8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks
Gamma Delta T Therapies In Development: What We Know so Far
8:15 am A History of Gamma Delta Biology: What We Know So Far & What is Yet to Come
Synopsis
- Outlining the journey from cell type discovery to initial clinical application, and current therapeutic paradigms of gamma delta therapies
- Taking a whistle-stop tour of the biological function, cell characteristics, subtypes, and interactions of gamma delta T cells
- Defining challenges remaining in the field, and acknowledging what still lies unknown as a platform for future research
8:45 am Industry Leader’s Fireside Chat
Synopsis
- Contrasting therapeutic approaches to harness gamma delta T cells and provide an overview of the development landscape
- Identifying the greatest areas of opportunity and key challenges to the industry in gamma delta T cell development
- Discussing next steps in development, from combination approaches to gaining traction in the solid tumor space
9:30 am Collecting Leukpacks from Qualified Healthy Donors Containing More of Your Target Cells
Synopsis
- How a blood center network qualifies healthy donors for specific allogeneic cell therapy drugs
- How blood centers use linear regression analysis, flow cytometry, and apheresis to collect a targeted number of rare cells from healthy donors
- How leukopack product standardization is an essential element of a successful allogeneic cell therapy drug
9:45 am Driving Safety, Efficacy & Persistence with Engineered CAR-Gamma Delta T Cells to Realize the Next Generation of Safer & Globally Accessible Cell Therapies
Synopsis
- Outlining the challenges and effective strategies to engineer gamma delta T cells without forfeiting naivety and fitness
- Tailoring CAR technology to gamma delta T cell biology and demonstrating the mechanism of action in vivo
- Identifying engineering strategies to supercharge gamma delta biology and elicit better tumor targeting and clearance
10:00 am Morning Refreshments & Speed Networking
Synopsis
Bump elbows (or greet from a social distance!) your fellow gamma delta T cell enthusiasts. This is your opportunity to network and forge new contacts with peers in the industry for the very first time.
Discovery & Process Research Track
Enhancing Target Identification & Homing for Gamma Delta T Cells
11:00 am Describing the Identification & Preclinical Development of a Novel Bispecific Gamma-Delta T Cell Engager for Hematological Indications
Synopsis
- Characterizing Vγ9δ2 T cells as a specific subset of T cells with innate immunity-like features, making them ideal effector cells for a T cell engager approach
- Demonstrating that the presence and frequency of these cells correlates with prognosis in patients suffering from different (hematological) malignancies
- Developing a single domain antibody panel against the semi-invariant Vgamma9Vdelta2 TCR for re-direction purposes
11:30 am Expanding the ImmTAX Platform to Gamma Delta T Cell Targets
12:00 pm Leveraging Tumor Targeting Capability of Gamma Delta TCRs for Cancer Therapy
Synopsis
- Identifying and characterizing gamma delta TCRs with specific anti-tumor activity
- Exploring gamma delta TCR Target deconvolution strategies
- Discovering TEG (engineered alpha beta T cells expressing a defined gamma delta TCR) as a cell therapy approach for cancer treatment
Preclinical & Clinical Development Track
Optimizing Translation of Gamma Delta Therapies
11:00 am Applying Antibody-Cell Conjugation Technology to Gamma Delta-Directed Therapy from Bench-to-Bedside with Preclinical Proof-of- Concept Studies
Synopsis
- Introducing Antibody-Cell Conjugation platform: Scaling up bench side observations to in-patient studies for the first time
- Providing preclinical proof-of-concept evidence to bring novel gamma delta T cell therapy from concept to clinic
- Discussing the mechanism of action of gamma delta T cell activation by Antibody-Cell Conjugation technology
11:30 am Tumor targeting by Boosted & (CAR-) Engineered Delta One T cells
Synopsis
- Elucidating how Delta One T (DOT) cells target tumors via NK cell receptors/ ligands
- Comparing the anti-tumor efficacy of DOT and CAR-DOT cells in patient-derived xenografts, including upon tumor re-challenge
