* Please note that the following agenda timings are Eastern Standard Time.
8:30 am
Join us for a coffee morning to meet your peers ahead of the conference
8:45 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
TGF-β in Immuno-Oncology: The Story So Far
9:00 am The Role of TGF-β in the Tumor Ecosystem & Immunotherapy
Synopsis
• An overview of the role of TGF-β in cell signaling, the tumor microenvironment and the immune environment
• Providing novel insights into the interplay of TGF-β with cells in this ecosystem
9:30 am An Overview of the TGF-β IO Market
Synopsis
• Current approaches in the TGF-β IO market
• Recent M&A, equity financing, and strategic partnership transactions in the TGF-β IO market
• How to position your company, team, and asset for a successful entry into the TGF-β IO market
10:00 am
Morning Networking Break
Synopsis
Meet and connect with your peers in this dedicated networking session.
Preclinical Track
Moving Beyond the Challenges of Preclinical Tumor Models
10:30 am Preclinical Models Reveal Heterogeneous Responses to TGF-β Antagonism & Highlight Potential Sites of Off-Tumor Toxicities
Synopsis
- A large panel of immunocompetent mouse models of metastatic breast cancer reveals heterogeneous responses to TGF-β antagonism, including hyperprogression responses
- The panel can be used as a platform for predictive biomarker development
- A new TGF-β pathway reporter mouse gives a comprehensive view of TGF-β signaling in the adult animal at cellular resolution
11:00 am Inhibition of Integrin αvβ8 in Combination with Low Dose Radiation Induces Antitumor Effect in Advanced Immune Checkpoint Blockade Refractory Tumor Model
Synopsis
- Integrin αvβ8 mediates cell-type-specific activation of TGFβ1/3 to regulate the immune responses
- TGFβ immunosuppressive activity is implicated in radiotherapy resistance
- Inhibition of αvβ8 in combination with RIT eradicated an advanced tumor, unresponsive to the respective monotherapies or conventional RIT
11:30 am Therapeutic Inhibition of TGF-β Mediated Immune Suppression
Synopsis
- TGF-β drives immune suppression during tumor development and in preclinical models
- Elimination of TGF-β signaling in immune cells is sufficient to drive tumor clearance
- At Synthis we are developing a immune cell targeted TGF-β therapies to restore immune function and drive tumor clearance
Clinical Track
The Latest Clinical Advances
10:30 am BCA101, A Novel Dual-Action Antibody Combining the Precision Targeting of EGFR with the Immunomodulating Power of TGF-β
11:00 am Clinical Update on TST005
Synopsis
- Updates on the current clinical trials for this bi-functional anti-PD-L1 and TGF-β trap fusion protein
- Exploring the findings and improved therapeutic window
- Future directions to ensure continued success
11:30 am Bintrafusp Afla: What, Why & How?
Synopsis
- We are now at the point that there is enough clinical data to start asking questions about what we are seeing
- Learn from the clinical results seen this past year to continue driving progression
- Understand how this field will evolve moving forward as more data becomes available
12:00 pm Networking Lunch
Novel Insights into Mechanisms of TGF-β Regulators
12:30 pm Impact of Dual TGF-β/PD-L1 Therapeutic Blockade on CD8 T Cell Phenotypes
Synopsis
- Previous studies illustrated how the addition of TGF-β blockade on top of a PD-L1 elicited a CD8 T cell dependent anti-tumor response in immune excluded tumors
- Taking advantage of several omic techniques, we performed an in-depth analysis of CD8 T cell phenotypes in the tumor microenvironment following combination therapy
- The results of this analysis may be helpful in guiding future clinical trial design
1:00 pm How to Design Targetable Forms of TGF-β
Synopsis
- Harnessing mechanistic understanding of TGF-β to produce targetable forms
- Addressing the potential of TGF-β’s latent form to reduce toxicity
- Creating targeted delivery of the compound
1:30 pm Roundtable Discussion
Synopsis
This is an open forum for discussion on the preclinical case studies presented today. Join our expert speakers by sharing your audio and video, ask questions or provide answers.
Exploring the Clinical Landscape
12:30 pm Understanding the TGF-β Landscape
Synopsis
- The vast majority of TGF-β therapeutics are now being considered in the context of combinations
- Explore the dual targeting of TGF-β and PD-L1 as a potential therapeutic option
- Outline the preclinical and clinical progress of this thus far
1:00 pm Optimizing Clinical Studies to Evaluate Safety & Tolerability
Synopsis
- Designing effective clinical studies to evaluate the safety and tolerability of novel TGF-β regulators
- Assessing the safety profile of these therapeutics to guide decisions as clinical trials progress
- Outlining optimal monitoring of patients in trials with narrow safety windows resulting from numerous clinical studies
1:30 pm Roundtable Discussion
Synopsis
This is an open forum for discussion on the clinical case studies presented today. Join our expert speakers by sharing your audio and video, ask questions or provide answers
2:00 pm
Afternoon Networking Break & Poster Session
Synopsis
This scientific poster session is an opportunity to present your latest data and innovation. Submit your poster on the website in and share your breakthroughs with your peers.
Elevating Innovative Approaches to Regulation of TGF-β
2:30 pm Expression of a TGF-β Inhibitor from an Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus
Synopsis
• The VET platform developed by Kalivir allows systemic delivery of oncolytic virus therapies to tumors
• Oncolytic viruses express transgenes to high levels locally within a tumor, so reducing the safety concerns of systemic delivery of recombinant proteins or antibodies
• Oncolytic viruses expressing a TGF-β mini-monomer to block TGF-β receptor activation display enhanced therapeutic activity that can be further enhanced through expression of additional cytokines
3:00 pm Targeting Autotaxin – A Novel Approach to Interrupt TGF-β-Mediated Pathology
3:30 pm Discover the Potential of Integrin Inhibitors to Selectively Block TGF-β
Synopsis
• Assessing the potential to avoid off-target effects and toxicity caused by un-selective targeting of TGF-β
• Realizing a more selective approach to targeting TGF-β through integrins
• Safely and effectively overcome TGF-β driven immuno-suppression in the tumor
4:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks
4:10 pm End of Day One
