8:00 am Check In & Morning Refreshments

8:25 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Mastering Suprachoroidal Delivery to Increase Distribution & Durability

8:30 am Expanding the Potential of the Suprachoroidal Space in Retinal Therapy

Synopsis

  • Evaluating the durability of delivering drugs suprachoroidal to the macula
  • Enhancing drug formulation for successful suprachoroidal delivery
  • Updating on phase 3 clinical trial developments

9:00 am Considering Non-Invasive Administration of Medications for Retinal Diseases : a Mechanism of Action Perspective

Synopsis

  • Understanding the process for delivering drugs to the retina
  • Delving into mechanism of action and delivery constraints – the dose and the metabolic variables
  • Clarifying preclinical and clinical endpoints – from diverging to converging variables

9:30 am Morning Break

Comparing of Existing Ophthalmic Models Approaches to Supercharge Development

10:30 am Utilizing Preclinical & Computational Models for Predicting Human Ophthalmic Drug Behavior

Synopsis

  • Comparing existing rodent, pig, and rabbit models
  • Troubleshooting species differences with ocular models to optimize delivery translation
  • Addressing the gaps in the current models and applying computational methods for predicting PK/PD

11:00 am Roundtable Discussion: Finding the Ideal Combination of Formulation & Device for Optimal Ocular Delivery

Synopsis

A more practical and highly interactive breakout roundtable session where attendees can crowd-source solutions and

share opinions on pre-assigned topic areas:

  • Topical – How can topical treatments duration and penetration be extended?
  • Injection – Strategies for optimizing with intravitreal, subretinal, and suprachoroidal injections
  • Implant – Key design consideration for intraocular implants to ensure sustained drug release

Moderator Feedback & Audience Debate

Moderators will be assigned to each roundtable to facilitate discussion and collate the findings. Following the

roundtable discussions, they will present back to the entire delegation and open wider audience debate.

12:00 pm Lunch

Delivery Effective Cell & Gene Therapies to the Eye to Halt Vision Loss

1:00 pm Optimizing Current Suprachoroidal & Subretinal Delivery of AAV Gene Therapies

  • Kim Irwin-Pack Executive Director - Drug Delivery & Training, REGENXBIO

Synopsis

Reviewing the future landscape and the ideal delivery mechanisms to the suprachoroidal and subretinal spaces

1:30 pm Enhancing Cell & Gene Therapies With Advanced Hydrogel Platforms

Synopsis

  • Characterizing how hydrogel platforms impact localization and phenotype of injected cells
  • Engineering formulations to improve cell viability
  • Detailing the potential for tissue regeneration

2:00 pm Exploring Disease Indication & Endpoint Selection for Ophthalmic Gene Therapy Trials to Unlock Optimal Results

  • Peter Francis Chief Scientific & Medical Officer, Ray Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Showcasing how to replicate LUXTERNA results in subsequent RPE65 gene therapies
  • Identifying the ideal volume and best vehicle
  • Evaluating promotor usage, injection point and AAV virus formulation

2:30 pm Afternoon Break

Innovations with Topical & Oral Medications & the Path to Regulatory Success

3:30 pm Considering Systemic Administration of PPARalpha Agonist for the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy & AMD

  • Jian-Xing Ma Professor of Biochemistry, Wake Forest University

Synopsis

  • Understanding PPARa as a drug target for diabetic retinopathy
  • Exploring novel non-fibrate PPARalpha agonists with higher potency and selectivity for PPARalpha agonism
  • Demonstrating the effects on retinal degeneration, inflammation and neovascularization in diabetic and AMD animal models

4:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks & End of Conference