Biomarkers 2014 Agenda

Registration

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Case Studies of Analytical Platform/Assay Specific Challenges for Biomarker Assays Used in Drug Development and a Look at the Differences in Validation Exercises/Requirements for Research and Diagnostic Assays
John Allinson, Head of Biomarker Strategy, LGC Limited, United States of America

The presentation will cover experience in Abeta Amyloid methods across different analytical platforms; Issues experienced with commercial assays - common problems and possible solutions; comparison of method validation criteria for Biomarker assays used in Drug Development research and Diagnostics. Case studies will be included.

Imaging and CSF Biomarkers
Paul Edison, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College London, United Kingdom

In this presentation I shall give an overview of the PET/ MRI Imaging and CSF biomarkers, and how we are using in our Liraglutide in AD.

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

Prediction and Faster Assessment of Functional Properties of New Drug Candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease in Early Clinical Development: The IMI PharmaCog Project
Jill Richardson, Director, Neuroinflammation DPU, GlaxoSmithKline, United Kingdom

This presentation will focus on the integration of latest technologies and the definition and translation of novel endpoints from preclinical to clinical models developed within this public-private partnership with the ultimate aim of increasing the successful development of new medicines for AD. 

Biomarkers for Parkinson’s Disease: What has Been Achieved and What Needs to Come
Brit Mollenhauer, Head of Clinical Research, Paracelsus-Elena-Klinik, Germany

An objective biomarker for Parkinson’s disease (PD) is urgently needed. The quantification of proteins (e.g., tau-protein, ß-amyloid and also a-synuclein) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been shown to be helpful even in the early clinical diagnosis.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Early Markers of Tau Aggregation Pathology for Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease
Claude Wischik, Executive Chairman & Co Founder, TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, United Kingdom

Aging populations present an increasing dementia epidemic with huge societal cost. The imminent advent of preventative treatments creates a pressing need for detection of early disease stages.

Post-translational Modification of Proteins - A Rich Source of Pharmacodynamic and Clinical Biomarkers
Ian Pike, Chief Operating Officer, Proteome Sciences Plc, United Kingdom

Global and targeted mass spectrometry profiling of post-translational modification of proteins in Alzheimer's disease is providing new insights into disease pathology, response to novel treatments and delivering new diagnostic and prognostic blood biomarkers.

Biomarkers in HD
Rachael Scahill, Senior Research Associate, Microscience Ltd, United Kingdom

This talk will consider the most promising biomarkers currently available for Huntington’s disease, with a particular focus on imaging measures. The evidence for their suitability as outcome measures for large scale multi-site clinical trials will be discussed.

End of Day One

Astroglial Proteins Detect Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Patients with Symptoms of Acute Stroke
Christian Foerch, Head of the Cerebrovascular Research Group at the Department of Neurology, Goeth University , Germany

GFAP is an astroglial protein that is released rapidly in case of intracerebral hemorrhage, but with delay in case of ischemic stroke. Thus, within the first hours after symptom onset, GFAP may be used to differentiate between patients with intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. This may have implications on the triage of acute stroke patients.

Disease Biomarkers for Psychiatric Disorders
Sabine Bahn, Professor, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

Coffee and Networking in Exhibition Hall

The Utility of Biomarkers in CNS Drug Development
Alan Palmer, CSO, MS Therapeutics, United Kingdom

The utility of biomarkers (especially neuroimaging biomarkers) in the development of CNS drug candidates will be described with respect to: improving patient homogeneity, establishing target engagement, providing a pharmacodynamic read-out and providing a measure of disease progression.

Biomarker Developments in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Martin Turner, Consultant Neurologist, Oxford University, United Kingdom

Comprehensive overview of the unmet needs and challenges inherent to ALS biomarker discovery and development, plus the emerging neurochemical and neuroimaging candidates.

Lunch and Networking in Exhibition Hall

The Application of Tau-fragments as Biomarkers of Neuronal Loss
Kim Henriksen, Head, Nordic Bioscience A/S, Denmark

Tau-fragmentation is linked to death of neurons, and since fragments more likely cross the blood-brain-barrier, they are of interest as serum biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease. Assays against fragments were developed and data indicating clinical utility in AD patients are presented.

Coffee and Networking in Exhibiton Hall

Close of Conference