Translational Models

Thursday, 20 April • 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

This session will focus on the use of organoids/3D structures across the entire drug discovery processes, literally meaning 3D for Target ID and 3D to support lead optimization. It will also focus on the use of more physiologically relevant models of disease that incorporate the use of organoids, stroma and isogenic pairs to elucidate functional outcomes that indicate on-target effect. Finally, this session will lend credence to the use of molecular profiling (Omics) in concert with in-vitro and in-vivo translation to better predict clinical efficacy.

Session Chair:

Tim Spicer, Ph.D. (UF Scripps Biomedical Research)
Spicer is a Senior Scientific Director and Research Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute. He joined Scripps Florida in 2005 at its inception and helped build the screening center to one of the most competitive in the world today. Tim has more than 32 years of experience in drug discovery, including 10 years at Bristol-Myers Squibb. He is currently the director of HTS and discovery biology and co-directs the screening center. He supervises HTS assay development & related efforts including technology development for which he was funded through the NIH with an award for the “Advanced Development and Validation of 3-Dimensional Spheroid Culture of Primary Cancer Cells using Nano3D Technology”. He has authored more than 150 drug-discovery related publications and is an inventor on eight patents, including those that are for drugs now in man (Rukobia). Tim has served on multiple boards including most recently as the President and Chair of the Board of Directors for SLAS. His research focus on small molecule discovery, technology development, and applying more physiologically relevant models of disease into these areas. 

Speakers:

Finola Cliffe, Ph.D. (Hooke Bio Ltd.)
Mera: A Scalable High Throughput Automated Micro Physiological System for Preclinical Drug Discovery
Finola holds a Ph.D. from the University of Limerick in Biotechnology. Prior to joining Hooke Bio, Finola previously held roles as a research scientist at the National University of Galway, Ireland and Monaghan Biosciences as well as roles within large pharma with J&J. She has over 18 years of experience in 2D & 3D cell culture (bacterial, fungal and mammalian), biochemical assay and process optimisation. She is the co-founder and chief operating officer of Hooke Bio Ltd and has led their interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers since 2014.  She has brought Hooke Bio’s technology from an initial concept at the University of Limerick to the cutting edge of MPS research. 

Keittisak Suwan, Ph.D. (Imperial College London)
Targeted Gene Delivery to Three-Dimensional Tumour Model by Phage-Based Nanoparticle

Ruchi Sharma, M.V.Sc., M.Res, Ph.D. (Stemnovate Limited)
A Microphysiological Platform to Translate PK/PD Profiles and to Explore Anti-Cancer Therapies
Efficacy on 3D Tumour Spheroids and Patient Derived Organoids