Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 8th Annual

Implementing Precision Medicine

Companion Diagnostics and Genomic Medicine: Enabling Clinical Adoption

March 11 - 12, 2025 ALL TIMES PST

Since the completion of the Human Genome Project two decades ago, precision medicine approaches have led to new discoveries and treatments tailored to an individual’s genetic phenotype. As we move forward to enabling clinical adoption of genomic medicine, companion diagnostics, precision oncology, and other personalized medicine technologies, emphasis is shifting from discovery to implementation strategies. Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 8th Annual Implementing Precision Medicine conference once again brings together key stakeholders in precision medicine to brainstorm implementation strategies, including clinical adoption, business models, reimbursement and market access, impact on health equity, applications in oncology and beyond, and advances in companion and molecular diagnostics.

Monday, March 10

1:00 pmRegistration Open

Tuesday, March 11

7:00 amRegistration and Morning Coffee

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION: THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AND PRECISION MEDICINE

8:00 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Edward Abrahams, PhD, Former President, Personalized Medicine Coalition

8:10 am Plenary Keynote Fireside Chat:

A New Era in Healthcare: Making Precision Medicine a Reality

Gabriele Allegri, MBA, Vice President, Global Commercial Precision Medicine, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Interviewed By:

Edward Abrahams, PhD, Former President, Personalized Medicine Coalition

8:40 am PANEL DISCUSSION:

The Pharmaceutical Industry and Precision Medicine

PANEL MODERATOR:

Edward Abrahams, PhD, Former President, Personalized Medicine Coalition

Personalized or precision medicine depends upon linking prescribed therapies to diagnostics so that the right patient gets the right drug at the right time. Yet bringing the therapeutics and diagnostics together does not come easily as the pharmaceutical and diagnostic industries do not share the same business models or cultures. This panel discussion will explore what pharmaceutical executives look for when partnering with colleagues in diagnostics to develop targeted therapies.

PANELISTS:

Steffan Ho, MD, PhD, Vice President, Head of Translational Oncology, Pfizer

Andrea L. Stevens, PhD, Senior Director, Precision Medicine Access & Policy, J&J Innovative Medicine

Lourdes Barrera, PhD, Executive Director, Global Medical Affairs Oncology—Precision Medicine, Merck

Omar Perez, PhD, Head of Medical Diagnostics, US Medical Affairs Oncology, AstraZeneca

9:30 amGrand Opening Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

IMPLEMENTING PRECISION MEDICINE AND COMPANION DIAGNOSTICS

10:15 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Hakan Sakul, PhD, Owner and President, Precision Dx Strategies, Inc.

10:20 am

Challenges & Opportunities for Employing Innovative Technologies in Companion Diagnostic Development

Christopher Conn, PhD, Director, Global Diagnostic Strategy, Precision Medicine, Amgen

This talk will summarize the current state of approved companion diagnostics from a technology perspective, and provide critical insights into emerging diagnostic technologies. It will highlight some emerging technologies such as AI-assisted digital pathology, focusing on how these technologies help address limitations of standard approaches, balanced with challenges and barriers that limit the adoption of such technologies.

10:50 am

Clinical Development Enabled by Precision Medicine: The Amivantamab CDx Story (So Far)

Fernando Cruz-Guilloty, PhD, Director, Precision Medicine & Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Amivantamab (Ami) is a bispecific antibody against EGFR and MET that has been developed to address unmet needs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The efficacy of Ami has been demonstrated in pivotal studies for NSCLC with EGFR Exon 20 insertion mutations and NSCLC with common EGFR mutations (Exon 19 deletion and L858R). This talk will describe precision medicine enabling clinical development success for Ami, highlighting various companion diagnostics (CDx).

11:20 am

Implementation Science: The Precision Medicine Perspective

Lourdes Barrera, PhD, Executive Director, Global Medical Affairs Oncology—Precision Medicine, Merck

As precision medicine evolves, the need for effective implementation strategies becomes paramount to translate research findings into clinical practice. In this talk, we will explore the integration of implementation science within precision medicine, focusing on frameworks, methodologies, and real-world applications. Key topics will include the assessment of barriers to adoption, strategies for stakeholder engagement, and the evaluation of outcomes. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we aim to enhance the scalability and sustainability of precision medicine initiatives, ultimately improving patient outcomes and health equity.

11:50 am

The Biospecimen Industry Collaboration: Building Next-Gen Clinical Operations to Support Precision Medicine

Brenda Yanak, Former Vice President, Bristol Myers Squibb Co.; Founder, Clinical Transformation Partners LLC

As both science and technology advance, the development of precision medicines has never been more imminent. However, operations have lagged behind. This talk will introduce the Biospecimen Industry Collaboration, a precompetitive collaboration whose goal is to industrialize biospecimen management to accelerate bringing new treatments to patients.

12:20 pmSession Break

12:25 pmLuncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available) or Enjoy Lunch on Your Own

12:55 pmSession Break

IMPLEMENTING PRECISION MEDICINE AND COMPANION DIAGNOSTICS (CONT.)

1:20 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

Hakan Sakul, PhD, Owner and President, Precision Dx Strategies, Inc.

1:25 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Best Practices for Development and Global Utilization of Precision Medicines

PANEL MODERATOR:

Hakan Sakul, PhD, Owner and President, Precision Dx Strategies, Inc.

Many precision medicine and companion diagnostics combinations have been delivered over the years. While multiple cancer indications have been the primary beneficiaries of precision medicines, scientific and technological improvements are now enabling such medicines for non-cancer indications. This expert panel will focus on past and present efforts to develop precision medicines, impact of technological advances on future medicines, advances in prevailing science across disease states, equitable access to precision medicine trials, current challenges in global regulatory and reimbursement environments, and ways to remove barriers to access.

PANELISTS:

Brian Caveney, MD, JD, MPH, CMO & CSO, President, Early Development Research Laboratories, Labcorp

Fernando Cruz-Guilloty, PhD, Director, Precision Medicine & Diagnostics, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine

Elaine Katrivanos, Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Tempus AI

Jean-François Martini, PhD, MSc, Biomarker Clinical Assay and Technology Group Head, Translational Science Operations, Pfizer Oncology

Marielena Mata, PhD, Senior Director, Clinical Biomarkers, Vividion Therapeutics

2:25 pm Epigenomic liquid biopsy tools for individualized signals of therapy response

Samuel Levy, CSO, R&D, ClearNote Health

Epigenomic states underpin cellular identity and disease phenotypes, which can be leveraged for cancer detection and monitoring in liquid biopsies. 5-hydroxymethylated cytosine (5hmC) is an epigenetic modification that is enriched over active genes and regulatory regions such as promoters and enhancers. 5hmC analysis of cell-free DNA provides powerful insights into disease biology from a single blood draw, with applications ranging from cancer early detection to cancer treatment response and monitoring.

2:55 pmRefreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION: DRIVING INNOVATION IN PRECISION MEDICINE: CEO PERSPECTIVE

3:40 pm

Chairperson's Remarks

Mara G. Aspinall, Partner, Illumina Ventures; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University; Editor, Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter

3:45 pm Plenary Keynote Fireside Chat:

Patient-Centric Innovation—Redefining At-Home Health Experiences

Peter Foley, CEO and Founder, LetsGetChecked

In this fireside chat, Peter Foley, CEO and founder of LetsGetChecked, will explore the mission and vision that have driven the company’s rapid growth and innovation in home health management. He will share insights into the journey of scaling from a direct-to-consumer model to a robust business-to-business platform, addressing the challenges of integrating health insights and advanced clinical diagnostics with exceptional customer care. From immunoassays and clinical chemistry to genomics, Peter will discuss how LetsGetChecked leverages cutting-edge technologies to empower precision medicine at scale, delivering tailored healthcare solutions that meet the unique needs of millions of individual patients. This conversation will highlight the transformative role of precision medicine, patient-focused care models, and innovative digital platforms in shaping a more connected and responsive healthcare ecosystem that delivers measurable value for all stakeholders.

Interviewed By:

Nick Naclerio, PhD, Founding Partner, Illumina Ventures

4:15 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Driving Innovation in Precision Medicine: CEO Perspective

PANEL MODERATOR:

Mara G. Aspinall, Partner, Illumina Ventures; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University; Editor, Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter

Explore the cutting-edge of precision medicine through the eyes of leading diagnostics company CEOs.This panel will highlight how innovative companies are pushing the boundaries of innovation, addressing industry challenges, and shaping the future of personalized healthcare. Gain firsthand insights on the strategies driving breakthroughs and the critical leadership required to build a successful company and transform the landscape.

PANELISTS:

Lisa Alderson, CEO, Adela, Inc.

Alex Aravanis, MD, PhD, CEO, Moonwalk Biosciences

Susan Tousi, CEO, DELFI Diagnostics

5:00 pmWelcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

6:00 pmClose of Day

Wednesday, March 12

7:30 amRegistration and Morning Coffee

PLENARY KEYNOTE SESSION: INVESTING IN PRECISION MEDICINE INNOVATION

8:00 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Mara G. Aspinall, Partner, Illumina Ventures; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University; Editor, Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter

8:10 am PANEL DISCUSSION:

Investing in Precision Medicine Innovation: What Defines Success?

