Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 5th Annual
Advanced Diagnostics for Infectious Disease
New Frontiers in Infectious Disease Technology
7-8 May 2019
Recent advances in technology have rapidly changed the landscape of infectious disease diagnostics. Novel technologies and techniques such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and mass spectrometry are changing the way that researchers perform rapid
diagnostics and detect antimicrobial resistance. The data collected from these technologies are also causing new challenges that must be addressed. The Fifth Annual Advanced Diagnostics for Infectious Disease will bring together leaders in the field
to showcase the latest in technologies for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing infectious disease. Special consideration will be given to emerging and reemerging pathogens and new diagnostic methods.
Final Agenda
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SC1: Technologies, Applications and Commercialization of Point-of-Care Diagnostics
Holger Becker, PhD, Founder & CSO, microfluidic ChipShop GmbH, Germany
This short course will provide an overview on the technological aspects of POC system developments. It will introduce current technologies such as microfluidics, sensors, paper- and smartphone-based approaches and discuss their trends and limitations.
The course will discuss a variety of POC systems in different stages of their development, from early stage to established diagnostic systems in the clinical routine. Market aspects of POC systems as well as practical examples of commercialization
for molecular diagnostic, immunological and clinical tests will be presented.
*Separate registration required.
TUESDAY 7 MAY
08:00 Registration and Morning Coffee
08:55 Organizer’s Opening Remarks
Kaitlyn Barago, Associate Conference Producer, Cambridge Healthtech Institute, United States
09:00 NEW: Chairperson's Remarks
Adriana Calderaro, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Clinical Microbiology, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy
09:05 NEW: KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Development of an Integrated Platform for Biomarker and Drug Target Discovery Using Proteomics
Anthony Whetton, Director, Stoller Biomarker Discovery Centre, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Proteins are a key set of biomarkers in healthcare. Recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS) provide opportunities to more effectively and systematically derive information on protein levels in biological fluids. The use of the latest innovations
in MS-based technologies offers a high capacity throughput proteomic profiling for clinical biochemistry purposes. The time for biomarker discovery, validation, verification and adoption for clinical usage can be reduced for patient benefit.
10:05 MeMed BV™: Fast & Accurate Host-Based Dx to Differentiate Bacterial from Viral Infections for Better abx Stewardship
Tanya Gottlieb, PhD, Vice President, Scientific Affairs, MeMed, Israel
MeMed has developed a host-based Dx (MeMed BV™) for distinguishing bacterial from viral infections and applied the test on MeMed Key™, a measurement platform with central lab precision. This new tool provides actionable information
to clinicians where and when needed, promoting prudent antibiotic use in the effort to tackle AMR.
10:35 Grand Opening Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
11:15 Innovative Tools for the Identification of Infectious Agents
Adriana Calderaro,
MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Clinical Microbiology, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy
Implementation of novel diagnostic techniques has revolutionized the microbiology laboratory: MALDI-TOF MS and nucleic acid-based assays were extensively evaluated for alternative applications in the diagnostic practice, such as the identification
of potential carbapenemase-producing bacterial strains, malaria diagnosis and a syndromic multiplex PCR system for the diagnosis of gastroenteritis and meningitis. These applications have a significant effect on the best clinical management
of infectious diseases.
11:45 Host Response Gene Expression Signature for the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Acute Infections and Sepsis - From in silico Data Analysis to Prospective Clinical Trials
Oliver Liesenfeld,
MD, CMO, Inflammatix, United States
Inflammatix develops diagnostic tests by measuring expression levels of host immune genes. Applying proprietary algorithms we identify gene signatures that produce rapid, clinically actionable results for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute
infection and sepsis. Validate in silico analyses that have been published in top-tier journals are complemented by evidence generation in clinical trials. Inflammatix is working with diagnostic ‘platform’
partners to launch the HostDx™ Fever and HostDx™ Sepsis tests.
