A Special Invitation from Michel Awwad, Chairperson of the 13th annual Immunogenicity for Biotherapeutics Conference

Michel Awwad, Senior Director – PDM, Pfizer, the Event Chairperson, 13th annual Immunogenicity for Biotherapeutics, wanted to share this message with the readers of our Future of Biopharma Blog:

We all have to deal with the problem of determining which immunoassays give reliable and worthwhile results, as well as comparing data from different types of assays conducted at different times and determining acceptance criteria. Even transferring assays among multiple teams and partners can be challenging. The comparison of results over long time periods has become even more important – and even more difficult – now that our industry has grown so heavily focused on the development of biosimilars and biobetters.

And while all of these are extremely important topics, sometimes we can focus on them to such an extent that major underlying questions can go unexplored. After all of our procedural research, what have we learned about the true, ultimate causes of immunogenicity? What are the innate factors of therapeutic proteins that can trigger immune response? Does identifying these factors amount to true prediction of immunogenicity? And perhaps most important of all, what are the best methods for preventing such a response – both through advances in protein re-engineering and tolerance induction?

Since I know you’ve been challenged by these questions too, I’d like to invite you to attend the immunogenicity event that most thoroughly covers both the technical concerns surrounding assay design and performance as well as the underlying scientific concerns and methods to truly improve biologic performance.

IIR’s 13th-annual Immunogenicity for Biotherapeutics conference, taking place April 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, will be a major event for thought-leaders in the biotech and pharma industries, as well as our academic colleagues. This event will feature over 40 speakers and focuses on four primary areas of concern:

• • Predicting Immunogenicity through a Better Understanding of its Underlying Causes
• • Clinical Assay Design, Implementation, and Troubleshooting
• • Preventing Immunogenicity through Advances in Protein Engineering and Tolerance Induction
• • Breakthroughs in Immunogenicity Considerations for Biosimilars and Biobetters

The event will also feature a one-hour interactive update panel with FDA regulators, driven by audience feedback. Attendees will also have the option of participating in in-depth technical workshops and small format roundtable discussions.

To learn more, I invite you to download the conference brochure.

The Immunogenicity for Biotherapeutics Conference is taking place April 17-19, 2012, in Washington, DC.  If you have any questions about the agenda, feel free to contact Jennifer Pereira.

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