Day 1 – Wednesday 5th March 2025 - CET (Central European Time, GMT+01:00)
- Morten Lindow - Co-founder & Snr Lead RNAHub, Roche
Highlighting successful partnerships that have driven innovation and accelerated the development of RNA-based drugs
Discussing the challenges and opportunities associated with forming and maintaining effective collaborations in the complex and rapidly evolving RNA therapeutics market
Exploring the disease areas beyond infectious disease such as neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory and rare diseases where RNA therapeutics advancements providing new opportunities for Pharma
- Tamar Grossman - VP, Global Head of RNA, Gene Therapy and Delivery, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
- Ulrik Lytt Rahbek - VP of Partnerships RNA and Gene Therapies, Novo Nordisk
- Said Francis - Chief Business Officer, Moderna
- Renee Williams - Founder and Managing Partner, Williams Biotech Consulting
Snapshot into the investment landscape for RNA modalities and enabling platform
‘Ask the Investor’ interactive Q&A open discussion with our investor panel to get tips and tricks when pitching and their views on where innovation lies in the RNA field
- Paola Pozzi - Partner, Sofinnova Telethon Fund, Sofinnova Partners
- Michael Kyriakides - Partner, Syncona
- Catello Somma - Partner, Seroba
- Marianne Mertens - Partner, Apollo Health Ventures
- Alain Huriez - Chairman and Managing Partner, Adbio Partners
- Dan Staner - Chief Business Officer, ALCEDIAG
- Julien Barteau - Group Leader, UCL
- Current modifications and strategies to reduce degradation and immunogenicity require the development of new techniques and workflows to ensure reliability in biodistribution and shedding assays
- Optimisation of the extraction efficiency, or applying extraction-free strategies, along with oligo design optimization can be applied to increase assay sensitivity and specificity. Achieving improved measurements for therapeutic small RNA / mRNA
- Sofia Adolfsson - Scientific Officer and Head of Bioinformatics, TATAA Biocenter
- Delving into RBPs at a molecular level, including 'unconventional' RPBs such as metabolic enzymes
- Analysing targets and functions of RBPs and ncRNAs in cell physiology and disease
- André Gerber - Professor, University of Surrey
Current mRNA vaccine characterization methods currently use testing methods require large capital investment, a fconsiderable workforce, can be slow and cumbersome and do not always analyze the native molecule
Explore rapid comprehensive Technologies based CQA testing pipeline extending from the plasmid precursors to the drug substance and drug product (mRNA) can complement state of the art techniques by providing an orthogonal analysis while addressing these bottlenecks, such as
Direct RNA sequencing chemistry enables sequencing RNA transcripts without the requirement of first converting to DNA, nor the need for PCR amplification
Specific basecallers for transcripts containing RNA modifications, including N1-methyl-pseudouridine, which is relevant to mRNA vaccine production
- Libby Snell - Director, Oxford Nanopore Technologies
- Anthony Saleh - CEO, miRecule
- Mark Dickman - Professor, University of Sheffield
The manufacture of high-quality, GMP grade DNA is a major bottleneck in the production of mRNA and viral vectors for use in gene therapy and vaccines.
- Evaluate a scalable, fully enzymatic synthesis process for the production of linear DNA constructs via our Trueprime™ amplification technology
- Compare the synthesis of in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNA using opDNA™ versus linearised plasmid DNA across a panel of constructs ranging from 1.5kb to 9kb
- See how the technology can overcome the difficulties associated with complex polyA tails for mRNA constructs, which are inherently difficult to synthesise via bacterial propagation systems
- Amy Walker - VP of Research and Business Development, 4Basebio
- Reviewing factors in manufacturing site design for sustainable and rapid production of both mRNA vaccines and therapeutics
- Exploring the needs of mRNA vaccine and therapeutic manufacturing processes to be fully continuous, and exploring the latest solutions
- Harris Makatsoris - Academics Professor of Sustainable Manufacturing Systems, King's College London
- Discuss siRNA synthesis by assembly of multiple short, single-stranded RNA fragments into the desired double-stranded RNA duplex using ligation
- Compare various ligation approaches with a particular focus on substrate design. In combination with double-stranded RNA ligase engineering and protocol optimization, such integrated process development can increase target drug substance yield and reduce manufacturing costs
- Process performance will be demonstrated on the synthesis of a commercially approved siRNA asset
- Mathew Miller - Director, Life Science and RNA Technology, Codexis
Mercurna’s technology platform combining unique cell-targeting moieties with LNP-based delivery to deliver therapeutic mRNA with high specificity
Active targeting strategies through optimized technology on targeted LNPs
Examples on how Mercurna leverages its platform for development of targeted mRNA therapeutics to treat kidney diseases
- Jenny van Asbeck-van der Wijst - CEO, Mercuna
-Identification of novel dysregulated disease driving lncRNAs in oncology and neuroscience
-Development of small molecules disrupting the interaction between LncRNA and RNA binding protein.
