The annual ALS TDI Summit, hosted by the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI ), is a unique opportunity for the ALS community to learn first-hand about some of the newest developments in ALS research. This year’s conference, on October 17th, will include presentations on the progress of research from ALS TDI’s science team, a panel discussion with ALS TDI researchers and industry collaborators from across the ALS research community, and expert-led afternoon presentations.

Register to attend the ALS TDI Summit in person or online, taking place at the Boston Sheraton Hotel on October 17th, 20245.

ALS TDI Research Presentations

Join us as the Summit opens with key ALS TDI research updates from:

  • Fernando Vieira, M.D., CEO & Chief Scientific Officer, ALS TDI; Potentiating ALS Breakthroughs
  • Alan Premasiri, Director, Clinical Operations, ALS TDI; Collaboration Fueling Discoveries: The Impact of ARC Data in 2025
  • Danielle Boyce, MPH, DPA, Principal Investigator, Real World Evidence, ALS TDI; Turning Anecdotes into Evidence: Answering the ALS Community's Questions with Big Data

ALS TDI Summit Panel

Value of Collaborative Data and Resource Sharing to Advance ALS Research

Join a panel of researchers and industry collaborators to learn how their partnership and the power of patient data are transforming scientific insights into groundbreaking progress in ALS research.

Moderated by: Danielle Boyce, MPH, DPA, Principal Investigator, Real World Evidence, ALS TDI

Panelists Include:

  • Fernando Vieira, M.D., CEO/CSO, ALS TDI
  • Tonya Gilbert, Ph.D., Executive Director of Translational Research, Eikonizo
  • Irina Antonijevic, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer, Trace Neuroscience
  • Tris Dyson, Founder and Managing Director, Challenge Works


ALS TDI Summit Guest Speakers

The afternoon will include guest presentations from various industry leaders working across the ALS research space.

Amalia Papanikolaou, Ph.D.

Data Program Lead, Challenge Works

Solve ALS with Unrestricted Funding & Unprecedented Data

Dr. Amalia Papanikolaou is the Data Program Lead at Challenge Works, where she oversees data-driven projects, including the Longitude Prize on ALS. The Longitude Prize on ALS, announced in June, is designed to encourage innovative AI solutions for the disease. Its goals are to:

  • Find and validate new drug targets using advanced AI.
  • Create and provide access to the largest ALS dataset of its kind for participants.
  • Build global collaborations among AI experts, computational biologists, and neurodegenerative disease researchers.
  • Increase global awareness of ALS and advocate for better use of patient data in research.

Attend the Summit to hear Dr. Papanikolaou's presentation.

Zhi Yao, Ph.D.

Principal Scientist and Program Lead, LifeArc

Harnessing iPSC Technology for Next-Generation Therapeutic Insights

Dr. Zhi Yao, is a biologist from the self-funded medical research charity, LifeArc, which focuses on translating early-stage science into clinical applications. 

Michael Mitchell, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania

Lipid Nanoparticles for Overcoming Biological Barriers to mRNA Delivery to the Brain

Dr. Michael Mitchell, an Associate Professor of Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania, specializes in targeted drug delivery. He has been a leader in utilizing mRNA-based treatments to target specific cancers in organs like the lungs and brain.

Now, in a new collaboration with ALS TDI, Dr. Mitchell and his team are applying their expertise to advance mRNA technology for ALS and other central nervous system diseases. They are developing lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA drugs directly to the brain and spinal cord, with new tests planned for next year.

Attend the Summit to hear more about this collaboration.

Rebecca James, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist, Eikonizo

The Evolution of HDAC6 as a Potential Therapeutic Target for ALS

Dr. Rebecca James is a neuroscientist with a long-standing research focus on cellular and molecular pathways that contribute to neurological development and function. Her current work at Eikonizo focuses on developing therapeutic agents that target HDAC6, a protein of interest in neurodegenerative diseases. A primary obstacle in developing HDAC6 inhibitors has been achieving both selectivity and efficient blood-brain barrier permeability. Dr. James will present preclinical data on Eikonizo’s new inhibitors, which have been specifically designed to overcome these challenges. Her talk will cover the scientific basis for targeting HDAC6 and the potential of these compounds as a new therapeutic strategy for ALS. 

Register Now to Attend the ALS TDI Summit!

Registration for both online and in-person attendees is free, but please note that registration is required to attend. For more information about attending the ALS TDI Summit, visit https://www.als.net/summit

What to do next: