Characterization for Novel Biotherapeutics
Analytical Best Practices for Emerging Modalities
5/14/2026 - May 15, 2026 ALL TIMES EDT
Rapid innovation in biologics is driving an explosion of new modalities—from genetic medicines and cell therapies to radioconjugates, next-generation antibody–drug conjugates, and oligonucleotide- or peptide-based platforms. The Characterization for Novel Biotherapeutics conference will spotlight the analytical strategies, regulatory expectations, and quality frameworks needed to evaluate these complex products. Sessions will explore potency and release assays for RNA and gene-editing tools, comparability and CQA definition for living cell products, dosimetry and conjugation analytics for radiotherapies, and advances in linker, payload, and scaffold characterization for emerging conjugates. Attendees will gain insight into high-throughput and data-driven methods that accelerate development while addressing manufacturability, scalability, and cost-of-goods challenges. This program offers a comprehensive look at how cutting-edge analytics are enabling the next generation of therapeutics to reach patients safely and efficiently.

Sunday, May 10

Recommended Pre-Conference Short Course

SC5: Safety & Efficacy of Bispecifics and ADCs

*Separate registration required. See short course page for details.

Tuesday, May 12

Recomended Dinner Short Course

SC10: Best Practices and Advanced Applications for Label-Free Interaction Analysis in Therapeutic Antibody Discovery

*Separate registration required. See short course page for details.

Thursday, May 14

Registration Open

Entrepeneur Breakfast

Panel Moderator:

From Scientist to Start-Up: An Interactive Entrepreneurship Breakfast

Photo of Catharine Smith, Executive Director, Termeer Foundation , Executive Director , Termeer Foundation
Catharine Smith, Executive Director, Termeer Foundation , Executive Director , Termeer Foundation

Join us for an interactive breakfast conversation on the journey from scientist to entrepreneur, featuring founder, CSO, CEO, and investor perspectives. Panelists will share how they navigated the leap from postdoc to scientist to startup leadership, from securing initial funding and building teams to cultivating networks of mentors and advisors.

Transition to Sessions

Organizer's Remarks

NEXT-GENERATION CONJUGATES

Chairperson’s Remarks

Rachel Liuqing Shi, PhD, Principal Scientist, Genentech, Inc. , Principal Scientist , Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology , Genentech

Formulation Solutions for a Novel Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugate

Photo of Sima Rahimian, PhD, Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical Development, Roche , Senior Scientist , Pharmaceutical Development , Roche
Sima Rahimian, PhD, Senior Scientist, Pharmaceutical Development, Roche , Senior Scientist , Pharmaceutical Development , Roche

This presentation will describe the development of formulation strategies for a novel antibody-oligonucleotide conjugate, addressing the unique challenges posed by combining large-molecule and nucleic acid components. Topics include stabilization of the conjugate under physiological and storage conditions, mitigation of aggregation and degradation pathways, and analytical approaches used to characterize conjugation efficiency, stability, and potency, leading to a formulation optimized for manufacturability and clinical performance.

Bioanalysis of Novel Antibody and Conjugate Formats and Using Mass Spectrometry Approaches

Photo of Rachel Liuqing Shi, PhD, Principal Scientist, Genentech, Inc. , Principal Scientist , Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology , Genentech
Rachel Liuqing Shi, PhD, Principal Scientist, Genentech, Inc. , Principal Scientist , Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology , Genentech

Here, we present a fully automated multiplexed mass spectrometry assay that enables simultaneous quantitation of multiple antibodies in vivo, which has significantly reduced the number of animals required for in-life studies and accelerated antibody candidate selection. This automated platform is now being applied to biomarker quantitation, in vivo ADC conjugation site screening, and in vitro pharmacology studies of biotherapeutics.

Innovative Protein Conjugation Strategies Supporting Biotherapeutic and Genetic Medicine Drug Discovery

Photo of Ornella D. Nelson, PhD, Senior Scientist, Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine, AbbVie , Sr Scientist , Biologics , AbbVie Inc
Ornella D. Nelson, PhD, Senior Scientist, Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine, AbbVie , Sr Scientist , Biologics , AbbVie Inc

Chemical labeling of proteins is a key tool supporting biotherapeutic drug discovery, from initial discovery through development, enabling the capture, detection, and characterization of labeled proteins and their interacting partners. As therapeutics and their targets become increasingly complex, innovative conjugation strategies are needed. This presentation highlights tailored labeling approaches for generating and analyzing complex protein conjugates to support advances in drug discovery across multiple therapeutic areas.

Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

PLENARY FIRESIDE CHAT

Plenary Fireside Chat Introduction

Photo of Eric Smith, PhD, Executive Director, Bispecifics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , Executive Director , Bispecifics , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Eric Smith, PhD, Executive Director, Bispecifics, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. , Executive Director , Bispecifics , Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
How to Think about Designing Smart Biologics in the Age of GenAI: Integrating Biology, Technology, and Experience

Photo of Christopher J. Langmead, PhD, AI-Driven Molecular Design, Danaher Corporation , Vice President , AI-Driven Molecular Design , Danaher
Christopher J. Langmead, PhD, AI-Driven Molecular Design, Danaher Corporation , Vice President , AI-Driven Molecular Design , Danaher

Panelists:

Photo of Surge Biswas, PhD, Founder & CEO, Nabla Bio, Inc. , Founder & CEO , Nabla Bio Inc
Surge Biswas, PhD, Founder & CEO, Nabla Bio, Inc. , Founder & CEO , Nabla Bio Inc
Photo of Rebecca Croasdale-Wood, PhD, Senior Director, Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design, Biologics Engineering, Oncology, AstraZeneca , Senior Director Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design , Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design , AstraZeneca
Rebecca Croasdale-Wood, PhD, Senior Director, Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design, Biologics Engineering, Oncology, AstraZeneca , Senior Director Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design , Augmented Biologics Discovery & Design , AstraZeneca
Photo of Joshua Meier, Co-Founder & CEO, Chai Discovery , Cofounder & CEO , Chai Discovery
Joshua Meier, Co-Founder & CEO, Chai Discovery , Cofounder & CEO , Chai Discovery
Photo of Maria Wendt, PhD, Global Head (Vice President) of Digital and Biologics Strategy and Innovation, Large Molecule Research, Novel Modalities, Synthetic Biology and AI, Sanofi , Global Head and Vice President , Digital and Biologics Strategy and Innovation , Sanofi
Maria Wendt, PhD, Global Head (Vice President) of Digital and Biologics Strategy and Innovation, Large Molecule Research, Novel Modalities, Synthetic Biology and AI, Sanofi , Global Head and Vice President , Digital and Biologics Strategy and Innovation , Sanofi

Networking Luncheon in the Exhibit Hall and Last Chance for Poster Viewing

GENETIC AND CELLULAR THERAPIES

Chairperson’s Remarks

Ornella D. Nelson, PhD, Senior Scientist, Biotherapeutics & Genetic Medicine, AbbVie , Sr Scientist , Biologics , AbbVie Inc

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Revolutionizing Technologies for RNA Analytical Workflows: Academic versus BioPharma Strategies

Photo of Anubhav Tripathi, PhD, Professor, Engineering & Medical Sciences, Brown University , Professor , Engineering & Medical Sciences , Brown University
Anubhav Tripathi, PhD, Professor, Engineering & Medical Sciences, Brown University , Professor , Engineering & Medical Sciences , Brown University

Innovations in RNA analytical technologies are rapidly transforming how researchers characterize structure, integrity, and critical quality attributes of RNA-based therapeutics. This presentation will compare academic and biopharma strategies for deploying emerging workflows, from advanced separation and sequencing methods to automation and data-analytics platforms. Case studies will highlight differences in scalability, regulatory alignment, and resource models, offering insight into how diverse approaches can accelerate robust RNA characterization and development.

Mass Photometry Method Development for Viral Vector Characterization

Photo of Anastasiia Vasiukhina-Martin, PhD, Advisor, BRD Analytical Development, Eli Lilly and Company , Advisor-BRD Analytical Development , Analytical Development , Eli Lilly and Company
Anastasiia Vasiukhina-Martin, PhD, Advisor, BRD Analytical Development, Eli Lilly and Company , Advisor-BRD Analytical Development , Analytical Development , Eli Lilly and Company

Mass photometry (MP) has emerged as a powerful tool for rapid, label-free viral vector characterization on a single-molecule level, and has potential for future GMP adoption. However, significant work is needed to overcome current limitations and ensure robustness in regulated environments. This talk will focus on method development and discuss broader challenges and opportunities that could shape MP’s future as a reliable tool in gene therapy analytics and beyond.

