A paradigm shift: advancing mRNA from COVID to cancer

03 May 2023

When the world was disrupted by a global pandemic, mRNA technology played a critical role in human health and brought a level of hope during a time of suffering – showing the potential of this technology to address some of the world’s greatest health challenges.

Hosted by Professor Grant McArthur and featuring Moderna's US-based Chief Medical Officer, Dr Paul Burton, this session explores the world of cutting-edge mRNA technologies, their implications and efficacy in cancer vaccines and opportunities in Victoria.

The future is bright for mRNA science.

Scientists have been studying whether it is possible to instruct a patient’s own cells to produce proteins that have the potential to treat a wide range of conditions. This technology has the potential to significantly impact the way we treat and prevent diseases in years ahead.

By the end of this webinar, participants will:

• explore mRNA technology advances during COVID vaccine development and how it has been applied to cancer vaccines
• know an outline of preliminary results from the cancer vaccine trials in melanoma and other tumour types it could be applied to
• know the clinical implications of these disruptive technologies
• explore opportunities for the state and beyond

Moderna’s US-based Chief Medical Officer, Dr Paul Burton, discusses some exciting advancements across the mRNA vaccine and therapeutic development pipeline, including new data from Moderna's personalised cancer vaccine trials for melanoma and future plans for this potentially transformational therapy for cancer.

Professor Grant McArthur hosts a panel discussion of expert oncology, immunology, government and consumer specialists, providing their perspectives on mRNA and what the future may hold.

Program Outline:

Read the full program

Keynote Speaker

Dr Paul Burton
Chief Medical Officer, Moderna Therapeutics, U.S.

Paul Burton MD PhD FRCP, is Chief Medical Officer at Moderna Therapeutics, a role he has held since July 2021 with global responsibility for all medical strategy as well as patient safety and pharmacovigilance. Prior to joining Moderna, Paul spent 16 years at Johnson and Johnson, most recently as Chief Global Medical Affairs Officer. Paul has over 20 years of biopharmaceutical industry experience. He received his MD and PhD from the University of London, with clinical training in cardiothoracic surgery.

Speakers

Professor Sherene Loi, Head of Translational Breast Cancer Genomics and Therapeutics Laboratory
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre

Professor Sherene Loi is a Medical Oncologist specialising in breast cancer treatment and a clinician scientist (group leader) with expertise in genomics, immunology and drug development at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. She is recognised internationally as a leading clinician scientist whose work has led to new insights into the breast cancer immunology field. She Co-Chairs the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG) based in Bern, Switzerland, and currently holds the Inaugural National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) of Australia Endowed Chair.  In 2021 she received one of The Prime Ministers’ Awards for Science.

Panel

Professor Laura Mackay, Laboratory Head and Immunology Theme Leader
The Doherty Institute

Dr Amanda Caples, Victoria's Lead Scientist and Director
Breakthrough Victoria

Dr Karin Innes, Melanoma Research Victoria Consumer Reference Group and Governance Committee