Industry Supported Symposia
The Industry Support Symposia at WTC 2025 are proudly hosted by our sponsoring partners.
To view the symposium schedule for each day, please select the corresponding tabs below.
Afternoon Symposia at Moscone Center
ISS 1 – Beyond Biopsy: Cell-Free DNA Use Not Just For Ruling Out Rejection
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 307
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Hear our discussion on the latest use cases of Prospera cell-free DNA to measure treatment response, further risk stratify and inform immunosuppression dialing.
PEDAL Study: Prospera dd-cfDNA use in post-rejection monitoring
Nicolae Leca, MD UW Medicine
ProActive Study: Prospera monitoring to further risk stratify kidney recipients
Anthony J. Langone, MD
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Clinical Experience: Prospera immunosuppression treatment protocol
Alex W. Rogers, PharmD, BCTXP
Houston Methodist Hospital
Study Announcement: Prospera to inform immunosuppression dialing
Gaurav Gupta, MD
Virginia Commonwealth University Health
ISS 2 – What Truly Defines Kidney Transplant Success: Early Rejection or Lasting Function?
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 305
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
This dynamic and thought-provoking symposium brings together leading international experts in transplantation to explore a fundamental question: how should we define success in transplant outcomes? Traditionally, acute rejection has served as the cornerstone endpoint in clinical trials and transplant evaluation. However, with advancing science and emerging clinical insights, this session challenges that narrow focus—urging a broader, more holistic view that considers long-term graft survival, patient comorbidities, and overall quality of life.
Instead of traditional slide presentations, the session will feature a dynamic panel discussion shaped around four key questions:
- How impactful is acute rejection in the first year?
- How important is eGFR at 12 months, and are there better predictors of long-term allograft function?
- What other factors affect long-term patient and allograft survival?
- What does the ideal immunosuppression regimen look like?
Panelists will share diverse clinical and research perspectives from across regions, encouraging open dialogue and active audience participation. Attendees can expect to leave with new insights on the future direction of transplant science, clinical practice, and how we define meaningful success for both patients and the broader community
Agenda:
3-5 Minutes: Opening Remarks and Framing of Discussion
- Welcome by facilitator
- Overview of session objectives and structure. Explanation of format and how panelists will respond
- The facilitator introduces the four guiding questions
Background Presentations (2-3 minutes each)
- Question 1: How impactful is acute rejection in the first year?
- Presenter: John Gill
- Question 2: How important is eGFR at 12 months and are there better predictors of long-term allograft function?
- Presenter: Alex Loupy
- Question 3: What other factors affect long-term patient and allograft survival?
- Presenter: Deirdre Sawinski
- Question 4: What does the ideal immunosuppression regimen look like?
- Presenter: Oriol Bestard
35-40 minutes: Open table discussion (all faculty)
- Facilitator/Moderator: Dr. Allan Kirk, Panelists: Dr. John Gill, Dr. Deirdre, Dr. Oriol Bestard, Dr. Alexandre Loupy
- Discussion structured around four key themes (as stated in description)
- Audience engagement woven throughout (Q&A encouraged by facilitator)
8 minutes: Summary and Takeaways
- Panelists share final thoughts or key take-home messages
- Highlight emerging consensus or ongoing tensions in the field
2 minutes: Closing remarks
- Facilitator thanks speakers and audience
ISS 3 – Considerations for CMV Disease Prevention in Kidney Transplantation
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 303
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Discuss the burden of CMV infection and disease in kidney transplantation
Review current AST guideline (2019) recommendations for CMV prevention in adult kidney transplant patients
Review clinical data for an option to help prevent CMV disease in high-risk adult kidney transplant recipients
Speaker:
Kyle Molina, PharmD
Bio:
Kyle Molina, PharmD is a board-certified infectious disease pharmacist and a board-certified HIV pharmacist. He is an Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship Clinical Specialist at Scripps Green Hospital; La Jolla, CA. Dr. Molina received his Doctor of Pharmacy from the Midwestern University College of Pharmacy – Glendale, AZ. He then completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency at Scripps Mercy Hospital – San Diego, CA and a PGY-2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. Dr. Molina is a member of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP), Mountain Plains Regional Disaster Health Response (MPRDHRS) and multiple other committees. He also has numerous publications as well as abstracts.
