RNATX 2024
A fully booked second Summit welcomed more than 200 registered participants to Bern.
Keynote speakers
Paul Nioi
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals · RNAi therapeutics in neurological diseases
Martin Jinek
University of Zurich · CRISPR genome editors and therapeutic applications
Program
Open a session to view its speakers and details.
08:30 Welcome coffee
09:15 Opening remarks & welcome address
Carsten Laue · Hugues Abriel, Vice-Rector, University of Bern
09:30 Keynote I · Paul Nioi
“New frontiers for RNAi therapeutics in neurological diseases”
10:10 Translational academic talks
Volker Thiel · Arka Banerjee · Özgür Genç · Bogdan Mateescu · Jan Nelis
11:25 Coffee break
11:55 Panel · Breaking down barriers for translation
Daniel Blessing · Mathias Frederiksen · Raluca Flükiger · Roland Martin
Moderator: Ramesh Pillai
12:25 Company presentations I
Agnese Pisano · Klaas Zuideveld · Daniel Blessing
12:45 Lunch, poster session & networking
14:00 Keynote II · Martin Jinek
“CRISPR genome editors: mechanisms, engineering and therapeutic applications”
14:40 Young scientists career talks
Florian Aeschimann · Christian Berk · Nana Diarra dit Konté · Deni Subasic
15:00 RNA therapeutics landscape
Sonja Merkas · “Navigating the Science, Manufacturing, and Market Dynamics”
15:10 Panel · Communication
Rainer Borer · Therese Lüthi · Steve Pascolo · Volker Thiel
Moderator: Dominik Theler
15:40 Coffee break
16:10 Patent analysis & company presentations II
Ingrid B. Müller · Morten Lindow · Tomaz Einfalt · Florian Aeschimann · Giovanni Calderisi
17:15 Panel · Technological trends & needs
Jørgen Kjems · Sonja Merkas · Klaas Zuideveld · Morten Lindow
Moderator: Jonathan Hall
17:50 Apéro
Speakers & partners
A cross-sector program spanning research, industry and communication.
2024 sponsors
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 08:30 | Welcome Coffee |
| 09:15 | Opening Remarks – Carsten Laue – Organizer |
| 09:20 | Welcome Address: Hugues Abriel – Vice-Rector of the University of Bern Chair: D. Theler |
| 09:30 | Keynote I: Paul Nioi – Senior Vice President Research Alnylam Pharmaceuticals – “New frontiers for RNAi therapeutics in neurological diseases” Chair: J. Hall |
| 10:10 | Translational Academic Talks Volker Thiel – EDI & University of Bern – “Lost in Translation – generation of live-attenuated viral vaccines by genome recoding” Arka Banerjee – 80SBio GmbH & University of Basel – “UniqRT: Rapid and cost effective Point of Contact RNA Diagnostics for Disease Detection and Therapy Adaptation” Özgür Genç – Translation X & University of Basel – “Targeting selective mRNA translation for a precision medicine approach in autism” Bogdan Mateescu – NeXendia & University of Zurich – “PRISM technologies: Advancing RNA Therapeutic Development with Next-Generation RNA Liquid Biopsies” Jan Nelis -Ariya Bio & ETH Zurich – “Project Delta Force – Upregulating delta globin as a new avenue to treat hemoglobinopathies” Chair: R. Pillai |
| 11:25 | Coffee Break |
| 11:55 | Panel I – How to Break Down Barriers for Translation in Academia: Daniel Blessing – HAYA Therapeutics Mathias Frederiksen – Novartis Venture Fund Raluca Flükiger – University of Geneva Roland Martin – Cellerys & University of Zurich Moderated by Ramesh Pillai |
| 12:25 | Company Presentations I: Agnese Pisano – Inofea – “Empowering nucleic acids processing enzymes” Klaas Zuideveld – Versameb – “Versameb – transforming to a clinical stage RNA company” Daniel Blessing – Haya Therapeutics – “Precision Medicines Targeting the Dark Genome – For the Heart and Beyond” Chair: C. Laue |
