Drinks Reception Hosted by Title Partners, Phoremost Ltd