Afternoon Symposia at InterContinental Hotel
ISS 4 – Striving to Advance Kidney Utilization: The Power of Collaboration
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom B
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
- Identify current obstacles in the utilization of deceased donor kidneys
- Examine diverse strategies to enhance kidney utilization across different levels: patient, center, OPO, and system
- Assess the potential effects of various methods aimed at improving kidney utilization
Moderator:
Dr. Dorry L Segev, MD, PhD, FACS – New York University, New York, USA
Panelists:
- Dr. Anthony Watkins, MD, FACS Tampa General Hospital, Tampa FL
- Andrea Tietjen, CPA, MBA Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center- Livingston NJ
- Dorrie Dils, BSN, MHA Gift of Life Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Kevin Longino, MBA NKF, New York, New York
ISS 5 – From Risk Assessment to Advanced Diagnostics: The Role of PTRA, CXCL10, MMDx®, and TTv
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom C
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Monitoring tools for kidney transplants are essential for ensuring the success and longevity of the graft. Our presenters will discuss the benefits and implementation of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Transplant Diagnostic portfolio, which includes several key assays:
the blood-based Pre-transplant Risk Assessment assay, the urine based CXCL10 test, and the tissue-based Molecular Microscope Diagnostic System. Together, these tools can help improve the management of kidney transplant patients, potentially enhancing long-term outcomes and reducing the risk of graft loss. We will also introduce the Torque Teno virus assay (not yet commercially available).
Agenda:
1:00-1:05 pm Introduction: Richard Knight, MD
1:05-1:15 Presenter #1 Sanjeev Kumar Akkina, MD
1:15-1:25 Presenter #2 Tom D. Blydt-Hansen, MDCM, FRCPC
1:25-1:35 Presenter #3 Dhiren Kumar, MD
1:35-1:45 Presenter #4 Richard Knight, MD
1:45-2:00 Q & A and Closing
Morning Symposia at Moscone Center
ISS 6 – Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE): From Science to Clinical Impact
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 307
- Time: 7:00 am – 8:00 am PDT
This symposium will highlight the science behind Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion and its clinical relevance. The presenters will focus on outcomes, including data on the Bridge to HOPE trial conducted in the US, ease of use, cost analysis and viability assessment during HOPE.
Agenda:
Chair/Moderator – Introductions and Symposium Overview (5min)
David Foley – Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion Clinical Evidence:
Bridge to HOPE Trial (15 min)
David Axelrod – Economic Impact of Hypothermic Oxygenated Liver
Perfusion (15 min)
Andrea Schlegel – Viability Assessment in HOPE (15 Min)
Discussion – 10 min
ISS 7 – Conundrums in Kidney Transplantation
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 303
- Time: 7:00 am – 8:00 am PDT
This symposium will cover kidney transplantation challenges, including delayed graft function, antibody-mediated rejection, and sensitized patients. Topics include the complement system’s role in post-transplant outcomes, current treatments, and ongoing clinical studies. We will also address highly sensitized patients who need new therapies to achieve transplantation and prevent rejection. A Q&A session will follow.
Speakers:
- Dr Robert Montgomery (chair): NYU Langone Transplant Institute, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY
- Dr Jean Francis: Renal Section, Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA
Agenda:
- Introduction from chair (Montgomery, 5 minutes)
- The role of complement in kidney transplantation (Francis, 20 minutes)
- Sensitized patients in kidney transplantation (Montgomery, 20 minutes)
- Audience Q&A (15 minutes)
Afternoon Symposia at Moscone Center
ISS 8 – Transforming Transplant Management with Precision Molecular Intelligence
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 307
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Hear from leaders advancing the paradigm of precision medicine in transplant, and explore the range of clinical contexts where they leverage AlloSure’s molecular insights to improve patient management.
