2018 ADC Symposium
Save the date!
Tuesday, October 30, 2018
You are invited to participate in Merck’s 2018 ADC Symposium to learn, share and discuss today’s advancements with your peers and subject matter experts of the industry.
This one-day event will include:
- Industry experts presenting advancements in ADC / bioconjugation development and drug-linker technologies, like activated PEGs and HPAPIs
- Innovative ADC processing showcasing the latest technology at our MLab™ collaboration center
- Opportunities to network with experts and peers during refreshment breaks and lunch.
Preliminary Agenda*
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9:45 AM | Registration & Morning Coffee |
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10:20 AM | Welcome & Introduction |
| Robert Guagliardo, VP & Head of Actives & Formulation Commercial, Merck |
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| Advancing Development of ADCs & Bioconjugation |
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10:30 AM | Hydrophilic and Site-Specific Antibody- Drug Conjugates to Treat Tumors |
| Dr. Ping-Fu Cheng, ITRI (Taiwan) |
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11:00 AM | ABL201: an anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate with NTERM conjugation |
| Dr. Jinwon Jung, ABL Bio Inc. |
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11:30 AM | Break |
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11:45 AM | Creating Next Generation ADCs with Industry Leading DAR Precision and Plasma Stability |
| Dr. Jeiwook Chae, LegoChem Biosciences Inc. |
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12:15 PM | ADCs with high DAR, high targeting valence, and product homogeneity |
| Dr. Tse Wen Chang, Immunwork Inc. |
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12:45 PM | Lunch Break |
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| Technology Insights & Processing Solutions |
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1:30 PM | Evaluation of a Novel Single-use TFF Capsule |
| Yoshiaki Ogawa, Merck |
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1:45 PM | Single use Equipment for ADC Processing: From Lab Sale to GMP Production |
| Siyi Liao, Merck Dr. Gang Yao, Merck |
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2:15 PM | Demonstration of Solvent Compatibility and Extractables Profile for Use of Mobius® Assemblies in ADC Processing |
| Dr. Takao Ito, Merck |
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2:30 PM | MLab™ Collaboration Center rotating group tours, Q&A time with experts, poster exhibition & coffee break |
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3:45 PM | Trends in Drug-linker Technologies: novel HPAPIs, Discrete & Activated PEGs |
| Dr. Matthias Joehnck, Merck |
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4:15 PM | Tackling the Complex ADC Supply Chain: Best Practice Approach and Integrated Program Management Case Study |
| Latashuia Browning, Merck |
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4:45 PM | Wrap-up and closing remarks |
| Isao Hatano, Head of Process Solutions Japan, Merck |
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5:00 PM | Post-event reception |
| Grand Nikko Daiba, 29F (Akane), 2-6-1, Daiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 135-8701, Japan |
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8:00 PM | End |
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The life science business of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany operates as MilliporeSigma in the US and Canada.
* This agenda is subject to change and will be updated during the course of the next months. The event is free; registration is mandatory and space is limited to 40 attendees. Attendance to the “2018 ADC Symposium” is limited and available to pharma/biopharma manufacturers only. The offer does not extend to any company that provides products or services to the pharma/biopharma industry. Merck reserves the right to revoke or refuse participation at any times.
Refreshments are provided courtesy of Merck. Travel costs, hotel accommodations and any other costs incurred are at the expense of the attendees.
Hydrophilic and Site-Specific Antibody- Drug Conjugates to Treat Tumors
Cheng PingFu, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator of site-specific ADC project
View Abstract
Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) are consist of an antibody linked to a payload drug, which is a new type of precision medicine. Currently, four ADC drugs have been approved, and the other ADCs undergoing clinical trials have been synthesized by conjugation technologies developed in the past two decades. The most significant disadvantage of these traditional conjugation technologies includes the lack of specificity at the connecting positions of the antibodies and the variable number of connections. In order to overcome these challenges, we provide a disulfide re-bridging conjugation method to improve the homogeneity of ADC. Based on this approach, our results show the benefits of better ADC drugs conjugation homogeneity, stability and efficacy.
ABL201: an Anti-BCMA Antibody-drug Conjugate with NTERM Conjugation
Jinwon Jung, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist, ABL Bio Inc.
View Abstract
BCMA is a promising therapeutic target for treating multiple myeloma. To exploit its therapeutic values, we have developed ABL201. ABL201 is an anti-BCMA antibody-drug conjugate that is made by conjugation of MMAF on N-terminal of a BCMA specific antibody by aldehyde linker. The N-terminal specific conjugation was more stable in vivo than thiol conjugation. ABL201 killed multiple myeloma cell lines effectively in vitro by inducing apoptosis. ABL201 also induced complete regression of tumors in H929 xenograft model after the administration of a single dose of ADC at 5mpk. ABL201 was well-tolerable to rats up to 62.5 mpk at a single dose. These results support further development of ABL201 to the IND-enabling studies.
Creating Next Generation ADCs with Industry Leading DAR Precision and Plasma Stability
Jeiwook Chae, Ph.D.
Chief Business Development Officer, LegoChem Biosciences, Inc.
View Abstract
LegoChem Biosiences is a clinical stage biotech with expertise in medicinal chemistry. It has several antibiotic programs for infectious disease with urgent needs and drugs in oncology and anticoagulant. It has extended its expertise to ADC and developed next-generation site-specific ADC platform with novel linker that improves stability of ADCs in blood circulation, effectively prevents premature drug release, efficiently facilitates liberation of the drug at targeted tumor cells and ultimately shows significant improved therapeutic index.