- Dominique Verhelle - Co-Founder & CEO, NextRNA Therapeutics
How to engineer vectors for circular-mRNA expression
Enabling reduced dosing by enhancing payload expression level and potency
Dual-function gene therapy vectors for a “remove-&-replace” strategy
- Erik Digman Wiklund - CEO, Circio
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
As editing technologies push into the RNA space, we open a forum discussion bringing together RNA editing leaders to evaluate its current and future potential as a therapeutic tool.
Reviewing existing and emerging RNA editing techniques, including CRISPR, ADAR, base-editing
Discussing opportunities and challenges for targeted delivery of RNA editing machinery
Exploring new and future disease targets that can be accessed with RNA editing technology
Clinical progression of RNA editing technologies - sharing insights and lessons learned
Navigating the pathway to regulatory success for RNA editing therapies
- Thorsten Stafforst - Professor, University Hospital Tübingen
- Dan Staner - Chief Business Officer, ALCEDIAG
We will present a comprehensive platform supporting nucleic acid therapeutic discovery and development at all stages
Our one-stop service offers monomer and oligonucleotide synthesis for a broad range of nucleic acid therapeutics, including special modifications, chiral oligos, and oligo-conjugations
Our expertise in formulation, state-of-the-art in vitro bioassays, toxicity testing and in vivo PoC can further accelerate the discovery and development processes
- Lijuan Pang - Project Director, Discovery Services, WuXi AppTec
- Richard Klar - CRO, Secarna
Current delivery systems for the encapsulation of Nucleic Acids have strengths and weaknesses
New technologies for the encapsulation in development can potentially overcome limitations of currently available standard mixing technologies
Results of comparative studies will be presented at the conference
- Alexander Schwenger - Head of LNP Process Development, Lonza
Explore the methods for quantifying the relative amounts of different mRNA molecules within a product, ensuring that the desired proportions are achieved for optimal efficacy.
- Lawrence Thompson - Associate Research Fellow, Pfizer
- Anne Grahl - Associate, Pureos Bioventures
- Michael Kyriakides - Partner, Syncona
- Gabriela Ecco - Senior Associate, +ND Capital
- Marianne Mertens - Partner, Apollo Health Ventures
Combining AI and NMR to search and discover new targets in miRNA
Developing novel delivery technology to achieve increased internalisation at lower doses
- Marcel Blommers - CSO, Saverna Therapeutics
Developing novel therapies to activate endogenous cardiac muscle regeneration processes in diseased adult hearts by manipulating the activity of microRNAs
Our current focus is Ischemic Heart Disease, but the therapy can be applied to many cardiac diseases where cardiac muscle regeneration is required. We are also developing a therapeutic for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy which is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young adults. We aim to initiate clinical testing in 2026 for our lead programs
- Bhawanjit Brar - CEO, Jaan Biotherapeutics
Exploring a discovery stage pipeline of LNP-delivered mRNA and saRNA vaccines targeting HPV, Monkeypox, HER2+ tumours and EBV+ tumours
Spotlighting tumour specific delivery of saRNA
- William Jia - CSO, Virogin Biotech
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
Showcase your innovations to an audience of potential partners at RNA Leaders and tap into the expertise to drive your business forward. Available for early-stage biotechs with an active pipeline or delivery technology.
For more information please contact Martha Phillips martha@lsxleaders.com
As we uncover new capabilities of the dark genome, how does this translate to the world of RNA therapeutics?
