Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s Inaugural
Engineering Next-Generation Conjugates
Expanding Modalities through Innovative Payload Delivery
18 November 2026
Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s inaugural Engineering Next-Generation Conjugates program will explore the frontier of non-canonical delivery formats. As the field moves beyond monoclonal antibody-cytotoxic pairings, this program will examine the use of alternative scaffolds to improve tissue penetration and pharmacokinetics in solid tumours. Leading scientists will highlight the rise of novel payloads, such as antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) and degrader–antibody conjugates (DACs), which require sophisticated linker chemistry and structural optimisation. Researchers will also demonstrate how computational modelling and site-specific bioconjugation are used to improve the therapeutic index. Join us to learn how these diverse architectures are expanding the reach of targeted drug delivery.
Coverage will include, but is not limited to:
- Engineering conjugates using alternative scaffolds for enhanced tissue penetration
- Advances in the design and endosomal escape of antibody–oligonucleotide conjugates (AOCs) for targeted delivery
- Optimising chelator-linker stability for radionuclide conjugates
- Structural optimisation of degrader–antibody conjugates (DACs) for targeted protein degradation
- Immune-stimulatory conjugates to selectively activate TLR and STING pathways within the TME
- Development of conditionally masked pro-conjugates to enhance tumour specificity
- Computational design of complex payloads to balance pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles
The deadline for priority consideration is 9 April 2026.
All proposals are subject to review by session chairpersons and/or the Scientific Advisory Committee to ensure the overall quality of the conference program. Additionally, as per Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s policy, a select number of vendors and consultants who provide products and services will be offered opportunities for podium presentation slots based on a variety of Corporate Sponsorships.
Opportunities for Participation: