Pre-Conference Day
Monday 9th June 2025
CHECK IN, COFFEE & LIGHT BREAKFAST
WORKSHOP A
9:00 am Transforming the Translational Validity of Preclinical Psychosis Models: Moving Beyond Dopamine-Focused Assays to Study New Anti-Psychosis Drug Mechanisms & Demonstrate Clinically Relevant Readouts
Synopsis
Current psychosis research often uses pharmacological models targeting dopamine but fails to capture the disorder's complexity. These models lack translational accuracy and overlook biological diversity among patients. Emerging research emphasizes the importance of integrative models that include glutamatergic, GABAergic, inflammatory, and neurodevelopmental mechanisms. There's increasing demand for validated biomarkers reflecting diverse mechanisms to improve patient stratification and treatment predictions. New approaches using non-human primates and psychosis models in other disorders aim to develop more accurate, mechanism-based models that enhance clinical relevance and trial outcomes.
This collaborative workshop explores key questions such as:
- How can we improve clinical trial success by addressing the predictive limitations of current models, especially in light of biomarker-driven research
- Should research shift toward cell-based systems, organoids, or Human Challenge Models (HCM) that offer more diverse mechanistic insight?
- Can the bipolar lithium response model inform psychosis biomarker discovery
- How can NHP models better bridge the translational gap, especially in cognitive and affective domains?
- How can preclinical testing more effectively assess negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunction, which are underrepresented in traditional models?
12:00 pm LUNCH BREAK & NETWORKING
WORKSHOP B
1:00 pm Tackling the ‘All-Comers’ Approach by Enhancing Patient Stratification & Discussing Recruitment & Retention Strategies in Psychosis Clinical Trials
Synopsis
Recruitment and patient stratification are major challenges in psychosis clinical trials, especially when progressing from phase 1B to 2A. Issues such as recruitment volume, regional differences, patient compliance, and patient heterogeneity create logistical hurdles that can hinder trial success.
This workshop explores strategies to optimize recruitment and retention. Participants will learn how biomarkerbased and cognitive profiling techniques can refine inclusion criteria, avoiding the pitfalls of an “all-comers” approach. Discussions will cover leveraging digital tools, patient databases, and global collaboration to streamline recruitment while addressing site variability.
Retention strategies will focus on monitoring technologies, personalized incentives, and engagement tactics to maintain participation and ensure data integrity. This workshop provides actionable solutions for improving psychosis trial outcomes.
Key Highlights:
- Targeted recruitment for diverse subgroups, including treatment-resistant and first-episode patients
- Collaboration strategies with CROs and sites to optimize trial outcomes
- Biomarker-driven stratification to enhance inclusion criteria
- Digital tools & global networks to optimize recruitment
- Retention strategies using monitoring tech and engagement techniques