Targeting GPCR

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) because of their role in many medically-relevant pathways, are attractive targets for pharmacological modulation. Though many GPCR-targeted drugs are on the market, the complexities of GPCR signaling still make drug discovery against GPCRs a challenging endeavor. This meeting will cover efforts in discovering and developing compounds such as antibodies, allosteric modulators and biased agonists that modulate in non-traditional ways. These ligands have the potential of more precisely controlling receptor signaling and ultimately therapeutic effects. Join fellow drug discovery colleagues for the first ever meeting track at CHI’s World Preclinical Congress event focused on GPCRs.

Preliminary Agenda

ANTIBODIES FOR GPCRS

Targeting GPCR’s with Monoclonal Antibodies

Trevor Wilkinson, Ph.D., Associate Director, Protein Sciences, ADPE, MedImmune

Using StaR Proteins as Antigens to Generate Antibodies to GPCRs

Ali Jazayeri, Ph.D., Head of Protein Engineering, Heptares

BIOSENSORS AND LABEL-FREE ADVANCES

Development and Validation of Biosensors for GPCRs

Leroy Xavier, Ph.D., Project Leader and Promoter, Associate Director, Drug Discovery, Actelion Pharmaceuticals

SELECTIVE SIGNALING  

Novel Strategies for Biasing GPCR Signaling

Jeffrey L. Benovic, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University

Translating Bias; from the Bench to the Clinic

Conrad Cowan, Ph.D., Head of Biology, Trevena

Ligand Bias in the Interaction of Muscarinic M3 Receptor with a Regulator of G protein Signaling (RGS) complex, Gbeta5-RGS7

Vladlen Z. Slepak, Ph.D., Professor, Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, University of Miami

Positive Allosteric Modulators of Opioid Receptors

Neil Burford, Ph.D., Senior Research Investigator II, Leads Discovery and Optimization, Bristol-Myers Squibb

Putting a STOP: Structural Visualization of GPCR Desensitization

Arun Shukla, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology and Wellcome Trust/DBT Indian Alliance Intermediate Fellow

Systems Pharmacology links GPCRs with Retinal Degenerative Disorders

Krzysztof Palczewski, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University

For questions about the meeting, please contact:
Anjani Shah, Ph.D.
Conference Director
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
T: (+1) 723-0255
E: ashah@healthtech.com

For sponsorship and exhibit information, contact:
Joseph Vacca
Associate Director, Business Development
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
T: (+1) 781-972-5431
E: jvacca@healthtech.com