Scope and aim
The pipeline for pharmaceutical proteins under development is well filled. A recent survey indicated that, in particular, a large number of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and vaccines are on their way to the market. In a number of aspects the development process for these proteins is different from conventional, low molecular weight active substances. But, what exactly, makes pharmaceutical proteins different? Why do they stand out?

Pharmaceutical proteins are high molecular weight molecules, with a secondary, tertiary and, sometimes, quaternary structure mainly stabilised by rather weak physical forces. Moreover, the many amino acids that make up the protein can readily undergo chemical degradation reactions. The development process has to be designed in such a way that these delicate structures are stable during fermentation, purification, formulation, storage and administration to the patient. The structure of the whole molecule (not only the receptor binding site) should be preserved during all stages ensuring the proper pharmacokinetic profile and lack of immunogenicity (except for vaccines, of course).

At present, the parenteral route (‘stick to the needle’) is the predominant route of administration for the majority of proteins as bioavailability through other routes of administration is still too low and too variable. But, now methods are emerging to deliver pharmaceutical proteins through controlled delivery technologies and to use needle-free and pulmonary inhaler systems for protein administration.

Finally, therapeutic proteins may need special exploratory and human development programmes, e.g. because many show a highly species-specific therapeutic effect or bear a high similarity to endogenous molecules.

In this EUFEPS conference different aspects of pharmaceutical protein development will be discussed by experts, who actually have developed pharmaceutical proteins and guided them through the regulatory process. Emphasis will be put on new findings and insights in the development process. To set the stage, present and future of biotech medicines will be discussed in the opening contribution. There will be break out sessions to give the delegates the opportunity to discuss particular issues in detail with their colleagues and invited experts. A conference report e.g. highlighting issues for further discussion will be drawn up and used by EUFEPS in support of its broad initiative ‘New Safe Medicines Faster’

Sessions of the Conference include:

Format & Preliminary Programme
Using a similar format to previous EUFEPS conferences, key segments of the process are broken down into a number of sessions, each with lectures and discussions. In the breakout sessions, the session topics will be discussed further in smaller groups and supplementary information added from the participants of the session. Rapporteurs will present the breakout sessions summary reports on the second morning of the Conference.

Scientific & Planning Committee
Chair: Daan JA Crommelin, Utrecht NL
Additional Members: Tudor Arvinte, Geneva CH; Fritz R. Bühler, Basel CH; Hendrik de Jong, Courbevoie FR; Leo GJ de Leede, Leiden NL; Jim Faulkner, Beckenham UK; Sven Frøkjaer, Copenhagen DK; Claus-Michael Lehr, Saarbrücken DE; Hans H. Lindén, Stockholm SE;

Exhibition Information
Companies are invited to exhibit at the Conference. For information on layout, costs etc., as well as an exhibition registration form, please contact the EUFEPS Secretariat.

Call for Posters
Scientific contributions relating to the conference topic will certainly be welcome and considered for poster presentation. Abstracts should be submitted to the EUFEPS Secretariat both as an email attachment and as a hard copy, before August 16, 2004.

Clic for Editorial instructions.

Language
English will be the language of the Conference. No simultaneous translation will be provided.

Organiser
EUFEPS was founded in 1991. Its mission is to advance excellence in the pharmaceutical sciences and innovative drug research, and to represent the interests of scientists engaged in drug research and development, drug regulation and drug policymaking. Currently, it links 25 Member Societies in 24 countries.

Closing of the Conference
Conference Chair: Daan JA Crommelin, Utrecht NL

Location
The Conference will take place at the Brussels Marriott Hotel, Rue A. Orts 3-7, Brussels, BE-1000 Belgium. Tel no +32 2 5169090, Fax no +32 2 5169000

How to get there
To reach the Brussels Marriott Hotel from the Airport:

Registration and Payment

Registration Online or by Form.

Click for Online Registration.

Or use the Registration Form for the EUFEPS 2004, and return it to Congrex Sweden AB, P.O. Box 5619, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden, Fax No: +48 8 661 91 25, Email: eufeps2004.registration@congrex.se

The registration fees on the Form, include all Conference documentation, all coffee breaks, two lunches and one Buffet Dinner. The cost for hotel accommodation and travel is not included in the registration fee.

Reduced Fee
Delegates attending this Conference on Optimising Biotech Medicines, October 14-15, 2004, and the EUFEPS 2004, October 18-20, 2004, will receive a discount of the Conference on Optimising Biotech Medicines registration fee. The discount fee is specified in the table, see below, as well as on the Registration Form.

Conference Registration FeesEUR Excl. 21% VAT	EUFEPS Standard Fee	EUFEPS Individual Member	EUFEPS Standard Fee	EUFEPS Individual Member
	Paid until July 1, 2004	Paid until July 1, 2004	Paid after July 1, 2004	Paid after July 1, 2004
Industrial delegate	800	720	1000	900
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	400	360	500	450
Government/Academy	350	315	450	400
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	175	155	225	200
Students*	130	115	200	180
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	65	55	100	90

Conference Registration FeesEUR Incl. 21% VAT	EUFEPS Standard Fee	EUFEPS Individual Member	EUFEPS Standard Fee	EUFEPS Individual Member
	Paid until July 1, 2004	Paid until July 1, 2004	Paid after July 1, 2004	Paid after July 1, 2004
Industrial delegate	970	870	1200	1100
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	485	435	605	545
Government/Academy	425	380	545	485
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	210	185	275	245
Students*	160	140	240	220
If also registering for EUFEPS 2004	80	70	120	110

Please note that the above registration fees (excluding VAT) are for VAT taxable persons established in Belgium or VAT taxable persons identified for VAT purposes in Belgium through an individual fiscal representative.
* A copy of your student ID must be enclosed.

Hotel Reservation
A number of rooms have been reserved at specially reduced rates. For hotel categories and rates (including VAT), see other side of the Reservation Form. Complete as needed and send to Congrex Sweden AB, P.O. Box 5619, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden, fax: +46 8 6619125, not later than September 1, 2004.

Cancellations
Pre-registered delegates who are unable to attend the Conference will be refunded, except for an administrative fee of EUR 50, provided the Conference Secretariat receives a written notice of non-attendance, before September 1, 2004. No refunds can be made for cancellations received after this date. Substitutions may, however, be made at any time. The name of the substitute/s should be forwarded to the Conference Secretariat.
Cancellation of hotel reservation will be accepted until September 1, 2004, up to which date the hotel deposit will be refunded. We regret that the hotel deposit cannot be refunded after September 1, 2004.

Additional Information
Contact the EUFEPS Secretariat (address below) for copies of this or the EUFEPS 2004 announcements, the Preliminary Programme and Registration Form. Also, inform your colleagues about this important Conference.

Conference Secretariat EUFEPS Secretariat Attn: Annika Nyman PO Box 1136 SE-111 81 Stockholm, Sweden Phone +46 8 7235000 Fax +46 8 4113217 Email conferences@eufeps.org

Conference Venue Brussels Marriott Hotel Rue A. Orts 3-7 1000 Brussels BELGIUM Phone +32 2 5169090 Fax +32 2 5169000 www.marriotthotels.com

Registration and Hotel Reservation Congrex Sweden AB P.O. Box 5619 SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden Phone +46 8 4596600 Fax +46 8 6619125 Email eufeps2004.registration@congrex.se www.congrex.se