
JOIN US FOR
2024 PEDS
A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | OCT. 9-10, 2024
Reality Check: Entrepreneurship and Regulatory Navigation in Pediatric Cancer Drug Development

PEDS Co-Chairs

Brenda Weigel, MD
Director, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Minnesota’s Masonic Cancer Center
CureSearch Scientific Advisory Council Chair

Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
Vice President, Clinical Development
Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc.
CureSearch Industry Advisory Council Chair
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT PEDS?
“This was truly a one-of-a-kind effort that's invaluable to our community!”
“The pediatric oncology community (academia, industry, regulatory, advocacy) is made up of a very special set of dedicated experts working diligently to improve pediatric drug development.”
“There are many people working very hard to figure out how to advance drugs for children. On the other hand, companies aren't really geared up for the process yet.”
“Collaboration/partnership/Communication. The sessions reinforced the importance of these concepts across all of Peds Oncology development. The better and more efficient that industry, regulators and academia can be at working together, the faster that new and better drugs will become available for pediatric cancer patients.”
"There are lots of moving parts to PIPs/PSPs but with the right knowledge and support, that can be done in a way that supports drug development in pediatric oncology."
“I really wanted to thank the organizers for allowing for enough time for substantive discussions. The Q&A sessions were brilliant.”
FULL AGENDA
Subject to change*
PEDS Day 1 | Wednesday, October 9th, 2024
OPENING REMARKS
Event begins at 10:00 AM EST
Led by: Kay Koehler, CEO and PEDS Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
SESSION 1: Charting the Regulatory Landscape in Pediatric Cancer Drug Development
Experts will present and discuss key topics such as Priority Review Vouchers, the Creating Hope Act reauthorization, Accelerated Approval, Project Optimus, and Real-World Evidence.
Session begins at 10:30 AM EST
Session Chair:
Elizabeth Fox, MD, St. Jude Children’s Hospital
Featured Speakers:
Nicole Drezner, MD, Food and Drug Administration
Kimberly Lindstrom, PhD, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Sean Khozin, MD, MPH, CEO Roundtable on Cancer (CEORT), Project Data Sphere (PDS), Phyusion
BREAK FOR LUNCH
12:30 to 1:15 PM EST
SESSION 2: “If You Build It, Will They Come?” How Can We Build the Case for Investing in Pediatric Cancer Drug Development?
A dynamic panel discussion exploring the evolving biotech investment landscape, the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on rare disease and pediatric oncology investments, and future outlooks for fostering investment in pediatric cancer drug development.
Session begins at 1:15 PM EST
Session Chair:
Sam Blackman, MD, PhD, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
DAY 1 CLOSING REMARKS
3:15 to 3:30 PM EST
Led by Co-Chairs: Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
Day 1 concludes by 3:30 PM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
PEDS Day 2 | Thursday, October 10th, 2024
OPENING REMARKS
Day 2 begins at 10:00 AM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
SESSION 3: From Bench to Boardroom: The Journey of Academic Innovators in Pediatric Cancer Drug Development
Academic researchers who have successfully launched spin-off companies will share valuable lessons, successes, challenges, and new strategies for future innovation.
Session begins at 10:15 AM EST
Session Chair:
David Largaespada, PhD, Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota
Featured Speakers:
Crystal Mackall, MD, Stanford University School of Medicine
Catherine Bollard, MD, Children’s National Hospital, George Washington University
Jim Olson, MD, PhD, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, University of Washington
BREAK FOR LUNCH
12:30 to 1:00 PM EST
SESSION 4: Partnering for Progress: Strategies for Engaging Investors in Pediatric Cancer Public-Private Partnerships
A panel discussion focused on enhancing community support and investor engagement in major pediatric cancer trial initiatives, featuring insights from national and international leaders.
Session begins at 1:00 PM EST
Session Chair:
Peter Adamson, MD, Sanofi
Featured Speakers:
Stacey Adam, PhD, Foundation for the NIH
Andy Kolb, MD, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Kirk Tanner, PhD, National Brain Tumor Society
Douglas Hawkins, MD, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Children's Oncology Group
Tommy Rennison, PhD, Cancer Research Horizons
Pamela Kearns, MD, University of Birmingham
CLOSING REMARKS
Event concludes by 3:15 PM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD