This exclusive event will bring together experts, investors, and biotech innovators to discuss the future of T-cell engagers, China’s impact on IO clinical research, and strategic pathways for novel immunotherapy advancements.

Schedule

8–8:30 am ET

Arrivals and Breakfast

8:30–8:35 am ET

Welcome, Objectives, Introduction & SITC Biotech Committee Update

James Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP – NCI
Zhen Su, MD, MBA – Marengo Therapeutics

8:35–9:05 a.m. ET

Navigating the Regulatory Framework for Novel IO Agents

Panel

• Considerations for complex, novel therapies
• How pharma companies are handling the current regulatory challenges
• Understanding the AI Framework for monoclonal antibody discovery
• What can we learn from engaging with entities outside the FDA like Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Exploring calls to action

Ke Liu, MD, PhD – Marengo Therapeutics
Amy McKee, MD – AstraZeneca
Harpreet Singh, MD – Precision for Medicine
Craig Tendler, MD – Tendler Biotech Consulting

Moderator: Brad Loncar, BBA – BiotechTV

9:05 a.m.–9:45 a.m. ET

Tour of the Floor + Bell Ringing

9:45 a.m.–10:10 a.m. ET

Keynote Presentation & Q+A

Market Fundamentals; What's driving Biotechs 

Philip Ross, MD – Jefferies

Moderator: Zhen Su, MD, MBA – Marengo Therapeutics

10:10 a.m.–11:25 a.m. ET

Current State of the Field

15 Minute Presentation from Dr. Graybosch + Panel Discussion

Trends and data in the IPO market

• Financing, investing, deal making of biotech innovation in immuno-oncology

Jeff Bockman, PhD – Lumanity
Eric J. Dimise, PhD – New York Stock Exchange
Daina M. Graybosch, PhD – Leerink Partners

Moderator: Alexandra Snyder, MD – Generate Biomedicines 

Current State of the Field

TCEs, Bi-specifics & Beyond: Understanding their rise

• How to improve the therapeutic index of these novel agents: including re-agents, next generation combination approaches, from ADCs to TCRs.

Arun Balakumaran, MD, PhD – Pfizer
Cedrik Britten, MD – Immatics
Jackson G. Egen, PhD – Gilead
Erik Knelson, MD, PhD – Merck
Pablo Martinez, MD, PhD – Amgen

Moderator: Beverly Lu, PhD – Yosemite 

Current State of the Field

Cell Therapy Inflection Points

• Explore strategies to reach meaningful clinical and financial turning points—from capital efficiency to scientific value

John E. Connolly, PhD – Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy
Ken Drazan, MD – Arsenal Biosciences
Palani Palaniappan, PhD – Flagship Pioneering
Andrew Scharenberg, MD – Umoja

Moderator: Kasia Urbanska, PhD – Bristol Myers Squibb

11:25 a.m.–1:10 p.m. ET

China's growing influence on the biotech industry: How can modern innovation address the challenge of finding a "needle in a haystack"?

Panel

Beyond "Me Too" biologics

• China is refining biologics with speed and sophistication. What can US-based biotech learn from China?

Kelly (Dingding) Shi, PhD, MBA – Jefferies
Leon 'Jun' Tang, PhD – InScienceWeTrust BioAdvisory
Lei Lei Wu – Endpoint News 
Bing Yuan, PhD – OnCusp Therapeutics

Moderator: Mark Cobbold, PhD – AstraZeneca

12 p.m.–12:30 p.m. ET

Break/Working Lunch

Panel

Cost-effective drug development & Operational Innovation

• The diverse panel of experts will provide a 360° view of AI, CMC acceleration, clinical trials, tech ops, and strategic partnerships.

Sherry Gu, PhD – WuXi Biologics
Palani Palaniappan, PhD – Flagship
Rui 'Sammi' Tang, PhD, MBA – Astellas
Heidi Zhang, PhD – Tune Therapeutics

Moderator: Geoffrey Kim, MD – Pi Health

Panel

PD-1/VEGF bispecifics

• The IO community can’t stop talking about the potential for PD1-VEGF bispecifics. Where do multi-specifics go next? Join a discussion on China’s ability to generate timely, high-quality data for global development efforts in this expanding area of scientific and clinical exploration.

Jane Healy, MD, PhD – Merck
Daina M. Graybosch, PhD – Leerink Partners  
Ellie Im, MD – Cresent Biopharma
Arati V. Rao, MD – Pfizer
Ryan Richardson – BioNTech

Moderator: Jim Reddoch, PhD – Royalty Pharma 

1:40 p.m.–2:10 p.m. ET

How can IO Biotechs realize value in today's market?

Panel
Q+A; Perspectives from VC, M&A, Strategic Transactions, Liquidity in Public Markets

Ryan Richardson – BioNTech 
Jim Reddoch – Royalty Pharma 
Svetlana Makhni, MBA – Marengo Therapeutics
Beverly Lu, PhD – Yosemite 
Francois Maisonrouge – Evercore Partners

Moderator: David Kaufman, MD, PhD – Third Rock Ventures 

2:10 p.m.–2:15 p.m. ET

Closing Remarks and Synthesis

Zhen Su, MD, MBA – Marengo Therapeutics

Registration Rates

Travel and Accommodations

All attendees and panelists are asked to arrange for their own travel and accommodations. There is no designated hotel block for this event. Registrants will be provided a list of recommended hotels with special NYSE rates.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Refund requests should be submitted in writing to the SITC office at events@sitcancer.org by June 13, 2025. A $25 processing fee will be charged for all paid registrations. All refunds will be processed within two weeks of receipt. No refunds will be granted if cancellation is received after June 13, 2025. 

Photography Policy and Meeting Code of Conduct 

You can read the SITC Photography Policy and Meeting Code of Conduct on the SITC Policies Page.

Covid-19 Measures

At SITC programs, our goal is to have a safe and meaningful in-person experience. SITC will refer to the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels to guide health precautions for in-person meetings. In addition, SITC strongly recommends that in-person meeting attendees take the following precautions: 

• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
• Take a rapid COVID test prior to attending a meeting and do not attend in person if you test positive
• Do not attend the meeting if you have symptoms that could be consistent with a “cold” or any other respiratory infection and leave the meeting if you develop such symptoms
• Wear a mask in crowded indoor settings
• Follow all health and safety protocols as required by SITC and local and state health departments
• Review current CDC and applicable local guidance for protecting yourself from COVID-19.

Attendees will have access to the meeting content online if they are unable to attend in person due to illness or a positive COVID test. For hybrid programs, attendees can change from in-person to online-only registration by contacting events@sitcancer.org.

Registered attendees will be notified in advance of any changes to precautions, recommendations or requirements for a SITC meeting.

Questions

If you have questions about this program, please contact education@sitcancer.org.