| 12:45 | Lunch & Poster Session & Networking |
| 14:00 | Keynote II: Martin Jinek – CRISPR genome engineering co-discoverer, University of Zurich – “CRISPR genome editors: mechanisms, engineering and therapeutic applications” Chair: R. Pillai |
| 14:40 | Young Scientists Career Talks: Florian Aeschimann – Principal Scientist, CSL Behring Christian Berk – Patent Professional, E. Blum & Co. AG Nana Diarra dit Konté – Marketing Manager, bNovate Technologies Deni Subasic – Network Innovation Director, Roche Chair: D. Theler |
| 15:00 | Sonja Merkas – Freelance Consultant – “RNA Therapeutics – Navigating the Science, Manufacturing, and Market Dynamics” Chair: J. Hall |
| 15:10 | Panel II: Communication Rainer Borer – Head of Communications, ETH Zürich Therese Lüthi – Science Journalist & Editor NZZ am Sonntag Steve Pascolo – mRNA vaccination pioneer, co-founder CureVac, University Hospital Zurich Volker Thiel – Coronavirus researcher & member of the Swiss Covid Science Task Force, EDI & University of Bern Moderated by Dominik Theler |
| 15:40 | Coffee Break |
| 16:10 | Ingrid B. Müller – Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property – “Patentanalyses in the field of RNA therapeutics” Chair: D. Theler |
| 16:20 | Company Presentations II: Morten Lindow – Roche – “Roche’s RNAHub in Basel – progress on grand challenges of oligonucleotide drug discovery” Tomaz Einfalt – Novartis – “State of the Art siRNA – Chemistry and Delivery” Florian Aeschimann – CSL Behring – “Gene therapy research at CSL Behring” Giovanni Calderisi – Bachem – “Therapeutic Oligonucleotides – Unraveling Complexity from High Purity to Intricate Mixtures” Chair: C. Laue |
| 17:15 | Panel III – Technological Trends & Needs Jørgen Kjems – Aarhus University Sonja Merkas – Freelance Consultant Klaas Zuideveld – Versameb Morten Lindow – Roche Moderated by Jonathan Hall |
| 17:45 | Concluding Remarks – Carste Laue – Organizer |
| 17:50 | Apéro |
Gold Sponsors:
Bern Economic Development Agency
Roche – Doing what patients need next
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Silver sponsor:
Skyhawk Therapeutics – Small Molecules that Modify RNA Expression
Bronze Sponsors:
Axolabs – Serving Oligonucleotide Therapeutics
Microsynth – The Swiss DNA Company
Immunai – Reprogramming immunity
CATUG – Your trusted CRDMO in mRNA therapeutics
SinoBiological – Global Leader in Recombinant Technology for Life Science
- Hugues Abriel – University of Bern
- Florian Aeschimann – CSL Behring
- Arka Banerjee – 80SBio GmbH & University of Basel
- Christian Berk – E. Blum & Co. AG
- Daniel Blessing – HAYA Therapeutics
- Rainer Borer – ETH Zurich
- Giovanni Calderisi – Bachem
- Nana Diarra dit Konté – bNovate Technologies
- Tomaz Einfalt – Novartis
- Raluca Flükiger – University of Geneva
- Mathias Frederiksen – Novartis Venture Fund
- Özgür Genç – TranslationX & University of Basel
- Martin Jinek – University of Zurich
- Jørgen Kjems – Aarhus University
- Morten Lindow – Roche
- Therese Lüthi – NZZ am Sonntag
- Roland Martin – Cellerys & University of Zurich
- Bogdan Mateescu – NeXendia & University Of Zurich
- Sonja Merkas – Freelance Consultant
- Ingrid B. Müller – Swiss Institute of Intellectual Property
- Jan Nelis – ETH Zurich & Ariya Bio
- Paul Nioi – Alnylam Pharmaceuticals
- Samir Ounzain – HAYA Therapeutics
- Steve Pascolo – University Hospital Zurich
- Agnese Pisano – Inofea
- Deni Subasic – Roche
- Volker Thiel – EDI and University of Bern
- Klaas Zuideveld – Versameb
Let’s keep the conversation going.
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