14th March (morning): EPTRI Thematic Research Platforms
EPTRI Paediatric Medicines Discovery TRP
Speakers
Cosimo Altomare
Prof. Cosimo D. Altomare is a full professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the University of Bari, Italy, where he coordinates the M.Sci. Degree in Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy. He has held postdoctoral and visiting positions in Switzerland, Russia, and Spain. With around 170 high-impact publications, book chapters, and patents, his research focuses on computational chemistry, cheminformatics, and molecular modeling for drug design. He has been a Co-Editor of the European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences since 2012 and has contributed to projects like SMART and EPTRI in collaboration with CVBF.
Federica D'Amico
Dr. Federica D’Amico is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bologna, specializing in gut microbiome research. Since 2014, her work has explored microbiome interactions with inflammation and cancer. She completed her Ph.D. in 2021, focusing on the gut microbiome’s role in chemotherapy and clinical outcomes. Her research spans leukemia, colorectal cancer, melanoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma. She has received multiple awards, including the “Marco Polo” scholarship, and serves as a reviewer and guest editor for several scientific journals. With 63 publications, 1221 citations, and an h-index of 21 (Scopus), she is a recognized expert in microbiome research.
Suleman Khan Zadran
Suleman Khan Zadran is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Bologna (UNIBO), working in Prof. Giovanni Perini’s lab on genome-wide screening of immunotherapeutic resistance in neuroblastoma. His research focuses on identifying key genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to therapy resistance. He got his Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from University of Bologna in 2023, where he worked on M13 phage-based targeting of neuroblastoma as a novel therapeutic strategy for aggressive pediatric cancer. He holds his Master’s degree in Human Genetics from Hazara University, Pakistan.
EPTRI Developmental Pharmacology TRP
Speakers
Karel Allegaert
Prof dr Karel Allegaert, MD, PhD is pediatrician-neonatologist and clinical pharmacologist. He is Professor at KU Leuven and Consultant at Erasmus MC Rotterdam. In his clinical research activities, he has focused mainly on perinatal and developmental pharmacology, with a specific interest in perinatal and neonatal clinical pharmacology and the relevant co-variates (maturational, non-maturational, pharmacogenetics, disease-related, pregnancy-related) of pharmacokinetics, and the subsequent use of in vivo datasets to develop prediction models. More recently, his research line has further expanded to in vitro models (placenta, renal tubular cells), in vivo models (bronchopulmonary dysplasia rabbit model) and ng term pharmacovigilance in former preterm neonates. Related to these clinical research activities, he has also expertise with DSMB activities, and consultancies to individual companies or authorities, and is involved in several international networks like IMIc4c, the International Neonatal Consortium, and learned societies (ESPR, IUPHAR) or editorial boards of relevant journals to the topic.
Pier Giorgio Cojutti
Dr. Pier Giorgio Cojutti is an MD clinical pharmacologist. He carries out research and clinical activities as a medical consultant of pharmacology in the context of the optimization of antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral therapy in critically ill patients with high clinical complexity at the Policlinico di Sant’Orsola, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Italy. His scientific activity is focused on pharmacometrics and quantitative pharmacology. In this area, he is responsible for developing population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models aimed at studying the adequacy of drug regimens. Central to the research activity is the study of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationships in special populations and in relation to new biomarkers of response to therapy in the field of anti-infective and anti-neoplastic chemotherapy. He is the author of over 100 publications in international peer-reviewed journals. He acts as a referee and is a member of the Editorial Board of numerous journals in the chemotherapy and infectious disease sectors.
EPTRI Paediatric Biomarkers & Biosamples TRP
Speakers
Marios Phylactides
Dr. Marios Phylactides earned his BSc in biochemistry from Imperial College, London, in 1993, and his PhD in immunology from University College London in 1998. He held a post-doctoral position at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, working on cystic fibrosis before completing an MBA at London Business School. In 2005, he joined the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING), where his research focuses on diagnostic biomarkers for liver fibrosis in β-thalassaemia, γ-globin gene regulation, and gene therapy for α-thalassaemia. He has published 30 papers, with over 1,500 citations, and has supervised numerous PhD and MSc students.
