7:30 am Morning Check In

8:15 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Elevating Exosome Research: Characterization Standardization & Advanced Purification Techniques

8:30 am Engineering and Isolation of EVs: From Primary Cell Engineering Platform Technology to EV Isolation

  • Gi-Hoon Nam Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Shiftbio

Synopsis

• Introducing the ESM (Extracellular Vesicle Sorting Motif) platform technology for engineering primary cell lines

• Highlighting the importance of developing efficient purification processes for the development of EV-based therapeutics

• Exploring the therapeutic efficacy of primary cell engineered EVs

9:00 am Session Reserved for Lonza

9:30 am Assessing Light-Reversible Microswimmer Particles to Enable High-Purity & Low-Cost Isolation of Extracellular Vesicles from Biofluids

  • Tony Hu Presidential Chair & Professor, Tulane University

Synopsis

• Presenting the innovative design of the Janus Microswimmer for high-efficiency and easy-to-operate isolation of EVs from various biofluids, highlighting advantages in simplicity, yield, and purity against conventional isolation methods

• Highlighting the clinical implications of using this technology for EV-based diagnostics and therapeutics

• Discuss potential future developments and applications of this technology in clinical settings, emphasizing the broader impact on personalized medicine

10:00 am Morning Break & Speed Networking

Preclinical Development

11:00 am Changing the Medical Paradigm: Use of Extracellular Vesicles as a Multimodal Biological Approach in Therapeutics

  • Patricia Freire Research & Development Innovation Manager, Exogenus Therapeutics

Synopsis

• Assessing major steps towards the development of a naive EV product derived from umbilical cord blood

• Summarizing safety and efficacy data in pre-clinical models accross multiple indications

• Delving into future perspectives for a multimodal EV-based therapy

11:30 am Enhancing Delivery: Innovative Approaches to Exosome Loading for Pre-Clinical Studies

Synopsis

• Investigating novel methods for loading therapeutic molecules into exosomes to maximize their potential as targeted delivery vehicles in pre-clinical models

• Assessing the efficiency and retention of different loading techniques, including electroporation and sonication, to optimize delivery of RNA, proteins, and drugs

• Exploring the implications of loading efficacy on the stability and bio-distribution of exosomes in pre-clinical studies, aiming to improve therapeutic outcomes

Clinical Development & Manufacturing

11:00 am Navigating Complexity: Addressing Challenges with Naive Exosomes

Synopsis

• Evaluating the reproducibility challenges associated with naive exosomes, including the consistency of cargo from

donor materials and assessing the therapeutic efficacy based on protein and RNA loads

• Examining the difficulties in pinpointing the mechanism of action and explaining the therapeutic benefits to regulatory bodies like the FDA

• Discussing the trade-offs between safety and variability in naive exosome products, highlighting the ease of release criteria versus the challenges in answering specific questions about functionality and efficacy

11:30 am From R&D to GMP Exosomes Mass Production for Ongoing Clinical Phase I/II & Inflammation Related Indications

Synopsis

• Key elements to take into account during R&D and preclinical not lose years and funds in GMP transition process

• How to produce enough exosomes in a GMP compliant way to answer clinical trial demand

• What does the regulatory pathway looks like in Europe to start phase I/II

12:00 pm Networking Lunch

1:00 pm Optimizing Targeted Cargo Delivery with Exosomes

  • Qin Yu Vice President - Research, Vesigen Therapeutics

Synopsis

• Examining innovative approaches for loading exosomes with therapeutic cargo while maintaining stability and efficacy

• Discussing strategies to enhance exosome uptake by target cells through surface modifications and receptor-ligand interactions

• Exploring the challenges and opportunities of engineering exosomes for specific tissue targeting and intracellular delivery mechanisms

1:30 pm Precision Isolation Techniques in Exosome Research

Synopsis

• Detailing advanced methods for the isolation of exosomes, such as ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography, to ensure purity and specificity

• Evaluating the effectiveness of isolation techniques in preserving the functional integrity and biological activity of exosomes for accurate outcomes

• Discussing the standardization of isolation protocols to facilitate reproducibility and comparability of exosome research across different pre-clinical and clinical settings

2:00 pm Advancing Exosome Research with Animal Models

Synopsis

• Examining criteria for choosing animal models that align with human disease mechanisms, highlighting bone disease

• Discussing advancements in animal model development, including genetically engineered mice

• Case study: Exosomes or exosome biomimetics as novel treatment for osteoporosis and bone cancer: Discovery, animal studies, problems, future directions

1:00 pm Overcoming Scale-Up Challenges for Naive Exosomes

Synopsis

• Discussing advancements in the production of engineered exosomes, from bioreactor design to purification techniques

• Highlighting the importance of quality control measures and regulatory compliance in the manufacturing process to ensure the consistency and safety of exosome batches

• Gaining insight into transitioning engineered exosomes from laboratory-scale production to preclinical trial quantities, including case examples of overcoming scale-up obstacles

1:30 pm Choosing Exosome Related Investigational Products That Show Potential For Clinical Indications

Synopsis

• Examining how to identify exosome products loaded with therapeutic cargos, focusing on proof-of-concept testing methods that demonstrate potential for clinical success

• Learning from accumulated industry experiences in standardizing the manufacturing of human exosomes to ensure quality and compliance as products move towards clinical trials

• Discussing the strategies and critical considerations needed to transition exosome-based therapeutics from development into Phase I and II clinical studies

2:00 pm Exosome Innovations in Cosmetics: Pioneering the Future of Skincare

Synopsis

• Delving into exosome’s role in revolutionizing skincare, offering solutions for skin regeneration, anti-aging, and delivering powerful skincare benefits

• Exploring the development of cutting-edge exosome-based cosmetics designed to precisely target and rejuvenate skin cells, offering enhanced protection and repair from environmental damage

• Discussing strategies for successfully navigating the complex regulatory landscape to bring cosmeceutical products to consumers, and meet the highest standards of safety and efficacy

2:30 pm Afternoon Networking Break & Poster Session

Strategic Optimization of Production Methods for Commercial & Manufacturing Efficiencies

3:30 pm Panel Discussion: Strategic Efficiencies in Development & Production: Cost-Optimization, Compliance, & Storage Solutions

Synopsis

• Streamlining the path to commercialization, to navigate the journey from development to market readiness with efficiency

• Exploring strategies to significantly reduce costs of goods sold of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), enhancing affordability and accessibility

• Delving into characterization of product and process related impurities to uphold product quality standards

4:15 pm Challenges & Opportunities in Manufacturing of EV-based Therapeutics

  • Gary Hao Vice President, CMC, Vesigen Therapeutics

Synopsis

• Providing an overview of the current landscape in manufacturing EV-based therapeutics at scale, identifying key challenges and opportunities for innovation

• Highlighting case studies showcasing process improvements in EV production from cell culture, leading to enhanced productivity and efficiency

• Discussing emerging trends and techniques in EV manufacturing, emphasizing their potential to shape the future of therapeutic development and application

4:45 pm Optimizing Costs for Enhanced Development of Naive Exosomes

Synopsis

• Exploring cost-efficient alternatives, such as utilizing bodily fluids like milk or platelets, to reduce the high production costs associated with cell-derived exosomes

• Understanding the complexities involved in setting up pipelines for purification and production of naive exosomes to optimize cost considerations throughout the development process

• Delving into the factors contributing to the cost of naive exosomes, including production methods and regulatory compliance, for in strategic planning to manage expenses effectively

5:15 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

5:30 pm End of Day One