PANEL MODERATOR:

Mara G. Aspinall, Partner, Illumina Ventures; Professor of Practice, Arizona State University; Editor, Sensitive & Specific: The Testing Newsletter

Dive into the world of investing in precision medicine and explore what defines success in this ever-changing sector. This panel will unpack the key drivers behind successful investments, from proprietary technologies to regulatory challenges. Investors will share their perspectives on identifying high-impact opportunities, managing risk, and fostering innovation to achieve long-term value in precision medicine.

PANELISTS:

Ajit Singh, PhD, CEO, Harbinger Health

Jenny Rooke, PhD, Managing Director, Genoa Ventures

Michael Hadjisavas, PhD, Executive Advisor, GreyBird Ventures LLC

9:00 amTransition to Sessions

MARKET ACCESS FOR PRECISION MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR TESTING

9:05 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Stacey Brown, Market Access and Evidence Strategy Lead, Optum Genomics

9:10 am

Moving Precision Medicine into Early-Stage Cancers: When Policies Get in the Way

Maude Champagne, Director, Market Access Strategy, Illumina

John L. Fox, MD, Senior Medical Director for the Americas, Illumina, Inc.

The therapeutic landscape is shifting towards precision medicine in the early stages of cancers. Similarly, nascent utilization of minimal residual disease in solid tumors goes beyond advanced cancers by guiding early-stage cancer neoadjuvant and adjuvant decisions. Yet, coverage of diagnostic assays in early-stage cancers is restricted by methodology and intended use, limiting innovation. This session will review how current policies limit coverage of innovative assays driving precision medicine and potential avenues to reform limiting policies.

9:40 am

Case Study in Addressing Access Barriers: Clinical Implementation of Exome and Genome Sequencing in Pediatric Rare Disease

Stacey Brown, Market Access and Evidence Strategy Lead, Optum Genomics

This session will review a case study involving implementation across several health care ecosystem stakeholders (payer, provider, industry) aimed at addressing various issues associated with the commercial clinical adoption of exome and genome sequencing in pediatric rare disease. It will underscore the complexity of improving access to genomic testing and the importance of a multifaceted approach.

10:10 am

Re-Envisioning Reimbursement to Support Technological Innovations that Improve Patient Care and Outcomes

Paul Gerrard, MD, Head, Global Market Access and Reimbursement, PathAI

Reimbursement systems traditionally are designed around conventional healthcare delivery workflows such as patient visits, laboratory testing, and follow-up care, which are codified into billable services. While early health technology, like EMRs primarily functioned in a supportive role, health technologies today increasingly enable doctors to do more. Reimbursement models and processes aren't designed for many healthcare innovations, and they are slowly evolving in reaction to the emergence of these newer technologies.

10:40 amCoffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

DIRECT ACCESS TESTING

11:25 am

Chairperson's Remarks

Joe Keenan, Head, Life Sciences, LetsGetChecked

11:30 am

Precision Medicine Reimbursement—A Landscape Overview

Matt Bacigalupi, Director, Medicare Account Management, Novartis

Precision Medicine has rapidly evolved over the last decade; as a part of the dynamic future of healthcare, where do we stand with payer coverage and reimbursement?   What steps can we take to better understand how coverage decisions are going to be made and what steps can be taken "pre" and "post" market entrance to help support coverage?

12:00 pm PANEL DISCUSSION:

Direct Access Testing—Greatest Challenges in Getting Patients the Results They Need

PANEL MODERATOR:

Joe Keenan, Head, Life Sciences, LetsGetChecked

Direct access testing or 'consumer-initiated testing' has grown exponentially in the last 5 years. Much is attributable to the familiarization of home testing kits such as those used during the pandemic for Covid-19 antigen testing. Patients are moving to managing their health on their own terms and we as an industry need to appropriately facilitate. This panel will discuss test access/affordability as well as regulatory topics and operational aspects that present challenges and opportunities for patients to get the results they need. The different channels of how patients can access testing will also be a core topic with the ongoing evolution from traditional methods.

PANELISTS:

Robert Mordkin, MD, CMO, LetsGetChecked

Lesley Northrop, PhD, Former Executive, Everly Health

Matt Bacigalupi, Director, Medicare Account Management, Novartis

Amy Summy, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Labcorp

Shawn Carlson, Vice President, Head of Market Access, Roche Diagnostics

1:00 pmLunch in the Exhibit Hall

2:00 pmClose of Implementing Precision Medicine Conference






Purchase On-Demand
March 11-12, 2025

Artificial Intelligence in Precision Medicine

Implementing Precision Medicine

At-Home & Point-of-Care Diagnostics

Liquid Biopsy

Spatial Biology and Single-Cell Multiomics

March 12-13, 2025

Diagnostics Market Access

Precision Medicine Beyond Oncology

Infectious Disease Diagnostics

Multi-Cancer Early Detection

Clinical Biomarkers & Companion Diagnostics