NBC




2024 Call for Programming

The NBC Scientific Programming Committee invites proposals for scientific symposia, hot topics, and Rapid Fires to be presented in person in San Francisco, CA, in May 2024.

All proposals must relate directly to one of the two tracks and their themes as described below.

The submission deadline is 5 pm ET October 3.

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Tracks and Themes

Track 1: Advances in Discovery, Formulation, and Delivery of New Modalities

A tremendous rise in the biologics market has driven significant interest in their discovery and in using novel drug delivery systems to enable drug delivery via different routes. This track focuses on aspects of the discovery and development of biologics and new modalities. Submissions are invited on topics related to multi-specific antibodies, oligonucleotides, proteins, nanobodies, genes, RNA, peptides, cell-free manufactured proteins, vaccines, cells, and allogenic and synthetic cells. Discussions are encouraged on diverse strategies for the discovery, formulation, and delivery of these modalities to address unmet medical needs. 

Theme 1: Preformulation and Formulation Approaches for Biologics and New Modalities
Keywords: Preformulation, Formulation, Stability, CMC, Excipient, Impurities, Biologics
Explore the challenges associated with preformulation and formulation development of biologics and new modalities. In addition to the modalities mentioned above under Track 1, submissions related to screening and excipients selection, the impact of excipients on pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and stability are welcome. Discussions of Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) issues related to the development of these modalities are encouraged.

Theme 2: Drug Delivery for New Modalities and Therapies
Keywords: Drug Delivery, Gene Delivery, Vaccines, Cell Therapy, Personalized Medicine
This theme focuses on different strategies and challenges involved in the design of drug delivery systems, the delivery of biologics, and manufacturing challenges in the development of novel drug delivery systems. Topics such as nanoparticles, liposomes, hydrogels, Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs), nanobots and devices, personalized medicines, cell-based therapies, and viral and non-viral gene delivery are the primary focus. Submissions on advances in the delivery of genes, vaccines, and biotherapeutics via non-parenteral routes of administration (e.g., oral, topical, intravitreal, nasal, and inhalation) are encouraged.

Theme 3: AI/ML in Drug Discovery and Development
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Synthetic Biology, Gene Editing, CRISPR, Discovery
This track explores how Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) and big data are transforming the landscape of drug development and reducing discovery time and cost. Submissions are welcome on novel biotherapeutics developed using AI; AI-enabled gene-editing drugs; and the combination of AI, synthetic biology, and cell manufacturing as well as their impact on new drugs, novel design, and manufacturing processes. Topics to be covered include: CMC and regulatory issues; the use of AI in CMC and process development; decentralized manufacturing, risks, and benefits associated with using AI in drug discovery and development; and data integrity concerns.

Track 2: Novel Strategies to Advance Biotherapeutic Development

Advances in therapeutic development for targeted delivery, platform technology, high-content bioanalysis, and data science. 

Theme 1: Development Strategy for Novel Targeted Therapeutic Delivery
Keywords: Targeted Delivery, Bioanalysis, Pharmacokinetics
As the field of targeted drug delivery advances with new modalities such as lipid nanoparticles, cell therapies, and gene therapeutics, science is also gaining ground in the design of protein therapeutics tailored to deliver to specific tissues (examples: eye, tumor, or brain) and methods for bioanalysis. Discuss how pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity bioanalysis and data for tissue-targeted therapeutics can inform and advance therapeutic development.

Theme 2: Advances in Analytical and Bioanalytical Platform Technology
Keywords: Instrumentation Platforms, Flow Cytometry, Multiplexing, Imaging, Data Science 
The field of analytical platform technology is racing to keep pace with the emergence of new modalities such as oligonucleotides and cell and gene therapies, as well as the increasing need for more informative analytical evaluation of traditional therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and antibody drug conjugates. Discuss high-resolution instrumentation techniques, multiplexing, flow cytometry, imaging platforms, and other technological advancements. Submissions are also welcome related to the associated developments in data science that add increased information to biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, and pharmacodynamics analyses.

