Optimisation & Developability
Enhancing Biologics Properties for Clinical Success
17 November 2026 ALL TIMES WET (GMT/UTC)
The Optimisation & Developability program brings together leaders in computational design, machine learning, and biophysical profiling to build drug‑ready biologics from the outset. Talks will highlight scalable structure‑based modeling, ML‑driven lead optimization, and multi-objective property engineering across antibodies, multispecifics, and AOCs. A dedicated developability segment will focus on next-generation workflows, tackling functional complexity in challenging molecules, and embedding manufacturability considerations to ensure smooth progression from molecules to robust clinical products.
Preliminary Agenda

COMPUTATIONAL TOOLS AND ML-DRIVEN BIOLOGICS OPTIMISATION

Practical, Scalable Structure Based Modelling for Rational Engineering of Multispecifics

Photo of Saeed Izadi, PhD, Director, Research Data Sciences, Gilead Sciences , Director , Early Stage Pharmaceutical Dev , Gilead Sciences
Saeed Izadi, PhD, Director, Research Data Sciences, Gilead Sciences , Director , Early Stage Pharmaceutical Dev , Gilead Sciences
Photo of Josephine Alba, PhD, Senior Expert I Data Science, Biologics Research Center, Novartis Pharma AG , Senior Expert I Data Science , Biologics Research Center , Novartis Pharma AG
Josephine Alba, PhD, Senior Expert I Data Science, Biologics Research Center, Novartis Pharma AG , Senior Expert I Data Science , Biologics Research Center , Novartis Pharma AG
Photo of Owen Vickery, PhD, Associate Principal Scientist, Augmented Biologics, AstraZeneca , Associate Principal Scientist , Augmented Biologics , AstraZeneca
Owen Vickery, PhD, Associate Principal Scientist, Augmented Biologics, AstraZeneca , Associate Principal Scientist , Augmented Biologics , AstraZeneca
Photo of Vladimir Gligorijević, PhD, Senior Director, AI/ML Prescient Design, Genentech , Sr Dir , AI & Machine Learning , Prescient Design a Genentech Co
Vladimir Gligorijević, PhD, Senior Director, AI/ML Prescient Design, Genentech , Sr Dir , AI & Machine Learning , Prescient Design a Genentech Co
Photo of James Lodge, Senior Scientist, Large Molecule Research, GSK , Sr Scientist , Large Molecule Research , GSK
James Lodge, Senior Scientist, Large Molecule Research, GSK , Sr Scientist , Large Molecule Research , GSK

Biparatopic antibodies are a subclass of bispecific antibodies which can simultaneously engage two epitopes on a single antigen species. This property unlocks novel target engagement and pharmacology, which we explore using in vitro binding and functional assays. Mathematical models were established which accurately predict the behaviour of these antibodies, requiring only SPR-derived affinities as inputs, potentially streamlining their optimisation during lead discovery.

DEVELOPABILITY & DRUG READINESS

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Predictive Strengths and Critical Gaps in Next-Generation Developability Workflows

Photo of Hristo Svilenov, PhD, Associate Professor, TUM , Associate Professor , School of Life Sciences , Technical University of Munich
Hristo Svilenov, PhD, Associate Professor, TUM , Associate Professor , School of Life Sciences , Technical University of Munich

Next-generation developability workflows combine high-throughput biophysical screening and advanced computational models to flag potential liabilities early in biotherapeutic discovery. These approaches can predict issues such as aggregation and viscosity, supporting data-driven candidate selection. Yet important gaps remain, especially in anticipating how candidates will behave in the clinic. In this presentation, I will share recent advances in developability assessment successes and discuss key challenges that still need to be addressed.

From Molecules to Drug Readiness

Photo of Tobias Grosskopf, PhD, Leader, F Hoffmann La Roche AG , Leader , F Hoffmann La Roche AG
Tobias Grosskopf, PhD, Leader, F Hoffmann La Roche AG , Leader , F Hoffmann La Roche AG
Photo of Gertrudis Rojas, PhD, Senior Scientist and Head, Protein Engineering and Computational Biology, Center of Molecular Immunology , Protein Engineering and Computational Biology Leader , Immunology and Immunotherapy , Ctr of Molecular Immunology
Gertrudis Rojas, PhD, Senior Scientist and Head, Protein Engineering and Computational Biology, Center of Molecular Immunology , Protein Engineering and Computational Biology Leader , Immunology and Immunotherapy , Ctr of Molecular Immunology
Photo of David J. Brockwell, PhD, Professor, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds , Prof , Molecular and Cellular Biology , Univ of Leeds
David J. Brockwell, PhD, Professor, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Leeds , Prof , Molecular and Cellular Biology , Univ of Leeds
Photo of Peyton Greenside, PhD, Co-Founder & CSO, BigHat Biosciences , CoFounder & CSO , BigHat Biosciences
Peyton Greenside, PhD, Co-Founder & CSO, BigHat Biosciences , CoFounder & CSO , BigHat Biosciences

For more details on the conference, please contact:

Mimi Langley
Executive Director, Conferences
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Email: mlangley@healthtech.com

For sponsorship information, please contact:

Companies A-K
Jason Gerardi
Sr. Manager, Business Development
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: (+1) 781-972-5452
Email: jgerardi@healthtech.com

Companies L-Z
Ashley Parsons
Manager, Business Development
Cambridge Healthtech Institute
Phone: (+1) 781-972-1340
Email: ashleyparsons@healthtech.com