- Discussing the importance of cytokines in the persistence and efficacy of (CAR-) DOT cells in vivo
12:00 pm Tracking the Migration of CAR-Engineered Gamma Delta T Cells to the Tumor Site and Examining the Mechanism of Action of Signaling
Synopsis
- Tracking the in vivo localization of gamma delta T subsets, demonstrating tumor infiltration, and analyzing PK/PD data in vivo
- Understanding the mechanism of recruitment to sites to boost the frequency of tumor resident gamma delta cells
- Interrogating the mechanism of CAR signaling in a gamma delta construct
- Boosting the activation and cytotoxicity at the site through combination therapy
12:30 pm Lunch & Networking
Optimizing In Vivo Activation & Allogeneic Development
1:30 pm Bispecific γδ T-cell Engager Containing Heterodimeric BTN2A1 and BTN3A1 Promotes Targeted Activation of Vγ9Vδ2+ T cells
Synopsis
- Leveraging recombinant butyrophilins (BTNs) for subset specific activation of gamma delta T cell subsets through the design of novel bi-specific engagers (GADLEN)
- Role of costimulation in BTN-mediated activation of Vγ9Vδ2+ T cells and therapeutic implications
- Evaluation of in vivo activity of BTN-based bi-specific engagers to activate physiologically relevant frequency of gamma delta T cells for efficient target cell depletion
2:00 pm Engineering Gamma Delta T Cells to Supercharge Cytotoxic Function, Persistence & Safety
Synopsis
- Sharing strategies to engineer genes tailored specifically to alter gamma delta T cell function
- Enhancing cell phenotypes during expansion with TGFb to produce ‘fitter’ allogeneic cells
- Outlining the need for engineering: Do Vdelta2 need engineering if they penetrate solid tumors naturally? How do you decide when and what to engineer?
- Developing activation-dependent IL-18-expressing CAR-gamma delta T cells to boost potency whilst maintaining safety
Engineering GDT Cells to Optimize Therapy
1:30 pm Engineering Gamma Delta T Cells to Stimulate Expansion In Vivo and Supercharge Cytotoxicity
Synopsis
- Investigating intrinsic characteristics of gamma delta T cells which create ‘weaknesses’ as a therapeutic cell
- Developing engineering strategies to overcome exhaustion and expansion for a better therapeutic construct
- Interrogating the impact on persistence, migration, and therapeutic efficacy
2:00 pm Modelling Gamma Delta T Cell Exhaustion & Building Strategies to Enhance Persistence In Vivo
Synopsis
- Outlining the mechanisms of exhaustion and factors that influence gamma delta T cell fitness
- Discussing experimental methods of exhaustion suitable to gamma delta T cells
- Sharing strategies to overcome exhaustion and expand the therapeutic window of gamma delta T cells, and examining the development of memory by gamma delta T cells
2:30 pm Following Gamma Delta T Cell Migration & Strategies to Track Cells In Vivo
Synopsis
- Demonstrating homing to tumor site with preclinical studies from models to in vitro assays
- Tracking cells in vivo with labeled gamma delta therapy
- Drawing correlations between gamma delta T cell concentration at the tumor site and prognosis informed by tracking data
3:00 pm Afternoon Poster Session & Networking
Synopsis
This is an informal session to help you connect with your peers in a relaxed atmosphere and continue forging new and beneficial relationships. You will have the opportunity to present your work, and review presentations displaying novel approaches and findings in gamma delta T cell research and development
Next Steps in the Development of Gamma Delta Therapies
3:30 pm Gamma Delta T Therapies – From ‘Last Chance’ to Surrogate Front Line Treatment (Vd2)
Synopsis
- Sharing updates on the use of unmodified allogeneic gamma delta T in phase 1/2a for late stage relapsed and refractory AML
- Discussing allogeneic cell dosing strategy and examining biomarkers of response
- Outlining next steps in phase 2/3 follow-up clinical trials, and lessons learned
4:00 pm Sharing Results of Allogeneic Gamma Delta Therapy in AML Patients
Synopsis
- Discussing the rationale for developing chemo-resistant gamma delta therapy and clinical trial design as an adjuvant with current standard-of-care
- Choosing indications based on medical need and biological features of gamma delta T cells
- Presenting clinical results from phase 1 studies, highlighting efficacy and toxicity data