Optimizing an Immunoprecipitation Mass Spectrometry Workflow for Enrichment of Surface Proteins: Applications to Surrogate CAR T Cells

Photo of Nicolle Serrano SantoDomingo, Senior Scientist, Novartis , Senior Scientist , Novartis
Nicolle Serrano SantoDomingo, Senior Scientist, Novartis , Senior Scientist , Novartis

CAR T cells are engineered T cells expressing a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) on the cellular surface. CARs allow the T cell to engage an antigen on tumor cells and activate downstream signaling that leads to destruction of the tumor cell. Surface expression of the CAR is critical for therapeutic efficacy, but often differences in efficacy are observed between constructs that show similar surface expression. We developed a workflow using immunoprecipitation of the CAR from the cell surface to characterize the CAR itself and cellular surface proteins that could be affecting CAR activity by using  LC-MS (IP-MS) to gain insights.

Networking Refreshment Break

Isotopically-Labeled Carriers to Enhance Recovery Yields and Limit of Detection for siRNA Therapeutics

Photo of Megha Chandrashekhar, PhD, Senior Scientist, Amgen Inc. , Principal Scientist , Amgen Inc
Megha Chandrashekhar, PhD, Senior Scientist, Amgen Inc. , Principal Scientist , Amgen Inc

Isotopically-labeled carriers offer an approach to improve the quantification and recovery of siRNA therapeutics. This presentation explores how labeled molecules offer the potential to enhance assay sensitivity, increase recovery yields, and lower limits of detection across complex biological matrices. Case studies will demonstrate applications across various in vitro and in vivo matrices as applied to pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies, highlighting how these tools accelerate development of next-generation RNA-based therapeutics.

Ultra-Rapid CAR T Development: Innovative Strategies for a 1-Day, Non-Activated Product

Photo of Saba Ghassemi, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Pathology & Lab Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania , Research Asst Prof Pathology & Lab Medicine , Ctr for Cellular Immunotherapies , Univ of Pennsylvania
Saba Ghassemi, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, Pathology & Lab Medicine, Center for Cellular Immunotherapies, University of Pennsylvania , Research Asst Prof Pathology & Lab Medicine , Ctr for Cellular Immunotherapies , Univ of Pennsylvania

Ultra-rapid, non-activated CAR T manufacturing offers a paradigm shift, generating potent cell products within a single day. I will present principles underlying this streamlined workflow, approaches for product characterization, and its implications for decentralized or point-of-care deployment. This emerging platform provides a path toward same-day engineering while maintaining product quality and translational feasibility.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Analytical Control Strategies and Characterization Approaches for Co-Formulated Biologics

Photo of Joseph Valente, Associate Scientific Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb , Principal Scientist , Analytical & Bioanalytical Dev , Bristol Myers Squibb Co
Joseph Valente, Associate Scientific Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb , Principal Scientist , Analytical & Bioanalytical Dev , Bristol Myers Squibb Co

This presentation highlights key industry trends for co-formulated fixed-dose combination biologic products. We address analytical and characterization challenges, focusing on how the number, identity, and ratio of combined molecules impact control strategies. Practical insights will be illustrated with case studies sourced from recent clinical trials and literature, emphasizing key questions and considerations for bringing these innovative products to patients.

Close of Day

Friday, May 15

Registration Open

INTERACTIVE ROUNTABLE DISCUSSIONS

Interactive Roundtable Discussions with Continental Breakfast

Interactive Roundtable Discussions are informal, moderated discussions, allowing participants to exchange ideas and experiences and develop future collaborations around a focused topic. Each discussion will be led by a facilitator who keeps the discussion on track and the group engaged. To get the most out of this format, please come prepared to share examples from your work, be a part of a collective, problem-solving session, and participate in active idea sharing. Please visit the Interactive Roundtable Discussions page on the conference website for a complete listing of topics and descriptions.

Presentation to be Announced

RESEARCH TOOLS AND EMERGING MODALITIES

Chairperson’s Remarks

Nicolle Serrano SantoDomingo, Senior Scientist, Novartis , Senior Scientist , Novartis

Characterization Challenges for Novel Antibody Constructs

Photo of Laura Kingsley, Principal Scientist, Biotherapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim , Principal Scientist , Biotherapeutics , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG
Laura Kingsley, Principal Scientist, Biotherapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim , Principal Scientist , Biotherapeutics , Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co KG

The emergence of multispecifics and complex formats in the biologics space has led to unique challenges for characterization pipelines, especially high-throughput, small scale platforms that have been tailored to IgG discovery. This presentation will discuss limitations of high-throughput platforms in the context of multispecifics along with strategic and technical approaches to navigate these challenges. Additionally, we will discuss how carefully-selected lower throughput experiments can facilitate high-throughput outcomes.

