DAY ONE

Wednesday, February 26, 2025

7:30 am Check-In & Light Breakfast

8:20 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

  • Joyce Zhao Director, Head of Analytical Science, Myeloid Therapeutics

Maximizing Resolution & Sensitivity in Purity & Integrity Assays Through Advanced Analytical Techniques & GMP-Compliant Methodologies

8:30 am Innovative Approaches in LC-MS Analysis of mRNA Therapeutics & Vaccines

Synopsis

  • Method optimization for rapid and reliable mRNA integrity and sequence assessment
  • Covering the benefits of intact and conventional bottom-up techniques for mRNA analysis
  • Highlighting recent advances in enhancing method sensitivity for impurity detection

9:00 am Pushing the Limits of IP-RP Liquid Chromatography for Characterizing Integrity of Large mRNA

Synopsis

  • Discussing a comprehensive study of 13 different ion-pairing reagents to assess the integrity of large mRNA
  • Evaluating of the type, concentration and combination of ion-pairing agents, along with pH and temperature, for successful mRNA analysis
  • Developing an optimized method analyzing mRNA molecules ranging from 1 to 6000 nucleotides in length

9:30 am Unlocking the Frontier of mRNA-Based Therapeutics Production with CE & LC-MS Analytics

Synopsis

  • High-resolution separation of plasmid topological isoforms and impurities across a wide size range
  • Robust characterization of in vitro transcribed mRNA in mRNA-LNP by capillary electrophoresis (CE)
  • Accurate structural characterization of lipids and low-abundance impurities by LC-MS/MS

10:00 am Morning Break & Speed Networking

Synopsis

Our speed networking session is the ideal opportunity to get face-to-face time with many of the brightest minds working to develop safe and efficient mRNA medicines. Introduce yourself to the attendees that you would like to have more in-depth conversations with, benchmark against industry leaders, and establish meaningful business relationships that you can pursue for the rest of the conference and beyond

Advancing Precise Potency Assays to Optimize Product Quality, Efficacy & Regulatory Adherence for Efficient & Expeditious Approval

11:00 am Advancing Potency Assay Development & Optimization for Circular RNABased Therapeutics

Synopsis

  • Designing and selecting an appropriate potency assay format for circular RNA-based therapies
  • Developing and optimizing assay components to ensure accurate potency measure
  • Characterizing the assay to ensure quality control compliance and streamline method validation

11:30 am Roundtable Discussion: Navigating the Phase Appropriate Regulatory Prospective & Expectations of Potency Assays to Meet CQAs & CPIs to De-Risk Regulatory Submissions

  • John Pryor Senior Scientist & Manager, mRNA Analytical Development, CSL Seqirus

Synopsis

  • What is the phase appropriate expectation for potency assays? Protein expression versus activity-based methods
  • What is the feedback on potency assays when using cell lines that do not match the site of indication?
  • Debating the need to measure the potency of each component or drug substance of an mRNA-LNP, compared to just formulated drug product itself

12:00 pm Advancing mRNA Analytics with New RNA Characterization Tools

  • Tatiana Johnston Senior Scientist, New Modalities Portfolio, Waters Corporation

12:30 pm Lunch & Networking Break

Exploring Novel Advances in the Analytical Toolbox to Permit the Efficient Release & Commercial Approval of mRNA Vaccines & Therapeutics

1:30 pm mRNA Characterization: From 5’Cap to 3’ Poly(A) Tail

  • Anna Dudkina Director - Analytical Development, Tessera Therapeutics

Synopsis

• Providing an overview of current analytical methods that have been used in the characterization of RNA quality, identity, and integrity

• Exploring the advantages and limitations from several analytical techniques

• Deep diving to analytical methods in the measurements of capping efficiency, poly A tail analysis

2:00 pm Comprehensive Analytical Workflows for Characterization & Quality Control of mRNA-LNP Therapeutics

  • Chris Colangelo Business Development Leader, Americas, Agilent Technologies

Synopsis

  • Explore QC throughout the entire IVT mRNA workflow, including data from various nucleic acids and LNP analyses
  • Discover how Agilent instruments/technologies, such as the Fragment Analyzer and LC/MS systems, can be used for different CQAs
  • Learn how Agilent is working together with its partners to provide insightful answers for all aspects of the IVT mRNA workflow

2:10 pm Identification of Major Impurities & Thermal Degradation Fragments of mRNA Drug Substances

Synopsis

  • What type of impurities in mRNA drug substances and its thermal degradation products, methods including NGS sequencing, CE and more?
  • Where is the potential degradation sites in mRNA and the effect from metal ions?
  • Improving the stability of mRNA drug substances and its formulation

2:40 pm eMERGE – Providing NGS-Based Insights for RNA Therapies

  • Liz Allen RNA Platform Manager, Eclipse Bioinnovations

Synopsis

  • The eMERGE platform showcases Eclipsebio's advanced NGS-based assays, providing actionable insights for RNA therapeutics by delivering high-resolution data on critical quality attributes
  • Discover sequence-based insights into RNA structure in its encapsulated state
  • Our platform provides detailed information on RNA fragment identity and pinpoints breakage hotspots

2:50 pm Afternoon Networking Break

Bridging Analytical, Quality & Assay Development Priorities to Meet GMP Guidelines for Faster mRNA Drug Approvals

3:50 pm Roundtable Discussion: Invigorating QC-Friendly Practices & Workflows to Improve the Transfer of Analytical Methods & Expedite Regulatory Compliant Method Qualification

  • Ami Jo Associate Director - Process Development, Omega

Synopsis

  • Determining the phase-appropriate readiness of an analytical methods for method transfer and QC qualification
  • Assessing fitness for use, key quality parameters, and method robustness to streamline and de-risk qualification
  • Optimizing mRNA assays for scalability and consistency in quality control operations

4:20 pm Flow-NMR as a Process-Monitoring Tool for mRNA IVT Reactions

Synopsis

  • Tracking component NTP consumption kinetics and overall stoichiometry to facilitate optimization of IVT reaction
  • Providing reference NMR method to support orthogonal PAT development for IVT reaction monitoring
  • Optimizing process design and manufacturing costs by limiting expensive reagents

4:50 pm Chairs Closing Remarks

  • Joyce Zhao Director, Head of Analytical Science, Myeloid Therapeutics

5:00 pm End of Day One, Poster Session & Drinks Reception