Theme 1: Systemic Drug and Gene Delivery—Tackling the Challenges Head-On
Keywords: Nanoparticle, Targeting, Multivalent Binding, Biomolecule Corona, PEGylation, Cellular Trafficking
The ability of particle-based drug and gene delivery vectors to reach their site of action and specifically interact with the cell type of interest to evoke a desired therapeutic response is critical to achieve clinically significant efficacy. In particular, intravenously administered, targeted therapeutics encounter several biological barriers that pose considerable challenges to pharmaceutical scientists developing innovative solutions.
Submitters are encouraged to focus on fundamental investigations and/or the development of novel solutions or methodologies to overcome challenges associated with targeted drug and gene delivery. Suggested topics include methods designed to: improve circulation half-life (e.g., alternative strategies to PEGylation); mitigate the negative effects of the biomolecule corona on targeting; encourage multivalent cellular interactions; improve site-specific penetration and accumulation; control cellular uptake and endosomal escape for improved payload delivery; and develop predictive models and in vitro/in vivo correlations.
Theme 2: Novel Approaches to Manage Immunogenicity of Biotherapeutics
Keywords: Immunogenicity, Biotherapeutics, Tolerance, Molecular Engineering, Synthetic Biology
The immunogenicity of biological drugs can present a significant obstacle to the development of new therapies. In addition to the high numbers of FDA approvals for protein-based drugs, the industry has seen recent approvals for virus-based and RNA-based therapeutics, all of which have the potential to induce an undesired immune response. With increased exposure to biotherapeutics, the risks of immunogenicity in patients is predicted to increase. Thus, there is an urgent need for new approaches to this issue.
Submissions are encouraged that cover early-stage drug discovery research focusing on:
- Novel mechanism-based and/or high throughput methods to predict and assess the immunogenicity of viruses, protein-based therapeutics, RNA-based therapeutics, and others.
- Cutting-edge approaches to immune-tolerance induction therapies of biological drugs (proteins, viruses, RNA-based therapeutics). Examples include but are not limited to Treg-driven tolerance, tolerogenic carriers and materials, and targeted immunosuppression.
- Molecular engineering and synthetic biology approaches to address immunogenicity.
Theme 3: Biomaterial-Focused Approaches for Immunomodulation
Keywords: Biomaterials, Adjuvants, Polymers, Nanoparticles, Immune modulation
Modulation of immune responses using advanced biomaterials represents a new frontier in therapeutic development. Recent progress and success applying biomaterials for vaccines, immune tolerance, infectious disease, acute critical care, and inflammation further solidifies their place among next-generation pharmaceuticals.
Broad submissions focused on novel biomaterial-based approaches to modulate immune responses are encouraged for this theme. Topics may include: evaluation of inherent biomaterial properties on the immune system; novel synthesis methods and biomaterial preparations for immunomodulation; in vitro/in vivo assay development to assess immunomodulation; targeted drug and gene delivery to immune cells; improved formulation methods for small molecules and biologics for immunomodulation; and development of biomaterial scaffolds for drug delivery and disease detection.
Theme 4: Advancements in Chemical Knockdowns of Disease-Relevant Targets
Keywords: Chemical Knockdown, PROTAC, Small Molecules, DNA-encoded Chemical Libraries
Chemical methods for protein knockdown of disease-relevant targets have gained tremendous momentum over the last few years. Chemical knockdown approaches are attractive as they are based on small molecules and can be given orally, thereby circumventing many challenges associated with biologics. As such, chemical protein degradation approaches hold great promise and are expected to be widely used for drug discovery, chemical biology studies, and a wide range of therapeutic applications.
This theme will focus on novel discoveries related to (1) PROTAC-based approaches (via DNA-encoded chemical libraries), (2) proteasome-independent protein knockdown by small-molecule inhibitors, (3) recognition cleavage strategies to mediate protein downregulation, and (4) protein knockdown via chaperone-mediated autophagy. Topics may include HTS screens, proteomics, and other tools that aid in the acceleration of small molecule discovery for chemical protein knockdown.
Theme 5: Cancer Immunotherapy – What’s next?
Keywords: Novel Immune Targets and Biomarkers, Checkpoint Inhibitors, Bispecific Antibodies, Neoantigens, CAR T-cell Therapy, Exosome Therapy, Cancer Vaccines, Tumor Immunity, Tumor Microenvironment, Immunity Regulation Pathways
Despite tremendous progress in cancer immunotherapy, significant obstacles still exist, and therapeutic efficacy is often unpredictable and highly variable between patients. This theme will cover the latest developments in cancer immunotherapy with an emphasis on (1) the identification of new targets, (2) the discovery of novel biomarkers, and (3) the identification of neoantigens. Submissions related to novel therapeutic and vaccine approaches such as CAR T-cell therapies, exosome-based approaches, and checkpoint inhibitors are encouraged. This theme will cover fundamental studies into tumor immunity, the tumor microenvironment, and novel immune regulation pathways to facilitate a deeper understanding of the mechanisms required for an effective anti-cancer immune response.
