Explore the Agenda

8:00 am Check-In & Coffee + Light Breakfast

8:45 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Professor - Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, The University of Iowa

Harnessing Biologic & Genetic Approaches to Enable Previously Undruggable Ion Channel Targets

9:00 am KnotBody® Technology: Engineering Ion Channel–Modulating Antibodies via Knottin Integration into Antibody Loops

Director of Discovery Biology, Maxion Therapeutics
  • Overview of the KnotBody Platform: A novel approach enabling potent, selective, and durable modulation of ion channels
  • Lead Optimisation Highlights: Progress towards optimised KnotBody candidates targeting autoimmune diseases, demonstrating enhanced efficacy and developability
  • Platform Versatility: Evidence of broad applicability across diverse target classes, underscoring the flexibility of the KnotBody platform

9:30 am Targeting TRPV6 with Monoclonal Antibodies to Enable Selective Ion Channel Modulation for Anti-Tumor Activity in Oncology

Preclinical Development Head, Mabqi
  • Demonstrating the role of TRPV6 in tumor progression to validate its potential as a novel ion channel target across oncology indications 
  • Defining the mechanism of action of a TRPV6-targeting monoclonal antibody to establish on-target activity and functional impact on cancer cell biology
  • Generating pre-clinical in vitro and in vivo efficacy data to strengthen translational confidence and support progression toward clinical development 

10:00 am Using Nucleic Acid & Gene-Based Strategies to Achieve Subtype-Selective Ion Channel Modulation

Adjunct Professor of Brain Science, Brown University
  • Designing subtype-selective ion channel modulation beyond conventional small molecule targeting approaches 
  • Addressing key challenges in oligonucleotide delivery, tissue distribution, and neuronal uptake to enable effective modulation of excitability pathways 
  • Exploring where nucleic acid-based approaches offer the greatest advantage in pain and broader excitability disorders 

10:30 am Morning Break & Networking

Evaluating Emerging Modality Strategies to Improve Durability, Precision & Therapeutic Fit

11:00 am NaV1.7 Targeting Antisense Oligonucleotides: Emerging Modalities for Pain & Pipeline Development

Senior Principal Scientist, Quiver Bioscience
  • Utilizing ASOs as a novel way to modulate NaV1.7, which can circumvent the existing issues with small molecule inhibitors (e.g. autonomic side effects) 
  • Exploring how Quiver’s integrated platform based on all-optical electrophysiology and machine learning has led to identifying novel candidate molecules alongside therapeutic targets 
  • Demonstrating how Quiver’s platform can enrich the genetic medicine drug candidates with maximized therapeutic index 

11:30 am Targeting Ion Channel Expression Through Epigenetic Gene Editing to Improve Specificity & Durability

Vice President of R&D and Operations, Navega Therapeutics
  • Comparing DNA, RNA, and protein level strategies to clarify where epigenetic gene editing offers distinct advantages for ion channel modulation 
  • Addressing specificity, delivery, and durability challenges when regulating ion channel expression rather than channel activity 
  • Evaluating translational potential of DNA targeting approaches to reduce off target effects in pain related ion channel programs 

12:00 pm Panel: Comparing Modality Selection Decisions to Match Biology & Indication Requirements

Adjunct Professor of Brain Science, Brown University
Vice President of R&D and Operations, Navega Therapeutics
Senior Principal Scientist, Quiver Bioscience
Director of Discovery Biology, Maxion Therapeutics
Vice President MedChem, Mair Therapeutics
  • Examining how biology, delivery constraints & safety risk shaped final modality choices 
  • Weighing durability, tissue access, reversibility & tolerability across competing strategies 
  • Identifying modality decision principles that remain consistent across CNS & peripheral programs 

12:30 pm Networking Lunch

Demonstrating Human Proof-of-Concept to Validate Next-Generation Ion Channel Therapies

1:30 pm Selective Sodium Channel Blockade to Deliver Clinical Efficacy in Refractory Chronic Cough

Chief Scientific Officer, Nocion Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Selective local targeting of cough nociceptors to provide meaningful clinical outcomes in patients with refractory chronic cough
  • Interpreting Phase 2b clinical data to understand exposure response relationships, tolerability & efficacy
  • Achieving sufficient local exposure in lung tissue while avoiding systemic liability
  • Human proof of concept for selective sodium channel blockade to de-risk respiratory ion channel development

2:00 pm Restoring SCN1A-Mediated Neuronal Excitability Through Cell-Selective Gene Regulation in Clinical Dravet Syndrome

Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Encoded Therapeutics
  • Demonstrating durable SCN1A upregulation using AAV9-based gene regulation in clinical development
  • Translating cell-selective targeting of inhibitory neurons into disease-modifying potential in Dravet syndrome
  • Optimizing precision gene control strategies to improve safety and efficacy in CNS ion channel disorders

2:30 pm Afternoon Break & Networking

Translating Clinical Experience to Refine Future Ion Channel Development Strategies

3:00 pm Selective Sodium Channel Modulation to Deliver Meaningful Clinical Benefits in Chronic Chemotherapy-Induced Neuropathic Pain

Chief Medical Officer, Dogwood Therapeutics
  • A late-stage Phase 2 development program applying tetrodotoxin-based sodium channel modulation to treat chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain
  • Achieving durable pain reduction while minimizing CNS and systemic safety liabilities associated with chronic pain therapies
  • Establishing clinical proof of concept for selective ion channel modulation in nonopioid pain management

3:30 pm Stabilizing Neuronal Hyperexcitability to Advance Clinically Translatable Kv7 Therapies for ALS

Chief Scientific Officer, QurAlis Corp.
  • Targeting selective Kv7.2/7.3 activation to reduce motor neuron hyperexcitability associated with ALS progression
  • Applying electrophysiology and translational biomarkers to improve confidence in CNS ion channel clinical development
  • Demonstrating how improved selectivity and brain penetration can support safer chronic dosing in neurodegenerative disease

4:00 pm Fireside Chat: Reflecting on Clinical Experience to Shape Next‑Generation Ion Channel Programs

Chief Medical Officer, Dogwood Therapeutics
Chief Scientific Officer, Nocion Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Discussing how programs evolved in response to clinical data and operational realities
  • Sharing insights gained through adaptation, iteration, and risk management during development
  • Informing future discovery and development choices with experience-based perspective

4:30 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

Professor - Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, The University of Iowa

4:45 pm End of the Ion Channel-Targeted Drug Development Summit