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TDP-43 Conference Marks Concerted Effort to Finally Snag Biomarkers – Alzforum

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  • June 30, 2025
Topic/Product:
Alzheimer's, Neurology

Abstract

The TDP-43 Summit 2025 marked a pivotal moment in the quest to develop reliable biomarkers for TDP-43, a pathological protein central to ALS and frontotemporal dementia. Scientists from across the globe gathered to share advances in imaging, fluid-based assays, and animal models—all aiming to detect and track TDP-43 pathology in living patients. A recurring theme was the urgent need for tools that can support earlier diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and evaluate therapeutic response.

Highlights included promising data from antibody-based plasma assays, emerging PET tracer efforts, and novel approaches using extracellular vesicles. While no single method has yet emerged as definitive, the field is rapidly coalescing around collaborative strategies and multi-modal detection techniques. With growing momentum and cross-sector engagement, the conference underscored a collective commitment to making TDP-43 biomarkers a clinical reality.

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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.

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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.