12:15 Oral Vaccines and the Intestinal Microbiome, Translating Microbiota Correlations into Improved Vaccine Performance
Vanessa C. Harris,
MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Global Health, University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, The Netherlands
Oral, live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines demonstrate substantially lower effectiveness in low- and middle-income countries in Africa and Asia, where the burden of rotavirus disease is highest. The intestinal microbiome may explain this gap
in vaccine effectiveness and this talk outlines how field studies, murine studies, and proof-of-concept trials can provide a multi-disciplinary evidence base for employing microbiome-based interventions to improve rotavirus vaccine immunogenicity.
12:45 FEATURED POSTER: Exploiting Bacteriophages as a Novel Diagnosis for Bacterial Infections: A Case Study of Lyme Disease and Its Co-Infection with Bartonellosis and Relapsing Fever
Jinyu Shan, PhD, Research Fellow, University of Leicester; CSO, Phelix Research and Development
Lyme disease (LD) is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks. Bartonellosis is arguably the most common co-infection that occurs with LD. We have developed a RT-PCR assay targeting bacteriophages carried by Lyme Borrelia strains and shown experimentally on patient samples that this bacteriophage-based RT-PCR was six times as sensitive as the standard Lyme serological test. Ongoing research focus on developing the RT-PCRs targeting Bartonella and RF Borrelia species. This project provides a highly sensitive multiplex RT-PCR and resolve the current dilemma in diagnosis of LD and co-infections in the long term.
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13:15 LUNCHEON PRESENTATION: Faster Together: Avoid Development Roadblocks by Partnering Early with MilliporeSigma
Savita Bagga, Invitro Diagnostics
Segment Marketing Manager, MilliporeSigma, USA
Collaborate together: Explore how we connect researchers from internal and external teams to present and exchange challenges and perspectives on IVD development. The current strategy at Merck is focused on enabling channels for interaction
between R&D in the IVD manufacturing sector with our own R&D teams. With more understanding of customer needs, our R&D teams can offer better customized solutions for the IVD industry's specific needs and therefore accelerate
the path to commercialization.
13:45 Session Break
14:15 NEW: PANEL DISCUSSION: Host and Pathogen Derived Biomarkers
Moderator: Tanya Gottlieb, PhD, Vice President, Scientific Affairs, MeMed, Israel
Panelists: Adriana Calderaro, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Clinical Microbiology, Unit of Microbiology and Virology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy
Oliver Liesenfeld, MD, CMO, Inflammatix, United States
Vanessa C. Harris, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Global Health, University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Development, The Netherlands
In this panel discussion, session speakers will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of looking at both host-derived, and pathogen-derived biomarkers in infectious disease diagnostics. Our panelists have experience working with both viral
and bacterial infections and include representation from academia and biotech industry.
14:45 Chairperson's Remarks
Till T. Bachmann, PhD, Reader, Personalised Medicine in Infectious Disease; Deputy Head, Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
14:50 Implementation Issues in Infectious Disease Point-of-Care Testing
John Hays, PhD, Associate Professor, Medical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands
Although many infectious disease and antibiotic resistance Point-of-Care test (ID-AMR POCT) devices are already available on the market (and many novel technologies are also being adapted to detect infectious diseases and antibiotic resistances),
the uptake of such devices into medical practice has been rather slow. In this talk, some of the main issues relating to the implementation of ID-AMR POCT will be discussed. The issues to be discussed were identified via a specially convened
POC working group of the Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam (EMC), the Netherlands, as well as during discussions in recent meetings of the international JPIAMR AMR-RDT working group.
15:20 Rapid Diagnostics and Antibiotic Use in Primary Care
Till T. Bachmann, PhD, Reader, Personalised Medicine in Infectious Disease; Deputy Head, Division of Infection and Pathway Medicine, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, United
Kingdom
15:50 AMR Surveillance in the Netherlands Using NGS
Leo Schouls, PhD, Molecular Microbiologist, Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Screening, Centre for Infectious Disease Control Netherlands, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), The Netherlands
The Netherlands have national surveillance systems for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and MRSA, using digital data-exchange for submission and reporting (Type-Ned). All CPEs and infection-related MRSA are analyzed by next-generation
sequencing and a genetic relationship between isolates is assessed by whole-genome Multiple Locus Sequence Typing. Recently third-generation sequencing to reconstruct complete plasmids was implemented for CPEs. The data are used to assess
trends in national spread and transmission within healthcare centers.
