More than 90 scientists and clinicians from around the world gathered in Orlando on Feb. 24 to discuss the latest developments in translational science during the 2016 Scientific Symposium at the Lake Nona Leadership Council Meeting.
The daylong event presented a rare opportunity for experts from pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies and academic institutions to gather in one location and examine ways to transform the science of drug development through biosimulation and systems pharmacology. Five sessions co-chaired by some of the leading researchers and pharmacometrics and systems pharmacology scientists covered a breadth of topics from pediatric drug development to systematic approaches in models of drug safety. In addition, trainees at the UF Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology and from the department of pharmaceutics made podium and poster research presentations.
“It’s the only meeting that I know where you have such a rich assembly of talent that collectively brings about new and innovative ideas to improve drug development and regulatory science,” said Lawrence Lesko, Ph.D., a clinical professor and director of the Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology at the University of Florida College of Pharmacy in Lake Nona. “There is no other academic institution in the world that brings so many leaders together in one spot to impact a discipline and to make a difference.”
Since 2013, the Center for Pharmacometrics and Systems Pharmacology at the UF College of Pharmacy’s Lake Nona campus has hosted the annual symposium. What began as a small advisory board meeting of 20-25 leading scientists in the field of pharmacometrics and systems pharmacology has grown into a highly successful scientific forum to exchange ideas and identify best practices to improve drug development and regulatory use of biosimulation in informing decisions.
The center’s unique position of facilitating research, education and clinical problem-solving around drug development and regulatory science makes it an ideal host for this non-partisan meeting.
“We want attendees to take away an appreciation for Lake Nona, the collective science on our campus, and the work we do at our center,” Lesko said. “We also want them to take away knowledge that will enable them to make changes in the way that drugs are developed and regulated. These are action orientated people, and we are helping to empower them to be on top of their discipline.”
To view pictures from the event, visit: https://ufcollegeofpharmacy.smugmug.com/Lake-Nona-Leadership-Symposium/.