Gail Lewis
Distinguished Scientist, Discovery Oncology Genentech
For more than 30 years, Dr. Gail Lewis has headed a tumor cell biology/preclinical drug development lab in Genentech Research. She was hired at Genentech to investigate cytokine-mediated tumor cell killing and mechanisms of resistance. The outcome of this work, in collaboration with UCLA and MSKCC, was the development and approvals of trastuzumab (Herceptin®) and pertuzumab (Perjeta®) for treating HER2-positive breast cancer.
Following the approval of trastuzumab, Gail focused her efforts on nascent ADCs. She investigated different targets, antibody formats, and linker-drug combinations, with the focus primarily on HER2. This work led to the development and approval of trastuzumab emtansine (Kadcyla®). Gail has continued to work on ADCs for HER2 as well as additional targets, with an expanded arsenal of novel linker-drugs. Gail’s lab’s expertise now encompasses not only HER2+ breast cancer but other solid tumor types as well as hematologic malignancies.
Seminars
- Discussing the scientific, technical, and strategic factors that drive ADC program success, spanning established linkers and payloads as well as emerging ADC mechanisms and designs
- Exploring how development and manufacturing partners can evolve to support the changing needs of both large pharmaceutical companies and emerging biotech organizations as ADC innovation accelerates and oncology applications expand
- Exploring evolving development and manufacturing requirements, key innovation challenges, and how partnerships can help accelerate the next generation of impactful ADC therapeutics
- Understanding the importance of antibody epitope, influence of target isoforms and impact on internalization
- Unveiling detailed investigation of unique payloads to develop non-cytotoxic ADCs with improved therapeutic index beyond traditional conjugates
- Undergoing investigation of antigen internalization and tumor cell payload concentration to secure in-depth mechanistic understanding and benefit of antibody-mediated delivery
- Laying out takeaways for non-cytotoxic ADC development and applications to internal ADC development
At the end of the main conference days, rejoin the preclinical presenters for a closing discussion encompassing best deployment of in vivo and in vitro tools, tackling the ADC translational mismatch, and understanding how novel ADC mechanisms and design are being best set up for success in the clinic. Make sure to come with your questions prepared!