Diving into current ncRNA modalities and their potential for new targets
Exploring recent clinical milestones of ncRNA therapeutics
Reviewing how to minimize off-target effects and systemic toxicity
Discussing how ncRNA can be used a biomarker for disease
- Samir Ounzain - CEO, HAYA Therapeutics
- Jesse Smith - CSO, NextRNA Therapeutics
Exploring RNA delivery approaches to target neuromuscular diseases including Duchenne muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy
A deep dive into advancements in PNPs, antibody-conjugates and exosome based delivery
- Michiel Lodder - CEO, 20Med Therapeutics
- Bogdan Mateescu - Group Leader, University of Zürich
- Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers (PMOs) are synthesized from activated morpholino subunits via linear solid-phase synthesis. After the oligomer chain assembly, the crude drug substance is released from solid support. This crude material undergoes purification through Strong Anion Exchange (SAX) chromatography, and the purified drug substance is isolated by lyophilization following desalting with Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF)
- While the impurity classes and categories of PMOs are similar to those of typical Antisense Oligonucleotides (ASOs), PMOs have several unique impurities due to their distinct nature. These include impurities originating from starting materials, processes, and degradants
- This presentation will provide an overview of the PMO impurity profile, approaches for PMO impurity characterization and control strategy, and a detailed examination of several impurities specific to PMOs
- Bao Cai - Executive Director, Process Development, Sarepta Therapeutics
- Cell-free RNAs (cfRNAs), stabilized by extracellular vesicles (EVs), lipoproteins, and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), represent a new frontier in RNA therapeutics and biomarker research. These molecules are actively being investigated for their role in cell-to-cell communication, offering insights that could transform RNA-based treatment strategies
- Presenting recent findings that highlight the crucial role of RBPs in cfRNA biology and discuss their potential to develop next-generation RNA therapeutics, specifically for enhancing stability, specificity, and targeted uptake. I will also explore the use of cfRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, enabling precise, real-time monitoring of therapeutic efficacy and facilitating the optimization of personalized treatment regimens
- By integrating discoveries on cfRNA into RNA therapeutic pipelines, we could pave the way for more effective and individualized treatment strategies, setting a new standard in RNA-based medicine and significantly improving patient outcomes
- Bogdan Mateescu - Group Leader, University of Zürich
- Attila Seyhan - Director of Translational Oncology Operations at Cancer Center, Brown University
In our earlier discovery efforts, miRNA-10b was identified as a master regulator of the viability of metastatic tumor cells
This knowledge allowed us to develop a therapeutic (TTX-MC138) based on miR-10b inhibition that could cause complete and persistent regression of metastases in cancer models with no evidence of systemic toxicity
For clinical development of TTX-MC138, we conducted critical, exploratory IND enabling studies in rats, dogs, and non-human primates resulting in FDA authorization (IND163800) for initiation of an ongoing microdosing Phase 0 clinical trial in patients with advanced metastatic cancer of multiple tissue origins to assist in the identification of susceptible tumor types (or patients), but also to support future clinical efforts by providing proof of concept and quantification of delivery to clinical metastases
As tRNA emerges as an untapped RNA modality, key leaders join to discuss their progress, and future opportunities that can be unlocked with tRNA.
A deep dive into tRNA biology, and the mechanism of action of tRNA-based therapeutics
Discussing current and future disease areas that can be targeted with tRNA therapeutics
Bench to bedside – sharing thoughts on tRNA clinical progression
- Michelle Werner - CEO, Alltrna
- Leslie Williams - Co-Founder, President and CEO, hC Bioscience
Discuss the current limitations of existing delivery methods for RNA therapeutics and the critical need for innovative approaches to ensure their safety, efficacy, and widespread clinical application
Highligt the new delivery technologies, such as lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platforms, self-assembling peptide-based systems, and polymer-based delivery systems, and discuss their potential pros and cons
Explore future research directions and collaborations aimed at developing novel delivery tools that can support the advancement of next-generation RNA therapeutics across various therapeutic areas, such as CNS, Oncology, Cardiovascular and Respiratory
- Aurélie Goyenvalle - Director, INSERM
- Jim Weterings - Vice President Research USA, RNA Therapeutics & Delivery, Sirnaomics
- Richard Klar - CRO, Secarna
Exploring the challenges associated with traditional tailored processes for mRNA production and the advantages of shifting to standardized platforms in terms of scalability, quality control, and regulatory compliance
Novel solutions and implementation of standardized mRNA platforms that can be used to efficiently and cost-effectively produce various mRNA-based therapeutics
- Nargisse El Hajjami - Head of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships EMEA, Sartorius