Theme 3: High Content Bioanalysis
Keywords: MAPPS, In-Silico Prediction, Immunogenicity Prediction, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, personalized medicine, Omics
High Content Bioanalysis in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics, along with technologies to identify and measure biomarkers at the single cell level, combined with advances in data sciences (artificial intelligence) are exponentially evolving. Discuss case studies and platforms for high content bioanalysis for personalized medicine, novel -omic approaches, immunogenicity prediction, immunogenicity risk assessments, and digital biomarkers. Submissions are also welcome that explore evolving data science and artificial intelligence methodologies for analysis of large data sets.

2024 Programming Submission FAQ

Q: What types of programming can I submit?

Scientific Symposium Presentation: A 90-minute session consisting of three themed, 30-minute presentations. A submitter can propose one 30-minute presentation for inclusion in the program, or submit multiple presentations that when combined form a session. The Scientific Programming Committee (SPC) will select and assemble submissions for the program. All speakers are subject to approval by the SPC.

Rapid Fire Presentation: A 10-minute presentation that is followed by 3 minutes of Q&A on the latest scientific topics. New research, insights, and ideas are especially appropriate for this program.

Hot Topic: A 60-minute session that explores the latest science and innovation in a field and discusses its pain points and challenges. Each of the three scientific tracks offers two Hot Topic sessions, which may be delivered as a symposium, discussion panel, roundtable, debate, case study, or other format that engages the topic in depth.

Q: When are programming submissions due?

Proposals for Symposia, Hot Topics, and Rapid Fires are due Tuesday, October 3, at 5:00 pm ET.

Q: What information do I need to submit with each proposal?

Presentation Title: A submission must have a short, specific presentation title (containing no abbreviations) that indicates the nature of the presentation.

Scientific Tracks: All submissions must align to a specific track. Proposals that do not relate directly to a track will not be considered.

Gap Analysis: What gap in a pharmaceutical scientists' knowledge does this program fill? Why do you believe there is a gap? (max 500 words)

Learning Format and Audience Engagement Details: Does your content lend itself to an interesting delivery? Could this be a panel or debate? How can we best engage the attendee during this session? (max 250 words)

Target Audience: Who will benefit most from attending this session? (max 250 words)

Presentation Description: A brief description of what would be covered in this talk. Additionally, if you are submitting this as one piece of a larger, 90-minute symposium, please note that here and submit each 30-min talk separately. (max 500 words)

Learning Objectives: Complete the sentence, “Upon completion, participant will be able to….” When writing learning objectives. Use action words to begin each objective, such as list, describe, define, demonstrate, conduct, etc.

Three learning objectives are required for Symposia, and Hot Topics. One learning objective is required for Rapid Fires.

Proposed Speaker(s): First Name, Last Name, Email, Affiliation, and Job Title are required fields.

Q: What are the two tracks around which NBC is organized?

  1. Advances in Discovery, Formulation, and Delivery of New Modalities 
  2. Novel Strategies to Advance Biotherapeutic Development

Q: How do I withdraw my proposal?

If you have submitted a proposal but would like to withdraw, log into the submission site, click on your session, and select “Edit Session.” You may then use the dropdown to change the submission status to “Withdrawn.” All withdraws must be completed by the submission deadline. Proposals that are not withdrawn will be reviewed.

Q: When will submitters be notified regarding acceptance/rejection?

Submitters will be notified in November 2023. If you submitted a session idea and have not received an accept/reject by that time, contact [email protected].

You do not have to be a member to submit a proposal. Non-members may create accounts without joining in order to submit a proposal.

If you do not have an account with AAPS, click “Create Account” under the New Users tab. Once you create an account, you may be taken to the Communities Page, depending on how you entered the account-creation process. Return to https://www.abstractscorecard.com/cfp/submit/LoginSSO.asp?EventKey=BJHPAOXN and sign in under Existing User with your new username and password to begin your submission.