Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Inaugural
Next-Generation Conjugates
September 29 - October 1, 2026
The inaugural Next Generation Conjugates program explores how advances in target discovery, target validation, and bioconjugate engineering are shaping the next wave of conjugate therapeutics. Sessions compare targeting and engineering requirements across ADCs, oligonucleotide and siRNA formats, radioligand, multispecific, and degrader-based conjugates. Here we highlight how target biology, modality choice, and delivery constraints intersect early in discovery. This 3-day program features emerging opportunities in the tumor microenvironment, including CAF-driven biology and targets such as FAP and claudins, alongside dedicated discussions on overcoming one of the field’s most persistent challenges: effective delivery across the CNS and blood–brain barrier. Computational approaches, including AI and machine learning, are examined for improving target selection, validation, and early decision-making. Engineering-focused sessions integrate chemical and biological perspectives to address two central questions: How do we build it? and How does it work? Coverage spans linker chemistry, masked, and conditionally active strategies, conjugation method selection, and structure–function relationships governing affinity, internalization, stability, and payload release. Design principles across ADCs, peptide drug conjugates, and degrader-based systems will be compared to clarify when certain architecture offers advantages in potency, selectivity, or mechanistic benefit. Join us to equip your discovery and development teams with clearer frameworks for designing more precise and effective conjugate therapeutics.
Coverage will include, but is not limited to:
Novel Target Discovery & Validation for Bioconjugates
- Comparing target requirements for different bioconjugate therapeutics
- Targeting the TME
Targeting and delivery across the CNS & Blood-Brain Barrier (2 talks)
- Strategies for getting ADCs and other bioconjugate therapeutics across the BBB
- Intracellular delivery and endosomal escape mechanisms
Computational approaches for targeting
- AI/ML for target selection and validation
- choosing the right target for your conjugate: requirements and tradeoffs
Linker Chemistry and Conjugation Methods
- Site-specific vs. stochastic conjugation & their trends
- Cleavable vs non-cleavable linkers & their trends
- Click-chemistry and methods for improving selectivity
- Interplay between conjugation method, stability, and producibility
Designing Fit-for-Purpose Bioconjugates
- Balancing affinity, internalization, and payload release for different indications
- Engineering multispecific ADCs and alternative scaffolds for better penetration and selectivity
- Using modeling / in silico tools to predict PK, stability, and off-target activity
Emerging Payloads for Bioconjugate Therapeutics
- Emerging conjugate payloads, such as dual-targeting and multispecific ADCs, degrader-based, oligonucleotide/siRNA, and radioligand formats
- Design comparisons of ADCs vs peptide-drug conjugates vs degrader-conjugates
Translating Emerging Modalities to the Clinic
- Modality-specific safety & toxicity challenges
- Choosing the right modality for the right indication (oncology and beyond)
- Early clinical design and biomarker strategies for first-in-human studies
The deadline for priority consideration is March 13, 2026.
All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.
Opportunities for Participation: