2023年11月13日（月） 14:00 - 17:00
SC1: Machine Learning Tools for Protein Engineering
SC1：タンパク質工学向け機械学習ツール
In silico prediction, engineering, and design are changing how large-molecule drugs (proteins) will be discovered, designed, and optimized. However, these tools are still in early development, and much needs to be learned on how to adapt them for use in antibody and vaccine discovery, training, prediction, developability, simulation, and optimization. This short course highlights the rapid growth and availability of machine learning techniques and tools for protein engineering.
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Victor Greiff, PhD, Associate Professor, Immunology, University of Oslo
Dr. Victor Greiff is Associate Professor for Computational and Systems Immunology at the University of Oslo. His work focuses specifically on the development of machine learning, computational and experimental tools for the analysis, prediction and engineering of adaptive immune receptor repertoires.
SC2: Developability of Bispecific Antibodies: Formats and Applications
SC2：二重特異性抗体の開発可能性：フォーマットと応用
Bispecific antibodies are a rapidly growing and clinically validated class of antibodies with marketed drugs and multiple candidates in clinical trials. Targeting multiple antigens in a synergistic manner can confer enhanced therapeutic benefit and potentially uncover novel biological mechanisms. However, multiple formats and a tedious candidate selection process to select functional and developable bispecific antibodies makes such programs cumbersome. This short course highlights the rapid growth in the field, therapeutic applications, and focuses on challenges with discovery and development of bispecific antibodies. We will use an approved bispecific antibody as a case study to understand the varied aspects of discovery and development of bispecific antibody programs.
Topics to be covered
• Introduction to bispecifics and bispecific formats
• Therapeutic applications of bispecific antibodies
• Developability of bispecifics
• Case study: discovery and development of an FDA-approved bispecific antibody
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Nimish Gera, PhD, Vice President, Biologics, Mythic Therapeutics
Nimish Gera is the Vice President of Biologics at Mythic Therapeutics leading multiple projects to engineer and develop novel antibody and antibody-based drugs in oncology and immuno-oncology. Prior to Mythic, Nimish has over fifteen years of experience in antibody and protein engineering with five years leading bispecific antibody programs in several disease areas such as rare diseases, oncology, and immunology at Alexion Pharmaceuticals and Oncobiologics. Nimish received his PhD degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering from North Carolina State University and a B.Tech degree in Chemical Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati.
SC3: The Tumour Microenvironment and Response to Cancer Immunotherapy
SC3：腫瘍微小環境とがん免疫療法への反応
The tumour microenvironment (TME) is a complex, dynamic environment containing tumour cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), cytokines, immune cells, and stromal cells. These cell populations interact and influence each other to help the tumour grow and suppress immune responses. As well as propagating tumour growth and spread, the TME may also influence the response to immunotherapy. In this short course, we will discuss the nature of the TME and the multiple ways in which it promotes an immunosuppressive environment. Opportunities to alter the TME in order to more effectively deliver immunotherapy will also be discussed. Finally, we will present and discuss emerging therapeutic approaches and consider how they might be used to enhance patient outcomes.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Determinants of immunologically ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ TME
- Factors influencing immunosuppression in the TME
- Barriers to T cell entry
- Altering the TME to improve response to immunotherapies
- Limitations of current IO approaches
- Developing strategies and new horizons - immunocytokines, T cell therapies, innate immune approaches, targeting FcγRs
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Stephen A. Beers, PhD, Professor of Immunology & Immunotherapy, University of Southampton
Stephen Beers is Professor of Immunology and Immunotherapy at the Centre for Cancer Immunology, University of Southampton. He leads a research group studying antibody drugs and their mechanisms of action. The group’s research is currently focussed on two main areas: 1) the mechanisms of action of immunomodulatory mAb, and 2) how the tumour microenvironment affects antibody effector function and how this might be manipulated to enhance patient outcomes. Their work utilises a portfolio of complimentary models incorporating in vitro 3D modelling, appropriate in vivo model systems and primary clinical material.
