Unlocking the Brain: Innovations in CNS Drug Discovery and Translational Strategies
Join us for an exclusive thought leadership interview with Emma Mead, Chief Scientific Officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, Oxford Drug Discovery Institute. Engage in conversations on advances in CNS shuttle technologies and translational approaches that bridge research with clinical applications. Following this, hear from a leading panel of experts from Roche, Newcastle University and the SM Discovery Group as they discuss the latest approaches to CNS drug delivery and neurodegenerative therapeutics- all in this 1-hour virtual session.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
1.30pm Thought Leader Interview with Emma Mead
2.00pm Panel Discussion: Innovative Approaches to CNS Drug Delivery and Neurodegenerative Therapeutics
- How CNS shuttle technologies are revolutionising drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier
- Emerging therapeutic targets and translational strategies in Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative disease
- Opportunities & challenges of academic-industry partnerships in advancing CNS drug discovery
Biography:
Emma Mead is a neuroinflammation expert and scientific leader with a background in early drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Emma currently serves as the Chief Scientific Officer of the Alzheimer’s Research UK Oxford Drug Discovery Institute. Her group works to identify and develop therapeutic strategies for novel targets implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and CNS disorders.
PANELLISTS
- S Moein Moghimi, Professor of Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Newcastle University, UK
- Shadi Farhangrazi, Chief Executive Officer, S. M. Discovery Group (SMDG)
Designing Next Gen Biomaterials: Peptide Hydrogels in 3D Culture & Regenerative Platforms
Join us for an exclusive thought leadership interview with Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering, Associate Dean for Business Engagement & Innovation, and Chief Scientific Officer of Unit M at the University of Manchester. Hear her insights into how peptide-based hydrogels are transforming 3D cell culture and regenerative medicine. Then, listen to a leading panel of experts from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, Nestle and the European University of Cyprus uncover the challenges of animal-free innovation in organoids & 3D cell culture.
AGENDA OVERVIEW
1.30pm Thought Leader Interview with Aline Miller
2.00pm Panel Discussion: Advancing Drug Discovery: Animal-Free Innovation in Organoids & 3D Cell Culture
- Redefining the Matrix: Replacing animal-derived scaffolds with synthetic, peptide-based hydrogels for reproducible, ethical organoid culture.
- From Serum to Standards: Transitioning to chemically defined, xeno-free reagents to enhance translational relevance and regulatory compliance.
- Towards Scalable Biology: Enabling industrialisation of organoid systems through animal-free 3D bio fabrication and quality-controlled workflows
Biography:
Aline Miller is Professor of Biomolecular Engineering, Chief Scientific Officer of Unit M and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation within the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester. Her research investigates the self-assembly of peptides, proteins, and polymers, from molecular structure through to functional materials, for applications in regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
PANELLISTS
- Maryna Panamarova, Cellular Modelling Specialist, Cellular Operations, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus
- Andy Wiranata Wijaya, BioProcess Development Lead, Nestle
- Vasiliki Kalodimou, Assistant Professor Dr/Director, Flow Cytometry-Research & Regenerative Medicine, EUC Frankfurt Branch