5PrimeSciences

Ashg2026

Translating Human Genetics into Better Drug Development Decisions

An invitation-only symposium on how human genetics and multi-omics evidence can improve target selection, clinical strategy, and portfolio decision-making.

Robert Plenge 24
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Keynote Speaker

Robert Plenge, M.D., Ph.D.

Executive Vice President, Chief Research Officer
Bristol Myers Squibb
Jim Trevaskis Conservative

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications Eli Lilly and Company

Jim Trevaskis Conservative

Confirmed Speaker

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications

Eli Lilly and Company

Sally John Article

Sally John, Ph.D.​

Senior Vice President, Information and Predictive Sciences Bristol Myers Squibb

Sally John Article

Confirmed Speaker

Sally John, Ph.D.​

Senior Vice President, Information and Predictive Sciences

Bristol Myers Squibb

Mark Headshot 1

Mark McCarthy, M.D.​

Principal Fellow & Executive Director, Human Genetics, Research Biology Genentech

Mark Headshot 1

Confirmed Speaker

Mark McCarthy, M.D.​

Principal Fellow & Executive Director, Human Genetics, Research Biology

Genentech

Brent Richards HeadShot 2026

Brent Richards, MD, MSc

CEO and Founder

Brent Richards HeadShot 2026

Host

Brent Richards, MD, MSc

CEO and Founder

5Prime Sciences

Why it matters

Human evidence is most valuable when it changes action

Human genetic and multi-omics evidence is increasingly central to drug discovery and development. Yet the field’s most important challenge is no longer simply generating more evidence — it is translating that evidence into decisions that can be used by teams across biology, chemistry, translational science, clinical development, business development, and portfolio strategy.

The most valuable evidence changes action: which targets to advance, which programs to stop, which patient populations to prioritize, which biomarkers to track, and where to invest before major capital is committed. This symposium will focus on the practical translation of human causal biology into drug development decisions.

Target selection

When is human evidence strong enough to support advancing a target?

Direction of modulation

How can genetics help determine whether to inhibit, activate, or otherwise modulate a target?

Biomarker strategy

How can causal evidence inform target engagement, disease activity, and patient stratification?

Indication & patient population

How can human evidence identify where a mechanism may have support beyond the initial indication?

Early clinical strategy

How should genetic evidence inform safety monitoring, patient selection, and trial design?

Portfolio & BD decisions

How can human evidence support in-licensing, program prioritization, and capital allocation?
PERSPECTIVES

Confirmed Speakers

Brent Richards HeadShot 2026
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Host

Brent Richards, MD, MSc

CEO and Founder, 5 Prime Sciences
Robert Plenge 24

Robert Plenge, M.D., Ph.D.

Executive Vice President, Chief Research Officer, Bristol Myers Squibb

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James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications Eli Lilly and Company

Jim Trevaskis Conservative

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications, Eli Lilly and Company

jt

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications Eli Lilly and Company

Sally John Article

Sally John, Ph.D.​

Senior Vice President, Information and Predictive Sciences, Bristol Myers Squibb

jt

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications Eli Lilly and Company

Mark Headshot 1

Mark McCarthy, M.D.​

Principal Fellow & Executive Director, Human Genetics, Research Biology, Genentech

jt

James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.

Vice President, Obesity and Complications Eli Lilly and Company

Programme

Agenda

1:00 – 1:10 PM

Welcome
Brent Richards, M.D., M.Sc.
CEO, 5 Prime Sciences

1:10 – 1:30 PM

Partner perspective
What works, what does not, and what makes human genetic evidence actionable inside pharma. A translational biologist’s perspective.
Confirmed Speaker
James L. Trevaskis, Ph.D.
VP, Obesity & Complications, Eli Lilly

1:30 – 2:15 PM

Pharma perspectives
Translating genetics evidence to action inside large pharma.

Making the case for human genetics and truly causal inference in drug development

Making high-stakes drug development decisions—Even in the absence of data
Confirmed Speakers
Sally John, Ph.D., BMS

Mark McCarthy, M.D., Genentech
 
Keynote Speaker
Robert M. Plenge, M.D., Ph.D., BMS

2:15 – 2:55 PM

Panel discussion
Translating human evidence into better drug development decisions
Confirmed speakers

2:55 – 3:00 PM

Closing remarks
Brent Richards

3:00 – 4:00 PM

Networking
Light snacks, beverages, and continued conversation
Event details

When & where

Date
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Time
13:00 – 15:00 EDT
City
Montréal, Canada
Venue
HoneyRose Hotel. 355 Blvd. De Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1L6, Canada.
Context
Opening day of ASHG 2026
Format
In-person + virtual access available
REGISTER

Request your invitation

    Thank you for your interest in attending Translating Human Genetics into Better Drug Development Decisions, an invitation-only symposium hosted by 5 Prime Sciences.

    Space is limited to maintain a focused, discussion-led format. Please complete the form below, and we will follow up with confirmation or waitlist details.












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