Speakers:
- Dr. Nicole Ali, MD, Medical Director, Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Program at NYU Langone
- Dr. Dhiren Kumar, MD, Co-Medical Director, Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Program at VCU
- Marta Sablik, PhD Candidate, Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration
- Dr. Alexandre Loupy, MD, PhD, Paris Institute for Transplantation and Organ Regeneration
ISS 9 – TransMedics Next Generation of Transplant Innovations
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 305
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Description: Join us for a forward-looking symposium that unveils the next generation of transplant innovations from TransMedics, the leader in normothermic organ perfusion technology. This session will explore how TransMedics’ multi-organ Organ Care System (OCS) platform is revolutionizing the field of transplantation—redefining what’s possible for liver, heart and lung recovery and preservation, with a preview into the future of kidney normothermic machine perfusion.
Designed to preserve organs in a functioning, near-physiologic state, the OCS platform is enabling dynamic organ assessment, optimization, and logistical flexibility never seen before. Learn how these innovations are dramatically increasing donor organ utilization, improving clinical outcomes and setting a new standard of care across the globe.
Agenda:
1:00-1:15 PM: Farhan Zafar:
OCS Heart & Lung: Next-Gen Heart And Lung Clinical Programs – Going Beyond Preservation
1:15-1:30 PM: Magdy Attia:
OCS Liver: “Clinical Impact of the OCS Liver: Normothermic Machine Perfusion in 7,000 Liver Transplants and counting”
1:30-1:45 PM: Malcolm MacConmara:
OCS Kidney: “OCS Kidney: Developing the Next Frontier for Donor Kidney Preservation and
Assessment”
1:45-2:00 PM: Open Discussion & QA
ISS 10 – Advances in Post-Kidney Transplant Immunosuppression: Applying the Latest CNI-Sparing Strategies to Optimize Long-Term Outcomes
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 303
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
While calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) have long served as the cornerstone of maintenance immunosuppression following kidney transplantation, a growing body of evidence supports the use of alternative regimens that include co-stimulation blockade or mTOR inhibitors, to reduce adverse events and improve long-term graft function in select patients.
Join us for this dynamic symposium featuring two renowned kidney transplant experts. Together they will discuss how to individualize maintenance immunosuppression regimens and apply the latest CNI-sparing strategies in practice. This highly interactive session will spotlight complex cases and practical tools, including a new expert-developed clinical resource, for using alternative regimens to optimize outcomes following kidney transplant. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from top thought leaders and leave with real-world strategies for use in your own clinical practice.
Agenda:
- Immunosuppression and Long-Term Outcomes: Key Determinants and Challenges
- Identifying Patients for CNI-Sparing or CNI-Minimizing Regimens
- Evaluating the Evidence on Alternative Maintenance Immunosuppression Regimens
- Strategies for Individualizing Maintenance Immunosuppression Regimens
Notes: Interactive polling with leaderboard will be utilized throughout the presentation
Afternoon Symposia at InterContinental Hotel
ISS 11 – Unlock The Power of HOPE – Advancing Organ Preservation with Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom B
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Description: As waiting lists for liver and kidney transplantation continue to grow, there is an increasing reliance on older and higher risk donor organs, underscoring the critical importance of optimizing organ preservation and selection.
Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) represents a significant advancement in organ preservation, combining the advantages of cold storage with continuous perfusion and active oxygenation. The benefits of HOPE in solid organ transplantation have been extensively proven, particularly for liver and kidney grafts. Patients receiving donor organs preserved with HOPE have better chances of long-term graft survival and lower risk of transplant related complications.
In this symposium we will explore how HOPE mitigates the detrimental effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury and review the expanding body of scientific evidence supporting its use. We will also discuss the possibility of organ assessment during hypothermic perfusion and the role of renal resistance as a viability tool.
