International ISSX Meeting

September 21-24, 2025 | Chicago, IL

We’re excited to exhibit as a Platinum Sponsor at the International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX) Meeting, September 21–24, 2025.
Visit us at Booth 203!

About The International ISSX Meeting

The ISSX meeting provides an exceptional opportunity to learn, network, and exchange ideas with researchers from around the world. Interact with a broad representation of international researchers and other scientists who are gaining a deeper understanding of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics.

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Breakfast Symposium

Time: Tuesday, September 23^rd, from 7:15am to 8:15am

Location: Continental A, Hilton Chicago

Symposium title: From Science to Solutions: Tackling ADME and Biotransformation Challenges in Novel Therapeutic Modalities & New DMPK Book Launch

Speakers:

Lijuan Hou, Sr. Director, WuXi AppTec DMPK Department

Xin Gu, Ph.D., Associate Director, WuXi AppTec DMPK Department

Abstract: The rise of novel therapeutic modalities—such as challenging small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, and ADCs—offers exciting opportunities but also brings complex ADME-PK and biotransformation challenges. In this ISSX Breakfast Symposium, WuXi AppTec’s DMPK scientists, contributors to the new Wiley book Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics: Frontiers, Strategies, and Applications, will share practical, modality-specific strategies and real-world case studies, including:

Challenging Small Molecules: Overcoming solubility, recovery, and bioavailability barriers.
ADCs: Optimizing in vitro system selection, payload release assessment, and ADME-PK evaluation.
TIDES: Applying advanced LCHRMS and proprietary workflows to resolve metabolism complexities.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:

Identify key ADME-PK and biotransformation challenges across diverse modalities.
Apply targeted strategies and analytical methods to improve preclinical study design.
Integrate ADME and metabolism insights to enhance development efficiency and clinical translation.

Thought Leadership Presentation 1:

Time: Monday, September 22^nd, 9:40am – 9:50am

Presentation title: In Vitro Evaluation of Oligonucleotide Metabolism and Plasma Protein Binding (PPB)

Speakers:

Yajuan Bi, Ph.D., Senior Scientist II, WuXi AppTec DMPK Department

Abstract: In vitro metabolic stability and protein binding studies are crucial for optimizing oligonucleotide drugs, as they significantly impact drug delivery, distribution, retention, and safety. However, reported studies have shown inconsistent results in siRNA drug binding due to varying plasma protein binding (PPB) assay methods. This presentation will briefly introduce various systems used for studying the metabolic stability of oligonucleotide drugs and their applicability, as well as different techniques used for protein binding studies and their characteristics. We will highlight the challenges and discrepancies between different PPB assay methods and provide reasons behind the inconsistent PPB findings regarding siRNAs. This presentation aims to improve the reliability of PPB assessments in oligonucleotide drug development and potentially influence future research methodologies.

Thought Leadership Presentation 2:

Time: Tuesday, September 23^rd, 1:15pm – 1:25pm

Presentation title: Radiolabeling Synthesis and ADME Profiling of GLP-1 Analogs: Challenges and Preclinical Insights

Speakers:

Lingling Zhang, Ph.D., Director, WuXi AppTec DMPK Department

Abstract: GLP-1 receptor agonists, including mono-, dual-, and triple-receptor analogs engineered through sequence and fatty acid chain modifications, have gained significant momentum in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Understanding the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of these large peptides (3,000~6,000 Da) necessitates radiolabeling techniques.

¹⁴C is the preferred isotope for GLP-1 analogs, consistent with clinical requirements. However, their low administered doses (0.15~3 mg/kg) demand high specific activity (~200 mCi/mmol). Prolonged half-lives further complicate ADME studies: excretion profiling and quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) often require >30 days of urine, feces, and carcass collection. Metabolite identification in excreta, bile, and plasma is particularly challenging due to catabolic pathways (e.g., β-oxidation of fatty acid moieties) beyond amide hydrolysis.

This presentation will detail:

Radiolabeling synthesis strategies for linear and cyclic GLP-1 peptides.
Complete excretion recovery methodologies in rodents and non-human primates.
Key metabolite profiling/identification of modified amino acids and fatty acid chains, supported by case studies.