Following the 15th edition held in 2019, this edition of the Special Forum took place within the 16th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML). The ICML, organized by Professor Cavalli and the Foundation for the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR), has become the most important international gathering in the field of research and treatment of lymphoid neoplasms.
The Forum entitled "Vaccines and monoclonals to regain our freedom" is organized by IBSA Foundation in collaboration with Andrea Alimonti (Università della Svizzera italiana - USI, IOR and IBSA Foundation) and Franco Cavalli (Foundation for the Institute of Oncology Research - IOR).
Rino Rappuoli, Chief Scientist and Head External R&D at GSK Vaccines, based in Siena (Italy), Scientific Coordinator of the MAD Lab at Toscana Life Sciences Foundation and Professor of Vaccines Research, Imperial College, London, is the guest speaker of this lecture. It is introduced by Silvia Misiti, Director of IBSA Foundation for scientific research, with the intervention of Professor Andrea Alimonti, Member of the Scientific Board of IBSA Foundation for scientific research. Head of the Molecular Oncology Laboratory, IOR Bellinzona and Università degli Studi di Padova. Full Professor of Oncology, USI, ETH Zurich and Università degli Studi di Padova.
"One year on, the COVID-19 pandemic is registering a worldwide toll of about 3 million deaths and 117 million diagnosed cases, throwing the 21st century society into a deep socio-economic crisis," Prof. Rappuoli said. "In this scenario and in an exceptionally short and unprecedented development timeframe, active and passive immunisation, through vaccines and monoclonals respectively, is proving to be the best weapon available to save lives, safeguard the economy and regain our freedom."
Rino Rappuoli is Chief Scientist and Head External R&D at GSK Vaccines, based in Siena (Italy), Scientific Coordinator of the MAD Lab at Toscana Life Sciences Foundation and Professor of Vaccines Research, Imperial College, London. Prior positions were head of Vaccine R&D at Novartis, CSO of Chiron Corporation, and head for R&D at Sclavo. He earned his PhD in Biological Sciences at the University of Siena, Italy, and was visiting scientist at Rockefeller University and Harvard Medical School. He is elected member of US National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), and the Royal Society of London. Awards received include: the Paul Ehrlich and Ludwig Darmstaedter Prize, the Gold Medal by the Italian President, the Albert B Sabin Gold Medal, the Canada Gairdner International Award, and the European Inventor Award for Lifetime Achievement. He was nominated third most influential person worldwide in the field of vaccines (Terrapin). He has published more than 690 works in peer-reviewed journals. He introduced novel scientific concepts: genetic detoxification; cellular microbiology; reverse vaccinology; pangenome. Developed licensed vaccines: acellular pertussis containing a non-toxic mutant of pertussis toxin; the first conjugate vaccine against meningococcus C; MF59, the first vaccine adjuvant after aluminium salts; meningococcus B; CRM197 that is used as carrier in many conjugate vaccines. Dr. Rappuoli is among the world scientific leaders dedicated to the sustainability of global health.