The IRCM's first-ever symposium on the untapped potential of RNA therapeutics, was held on May 23 and 24 and attended by more than 200 participants and was the scene of exchanges rich in science and innovation, which gave rise to a wealth of ideas and fruitful collaborations.
Under the theme RNA medicine and innovation (RMed): an essential dialogue for tomorrow's therapies, the meeting brought together leaders of the field to explore both the scientific angles of RNA therapeutics' potential and the challenges of commercialization.
Co-chaired by IRCM scientists Dr. Éric Lécuyer and Dr. Martin Sauvageau, in collaboration with their colleagues, Dr. Marlene Oeffinger of the IRCM, Dr. Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh of the University of Pennsylvania / RNA Technologies and Therapeutics Inc., and Dr. Thomas Duchaine of McGill University, the symposium featured speakers and panelists from Université de Montréal, McGill University, University of Toronto, Harvard Medical School, University of California, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, as well as industry representatives including Moderna.
"For our institute, at the forefront of this field notably with our Sidney-Altman RNA Therapeutic Hub, this symposium is a unique opportunity for exchange. We are proud to salute the work of our colleagues, who have made this meeting a success," said Jean-François Côté, President and Scientific Director of IRCM.
About RNA therapeutics
Since the pandemic in particular, RNA has been on everyone's lips, mobilizing numerous research groups. The potential of RNA-based therapies remains largely untapped, but raises great hopes for personalized medicine, because of their high potential to generate effective solutions to a variety of serious diseases such as certain cancers, as well as rare and degenerative diseases.
About the speakers
Keynote speakers:
- Dr Frank Slack, Harvard Medical School, BIDMC
- Dr Nahum Sonenberg, Université McGill
Other guest speakers:
- Dr Nabil Seidah, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal
- Dr Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh, Université de Pennsylvanie / RNA Technologies and Therapeutics inc.
- Dre Galit Alter, Moderna
- Dre Karine Choquet, Université de Sherbrooke
- Dr Masad Damha, McGill Centre for RNA Sciences
- Dr Steven Dowdy, Université de Californie, San Diego
- Dre Amanda Hargrove, Université de Toronto, Mississauga
- Dre Rabia Khan, Serna Bio
- Dre Maureen McKeague, McGill Center for RNA Sciences
- Dr Keith Pardee, University of Toronto
- Dr Bastien Paré, Oxford Nanopore Technologies
- Dre Christine Vande Velde, Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal
- Dre Maria Vera Ugalde, Université McGill
- Dr Yannick Cyr, NYU Langoone Health