Giovanni Cazzaniga
Giovanni Cazzaniga is an Associate Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Milano-Bicocca (UNIMIB). Since 1997, he has led the Research Unit on Leukemia Genetics at the Tettamanti Research Center, focusing on the genetic characterization of childhood leukemia, minimal residual disease monitoring, and genetic predisposition. He has also served as the Head of the Hemato-Oncology Diagnostic Lab ‘Tettamanti‘ and Chair of the I-BFM-SG Genetic Variation Committee, collaborating with clinicians to enhance diagnostics and research programs in pediatric leukemia. Since 2023, he has been the Director (ff) of Medical Genetics at Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, Monza, overseeing various genetic services and research initiatives.
George Spyrou
Dr. George M. Spyrou is the Bioinformatics European Research Area Chair Holder and Head of the Bioinformatics Department at the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, with extensive experience in bioinformatics, medical informatics, and systems biology. He has contributed to over 160 scientific publications and has been involved in various teaching and leadership roles, including coordinating bioinformatics courses at multiple universities and institutions.
Shamima Rahman
Professor Shamima Rahman is a leading expert in Paediatric Metabolic Medicine at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH) and an honorary Consultant at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. She founded the Mitochondrial Research Group at ICH in 2000, which aims to improve outcomes for children with mitochondrial and rare metabolic diseases through better diagnostics and novel therapies. Professor Rahman is the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease, serves on several advisory boards, including the Lily Foundation and Freya Foundation, and is involved with the Medical Research Council and the North American Metabolic Academy. She also advises the UK’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.
EPTRI Paediatric Medicines Formulations TRP
Speakers
Antonio Lopalco
Lopalco Antonio is an Associate Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology and Regulatory Affairs at the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy. His work primarily focuses on developing innovative formulations for age-related conditions, particularly addressing the needs of paediatric patients. Additionally, he specializes in enhancing the biopharmaceutical properties of drugs and the application of mucoadhesive polymers in drug delivery. Antonio is also skilled in advanced techniques such as prilling, vibration spray drying, microfluidics, and 3D printing. He possesses extensive teaching experience in Pharmaceutical Technology at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Smita Salunke
Dr. Smita Salunke is an accomplished early-career researcher and leader in paediatric pharmaceutical sciences. Currently a Senior Research Fellow at UCL, she is also the Chief Scientific Officer of the European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI) and a consultant for WHO/the Gates Foundation. Dr. Salunke is dedicated to improving children’s health through scientific innovation and advocacy. She founded the Paediatric Medicines and Healthcare Initiative in India, a non-profit organization. Her exceptional contributions have earned her multiple accolades, including the Outstanding Women Researcher in Pharmaceutics Award and recognition in the REF 2021.
Serena Bertoni
Serena Bertoni is an Assistant Professor (Researcher in Tenure Track, from October 2024) at the Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna. Since 2018, she has been part of the pharmaceutical technology research group, headed by Prof. Nadia Passerini. She earned her PhD in Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Bologna, successfully defending her thesis in 2019. Her research primarily focuses on the formulation, manufacturing, and characterization of solid dosage forms to enhance the bioavailability of orally administered drugs.
EPTRI Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products TRP
Speakers
Giovanni Migliaccio
Giovanni Migliaccio is the Scientific Director of the (CVBF) and a Senior Advisor for the European Translational Medicine Research Infrastructure (EATRIS, Amsterdam NL). He spent two years as Post Doc at the University of Washington (Seattle, WA) and 5 years as Associate Scientist at the New York Blood Center (New York, NY). He continued his studies at the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) in Rome resulting in more than 150 scientific publications over the years. He is involved in the regulatory aspects of using cultured cells as part of human therapies and acts as an expert for the Italian government in the area of Cell and Gene Therapies. He is also an expert for these products for the European Medicines Agency (EMA). He was also the Chair of the CTP group at the European Department for Quality of Medicines (EDQM) from 2010 to 2018.
Victor Maertens
Victor leads EUCOPE’s policy work in the area of Orphan therapies and Cell and Gene Therapy. He has been working in Brussels public affairs for 10 years. Prior to joining EUCOPE, Victor worked for Brussels-based consultancies, providing pharmaceutical companies, trade associations, and NGOs with advocacy, strategy, and communications advice. His experience and interests include ATMPs, antimicrobial resistance, OMP, blood policy, and neglected tropical diseases.
Erwan Gicquel
Erwan coordinates European public policy and government affairs activities for Miltenyi Biomedicine and Miltenyi Biotec. Erwan works in public policy and government affairs since 2002, having served in similar roles at Celgene, Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and EuropaBio. Before 2002, Erwan worked as a research scientist, Head of Clinical Pathology at UCB Pharmaceuticals. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and Toxicology, a Master’s Degree in Toxicology, and a Doctorate in Pharmacy.