From Target to Therapy: Innovation in Immunology and Inflammation
Join the Crick Science Entrepreneur Network for an evening exploring how cutting-edge immunology research is translated from scientific targets into clinical therapies.
Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and significant therapeutic advances have been made as our understanding of the immune system has deepened. Yet, major unmet needs remain.
This event brings together leaders from academia, pharma, biotech, and investment to examine unmet needs, emerging targets, novel therapeutic modalities, and the approaches needed to accelerate impact in Immunology and Inflammation.
Powered by ARIA and Renaissance Philanthropy, this event is designed to spark collaboration across the immunology ecosystem—from discovery to the clinic.
Programme Overview
17:00 – 17:30 | Arrival & Registration
17:30 – 17:45 | Opening Remarks
Tessa Swanton & Vasanthanarayan Murugesan CSEN
Aayush Chadha ARIA
Opening Keynote (17:45 – 18:10)
"Translational Medicine - A Simultaneous Equation in Drug Development"
Kaivan Khavandi
Senior Vice President/R&D Head of Respiratory, Immunology & Inflammation, and Head of Translational & Development Sciences, GSK
Founder Flash Talks (18:10 – 18:30)
Rapid-fire pitches from innovative biotech companies developing next-generation therapeutics in the Immunology and Inflammation space.
Stealth Start-Up, Wioleta Zelek, Karim Amer, Tamas Laufer, Cagla Kaya
Eidolon Therapeutics, Sunny Park, Qiyun Zhong
Adendra Therapeutics, Raj Mehta
TernaryTx, Naail Kashif-Khan
Panel Discussion (18:30 – 19:30)
The Future of Innovation in Immunology & Inflammation: Translational Opportunities, Advances and Challenges
A cross-sector discussion on the future of immunology innovation, featuring leaders from academia, pharma, biotech, and venture:
Brian Wang – Programme Director, Sculpting Innate Immunity, ARIA
Kerstin Papenfuss – Director of Pharma, Deep Science Ventures
Jason Goldstein – General Partner & Co-Founder, NG Bio
Raj Mehta - Co-Founder & CEO, Adendra Therapeutics
Wioleta Zelek - Co-Founder, Acionna Therapeutics, & Senior Research Fellow/UK-DRI Emerging Leader, Cardiff University
19:30 – 20:30 | Networking, Nibbles & Drinks