Drug Discovery Partnership: Filling the Pipeline

   Drug Discovery Partnership:
   Filling the Pipeline
   
Integrating Private-Public Efforts to Treat Severely
     
Unmet Medical Needs

October 28-30, 2009
Hyatt Regency Boston, Boston, MA
  VIEW AGENDA (as of 10-19-09)    SUGGEST A SPEAKER   

Drug Discovery Partnership: Filling the Pipeline - 2009 Attendees

2009 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor:

Discovery BioMed
DiscoveryBioMed, Inc. (DBM) is an early-stage drug discovery services company that creates physiologically-relevant human and transgenic mouse cell lines for any and all scientific applications. DBM uses these novel immortal human cell systems as the key platform and focus for biologically relevant drug discovery and development programs. DBM provides novel and custom cell products and engineering programs to commercial and academic customers, develops custom cell-based bioassays, and specializes in assay optimization for high-throughput screening and pilot and large-scale drug discovery. DiscoveryBioMed uses the same infrastructure to perform projects for clients as a service and for its own research and development. Its mission is to accelerate therapeutics discovery by utilizing in vitro human cell models that maintain in vivo-like or ‘life-like’ properties of human normal or diseased tissue. Said another way, why not screen small molecules on a relevant human cell platform because one wishes to administer the end drug to the human patient? DBM’s arsenal of robust and high-content light-based and electrical bioassays and immortal human cell systems continues to grow. DiscoveryBioMed’s scientific team has deep expertise in cell physiology, bioassay design and cheminformatics. Its extensive synthetic and natural-product-based compound libraries (>70,000) are both targeted and diverse. DiscoveryBioMed specializes in commercial-academic partnership to help academic clients realize cell-based drug discovery technology at a reasonable cost. DBM wishes to lead a renaissance in cell physiology and drug discovery.

Co-Sponsor:

Quebec Consortium
CQDM (Quebec Consortium for Drug Discovery) is a not-for-profit organization that responds to the needs of the pharmaceutical industry by contributing to the acceleration of drug discovery and the development of safer and more effective drugs. CQDM’s mission is to identify, finance and support research projects carried out in partnership between the academic and private sectors.

CQDM is organized according to a unique public-private partnership model for the financing of innovative research activities, primarily those of a precompetitive nature addressing the most challenging issues of biopharmaceutical research. The CQDM’s funding program is aimed at promoting the development of innovative enabling technologies that will facilitate the drug discovery and/or development process. This program encourages creativity, multidisciplinary and collaborative efforts between academic and private (Biotechs and CROs) research groups. Every year, CQDM funds 3-5 innovative projects ($1-3M/project) within a competition framework. For 2009-2010, the research themes of the competition primarily focus on the following enabling technologies: 1) Innovative platforms; 2) Translational technologies; 3) Cutting edge drug delivery technologies.

The funding partners of CQDM are Pfizer, AstraZeneca Canada, Merck Frosst, FRSQ and MDEIE (Quebec government) as well as BL-NCE (Canadian government).

Panel Sponsors:

ASDI, Inc.
Established in 1988, ASDI is a contract research organization offering chemistry, sample preparation, and materials management services; as well as research and design services, including analytical, purification and reclamation. Our wide range of services and problem-solving capabilities enable pharmaceutical, biotechnical and academic sectors to accelerate their drug discovery and research processes, while reducing expenses and resource requirements. ASDI continues to lead the industry by developing technologies and techniques in dispensing and distributing compounds for high throughput screening libraries. ASDI has designed and synthesized novel lead-generation libraries and our chemistry resources have both commercial and custom synthesized building blocks. By utilizing our U.S., European and Asian based chemistry resources, ASDI enables discovery for the global research community through innovation and increased efficiencies. Discover ASDI today and achieve your goals tomorrow.


