The framework of IO-ACT will focus on three key pillars:
This proposed inaugural effort in 2026 will focus on the new generation of bispecific immunotherapies targeting PD-1 and VEGF which has emerged as a priority class of therapies. It is estimated that 30–50 Phase III trials are or will initiate over the next two years.
Collectively, these studies may exceed $20–30 billion in cost of development, and with multiple academic and industry groups advancing similar agents into clinical trials, the field faces increasing risks of redundancy, inefficiency, and regulatory uncertainty.
IO-ACT will serve as a launch point for practical conversations on how the field can collaborate at a pre-competitive level towards ensuring success for all involved stakeholders and cancer patients. Discussions will focus on addressing modality-specific barriers to access within the pre- and post-approval settings.
Schedule subject to change. Session time slots are being finalized.
IO-ACT would result in an executive summary that details the outcomes from each panel discussion. These panels will be geared towards actionable next steps and priorities for the field/SITC that can best drive towards better development and access. Examples of actionable outcomes could include educational materials, toxicity guidelines, and/or control arm pilot projects. Generated concepts can serve as a foundational material for future conversations with involved stakeholders on how SITC can best support the field.
As an invitation-only event, SITC will not recruit an audience to this event. The stakeholders invited will include companies with active pipelines in area of focus. Strategic invites will include industry (Pfizer, BMS, Merck, BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Summit, etc.), CROs, biotech, diagnostic companies, disease experts (lung, CRC, breast) and FDA and key regulators. Faculty may be invited to bring a fellow or student with them to the event.
As an invitation only event, this is not a traditional educational program with learning objectives. However, the program will result with an executive summary.
