TARGETING OCULAR DISORDERS

Targeting Ocular Disorders - Overview

Ophthalmological pharmacology has historically lacked systematic understanding of disease mechanisms, especially of those for the back of the eye. This is now changing with the discovery of novel targets and pathways paired with a greater understanding of the role of genetics in ocular pathologies.

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Ophthalmological pharmacology has historically lacked systematic understanding of disease mechanisms, especially of those for the back of the eye. This is now changing with the discovery of novel targets and pathways paired with a greater understanding of the role of genetics in ocular pathologies.

The third annual Targeting Ocular Disorders will cover some of the most promising emerging therapies in the treatment of ocular diseases. Special focus will be given to age-related macular degeneration and retinopathy. Designated sessions will emphasize the role of precise imaging techniques and animal models in accelerating preclinical development. Recent solutions in drug delivery to the back of the eye will also be discussed.

Final Agenda  Now Available

NOVEL TARGETS, PATHWAYS AND MECHANISMS OF ACTION

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: New Horizons for Glaucoma Therapy 
Naj Sharif, Ph.D., FARVO, Executive Director and Head, Global Biomedical Sciences, Santen, Inc.

Use of High Content Screening to Identify Targets for the Treatment of Glaucoma and the Retinal Degenerative Disease 
Donald Zack, M.D., Ph.D., Guerrieri Professor of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University

Nitric Oxide-cGMP Signaling as a Therapeutic Target for Glaucoma 
Emmanuel Buys, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School; Associate Scientist, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard

Local Modulation of Cytokine Signaling to Treat Anterior and Posterior Ocular Disorders 
Eric Furfine, Ph.D., CSO, Eleven Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Retinal Inflammasome as a Novel Drug Target in Ischemia and Glaucoma 
Valery Shestopalov, Ph.D., Professor, Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute

Targeting Rho Kinase for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases 
Casey Kopczynski, Ph.D., CSO, Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Nuclear Receptors as Therapeutic Targets for Age-Related Macular Degeneration 
Goldis Malek, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine

Topical, Beta-Adrenergic Agonist as Novel Approach to Treat Diabetic Macular Edema and Retinopathy (DMER) 
Robert Ferry, Ph.D., Professor, Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center

SUPPORTING IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES AND PRECLINICAL MODELS

Utility of in vivo Confocal Microscopy-Based Imaging Endpoints for the Assessment of Ocular Surface Inflammation 
Pedram Hamrah, M.D., Assistant Professor, Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School; Director, Ocular Surface Imaging Center, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary

Using Posterior Segment OCT as a Biomarker in Disease 
Jay S. Duker, M.D., Professor and Chair, Ophthalmology, Tufts University School of Medicine; Director, New England Eye Center

DRUG DELIVERY TO THE POSTERIOR SEGMENT OF THE EYE

Gene Therapy for Wet-AMD 
Abraham Scaria, Ph.D., Senior Scientific Director, Ophthalmology, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company

Long Acting Delivery of Antibody Therapeutics to the Back of the Eye 
Debby Chang, Ph.D., Associate Scientist, Genentech, Inc., a Member of the Roche Group

Intraocular Implant Technology Providing Sustained Delivery of Therapeutic Proteins to the Back of the Eye 
Konrad Kauper, MSc, Vice President, Core Technology Development, Neurotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

NEW APPROACHES TO GENE THERAPY

Human Clinical Trials of AAV-Based Gene Therapies for Orphan Ocular Disorders 
Stephen W. Potter, MBA, Chief Business Officer, AGTC

Targeting the Inflammasome Signaling in a Mouse Model of a Geographic Atrophy: A Gene Therapy Approach 
Cristhian J. Ildefonso, Ph.D., Senior Postdoctoral Associate, Laboratory of Dr. Alfred S. Lewin, Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of Florida College of Medicine