Program
13:30-14:20 “Engineering Antibodies for Agonism”. Visiting Professor Mark Cragg, University of Southampton, UK
14:20-14:45 "A versatile antibody technology: Tailoring of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and killing of pathogens and cancer cells". Stian Foss, PRIMA, University of Oslo
14:45-15:00 Coffee break
15:00-15:20 “Design of protein-based biologics to be used during pregnancy”. Jeannette Nilsen, PRIMA, University of Oslo
15:20-15:40 "Enzyme-activating antibodies: implications for gluten-sensitive autoimmunity”. Rasmus Iversen, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital
15:40-16:00 “Targeting multiple myeloma with affibody-based NK cell engagers". Thorstein Boxaspen, PRIMA, Oslo University Hospital
Biosketch
Mark Cragg is Professor of Experimental Cancer Biology in the School of Cancer Sciences at the University of Southampton Faculty of Medicine. He is a member of the Antibody and Vaccine Group, joint Deputy Head of School Research in Cancer Sciences and Director of the MRC DTP in Translational Biomedical Sciences. His research concerns how therapeutics result in tumour regression with a focus on antibodies and small molecules, with a particular interest in Fc receptors and TNFR family members. The aim is to understand how these therapeutics delete tumour cells, how resistance occurs, and how it might be overcome through antibody engineering.
Throughout the strategy undertaken is highly translational with iterative cycling between in vitro experiments, appropriate in vivo model systems, and primary clinical material. He sits on advisory boards for several charities, institutes and companies and has published over 200 research papers. In 2024, he was made a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in recognition of his contribution to the development of antibody immunotherapy.