SABPA Hosts 9th Frontiers in Therapeutics and Diagnostics Forum in San Diego

On March 14, 2025, the 9th Frontiers in Therapeutics & Diagnostics Forum (FTD), one of the two flagship professional forums organized by the Socal Association for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Advancements (SABPA), convened successfully in Del Mar, San Diego. Despite unusually heavy rainfall in the region, attendees’ enthusiasm for scientific exchanges remained undeterred. Approximately 440 guests from research institutions, academia, and biopharmaceutical companies in Southern California and beyond participated in the forum.

Experts Present AI Applications in Drug Target Discovery, Molecule Design, and Development at 9th FTD Forum

The event commenced with a welcome speech by Dr. Yi Liu, President of SABPA. This year’s forum focused on two key themes: artificial intelligence (AI) and applications in drug discovery and minimal residual disease (MRD) detection in oncology.

The morning session, chaired by FTD Chairpersons Stephanie Shi and Hui Wang, was dedicated to AI. Dr. Rose Yu, Associate Professor at UCSD, set the stage by providing an overview of AI’s evolution, current capabilities, and revolutionary applications across industries, with particular emphasis in pharmaceutical research and development. She highlighted AI’s proven success in novel drug target discovery, small-molecule and antibody design, vaccine development, and drug repurposing strategies. Subsequent presentations featured industry leaders, including Dr. Karen Akinsanya of Schrödinger, Dr. Thomas Miller of Iambic, Dr. Stephen Dann of Genesis Therapeutics, and Dr. Yury Goltsev of Cellformatica , who shared compelling case studies demonstrating AI’s practical impact on drug discovery.

Sessions Explore Innovations in Drug Development, Delivery, and R&D Services

During the lunch break, attendees had the opportunity to participate in five concurrent lunch-and-learn sessions, covering specialized topics offered by SABPA sponsors:

1. Optimization of oligonucleotide extraction by Bioqual Solutions
2. Customized R&D module services by ICE Bioscience
3. Preclinical development processes for small-molecule drugs by Porton/J-Star
4. CRBN-based molecular glue development platform by Hit-Chem
5. High-concentration subcutaneous drug delivery technology by WuXi Biologics

Afternoon Session Highlighted AI Integration and Advances in MRD Detection for Cancer Management

The afternoon session, co-chaired by Nathan Ihle and Howard Pan, continued the AI discussion while shifting focus to MRD detection in cancer management. Dr. Ezra Cohen, Chief Medical Officer at Tempus, shared insights on how AI integrates genotypic and clinical data to enable personalized treatment recommendations for physicians. Dr. Dan Norton of Personalis and Dr. Sean Ferree of Natera showcased their organizations’ latest MRD detection technologies and clinical trial results. Dr. Kay Yeung, a clinical oncologist at UCSD, provided a comprehensive review of MRD’s growing role in treatment guidance while addressing the challenges in implementation.

A thought-provoking panel discussion on MRD detection followed, featuring Dr. Kay Yeung, Dr. Ezra Cohen, Dr. Dan Norton, Dr. Sean Ferree, Dr. Molly He of Element Biosciences, and Dr. Jae Kim of DLA Piper. The experts engaged in robust dialogues examining the clinical applications and regulatory considerations of MRD detection from the perspectives of clinical practice, technology development, and regulatory oversight.

Dr. William Cao Receives Innovation and Leadership Award for Advancing CAR-T Therapies and Biotech Entrepreneurship

The forum honored Dr. William Cao of Gracell Biotechnologies with its prestigious Innovation and Leadership Award. In his speech, Dr. Cao shared his inspiring journey from an academic researcher to a biotech entrepreneur, highlighting his experience in founding biotech companies in both China and the U.S. and applying biotechnology in clinical settings, particularly in the development of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapies for cancer treatment.

The forum concluded with a vibrant poster session featuring approximately 40 posters presented by Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers from universities and research institutes in and around San Diego. Industry experts engaged presenters in lively discussions about the scientific merit and potential industrial relevance of their research. Six presenters were selected for Best Poster awards based on the evaluations by the judges and audience.

The 9th annual FTD Forum stands as yet another testament to SABPA’s ongoing commitment to fostering collaboration within Southern California’s biotechnology and pharmaceutical community. It showcased groundbreaking scientific innovation, cutting-edge technology, and the continuous progress and dedication of the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries in the region.

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