Therapeutic Workshop
New Insights and New Therapeutic Hope for Lupus: Focusing on B Cells
Thursday, October 20
8:15 a.m. - 9:15 a.m.
Sea Cliff
In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the immune system attacks healthy organs and tissues through autoreactive B cells and errant antibodies. Current treatments including steroids and global immunosuppressive drugs act indiscriminately against the entire immune system, rendering patients susceptible to diseases including infection, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. Panel members discussed new approaches to treating lupus by reigning in antibody-producing B-cells with drugs that deplete or modulate B-cells. While there has not been a new drug approved for lupus in 40 years, several biologics that target B-cells are now in late stage clinical development that have the potential to transform treatment approaches to this large unmet medical need.
Moderator:
- David Witzke, PhD, Principal, Senior Research Analyst, Bank of America Securities LLC
Panelists:
- Hideki Garren, MD, PhD, Co-founder and Vice President of Research, Bayhill Therapeutics, Inc.
- Vibeke Strand, MD, Biopharmaceutical Consultant, Adjunct Clinical Professor, Division of Immunology, Stanford University
- Michael H. Weisman, MD, Director, Division of Rheumatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Paul Joseph Utz, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine