Co-organized by Drs. Nevan Krogan, Brian Shoichet and Molly Shoichet, the Quantitative Biosciences Institute (QBI) at the University of California, San Francisco and PRiME Next-Generation Precision Medicine at the University of Toronto present a joint symposium on "Quantitative Approaches to Drug Discovery and Precision Medicine" in San Francisco on November 8, 2024.

QBI seeks transformative results in biomedicine by supporting fundamental quantitative research in the biological sciences through significant collaborative efforts. PRiME is an institutional strategic initiative at the University of Toronto, dedicated to addressing unmet needs and challenges in drug discovery, diagnostics, and disease biology. PRiME brings together a powerful continuum of world-class basic and clinical scientists, biomedical engineers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, fostering seamless collaborations with Toronto’s precision medicine ecosystem and global partners.

The symposium aims to build collaborative relationships between scientists from both institutions. The intersection of drug discovery and personalized medicine with quantitative biology, machine learning and artificial intelligence opens new opportunities for discovery and training, ultimately leading to translation and new therapeutics for improved human health. The event will highlight cutting edge research with a view towards a partnership between QBI and PRiME.

AGENDA:
8:30 – 9:00 AM: Doors Open (Registrations & Breakfast)
9:00 – 9:03 AM: Opening Remarks by Senior Trade Commissioner, Consulate General of Canada - Simon Pomel
9:03 – 9:13 AM: Welcome: Nevan Krogan & Molly Shoichet

Session I - Computational Modeling (15 mins Talk 5 mins Q/A) Session Chair: Nevan Krogan

9:15 AM: Tanja Kortemme (QBI) - Deep-learning guided design of de novo proteins and controllable dynamics
9:35 AM: Gary Bader (PRiME) - Multiscale and multimodal mapping of biology using AI
9:55 AM: Michael Brudno (PRiME) - Healthcare Data in the Age of AI
10:15 AM: Lani Wu (QBI) - AI in the Loop for Complex Diseases (ALS): Disease Stratification and Patient Care
10:35 – 11:00 AM: Break (25 minutes)

Session II - Chemical Probes & Drug Discovery (15 mins Talk 5 mins Q/A) Session Chair: Molly Shoichet

11:05 AM: Cheryl Arrowsmith (PRiME/SGC) - Probing the Human Proteome for Therapeutic Opportunities
11:25 AM: Brian Shoichet (QBI) - A Frustrated Landscape for Ligand Optimization
11:45 AM: Robert Batey (PRiME) - Small Molecules and Reactions for Medicinal Chemistry
12:05 PM: Balyn Zaro (QBI) - Macrophages redeploy functional cancer cell surface proteins following phagocytosis
12:25 PM: Carolyn Cummins (PRiME) - Development of LXRβ antagonists to treat steroid-induced diabetes and obesity
12:45 – 1:45 PM: Lunch (1 hour) 

Session III: Translation (15 mins Talk 5 mins Q/A) Session Chair: Rob Rottapel

1:50 PM: Matthew State (QBI) - Advancing Therapeutic Opportunities in Profound Autism
2:10 PM: Nevan Krogan (QBI) - Using Systems Approaches to Understand Disease Mechanisms
2:30 PM: David Uehling (PRiME/OICR) - OICR’s Drug Discovery Program: Recent Innovations
2:50 PM: Molly Shoichet (PRiME) - Going beyond 2D: Using 3D for target and drug discovery
3:10 PM: James Fraser (QBI) - The SARS CoV 2 Macrodomain and how to inhibit it
3:30 – 3:45 PM: Break (15 minutes)

3:50 PM – 4:40 PM: VC Panel - Current Opportunities & Challenges for Company Formation in Drug Discovery (Moderator: Brian Shoichet)

Douglas Crawford (Mission Bay Capital)
Rami Hannoush (Versant Ventures)
Spiros Liras (Apple Tree Partners)
Craig Muir (Third Rock Ventures)
Alison Nankivell (MaRS Discovery District)
Greg Yap (Menlo Ventures)

4:40 PM – 4:45 PM: Closing Remarks: Brian Shoichet
4:45 PM – 5:30 PM: Evening Reception