For access to the full recap, click here.
The summit brought together leaders from the science and business communities for a comprehensive program focused on data-driven advancements in immuno-oncology.
Day One opened with Dr Crystal Mackall, Stanford University, receiving the inaugural IO360º Lifetime Achievement award, which honors leaders whose groundbreaking contributions have profoundly shaped immuno-oncology. In her keynote, Dr Mackall presented data on her CAR T work targeting GD2 for the treatment of diffuse midline gliomas and research into blocking macrophage phagocytosis of T cells.
MUSC Hollings Cancer Center’s Dr William Hawkins provided a fundamental overview on neoantigen vaccines for pancreatic cancer. Delphi Ventures’s Dr Deepa Pakianathan presented the fundamental principles of ADC design and key strategies for efficacy. Novartis’ Dr Chaitanya Divgi discussed the immunological effects of radiopharmaceuticals. A panel discussion focused on Project Optimus, and how to balance innovation and practicality in IO dose selection.
Day Two began with insights from Pfizer’s Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, Dr Andrew Baum, who spoke about the company's evolving business development strategy in IO. Eikon Therapeutics’ Dr Roy Baynes and Truist Securities’ Asthika Goonewardene dove into the impact of bispecific antibodies targeting PD-1 and VEGF for the IO landscape and market dynamics, and Dr Graig Suvannavejh, Mizuho Securities USA, gave an overview of the biotech markets and IO outlook.
Dr Baum and Dr Axel Hoos, formerly of Scorpion Therapeutics, each led panel discussions on M&A, partnerships and biotech investments in IO, and navigating the IO investing/fundraising environment in 2025, respectively. At the annual IO360º debate, J&J Innovative Medicine’s Dr Charles Drake and Dr Alexander Eggermont, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology / UMC Utrecht, Utrecht University, argued the merits of monotherapy versus combination therapy in treatment efficacy and IO innovation.
Starting Day Three, Dr Elliott Norry, Adaptimmune, presented the organization’s advancements in TCR-based cell therapy, highlighting the recent FDA approval of afamitresgene autoleucel. Prof. Dr. Georg Schett, Uniklinikum Erlangen and FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, showcased the potential of CAR-T in addressing unmet needs in autoimmune diseases.
A panel discussion focused on navigating IO drug development in a saturated field. Dr Eggermont spoke about neoadjuvant immunotherapy clinical developments. Dr Christine Ward, Moderna, led a panel on advancing cancer vaccines and neoantigen therapies. Dr Zhen Su, Marengo, gave a progress update on TCR-targeted bispecific antibody monotherapy in solid tumors. Dr Drake closed the program with a presentation on solid tumor CD3 redirectors.
For the first time, IO360º introduced poster sessions to the program as an additional platform to share scientific advancements. Across multiple tracks, IO360º speakers presented on: novel IO technologies; new tech in transformational biology; oncology clinical operations; breakthroughs in translational science, imaging and biomarkers; IO cell therapy and innovations in process to generate cell therapies; and innovations in cell types employed in cell therapies.
We are pleased to share highlights from IO360º 2025. A big thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s event.
For access to the full recap, click here.