Join us to explore how the future of organ preservation is being reshaped – the power of HOPE is in your hands!
Our Moderators are:
Prof. Gabriel Oniscu, Karolinska Institutet (SE)
Dr. Justin Steggerda, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (USA)
Agenda:
1. The concept and application of cold perfusion in liver and kidney transplantation
Prof. Andrea Schlegel (MD, MBA), Cleveland Clinic (USA)
- Warm or cold perfusion for liver and kidney: where is the evidence?
Prof. Colin Wilson, (MD, PhD), Newcastle University (UK)
- Organ assessment during hypothermic kidney perfusion – should we trust renal resistance as a viability tool?
Prof. Rutger Ploeg (MD, PhD), University of Oxford (UK)
ISS 12 – Navigating Complex Refractory CMV Cases in SOT Recipients: Expert Approaches
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom A
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Explore approaches to optimizing antiviral treatment of refractory CMV in SOT recipients.
This activity is intended for physicians, nurses, and clinical pharmacists, including transplant, infectious diseases, nephrology, and internal medicine specialists who care for SOT recipients with CMV infections.
Agenda:
- Welcome, Introduction, and Baseline Assessment (5 min)
- Soundings: Understanding and Identifying Refractory CMV Infections in Transplant Settings (15 min)
- Charting the Course: Antivirals for Refractory CMV Infections (20 min)
- Deep Dive: Complex Clinical Scenarios Involving Refractory CMV Infections (15 min)
- Closing Remarks, Post-Activity Polling, Final Question and Answer Session (10 min)
ISS 13 – A Closer Look at Two Rare Glomerular Diseases: C3G and Primary IC-MPGN
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom C
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
This presentation outlines the clinical and pathological landscape of C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and primary IC-MPGN, two rare kidney diseases driven by complement system overactivation. These conditions can lead to progressive kidney damage and are known to recur even after transplantation, often resulting in allograft loss.
Diagnosis relies on renal biopsy and immunofluorescence to detect C3 and immunoglobulin deposits. Risk factors for recurrence include genetic mutations, disease severity, and age at diagnosis. Management typically involves supportive therapies such as antihypertensives, immunosuppressants, and dietary adjustments.
Agenda:
1:00 PM-1:50 PM
A Closer Look at Two Rare Glomerular Diseases: C3G and Primary IC-MPGN
1:50 PM-2:00 PM
Question & Answer Session
Afternoon Symposia at Moscone Center
ISS 14 – Challenges in Post Transplant Care: CMV, Immunosuppression Management, Rejection and More
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 307
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Introduction: Dr. John Friedewald 1:00-1:15PM
IS Management & Rejection: Dr. Wojciechowski 1:15 – 1:35
Navigating CMV in Solid Organ Transplantation: Dr. Kotton 1:35-1:55
ISS 15 – Preservation Innovations Propelling Abdominal Transplantation Forward
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 303
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest findings from the GUARDIAN-Liver Registry, along with case studies showcasing innovative applications of Paragonix Advanced Donor Liver Preservation technology. Additionally, learn how KidneyVault’s portable hypothermic perfusion technology is changing what is possible in kidney transplantation.
Join leading experts as they explore current trends in advanced organ preservation and transplantation, highlighting groundbreaking techniques designed to enhance organ viability and improve patient outcomes.
Discover what’s next in the field as experts share their vision for the future of abdominal preservation and its role in expanding access to life-saving transplants.