Bjorn L. Frendeus, PhD, CSO, BioInvent International AB
Bjorn Frendeus is the CSO of BioInvent, a Swedish Biotech developing antibody-based treatments for cancer immunotherapy. Bjorn got his PhD studying innate immune responses to microbial infection. Over the past decades, he has developed a strong interest in understanding the complex biology of antibodies in relation to their targets, and applying his knowledge to develop better antibody-based medicines. Bjorn’s team conceived and developed the F.I.R.S.T platform from which BioInvent’s current pipeline has emerged. This includes the Company’s proprietary clinical-stage anti-FcgRIIB (BI-1206 and BI-1607) and anti-TNFR2 programs (BI-1808), BT-001 - a clinical-stage oncovirally encoded Treg depleting anti-CTLA-4 antibody co-developed with French vaccine company Transgene, and F.I.R.S.T TAM that BioInvent recently partnered with Pfizer on to develop novel antibodies and targets to tumor-associated myeloid cells with the aim to overcome resistance in the tumor microenvironment. BioInvent is closely collaborating on several of its programs with the Cancer Sciences Division in Southampton, UK, where Bjorn is a visiting professor. Bjorn chairs the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF)’s expert review committee on Infection Biology.
SC4: The Use and Optimization of Eukaryotic Expression Systems to Support Therapeutic Generation and Structural Biology
SC4：真核生物発現系の利用と最適化による、治療薬創出と構造生物学の支援
Eukaryotic expression systems are extensively used for the generation of recombinant proteins thereby becoming an essential protein engineering tool. The choice of a suitable eukaryotic expression system depends mainly on the biological and biochemical properties of an individual protein. The course will focus on both the insect and mammalian expression systems, which have demonstrated the ability to express complex proteins for a wide variety of applications. We will discuss the concepts, uses, and optimization of these systems along with sharing experimental troubleshooting lessons learned. The course combines instruction and case studies in an interactive environment.
14:00 The Use and Optimization of Eukaryotic Expression Systems to Support Therapeutic Generation and Structural Biology
Richard Altman, MS, Field Application Scientist, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific
The choice of a suitable eukaryotic expression system depends mainly on the biological and biochemical properties of an individual protein. The course will focus on insect and mammalian expression systems, which have demonstrated the ability to express complex proteins for a wide variety of applications. We will discuss the concepts, uses, and optimization of these systems. The course combines instruction and case studies in an interactive environment.
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Richard Altman, MS, Field Application Scientist, Life Science Solutions, Thermo Fisher Scientific
Rich Altman has 30 years of experience in protein expression and production. In early 2019, he joined Thermo Fisher Scientific as a Field Application Scientist. Previously, he worked for several pharmaceutical companies, including Amgen, Alexion, Bayer, and Upjohn, on the cloning, expression, purification and characterization of recombinant proteins. This work supported both small-molecule high-throughput screening and protein therapeutic efforts. He received his MS degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
SC5: Best Practices for Targeting GPCRs, Ion Channels, and Transporters with Monoclonal Antibodies
SC5：モノクローナル抗体によるGPCR、イオンチャネル、トランスポーターのターゲティングのベストプラクティス
Complex membrane proteins are important therapeutic targets and together represent the majority of protein classes addressed by therapeutic drugs. Significant opportunities exist for targeting complex membrane proteins with antibodies, but it has been challenging to discover therapeutic antibodies against them. This course will examine emerging technologies and strategies for enabling the isolation of specific and functional antibodies against GPCRs, ion channels, and transporters, and highlight progress via case studies.
14:00 Best Practices for Targeting GPCRs, Ion Channels, and Transporters with Monoclonal Antibodies
Joseph Rucker, PhD, Vice President, Research and Development, Integral Molecular, Inc.
Topics to be Covered:
- Overview of different classes of membrane proteins, including structure, mechanism, and their role in disease
- Membrane protein biochemistry and antigen preparation strategies
- Use of mRNA and DNA for eliciting immune responses against membrane proteins
- Antibody discovery and methods to enable isolation of functional antibodies
- Review of mechanisms relevant to complex membrane proteins (GPCRs, ion channels, transporters), in vitro assays for measuring the detailed binding and function of antibodies
- Review of promising membrane protein targets and antibodies in development
INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES:
Joseph Rucker, PhD, Vice President, Research and Development, Integral Molecular, Inc.
Joe Rucker is the Vice President of Research & Development, a co-founder of Integral Molecular and an inventor of Integral Molecular’s founding Lipoparticle technology. Since joining the company, he has led the development of new applications for Lipoparticle technology, including its use in generating novel antibodies against membrane proteins. Dr. Rucker earned his PhD from the University of California, Berkeley and completed postdoctoral studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