Asinex
Since our foundation in 1994 we have gained more than 15 years of experience in collecting and creating diverse and drug-like small molecule libraries. We have a reputation for reliability as we have delivered more than 1,000,000 samples to our customers throughout, Asia, Europe and North America. We have completed more than 300 chemistry projects for 50 customers in the last 5 years, a total of 62,450 FTE days. ASINEX's main chemistry expertise is in lead optimization, we transfer the knowledge concerning ease of optimization factors into the design of our new libraries. We synthesize compounds that are suitable for further elaboration at different levels. Our Bioscreening Dept. provides us with feedback concerning what constitutes desirable and undesirable properties (solubility, permeability, toxicity, metabolism etc) for small molecule compounds, this knowledge is useful for the next generation of libraries.


CyBio
Nearing 20 years of experience CyBio develops, produces and sells technology platforms for drug discovery and is an undisputed world leader in simultaneous pipetting. By offering scalable systems for automated labs, CyBio provides individual modules that can be fully integrated into complete solutions. CyBio automation is ideal for any procedure where miniaturization and reagent conservation are important and CyBio is currently at the forefront of nano-liter liquid handling.

In those laboratories where reliability and speed are paramount to the process, CyBio instruments enjoy heavy use and represent an excellent return on investment. Whether the needs are simultaneous liquid handling, precise imaging, or a walk-away answer for your specific application, CyBio is able to provide elegant and durable instruments and integrations for all areas of HTS, genomics and proteomics.


Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge
The Intellectual Property Group at Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP has developed extensive experience over many years in establishing, managing, asserting and defending intellectual property rights. We have more than 100 intellectual property patent attorneys and agents, of whom 17 have doctorate degrees and an additional 15 have masters degrees in areas of science and engineering. We have handled essentially all business aspects of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and related antitrust issues, for the past 35-plus years. The firm represents the interests of its foreign clients in American courts and before US government agencies, providing services performed by agents, solicitors, and barristers in other judicial systems.

Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP is a law firm with 550 lawyers in 12 offices within the USA and London. The firm also has an associated office in Hong Kong. For more information, please visit our website at eapdlaw.com.


HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI P.C.
HESLIN ROTHENBERG FARLEY & MESITI P.C. is the largest law firm in upstate New York that is devoted exclusively to the practice of intellectual property law. The firm handles all aspects of acquiring and enforcing intellectual property rights, both domestic and foreign, including licensing and litigation.

The firm includes 30 attorneys and patent agents, and more than 60 total professional staff. The firm’s patent professionals have expertise in numerous technical disciplines, including physics, electrical engineering, computer science, chemistry, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, business methods, nanotechnology, clean energy, biotechnology, and biomedical engineering.

The firm serves clients in a broad range of industries throughout the world, from start ups to Fortune 100 companies, including domestic and foreign corporations, universities, government agencies, research centers, software companies, designers, growth companies focused on emerging technologies, venture capital firms, and individual inventors.


Pyxis
Pyxis Discovery, founded in 2003 in Delft, The Netherlands, is a leading chemistry-based lead discovery company. We focus on the design and selection of compound libraries. Our approach for designing and selecting screening compound libraries, which is based on the principles of leadlikeness, facilitates a rapid and efficient lead discovery process, yielding lead compounds with excellent pharmacological profiles. Our computational chemistry expertise enables us to construct for our clients smartly designed compound libraries which are especially suitable for high content screening. Our clients range from big pharma companies to biotech startups from around the globe.

To meet the changing needs of our clients, we have launched Chemonaut (www.chemonaut.com), a web-based compound sourcing solution. Chemonaut enables its users to search and acquire screening compounds and building blocks from the combined compound stocks of numerous high quality suppliers around the world, using a variety of selection and filtering methods. Chemonaut provides an excellent combination of flexible compound searching and reliable compound logistics, which will result in efficiency gains for any compound sourcing process.

Pyxis Discovery has offices and representation in Europe, North America and Japan.