Biophysical Characterization of New Modalities

Photo of Daniela M. Tomazela, PhD, Senior Director, Protein Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences Inc. , Senior Director , Protein Therapeutics , Gilead Sciences Inc
Daniela M. Tomazela, PhD, Senior Director, Protein Therapeutics, Gilead Sciences Inc. , Senior Director , Protein Therapeutics , Gilead Sciences Inc

The development of complex molecular formats is expanding our ability to engineer biological systems and enabling new mechanisms of action. However, advancing these complex biologics may presents significant challenges, making it essential to identify and engineer critical molecular features early in the research stage. This presentation highlights strategies for the biophysical characterization of novel molecular entities, with a focus on integrating experimental and predictive data to accelerate lead identification and molecule optimization.

Modeling ADCs and Bispecific Antibodies for High-Concentration Developability Prediction

Photo of Pin-Kuang Lai, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology , Dr , Chemical Engineering and Materials Science , Stevens Institute of Technology
Pin-Kuang Lai, PhD, Assistant Professor, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology , Dr , Chemical Engineering and Materials Science , Stevens Institute of Technology

High-concentration formulations for emerging modalities such as antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) and bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) frequently encounter viscosity and aggregation challenges that limit manufacturability and subcutaneous delivery. We present an integrated multiscale modeling framework to predict developability at elevated concentrations. This approach supports early risk assessment, reveals sequence- and domain-level determinants of undesired behavior, and guides the rational engineering and screening of next-generation ADCs and bsAbs.

Networking Coffee Break

Bioanalytical Strategy Considerations for T Cell Engagers

Damien Fink, PhD, Director, Oncology Integrated Bioanalysis, AstraZeneca , Director , Oncology Integrated Bioanalysis , AstraZeneca

Developing a bioanalytical strategy for T cell engaging (TCE) therapeutics requires coordinated evaluation of pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and engagement of target and effector cells. An integrated approach enables robust pharmacodynamic inputs to support PK/PD modeling and decision-making. This presentation outlines critical considerations and practical frameworks for designing comprehensive, fit-for-purpose bioanalytical strategies for TCE programs.

Control Strategies Tailored for Multispecifics

Photo of Wenqin Ni, PhD, Senior Principal Scientist, Analytical Research and Development, Pfizer , Sr Principal Scientist , Analytical R&D , Pfizer Inc
Wenqin Ni, PhD, Senior Principal Scientist, Analytical Research and Development, Pfizer , Sr Principal Scientist , Analytical R&D , Pfizer Inc

This presentation provides an overview of multispecific therapeutic development from early molecular design through clinical evaluation to commercial approval. It highlights unique quality attributes including homodimer formation and heavy/light chain mispairing, and the criticality assessment. The control strategies to mitigate these product-related impurities will be discussed. Key topics include molecule design, manufacturing process control, specification setting, analytical method development, and characterization tools. Additionally, regulatory feedback will be discussed.

mRNA Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation, Characterization, and Evaluation

Photo of Sabiruddin Mirza, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Harvard University , Sr. Research Fellow , Harvard University
Sabiruddin Mirza, PhD, Senior Research Associate, Harvard University , Sr. Research Fellow , Harvard University

Messenger RNA–lipid nanoparticle (mRNA–LNP) therapeutics have transformed modern medicine, yet achieving consistent formulation quality and rapid characterization remains a major challenge. Here, we present a microfluidic-assisted platform for precise, scalable, and reproducible mRNA–LNP formulation. This system enables real-time monitoring of particle size, encapsulation efficiency, and stability under controlled flow conditions, bridging formulation science with advanced analytics. Our approach minimizes batch variability, accelerates process optimization, and supports regulatory-compliant manufacturing of next-generation mRNA therapeutics. 

Close of Summit


For more details on the conference, please contact:

Kent Simmons

Senior Conference Director

Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Phone: 207-329-2964

Email: ksimmons@healthtech.com

 

For sponsorship information, please contact:

Companies A-K

Jason Gerardi

Sr. Manager, Business Development

Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Phone: 781-972-5452

Email: jgerardi@healthtech.com

 

Companies L-Z

Ashley Parsons

Manager, Business Development

Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Phone: 781-972-1340

Email: ashleyparsons@healthtech.com


Register

View By:


Premier Sponsors

FairJourneyBiologics GenScript-CRO Integral-Molecular_NEW   Nona_Biosciences_NEW