16:20 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
17:00 Breakout Discussions View Details
18:00 Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
19:00 Close of Day
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WEDNESDAY 8 MAY
08:00 Registration and Morning Coffee
09:00 Chairperson's Remarks
Matthew Cotten, PhD, Research Scientist, Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands
09:05 New Strategies Based on Protein Domains to Find Patterns in Viral Next Generation Sequencing Data
Matthew Cotten,
PhD, Research Scientist, Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, The Netherlands
For most virus families, genome size is limited by capsid constraints. Thus, viral genomes can be compact collections of encoded protein domains. We are exploring and developing novel strategies to classify viral sequences based on
their encoded protein domains.
09:35 HIV Transmission Dynamics in The Netherlands - A Combined Mathematical Model and Phylogenetic Analysis
Daniela
Bezemer, PhD, Senior Researcher, Stichting HIV Monitoring, The Netherlands
The first HIV-1 cases in The Netherlands were diagnosed in the early eighties amongst men having sex with men. From our data we see that of the many introductions from abroad only few result in national sub-epidemics. Once established
however, these sub-epidemics are very persistent. On the other hand, infections amongst heterosexuals reflect the HIV situation in their regions of origin or link to a former epidemic amongst drug users.
10:05 Genome Detective: An Automated Web-Based HTS Virus Assembly and Identification System
Koen Deforche,
CTO, Co-Founder, Emweb, Belgium
Tumbling cost and general availability of sequencing promises to create a revolution in infectious disease diagnostics. Although raw sequence data does not provide a simple answer to a diagnostic hypothesis, it can instead provide
a complete overview of pathogens in a sample and inform on epidemiological risk factors to guide prevention of infection and surveillance. Genome Detective is an easy-to-use bioinformatics platform which unlocks this information
from sequence data.
10:35 Meeting the Worldwide Challenge of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Agathe
Jouet, PhD, Research Engineer, GenoScreen, France
Deeplex® Myc-TB is the only commercialized assay using deep sequencing for culture-free detection of tuberculosis resistance to 15 antibiotics. This assay offers an automated analysis pipeline developed by GenoScreen and benefits
from BlueBee’s cloud platform (bioinformatics data solution). This integrated solution expedites accurate detection of drug resistant TB in patients globally enabling faster tailoring of patient treatments, improving treatment
success rates and preventing amplification and onward transmission of drug resistance.
11:05 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
11:35 Moderator’s Remarks
Charlotte Ryckman, Associate, Covington & Burling LLP, Belgium
11:45 Precision Diagnostics in Oncology: Expanding Roles of Liquid Biopsies
Nitzan Rosenfeld, PhD, Senior Group Leader, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge; CSO, Inivata Ltd., United Kingdom
Effective clinical management relies on accurate diagnostic information, which requires effective techniques and the right samples. Next generation sequencing can provide a wealth of information, but implementing innovative technologies
into clinical routine can be a challenge. We’ll examine how analysis of cell-free DNA can provide an opportunity to re-examine many of the current clinical decision points, and a test case for adoption of new diagnostic tools.
12:15 Legal and Regulatory Developments in Precision Medicine and Diagnostic Devices
Erik Vollebregt, Partner, Axon Lawyers, The Netherlands
- What changes will be brought about by the IVDR?
- What is the impact of the GDPR in the field of precision medicine and diagnostic devices?
- What are the practical implications of implementation of new European regulations?
- What are the consequences of the interplay of the IVDR and the GDPR?
12:45 PANEL DISCUSSION: Challenges and Opportunities in European Diagnostic Investments
Moderator:
Philippe Peltier, Partner, Kurma Partners, France
Panelists:
Florian Kainzinger, PhD, Managing Partner, Founder, Think.Health Ventures, Germany
Seppo Mäkinen, Partner, Pathena Investments
- What is different in Europe versus other markets (e.g., US and Israel). How do different European markets compare?
- What has changed in the landscape of European investments over the past few years? What can be improved?
- The role of regulators and governments
- How can start-ups stand out and get attention in the current landscape?
13:30 Close of Advanced Diagnostics for Infectious Disease
Day 1 | Day 2 | Download Brochure