AFRO-NETS> International Symposium on Drugs against Parasitic Diseases

[Henri Vial <symposia@univ-montp2.fr>]

International Symposium on Drugs against Parasitic Diseases
-----------------------------------------------------------

24th to 26th May, 1999
Montpellier, France

SCOPE OF THE MEETING

The meeting is being organised under the auspices of the European 
Commission (INCO-DC program), by the Tropical Diseases Research 
Branch of the World Health Organisation and as the annual spring 
meeting of the European Concerted Action on Chemotherapy of Protozoal 
Infections. The symposium should offer opportunities for future col-
laborations and discussions between these Institutions in such an im-
portant area.

This meeting will provide experts in Parasitology, Biochemistry, cel-
lular and molecular Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and 
research managers with a forum in which to discuss advances and up-
date their knowledge concerning drug discovery in the area of para-
sitic diseases and to provide facilities to accelerate drug develop-
ment in this crucial field, and ways of improving control strategies.

In addition, new research tools are available such as genomics, ge-
netic manipulation. These represent opportunities from basic research 
to the definition of operational research. Particularly, how to capi-
talise on information on the whole genome approaches of the parasite. 
What is the optimal utilisation of this information ? Which of this 
biochemical pathways of these organisms can be used for future drug 
development ?

We have invited prominent scientists and experts to present data on 
up-to-date topics and would gladly welcome short communications or 
posters you might have on the various topics.

We hope that this conference will strengthen the collaboration be-
tween scientists, experts, and professionals both in the North and 
the South, thus promoting excellence not only in research but also in 
practical implementation.

Practical information:

Henri VIAL / Christine BOUSQUET
UMR 5539 CNRS/Universit Montpellier II
Place Eugene Bataillon
34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
Tel: +33-4-67-144-287
Fax: +33-4-67-144-286
mailto:symposia@univ-montp2.fr
http://162.38.196.39/drug-symposium


PRELIMINARY SCIENTIFIC PROGRAMME (15/03/99)

OPENING: GLOBAL PICTURE OF ANTIPARASITIC DRUGS  AND NEED IN CONTROL
STRATEGIES

- Rob Ridley (WHO, Geneva, CH): Parasitic disease: the need for new
  approaches to tropical disease drug discovery and development for
  improved control strategies.

- Patrice Trouiller (Grenoble, F) : Drug development output for
  tropical diseases: what are the economic constraints ?


SESSION I: HOW TO DISCOVER NOVEL PHARMACOLOGICAL TARGETS: THE 
PARASITE GENOMES, WHAT DO THEY PROMISE AND WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS ?

- Alister Craig (Oxford, UK) : The international programme on P.
  falciparum genome sequencing; status and  Post-Genomic Agenda.

- Sara Melville, (Cambridge, UK) : Organisation of the T. brucei ge-
  nome

- David Parry Smith  (Cambridge, UK) : Overview of Bioinformatics and
  Applications in Drug Discovery

- Pierre Casellas (SANOFI , Montpellier, F): DNA chips: applications
  in pharmacology

- Chris Gray (Hofmann La Roche, Basel, CH): Bacterial Targets and
  Antibiotics: Genome-Based Drug Discovery (Proteomics and applica-
  tion to pathogens).

- Daniel Lawson (Sanger Center, Cambridge, UK): Mechanistics of
  Bioinformartics.

- xxx: Use of genetic engineering for demonstrating potential for
  Efficacy.


SESSION II: COMPOUNDS ACQUISITION AND SEQUENTIAL STEPS FROM THE BENCH 
TO THE THRESHOLD OF PRECLINICAL STUDIES OR RATIONAL FOR DRUG 
DEVELOPMENT

- J. Martinez (CNRS, Montpellier, F): Combinatorial chemistry: a new
  challenge in drug discovery

- xxx: Natural sources. Search for potential antimalarial from natu-
  ral sources (plants). Ethnopharmacology , bioassay guided frac-
  tionation and structure elucidation.

