Older adults with neurological diseases are often underserved in clinical research due to disease complexity, biological variability and trial designs that fail to reflect their real-world needs. This webinar will explore how precision medicine can solve these challenges by sub-classifying complex conditions and aligning trial strategies with the biology and lived experience of aging populations.
The featured speakers will highlight how disease-specific biomarkers and recent advances in biomarker science are redefining patient populations in areas such as cognitive decline, movement disorders and ophthalmology. By focusing on sub-classification and related endpoints, clinical trials can be more precise in measuring outcomes and evaluating emerging therapies, including advanced modalities like cell and gene therapies.
A central theme of the webinar will be patient centricity. Older adults face distinct challenges in clinical trial participation, including mobility limitations, comorbidities and heightened sensitivity to treatment-related toxicity. These realities demand careful consideration of trial design, from simplifying protocols and reducing burden to adjusting dose levels and safety assessments through the lens of population science. By integrating patient needs with scientific rigor, precision medicine can close efficacy gaps and bring meaningful therapies to elderly populations who are often underrepresented in research.
Register for this webinar to learn how patient centricity enhances precision medicine for age-related neurological diseases.
Speakers
Panos Papanastasopoulos, Associate Medical Director, PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Panos Papanastasopoulos is a highly experienced Medical Oncologist who completed his training at Imperial College NHS in London, UK in 2016. He has published more than 20 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and has contributed as an author for book chapters in HIV oncology. Part of his research has been incorporated into ESMO and NCCN guidelines. Panos has a special interest in gastrointestinal and geriatric oncology, HIV-related malignancies and germ cell/gestational tumours. His experience also includes participation in clinical trials as a principal and co-investigator in Phase I to Phase III trials. Since September 2023, Panos has joined PPD-Thermo Fisher as a Medical Director providing medical monitoring services, as well as consultations in trial protocol design and therapeutic landscape.
Message Presenter
Debra Schaumberg, ScD, OD, MPH, Vice President & Global Head, Strategic Development and Global Head of Strategic Scientific Solutions for Ophthalmology; Chair, Research Leadership Council, PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific
An internationally recognized expert in epidemiological methods and ophthalmology clinical research, Dr. Schaumberg brings to the life sciences community more than 25 years of expertise and experience leading clinical development, regulatory and medical affairs strategy. Dr. Schaumberg has developed and led numerous research and development programs spanning the spectrum of early to late clinical development through medical affairs, including all aspects of evidence generation and integration for drugs, biologics and devices and diagnostics.
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Previously, Debra served on the faculties of Harvard Medical School, the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, the University of Utah School of Medicine and as Global Medical Director for Ophthalmics and then Head of Medical Evidence at Shire. Dr. Schaumberg has authored hundreds of scientific publications, lectures and scientific presentations. Dr. Schaumberg received her ScD from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, an MPH from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Hygiene and Public Health, a research fellowship at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and OD summa cum laude from the Illinois College of Optometry.
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John Hamlet, Executive Director, Neuroscience and Pillar Head for Movement, Neuroinflammatory, and Pain Disorders, PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific
John has over 30 years of experience in the clinical research and pharmaceutical industry. In his current role, he provides a deep understanding of neuroscience drug development, informing strategy for delivery across many indications and serves as an escalation point for concerns and risks requiring executive support. John delivers current advanced therapeutics experience in pain, movement and neuroinflammatory indications, including cell and gene therapies. He also brings a patient perspective into every project through lived experience with MS.
Message Presenter
Sabine Krofczik-Wilhelm, PhD, Executive Director and Pillar Head of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatry, PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Sabine Krofczik-Wilhelm, PhD, serves as the dynamic Executive Director of Project Management at Thermo Fisher Scientific in Lisbon, Portugal. With 17+ years in the pharmaceutical industry, she excels in leading global teams and driving neuroscience projects to success. Sabine holds a PhD in Neurobiology from the Free University in Berlin and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Longevity Sciences at the Geneva College of Longevity Sciences.
As a passionate agile leader, she is dedicated to pioneering treatments for dementia and psychiatric conditions. Sabine’s commitment to innovation and excellence makes her a key player in advancing healthcare solutions.
Message Presenter
Alberto Lledó, MD, PhD, Vice President and Therapeutic Area Head, Clinical Research Group, Neuroscience, PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific
Dr. Alberto Lledó is a board-certified neurologist and holds a PhD in neuroscience. He has worked in clinical research for more than 25 years in the UK, the US and Spain.
Dr. Lledó provides strategic counsel and direction to internal and external programs and teams, regionally and globally, for all aspects of the clinical research work and all phases of studies in the neuroscience therapeutic area. He is also the scientific and medical lead of the Movement Disorders (MD) and at the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Pillar teams.
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Within the PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Dr. Lledó’s clinical research focus are in the areas of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease and other parkinsonisms (MSA), Tauopathies (FTD, PSP, CBD), etc and in multiple sclerosis.
Dr. Lledó has kept doing part-time clinical practice, as a neurologist, throughout all his pharmaceutical career.
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Who Should Attend?
This webinar will appeal to those working in the following areas or having the following job titles:
- Biotech and biopharma sponsors interested in precision medicine, age-related diseases and neuroscience research
- Healthcare providers and clinicians involved in the management of clinical research patients for neurological diseases
- Clinical Research Investigators and Site Directors
What You Will Learn
Attendees will learn:
- How precision medicine strategies focusing on biomarkers, sub-classification and targeted therapeutics are advancing treatment of age-related neurological diseases
- How patient-centric trial design and population-adjusted approaches ensure that research translates into real-world impact for older adults
- From a scientific and operational perspective on how precision medicine can improve outcomes for patients living with age-related neurological conditions
Xtalks Partner
The PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
The PPD clinical research business of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, enables customers to accelerate innovation and increase drug development productivity. Utilizing patient-centered strategies and data analytics, their capabilities cover multiple therapeutic areas and include early development, all phases of clinical development, peri- and post-approval, novel approaches to patient recruitment and investigator sites, and comprehensive laboratory services. Recognized as a global industry leader in accelerating promising medicines from early development through regulatory approval and market access, they serve pharma, biotech, medical device and government organizations with custom-tailored solutions, including full-service partnerships and functional service partnerships. As a strategic partner in clinical development and analytical services, they apply cutting edge technologies, therapeutic expertise and a firm commitment to quality to help customers deliver life-changing therapies.
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