De-risking the Path to the Clinic: From NAMs and Translational Biomarkers to Better Clinical Decisions
Biopôle is delighted to partner with Evotec and its subsidiary Cyprotex on the following seminar.
De-risking the Path to the Clinic: From NAMs and Translational Biomarkers to Better Clinical Decisions
This interactive seminar will focus on human-relevant New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and translational biomarkers can be integrated to increase prediction of human outcome, support better informed decisions and design smarter first-in-human and early clinical studies.
On 5 November 2026, Senior experts from Evotec Paul Walker, Elizabeth van der Kam and Paula Tocchetti (Evotec) will focus on the following topics:
Early de-risking with NAMS: How NAMs (3D microtissues, organoids, organ-on-chip and other in vitro systems) can help early safety decisions, identify mechanisms specific risks and derisk molecules while improving the human relevance of preclinical data
Translational and predictive biomarkers: selecting the right patients, monitoring safety and target engagement, and reading early efficacy signals from first-in-human studies
Turning early data into clinical decisions: integrating PK-PD modelling, NAM and biomarker data to design smarter early clinical studies
Three short expert talks (about 15 minutes each) built on case studies and practical key learnings rather than service presentations. An open Q&A and discussion with all speakers, where participants are welcome to bring questions from their own programmes. A light lunch and networking follows. From 2:00 to 5:00 pm, Evotec experts are available for confidential 1:1 meetings, also open to Biopôle members who cannot attend the seminar.
Biotech companies and start-ups at discovery, preclinical or early clinical stage working on all modalities (small molecules, proteins and antibodies, peptides, oligonucleotides/RNA, ADCs, cell and gene therapies and other novel modalities), across oncology, immunology, rare diseases and other therapeutic areas.
Roles: founders and CEOs, CSOs and heads of R&D, translational, preclinical/toxicology and clinical development leads, regulatory and project leaders. Also relevant for academic and translational researchers on campus (e.g. CHUV, UNIL, Ludwig Cancer Research) preparing programmes for the clinic.
Agenda
12:15 – Welcome and introduction (Biopôle and Evotec)
12:20 – De-risking early with NAMs – Paul Walker, Cyprotex-Evotec
12:35 – From Biomarkers to Better Decisions: Aiming for Precision Medicine – Elizabeth van der Kam, Evotec
12:50 – From early data to clinical and regulatory strategy – Paola Tocchetti, Evotec
13:05 – Q&A and panel discussion with all speakers
13:15 – Light lunch and networking
14:00-17:00 – 1:1 meetings with Evotec experts (on request)
Speakers
Speaker 1: Paul Walker, VP, Head of Toxicology and Innovation Efficiency
Paul Walker is VP, Head of Toxicology and Innovation Efficiency at Cyprotex, Evotec's ADME-Tox division, where he leads R&D strategy, operations and project management across the Toxicology and Permeability & Transporter groups. He joined Evotec in 2010 and holds a PhD in Molecular Toxicology from King's College London. His team develops and evaluates novel cellular systems, including New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), and modelling approaches that integrate ADME, PK, omics and in vitro data to better predict human toxicity.
Speaker 2: Elizabeth van der Kam, SVP Precision Medicine and HSM
Elizabeth van der Kam is SVP, Precision medicine and Humans Sample management at Evotec where she leads a global department focussed on the discovery and development of biomarkers for any therapeutic area or drug modality. She joined Evotec in 2018 and holds in PhD in Neuropharmacology from the Medical University Nijmegen (NL). Before joining Evotec, she worked in large Pharma as Project Director in Neuroscience translating drug discovery project to clinical success.
Speaker 3: Paola Tocchetti, Clinical and Regulatory Advisor Evotec
Paola Tocchetti, MSc, is an independent Global Regulatory & Clinical Development Strategy Advisor with over 36 years of international pharmaceutical experience. She has held senior leadership roles in Regulatory Affairs and Clinical Development, supporting innovative medicines, biologics, biosimilars and orphan drugs. Her expertise spans early development, regulatory strategy, clinical development planning and health authority interactions. She helps biotech and pharmaceutical companies turn development programmes into successful regulatory pathways and patient access worldwide.
About Evotec
Evotec is a life science company driving innovation in drug discovery and development. Combining cutting-edge science, AI-driven innovation, and proprietary technologies such as PanOmics and iPSC, we accelerate the journey from concept to cure. With tailored partnering models, we serve Top 20 Pharma, biotechs, academia, and healthcare stakeholders. Through Just – Evotec Biologics, we also advance next-gen biologics manufacturing. Evotec operates globally with around 4,500 experts at synergistic sites in Europe and the U.S. For more information, visit www.evotec.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X/Twitter @Evotec.