What Do Next Generation of Immunotherapies Need to Look Like to Move the Needle?

The frenzy of deals around IO programs and companies has led to what could be referred to as “BD outpacing science.” That might be said too of the combination trials that have displayed varied results, with a few showing clear benefit, some being outright failures and some promising but not definitive signs of efficacy. These results, while not exactly slowing the IO gold rush, have somewhat tempered enthusiasm and perhaps led to a certain maturing in dealmaking, as seen by the shifting to more back loaded terms. Which is all by way of framing the context of the macroenvironment, which now begs the question of where will the next big shift come from in immunotherapy. This podcast, recorded at the 2020 IO360° Summit, will tie together discussion on scientific, translational and business development considerations into the latest thinking on strategizing development in IO that will impact collaborations and investment decision making. Discussion points: Will it be innovative cell therapies, vaccines against neoantigens, or the next wave of oncolytic viruses?Will it be known targets with better approaches to modulating them like TGF-beta, A2AR/CD73, even CTLA-4?Will it be novel targets and pathways targeting transcription or hitting new TNF superfamily members, or new approaches to modulate the TME “bad actors” like MDSCs, CAFs, TAMs, TANs and Tregs? Moderated by: Jeffrey Bockman, PhD, Cello Health BioConsulting Panelists: Jennifer Buell, PhD, Agenus Bio Charles Drake, MD, PhD, Columbia University Medical Center Asthika Goonewardene, MBA, SunTrust Robinson Humphrey Michael King Jr, Fortress Biotech Emmett Schmidt, MD, PhD, Merck Research Labs To learn more about the upcoming 2021 IO360° Summit, please visit www.io360summit.com