Theme 6: Innovations in High Throughput Screening of Therapeutic Carriers
Keywords: Barcoding, 2D and/or 3D Tissue Model Systems, in vivo High Throughput Screening, Organs-on-Chips, 3D-Printed and Bioprinted screening Systems, AI-Enabled Predictions, Synthetic and Bio-Derived Materials, Hydrogels, Nano- and Microparticles
High throughput screening and high content screening approaches have been in high demand for accelerating the development of novel synthetic and bio-derived materials, nano- and microparticles, hydrogels, and other types of formulations for therapeutic applications. This theme will focus on innovations in high throughput evaluations of nano- and microparticles, hydrogels, and other therapeutic materials. These include but are not limited to barcoded technologies and AI-enabled predictions for in vitro and in vivo screening. Other systems of relevance are 2D/3D tissue models to advance pipeline assets, organs-on-chips, and 3D-printed/bioprinted screening systems. Other innovative examples not listed here are also encouraged.
Look for the New Poster Formats Returning at NBC and PharmSci 360
AAPS introduced new poster formats at the 2020 PharmSci 360, and many authors loved the new options! Those options have been incorporated into all AAPS events that offer posters, including the National Biotechnology Conference (NBC) and PharmSci 360.
AAPS requires all authors to include: the title; authors; the complete, unedited abstract that was submitted for approval; purpose; methods; results; conclusion—and the data!
Now authors have more options for how they display this information.
Learn more about submitting a poster abstract for PharmSci 360, or submit now! www.aaps.org/posters
AAPS PharmSci 360 Poster Abstracts
The 2021 PharmSci 360 poster abstract submission deadline is May 5 at 5 pm ET!
Make the most of a unique experience—find research collaborators at PharmSci 360!
Poster floors are a hotbed of research at any scientific meeting. A poster presentation provides a unique opportunity to convey important research findings while interacting with a targeted audience and expanding one’s professional network. By the end of an active Poster Forum at AAPS PharmSci 360, both poster presenters and attendees will have learned from each other. This exchange can be especially important to presenters who intend to continue their work in future presentations and submissions to journals.
Posters must be explained quickly and clearly so your audience understands why a project is important and what your findings mean. Effective communication is a vital skill every scientist uses day to day! Presenters at PharmSci 360 grow their ability to network and collaborate.
Posters are a hybrid form of learning. They are more detailed than a general lecture, but less demanding than a full research paper. Most important, they are more interactive than either and thus are unique. In a lecture, for example, the presenter determines the goal and the focus of the presentation. But in a poster session, the audience drives the conversation with their questions. A poster presenter at a conference will be approached by a number of people—all with different expertise and knowledge levels—who will ask about different facets of the research.
This provides an unparalleled opportunity for presenters to collaborate and promote their research. So, be prepared to capitalize on this experience. Here are six tips to make the most of your poster time.
A GOOD POSTER MUST:
- Be written with the audience in mind—As you design your poster, provide enough background on both the topic and the methods to convey the purpose, findings, and implications of your research to the expected range of readers/audience.
- Tell a simple, clear story—Providing a clear take-home message that can be grasped in a few minutes is key!
- Explain statistical methods and results—Present statistical significance that keeps the focus on the results, not on the arithmetic needed to conduct inferential statistical tests.
- Use graphs and charts—Let your figures do the talking! Reduce the need for long text descriptions or complex tables with tiny numbers that are cumbersome to read.
- Have a short, specific title—This is the first glimpse of your poster, so make a good impression. Make it inviting and easy to read from a distance.
- Be ready with your story—Keep it short! Prepare a few sentences that highlight what you are studying, present a couple of key findings, and explain why they are important to capture attendees’ attention.
The poster abstract submission site for the 2021 AAPS PharmSci 360 is now open.
Visit Abstracts and Posters to review the Call for Poster Abstracts
Submit your abstract now!
What are Rapid Fires?
Rapid Fires are quick, 10-min presentations with 3-min of Q&A on the latest scientific topics. Have research or ideas that are novel and exciting? Share them on the Rapid Fire stage!
AAPS is still accepting Rapid Fire programming ideas for the 2021 PharmSci 360. Submit your presentation idea by June 15, 2021 to be considered.
Your program ideas are vital to the success of PharmSci 360. Contribute to the body of science and the exchange of knowledge—submit a proposal! PharmSci 360’s programming covers every aspect of the pharmaceutical sciences in a 6-track format.
Visit the 2021 PharmSci 360 submission instruction page to learn more about this year’s programming—including the tracks, topics, and themes it will cover—as well as how to submit your proposal.
Learn More!
2021 AAPS PharmSci 360 Exhibit and Sponsorship Opportunities
Exhibiting and sponsorship opportunities are now available! Booth and non-booth packages are available to meet the business goals of scientific leadership, lead generation, brand awareness, and product/service demonstration. To learn more, go to www.aapspharmsci360.org, or contact Jilian Holt at SalesAAPS@ntpevents.com.