Highlights of presentation:
- LCB’s novel next-generation site-specific ADC platform technology
- Proprietary plasma-stable cleavable liniker enabling cancer-specific release of payload
- Proprietary PBD prodrug payload technology for ADC
- Review preclinical POC data and other key data
- LCB’s ADC pipelines and future development
ADCs with high DAR, high targeting valence, and product homogeneity
Tse-Wen Chang, Ph.D.
CEO, Immunwork, Inc.
View Abstract
Immunwork is developing a “T-E” drug-design technology platform, which can be employed for creating a large variety of T-E drug molecules with both targeting and effector functions. The targeting and effector moieties of a T-E drug, which each carry one or more targeting and effector elements, respectively, are prepared separately and joined by click reaction. The T-E new drugs cover ADCs, bispecific antibodies, and other multi-functional molecules for potential applications in oncology, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, diabetes, etc. The ADCs have the following features:
- The molecular constructs are based on novel, patented multi-arm linker units.
- Cytotoxic drugs are prepared in “drug bundles” of multiple drug molecules and conjugated site-specifically to the targeting moiety.
- Targeting moiety can be IgG, IgG-like variants, or other constructs with 3 or 4 binding elements.
- Modular feature is suitable for precision medicine.
Evaluation of a Novel Single-use TFF Capsule
Yoshiaki Ogawa
Technology Manager for Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), Merck
View Abstract
Tangential flow filtration (TFF) is a mainstay of biopharmaceutical processing, allowing gentle and fast concentration / diafiltration of therapeutic proteins. The conventional TFF device is a cassette run in a stainless steel holder so far.
There is a growing demand for single-use disposable products within the biopharmaceutical industry device by the trend toward smaller batches, multi-use facilities, and faster development etc.
The single-use TFF device is ideally self-contained, pre-sterilized, and holder-less giving easier installation, faster operation, and safer removal which is increasing need of closed device for purification of product which has high potent API like ADC, biological hazard products as well.
This presentation introduces the novel single-use TFF capsule type device, the concept, and the performance with some studies.
Implementation of a Complete Single-use Production Process & Scale-up Case Study
Gang Yao, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist, Process and Analytical Development, Merck
View Abstract
With an expected high annual growth rate of the global antibody-drug conjugate (ADC)
market, it is essential that CMO’s have robust manufacturing platforms to ensure successful
transfer to GMP production. Single Use Technologies provide many advantages, including
improved safety, lower costs and greater flexibility. This poster will outline the advantages of a
Single Use Platform and give a case study of how it can be used to manufacture ADC projects.
Mobius® Technology Supporting ADC Processing
Siyi Liao
System Process Engineer, Manufacturing Sciences And Technology,
Merck
View Abstract
Merck offers a complete single-use portfolio for bioprocessing through its Mobius® product line. This presentation focuses on three of these technologies well suited for use in antibody drug conjugate production: mixers, chromatography, and TFF. Mobius® Mix provides low shear, gentle mixing, while Power Mix is a high performance mixer for rapid dissolution. The Mobius® FlexReady Solutions with SMART FlexwareTM assemblies for Chromatography and TFF are predesigned and optimized, using innovative SMART flow paths. Here we will show examples of performance data which helps explain the features and benefits of these single-use technologies.
Demonstration of Solvent Compatibility and Extractables Profile for Use of Mobius® Assemblies in ADC Processing
Takao Ito, Ph.D.
Head of Manufacturing Sciences & Technology (MSAT) Japan and Korea, Merck
View Abstract
Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are a class of biomolecules that has seen rapid growth as an oncology therapeutic. ADCs are comprised of three parts: monoclonal antibody (mAb), linker, and cytotoxic payload, where each component plays a role in therapeutic efficacy. The small molecule linker/payload is a highly potent, toxic agent that requires special consideration for safe handling and containment during conjugation and downstream processing. To address these concerns, many ADC manufacturing in stainless steel or glass to single-use poses concern, as the conjugation step commonly utilizes aqueous organic solvents. A better understanding of the compatibility with and extractables from materials of construction is needed to enable widespread adoption of single-use technologies in ADC processing. This poster provides an overview of study design and associated results for evaluation of compatibility and extractables using Mobius single-use assemblies in the presence of 20% DMSO or 20% DMAc.
Trends in Drug-linker Technologies: HPAPIs & activated PEGs
Matthias Jöhnck, Ph.D.
Senior Director, Head of Actives & Formulation, Research & Development, Merck
View Abstract
Activated Polyethylenglycols, aPEGs, are being coupled to many active pharmaceutical compounds to increase circulation times in human, to increase drug solubility and stability, and to overall increase patient compliance by reduced administration frequency. Pegylated linker payload constructs have been recently seen increased use in ADC development, as pegylation increases solubility and reduce potency. First patient dosages with pegylated MMAE has been recently reported. Challenges have been seen in the market by providing fast and reliable high quality aPEGs enabling consisting drug development from early phases through clinical phases and commercialization. Those challenges arise often from not well characterized product characteristics and definition of analytical methods and parameters. Examples of aPEG synthesis from small to full scale considering analytical and regulatory challenges will be addressed.
Tackling the Complex ADC Supply Chain: Best Practice Approach and Integrated Program Management Case Study
Latashuia Browning
Sr. Director & Head of Sales, Americas, Actives & Formulation, Merck
View Abstract
The complexity of the ADC supply chain can present challenges for originators looking to outsource the manufacture of their compound. There can be as many as 10 CMO’s involved in the process. This could present challenges in the transfer of information and add additional management responsibility to the originator. A well-functioning and integrated Program Management model within your ADC CMO business partners can lead to more efficient technology transfer within a CMO and between CMO’s and enhanced execution. This presentation will review best practices in successfully outsourcing ADC manufacture and testing and highlight how an integrated program management model can support that.