Agenda:
Introduction – 5 min
Welcome by Lisa Anderson, PhD, President, Paragonix Technologies
Introduction of Panel – 1 min
Jake Miles, MD, Medical Director, Paragonix Technologies
Speakers
Talk 1 – 15 minutes
Improved Outcomes Utilizing Hypothermic Liver Preservation: Real World Evidence from the GUARDIAN-Liver Registry
Speaker: Jean Botha, MD, Intermountain Health
Talk 2 – 15 minutes
Bridging Distance and Donor Complexity: Advancing Liver Transplantation with Controlled Hypothermic Preservation
Speaker: Kiran Dhanireddy, MD, FACS, Tampa General Hospital
Talk 3 – 15 minutes
Revolutionizing Hypothermic Perfusion for the Next Era of Kidney Transplantation
Speaker: Sherry Quire, RN, MBA, BSN, Director, Organ Services, Indiana Donor Network
5-10 Min Q&A
ISS 16 – AMR Pathogenesis of the Kidney: The Central Role of CD38+ Cells
- Location: Moscone Center
- Room: 305
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
This symposium will review the following topics around antibody-mediated rejection of the kidney:
- Treatment landscape & unmet need
- AMR disease state, with a focus on how CD38+ cells might contribute to AMR pathogenesis
- Targeting of CD38+ cells in AMR
- Molecular impact of felzartamab, an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, in AMR
Agenda:
- Welcome, treatment landscape, unmet need (Matthew Cooper, MD); 5 min
- AMR disease state and the central role of CD38+ cells (Yasir Qazi, MD); 10 min
- Phase 2 study of felzartamab, an investigational anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, in AMR (Georg Bohmig, MD); 10-15 min
- Molecular effect of anti-CD38 treatment in AMR; (Phillip Halloran, MD)10-15 min
- Q&A and concluding remarks (Matthew Cooper, MD); 5-10 min
Afternoon Symposia at InterContinental Hotel
ISS 17 – Kidney Transplantation Outcomes: Looking Forward by Looking Back
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom B
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
Kidney transplantation is currently the gold standard of care and provides patients with end-stage kidney disease the best chance for long-term, dialysis-free survival, but in addition to challenges regarding organ availability is the challenge of optimizing allograft survival over time. Join our expert panel as they review the long-term challenges of graft survival in kidney transplant recipients and the importance of achieving better long-term outcomes.
Agenda:
12:30 PM PT
Lunch and Registration
1:00 PM PT
Welcome and Introductions
Alexander Wiseman, MD
1:05 PM PT
Unmet Needs in Transplantation
Alexander Wiseman, MD; Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD; Deirdre L. Sawinski, MD
1:15 PM PT
Recommendations on Maintenance Immunosuppression
Alexander Wiseman, MD; Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD; Deirdre L. Sawinski, MD
1:25 PM PT
Future of Immunosuppression: Emerging Targets and Evolving Endpoints
Alexander Wiseman, MD; Leonardo V. Riella, MD, PhD; Deirdre L. Sawinski, MD
1:45 PM PT
Concluding Remarks
Alexander Wiseman, MD
1:50 PM PT
Audience Q&A
All Panel
ISS 18 – From All Angles: Minimizing CMV in High-Risk Kidney Transplant Recipients
- Location: InterContinental Hotel
- Room: Grand Ballroom A
- Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm PDT
- Agenda: TBD
Learn how to individualize CMV prevention in high-risk kidney transplant recipients, including selecting optimal antivirals and designing antiviral regimens to optimize patient outcomes.
This activity is intended for transplant and infectious diseases specialists, including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals, who care for patients at risk for CMV following kidney transplantation.
Agenda:
- Welcome, Introduction, and Baseline Assessment (5 min)
- The Viral Angle: CMV in Kidney Transplantation (15 min)
- The Antiviral Angle: Leveraging the Full Armamentarium (15 min)
- The Patient Angle: Individualized Approaches (15 min)
- Closing Remarks, Postactivity Polling, Final Question and Answer Session (10 min)
Key Dates
- Abstract Notification of Acceptance/Rejection – April 16, 2025
- Abstract Acceptance Deadline – April 30, 2025
- Presenting Author Change Deadline – April 30, 2025
- Presenting Author Registration Deadline* – May 7, 2025 (23:59 PDT)
- Abstract/Embargo Release - July 24, 2025 (9:00 PDT)