Contact:
www.pyxis-discovery.com
Alexandrine Cheronet, Business Development Manager, ac@pyxis-discovery.com

Conference Bag Sponsor:


Vivo Biosciences, Inc.
Vivo Biosciences, Inc. (VBI, www.vivobiotech.com), a venture backed biotech company, has developed a proprietary novel 3-dimensional preclinical bioassay platform (3D HuBiogel™ Assay Platform) for rapidly identifying preclinical drug candidates and predicting drug response and toxicity with patient samples. VBI, a leader in physiological relevant 3D human bioassays, offers HuBiogel™-based end-user products and bioassay services to academic, government, biotech and pharmaceutical clients world wide. Founded in 2004 by Dr. Raj Singh, VBI has been awarded $4.5M in SBIR funding from NIH and NASA. Additionally, VBI secured a $1M seed investment in 2006 from Maryland-based Toucan Capital and most recently closed another VC financing from Alabama-based, Greer Capital. VBI innovation is recognized by the NIH-SBIR Commercialization Accelerator Program and FDA Critical Path Initiative. Promise and high value utility is validated through multiple research and development contracts and alpha-site collaborations with major focus on 3D mini-tumor models, cancer drug discovery and therapeutic profiling. Other HuBiogel™ applications currently in development include 3D human liver and vascular toxicity assays and bio-scaffolds for stem cell delivery.

Exhibitors:


BioFocus
BioFocus aims to expand its partners’ drug pipelines by accelerating the gene-to-drug candidate discovery process. This is achieved through a comprehensive discovery platform, which includes target discovery in human primary cells, focused as well as diverse compound libraries, in vitro and cell-based screening, structural biology, medicinal chemistry, ADME/PK services, supported by unique chemogenomic and informatics tools, and compound library acquisition, storage and distribution services. As the service division of Galapagos, BioFocus has over 250 employees in four countries worldwide.


Dann, Dorfman, Herrell and Skillman
For over 30 years, Dann Dorfman Herrell and Skillman has been specializing in the practice of Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Law, representing the intellectual property and licensing interests of clients across the globe. Technological strengths include biotechnology, chemistry, electronics/software, and mechanics. Our clients include medical centers, small to medium sized businesses, start ups and universities.  The attorneys in our Life Sciences Group have doctorate degrees and expertise in prosecuting patents  directed to complicated biotechnology based inventions before patent offices around the world.  We strive to establish a close relationship with our clients and address their individual needs, while providing them with a quality product at a reasonable price.


Drexel
As the clinical research field expands and evolves, so does the need for highly trained and qualified research professionals encompassing all research and regulatory areas. The Drexel University College of Medicine Master of Science in Clinical Research Organization and Management (CROM) meets the educational and professional needs of individuals employed in this increasingly complex and highly regulated field of therapeutic product investigation.

The 36-credit CROM program is taught in an online format providing maximum flexibility for today's busy practitioners working in the field. No residency requirement or on-site classes are mandated. Courses are conducted in such a manner as to maximize the opportunities for learning, both from student to student as well as from a highly experienced faculty, which includes researchers, administrators, lawyers, and scientists from academia and industry.

The Certificate of Study in Clinical Research (CSCR) is a professional credential awarded to students who successfully complete five graduate-level courses from the CROM curriculum. CSCR is a valuable resource for working professionals who want in-depth exposure to the skills and knowledge needed in the evolving clinical research field without having to commit to an entire master’s program.


The  Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Immune Disease Institute
The Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine and the Immune Disease Institute (PCMM/IDI) is a non-profit research institution recognized worldwide for its discoveries that increase the body's ability to fight disease and to heal. The breakthroughs of PCMM/IDI scientists are greatly increasing our understanding of the influence of immune defense and inflammation on medical discovery, healthcare, and disease management. Immune Disease Institute and Children’s Hospital Boston (CHB) have entered into an affiliation whereby our institute joins seven other interdisciplinary programs at CHB as the Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine. The aim is to increase collaborations and scientific synergies. PCMM/IDI is academically affiliated with Harvard Medical School (HMS), and its investigators hold appointments in departments of the medical school.