Speaker Profile
PMWC PIONEER AWARD
Pioneering work in cancer immunotherapy, including the development of adoptive T cell therapies for solid tumors and groundbreaking cancer vaccine trials.
MD, PhD, Director, Ludwig Inst. for Cancer Research
Biography
Dr. George Coukos, a leading figure in tumor immunology, serves as the director of the Lausanne Branch of the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research and the Department of Oncology at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. His pioneering work presently focuses on developing precision immunotherapy in cancer treatment, particularly in Tcell therapies. Notably, he's been instrumental in developing personalized immunotherapies, including an autologous dendritic cell vaccine and adoptive Tcell therapy with vaccine primed autologous Tcells for ovarian cancer treatment. Dr. Coukos's research has unveiled the spontaneous antitumor response in ovarian cancer, challenging previous beliefs and expanding its application beyond ovarian to other solid tumors. He also elucidated critical mechanisms governing the interplay between tumors and the immune system, including the role of the tumor vasculature in erecting a barrier to T cell trafficking in tumors. His translational efforts have led to significant clinical advancements, and he continues to lead groundbreaking trials in the field. Dr. Coukos is at the forefront of precision oncology, leveraging advanced technologies like high throughput sequencing to tailor immunotherapies based on molecular and genetic specifics of the tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. His research pursuits of innovative therapies have set new standards in cancer immunotherapy, including the recent development of rational engineering of superior effector T cell states for adoptive therapy.
Session Abstract – PMWC 2024 Silicon Valley
Track Chair: Sharon Benzeno, Adaptive Biotechnologies
- PMWC 2024 Award Ceremony
Pioneer Honoree: Stanley Riddell, Fred Hutchinson
Pioneer Honoree: George Coukos, Ludwig Cancer Center
- Keynote: Engineering Synthetic T Cell States for Cancer Rejection
- George Coukos, Ludwig Cancer Center
- Discovery of Novel Targets in Cell Therapies in Oncology and Autoimmune Disorders (PANEL)
Chair: Harlan Robins, Adaptive Bio
- Stanley Riddell, Fred Hutchinson
- Allison Betof Warner, Stanford
- Lawrence Fong, UCSF - Supply Chain 2.0 Getting Cell Therapies to Patients (PANEL)
Chair: Jean Xu, Janssen Pharmaceuticals
- Amanda Pace, Sonoma Bio
- Laura Deschenes, Sana Biotechnology - Evolving Case Law and Practical Strategies for Immunotherapy Patents
- Janet Xiao, Morrison & Foerster LLP
- Emerging Clinical Data in Oncology Cell Therapeutics
Chair: Andrew Allen, Gritstone bio, Inc.
- Robert Meehan, Moderna - Scientific Advancements in Individualized Cell Therapies in Oncology ( PANEL)
Chair: Sharon Benzeno, Adaptive Biotechnologies
- Ira Mellman, Genenetch
- Robert Meehan, Moderna
- Dirk Nagorsen, Affini-T Therapeutics - AI-Enhanced Approaches in Cell Therapy Development
Chair: Suchit Jhunjhunwala, Genentech
- Brian Weitzner, Outpace Bio
- PMWC Showcase
- Arun Wiita, UCSF
You have truly created something of a “Davos of personalized medicine” conference, which has value beyond ASCO and ASH.
PMWC is indeed 'The Davos of Biotech'
There is no other event with such a lineup of leaders in their field. My annual MUST event since 2013!
Now THAT is a stellar line up!!
I am thrilled to hear about the impressive lineup of speakers and the engaging topics planned for the conference.
PMWC is a landmark event, a real tour de force in precision medicine!
Congrats. This is an amazing rock star lineup.
The PMWC program and speaker lineup is one of the most impactful and thoughtfully curated conferences in healthcare today.
I’ve spoken and had exhibitions in the past at PMWC — one of my favorite conferences of the year — and this lineup is extra impressive.
Tal has done an amazing job developing the PMWC into the #1 premier precision medicine conference.
Incredible line up! Great event you are putting on
What an impressive lineup.
Congratulations on the amazing speaker lineup. Wow!
PMWC was excellent, and the lineup sounds truly impressive!
The line up has come together beautifully and quite impressively. Many people have mentioned how much they are looking forward to it.
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