Expanded Coverage at PepTalk 2014 Includes Antibody Optimization and Biopharm Manufacturing

NEEDHAM, Mass. - Sept. 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Cambridge Healthtech Institute (CHI) is excited to announce its 13th Annual PepTalk: The Protein Science Week event taking place January 13-17, 2014 in Palm Springs, California. PepTalk is a key meeting place for leaders in biotherapeutics and a frequently used platform for major announcements.

PepTalk has experienced record attendance over the past three years, and delivers an international delegation of over 1,200 participants. Its continued growth and success is due to its high-quality scientific programming, expanded exhibit hall, and ample networking opportunities.

The PepTalk event now offers seven topic-focused pipelines, comprised of eighteen conferences, expanding coverage from upstream engineering and discovery research to downstream production. And, now offers introductory-level training seminars to help you learn more about the fundamentals of a specific topic.

Pipeline 1: Antibody Optimization and Development (New!)

With biologic drugs becoming more prominent in the marketplace, antibody researchers are now turning their attention to new indications, improved targeting, new formats and products that are truly differentiated relative to competitors. The new Antibody Optimization and Development pipeline offers a valuable, weeklong exploration of state-of-the-art approaches for improving the fundamental quality and efficacy of therapeutic antibodies - and for maximizing their potential as marketed drug products.

Pipeline 2: Protein and Antibody Therapeutics

The world of protein-based therapeutics is explored, from novel constructs to enhanced in vivo effects addressing antibodies and recombinant protein therapeutics. The varied designs of fusion proteins will be addressed along with their development and clinical data. Antibody-drug conjugates will then be discussed, including linker technologies, specificity and enhancing properties. Finally, the discussion turns to bispecifics, and how to create effective, multispecific antibodies that conquer cancer and other maladies. Throughout the week, the Protein and Antibody Therapeutics pipeline showcases the array of therapeutics under development and their data of efficacy.

Pipeline 3: Formulation and Stability

As the industry works to optimize the biotherapeutic development process, the formulation function must now play an earlier role in the pipeline, assisting with the selection and optimization of molecules with improved developability. The popular Formulation and Stability pipeline presents case studies of the latest tools, technologies and approaches related to the progression of biologics from research into high-quality product formats.

Pipeline 4: Delivery and Packaging

The complexity and sensitivity of biologic drugs present a set of unique challenges related to their packaging, storage and delivery, requiring drug developers to consider the impacts of materials, temperature, mechanical stresses and time. The Delivery and Packaging pipeline is a focused examination of how to consider and best control these factors in the development of safe, patient-friendly biotherapeutics.

Pipeline 5: Expression and Production

The demand for high-quality biotherapeutics has never been greater. Higher-throughput protein expression, production and purification as well as more flexible expression systems and techniques are necessary to meet the demands for both biotherapeutic research and manufacturing pipelines. The Expression and Production pipeline explores the newest data, innovations and strategies to make the expression of therapeutic proteins more efficient, effective and trouble-free.

Pipeline 6: Purification and Aggregation

How to overcome proteins’ challenging nature and achieve purified proteins? Begin by optimizing the processes of protein purification, then explore how to develop methods that translate into scale-up, including test usage, modeling and automation. Throughout the week, the Purification and Aggregation pipeline highlights analytical tools and methods for detecting protein aggregation in the quest for solubility and manufacturability.

Pipeline 7: Manufacturing and Facilities (New!)

Single-use technologies have been widely acknowledged as enablers of continuous processing and flexible, modular facilities that will help increase throughput, reduce turnover time, facilitate multiproduct manufacturing and allow replication in multiple locations. At the same time, extractables and leachables and toxicological-biochemical challenges must be addressed as part of the validation process for these new systems and facilities to ensure the safe manufacture of efficacious biopharmaceuticals. The Manufacturing and Facilities pipeline reviews the technologies, processes and hurdles that need to be overcome to launch the biopharmaceutical industry’s facilities of the future.

PepTalk is designed to let you create your own agenda by track hopping and choosing the sessions that best fit your research and networking needs. Additional networking opportunities will be available through BuzZ Session discussion groups, panel discussions, short courses, and dedicated exhibit
hall and poster viewing hours.

PepTalk is more than just a conference, it’s a community dedicated to the evolving field and future of biotherapeutics. Whether this is your first time attending PepTalk or you’re a returning participant, you’ll enjoy a week of innovative presentations given by researchers on the forefront of biologics. Collaborate with leading scientists and academics, and experience the history and wealth of activities in Palm Springs, California, the ultimate destination for outdoor adventure, arts and culture, gaming and entertainment.

To find out more information, visit http://www.CHI-PepTalk.com

For exhibit and sponsorship opportunities, contact:
Carol Dinerstein, Director, Business Development
Phone:  781-972-5471
Email:  dinerstein@healthtech.com