Synopsis

• Comprehensively explore recent developments in NASH drug development
• Evaluate the regulatory feedback on the development of late stage clinical NASH candidates
• Discuss the current challenges and how we will progress as a field

Synopsis

This session is a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the attendees that you would like to have more in depth conversations with. Get face-to-face time with many of the brightest minds working in the NASH field and establish meaningful business relationships.

Synopsis

• Enhancing clinical trial design to improve patient enrolment
• Explore pioneering advances in non-invasive diagnostic technologies
• Harnessing the power of combinations – discuss the opportunity to combine anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic compounds

Synopsis

• Enhance understanding of known and novel regulators in NASH
• Explore the design and testing of single stranded antisense molecules that target specific proteins, which could be a key regulator in NASH development
• Review the exploratory and pre-clinical development research

Synopsis

• Discover NADPH oxidases (NOX)
• Explore GKT831’s mechanism of action – targeting multiple fibrogenic pathways
• Anti-fibrotic efficacy achieved in multiple preclinical models of liver disease (NASH, PBC)
• Gain a comprehensive understanding of clinical efficacy and safety profiles
• Overview of ongoing phase 2 trial in primary biliary cholangitis

Synopsis

• Advance your understanding of how galectin-3 plays central role in fibrosis process
• Examine how novel galectin-3 inhibitors reduce liver fibrosis

Synopsis

More practical and highly interactive breakout roundtables where attendees can crowd-source solutions and share opinions around pre-assigned topic areas. A valuable chance for attendees to unite around hot topics and debate best practice. No more sitting quietly, this is a dedicated opportunity for you to voice your experiences and identify unique solutions.

Synopsis

Moderators will be assigned to each roundtable to facilitate discussion and collate the findings. Following the roundtables, they will present back to the entire delegation as part of a panel discussion to share ideas and best practice.

Synopsis

• ExVive™ Human Liver Tissue, a human in vitro 3D bioprinted liver model comprising primary human hepatocytes, hepatic stellate cells, and endothelial cells, exhibits a complex multicellular architecture more similar to that of native liver and retains metabolic competence and liver-specific functions for at least 4 weeks in culture.
• Steatosis can be induced via chronic exposure to lipids in the presence of high glucose, leading to increased incidence of lipid vesicles positive for Oil Red O and the lipid droplet-associated protein, Perilipin 5.
• Incorporation of both stellate and Kupffer cells into the tissues, concomitant with activation via inflammatory inducers and nutrient overload, leads to activation of stellate cells, inflammatory cytokine release, and an increase in extracellular matrix deposition and fibrosis, characteristic of NASH.
• Together, these features suggest that 3D liver tissues hold promise for the study of complex, chronic conditions such as NASH, enabling the discovery of novel therapeutics, biomarkers, and safety assessment of drugs in a disease-relevant background.

Synopsis

• Overview of the wide range of rodent models currently used to model NAFLD/NASH, from diet to genetic & chemical models
• How should we be effectively evaluating NAFLD/NASH therapies from the plethora of rodent models available? Can we draw robust conclusions from an in-depth comparison of running animal models in parallel?
• Identify an industry standard model? If we agree, how do we get there?

Synopsis

• Optimize in vivo experimental design and methods to detect histological treatment effects
• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of qualitative vs. quantitative imaging
• Highlight findings with FXR agonists

Synopsis

After the formal presentations have finished, the learning and networking carries on. The Poster Session is an informal part of the conference agenda, allowing you to connect with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere and continue to forge new and existing relationships. During this session scientific posters will be presented on validation on novel targets, drugs with new mechanisms of action, in vivo models which recapitulate human NASH and latest progress in validating non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic technologies.