INDIANAPOLIS – More than 1.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer and about 610,000 people die from the disease annually, according to the National Cancer Institute. Researchers at Indiana universities and life sciences companies are part of the fight to effectively treat cancer and hopefully find a cure for it in the future.
The Nov. 15 conference, “On the Frontlines of Treating Cancer,” will highlight the latest efforts to fight cancer, the business implications and Indiana’s contribution to and role in the development of treatments such as personalized and precision medicine, genomics, immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.
Representatives from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Purdue University, Eli Lilly, Roche Diagnostics, IU Health and Covance will discuss approaches either under development or already being used. The conference — taking place at Roche Diagnostics Corporate Headquarters at 9115 Hague Road in Indianapolis – is being presented by the Center for the Business of Life Sciences at the IU Kelley School of Business.
In his opening keynote, Phil Low, Presidential Scholar for Drug Discovery and the Ralph C. Corley Distinguished Professor of Chemistry-Biochemistry at Purdue University, will provide a broad view of cancer treatment efforts.
In October 2018, Endocyte Inc., a West Lafayette biotech startup built around Low’s research was purchased for $2.1 billion by pharmaceutical company Novartis AG. Key to the purchase was an experimental therapy aimed at treating advanced prostate cancer.
Two panel discussions will focus on current innovations in oncology treatment and strategies as well as those under development.
The registration fee for the conference, which will run from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., is $175 and includes lunch. Students at accredited Indiana institutions of higher education may qualify for a discounted rate. Registration and additional information are available on the conference webpage or by contacting Kelli Conder at the Kelley School at 812-856-0915 or kconder@indiana.edu.
Future events in the 2019-20 Indiana Life Sciences Collaboration Conference Series are “Capital Makes the (Life Sciences) World Go ‘Round” on Feb. 11, 2020 at One America Tower in Indianapolis and “Medicare for All and The Alternatives” on May 1 at Cook Medical headquarters in Bloomington. People may register for all three events for $450, for a savings of $75.