HUPO 2025

2025 EXHIBITOR

Booth #401

Industry Lunch Seminar

Tuesday, November 11 | 12:15 – 1:15 pm

Beyond Neurofilament: ALS Plasma Biomarkers

Eleanor Thomas, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Neurology
Emory University

Dr. Eleanor Thomas of Emory University will present new findings on ALS plasma biomarkers using the ultra-sensitive NULISA™ platform. While neurofilament light (NEFL) and heavy chains (NEFH) remain reliable indicators, her team identified elevated levels of phosphorylated tau proteins (pTau181, pTau217, pTau231) and phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43) in ALS patient plasma. These markers, typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease, correlated with disease onset, progression, and severity—particularly in spinal-onset ALS. Notably, pTDP-43 was also detected in some asymptomatic C9orf72 mutation carriers, suggesting potential for early detection. Strong correlations between NEFL, pTau, and pTDP-43 point to overlapping neurodegenerative mechanisms. These findings support the use of multiplexed plasma biomarkers for diagnosis, monitoring, and clinical trial stratification in ALS.

Oral & Poster Presentations

  • PV.01.048: Using Proteomics in Mendelian Randomization and Randomized Controlled Trial Settings to Understand the Aetiology of Multiple Myeloma – Lucy Goudswaard, University of Bristol
    • November 10, 2025, 1:15 PM – 3:15 PM
  • OS13.05: Plasma Proteomic Signatures Predict Progression-Free Survival in NSCLC Patients Undergoing Anti-PD-L1 and Chemotherapy – Yuehan Feng, Biognosys, University of Fribourg
    • November 11, 2025, 10:20 AM – 11:50 AM
  • OS29.04: Comprehensive Cross-Platform Evaluation of Eight Plasma Proteomics Technologies Using a Single Cohort – Sara Ahadi, Alkahest
    • November 12, 2025, 3:15 PM – 4:20 PM
Learn More
Linkedin

Steve Williams, MD, PhD

CSO

Dr. Willams serves as the company’s Chief Scientific Officer. He was previously Chief Medical Officer at Standard Biotools and at SomaLogic where he pioneered the discipline for discovery and validation of predictive, diagnostic and prognostic models using machine-learning applied to large-plex proteomics. 20 such tests were used for drug characterization, safety and efficacy when incorporated in clinical drug trials at Pharma/Biotech and 17 different multivariate tests were validated and translated into regulated healthcare uses. Prior to SomaLogic, Dr. Williams was at Pfizer in the UK and the USA as a clinical triallist in Translational Medicine, and subsequently as VP, Global Clinical Technology. He sat on the National Advisory Council for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the Executive Committee for the FNIH Biomarkers Consortium, and worked with FDA and PhRMA on developing evidentiary standards for biomarker qualification. Dr. William’s medical training was in London, at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, followed by a PhD in medicine/physiology at the same institution and training in Radiology at the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Steve is co-inventor on 26 proteomics patents and author/coauthor on multiple foundational proteomics manuscripts.

Linkedin

Justin McAnear

CFO

Mr. McAnear serves as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. He brings over 25 years of operational and financial leadership experience across various sectors and was instrumental in taking 10x Genomics public in 2019, serving as its CFO for over five years. Mr. McAnear served for over 3 years as Tesla’s VP of Worldwide Finance and Operations, supporting landmark initiatives such as the Model X and Model 3 launches and Solar City acquisition.  He also held various roles at Apple and J&J earlier in his career and served as a naval officer and aviator for over 9 years.