- A. Fairlamb, (Dundee, Scotland): Trypanothione reductase and
  validation of this pathway as drug target by producing knock outs
  in leishmania.

- Micheal H. Gelb, (Seattle, USA) Protein Prenylation in Trypanosoma-
  tids: A New "Piggy-Back" Medicinal Chemistry Target for Drug Devel-
  opment.

- Paul Michels (Louvain, Belgium): On the mathematical modelling of
  metabolic pathways and its use in the identification of the most
  suitable drug targets. (he has accepted)

- P. Olliaro (WHO, Geneva) Rationale and Criteria for Drug combina-
  tion.


SESSION III: METHODS FOR SCREENING OF POTENTIAL DRUGS. EVALUATION OF
PHARMACOLOGICAL  ACTIVITIES.

- Simon Croft, (London, UK) In vitro and in vivo models for antipro
  tozoal activity - purpose and relevance.

- Alan Thomas (BPRC, Rijswijk, NL):  Models for the in vivo testing
  of potential compounds against  malaria.

- J Julio Martin (Glaxo Wellcome, Madrid, Spain): Screening method-
  ologies for chemotherapeutic targets. High throughput screening as
  an essential complement to the genomic approach. Advanced technol-
  ogy to assist high throughput screening

- Pascal Ringwald, (IRD, Yaound=E9, Cameroon): In vitro and in vivo
  chemosensitivity testing of the malaria parasites (where, who, how
  Worlwide dynamic of resistance.

- Pradipsinh Rathod, (University, Washington, USA): Induction of
  resistance: when to ask this question and how to get an answer ?


SESSION IV: PRE-DEVELOPMENT WORK: HOW TO GO THROUGH THE CLINICAL
STAGES.

- Thomas Wellems (Bethesda, USA) : The molecular basis of chloroquine
  resistance

- Hagai Ginsburg (Hebrew University of Jerusalem): Targets for ma-
  laria drug development derived from basic research.

- Robert G. Ridley (WHO/TDR, Geneva, CH): Developmental compounds in
  the pipeline for treatment and/or prophylaxis of malaria.

- Deborah Kioy (WHO, Geneva, CH) : Essential toxicological and phar-
  macokinetic data needed before preclinical studies.

- John Horton (SKB, London, UK) Various steps from preclinical phase
  to the clinical trials and marketing.


SESSION V: ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING ANTIPARASITIC DRUGS

- Pascal MILLET, (Bordeaux, F): How to create a link between funda-
  mental research and the pharmaceutical industry in Tropical Medi-
  cine?

- M. Traore (Mali, and INCO-DC, EU, Brussels, B) or Y. Yuthavong
  (Bangkok, Thailand) : Role of endemic countries in research and
  development.

- Win Gutteridge (WHO/TDR, World bank, Geneva, CH): The New Medicines
  for Malaria Venture (MMV)

- Palle Hoy Jakobsen (Denmark):  Patent policy and strategies for
  tropical diseases: who and in which countries

- John Horton (SKB, London, UK) : Private sector: defect of the in-
  dustrial partner or lack of good compound.


LOCATION:


The Symposium will be held at "LE CORUM", Conference and Culture Cen-
tre in the heart of Montpellier, easily accessible from the "Montpel-
lier Mediterranee" Airport, and the TGV (high speed train) station).

The international Montpellier-Mediterranee Airport is served by sev-
eral international companies, including Air-France, British-Airways 
and Air-Littoral. Around 20 connecting flights with Paris are organ-
ised by three different companies. A regular bus service links the 
airport to the city centre.

The full text of the second announcement, including the electronic 
form for congress registration and lodging reservation form is avail-
able on our Web site at the following address:
http://162.38.196.39/drug-symposium/

Participants are encouraged to use electronic registration and accom-
modation form for lodging.




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