Registration Open

Breakfast with Exhibitors

Exhibit Hall Open

Opening Remarks

Keynote: The Next Frontier: AI in Laboratory Animal Science

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping our world, including the field of biomedical research, creating unprecedented opportunities to drive scientific innovation, improve operational efficiency, advance animal welfare, and accelerate the translation of research discoveries into life-changing therapies. This forward-looking keynote address explores the evolution of AI in laboratory animal science—from its early applications in data management and automation to today's advanced capabilities. As AI continues to reshape the research enterprise, it is redefining how laboratory animal programs operate, collaborate, and contribute to the development of innovative therapeutics and medical technologies. Through real-world examples and emerging applications, attendees will learn how AI might transform the world of laboratory animal science. The session will also highlight AI's growing role in advancing animal welfare and the Culture of Care by supporting earlier detection of health and behavioral changes, refining animal models, strengthening veterinary decision-making, and furthering implementation of the Three Rs—Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. Looking ahead, this presentation challenges attendees to envision a future in which AI serves not as a replacement for scientific expertise, compassion, or professional judgment, but as a powerful partner that empowers laboratory animal professionals to make more informed, ethical, and impactful decisions. Participants will leave inspired with a vision for potential opportunities to responsibly integrating AI into laboratory animal programs to advance discovery, foster a culture of continuous improvement, and lead the next generation of biomedical research.

Development of a Translational Porcine Hiatal Hernia Model for Evaluation of Reinforced Repair Devices

Porcine hiatal hernia models are limited in the published literature despite the need for clinically relevant preclinical platforms to evaluate novel repair devices. The objective of this study was to develop and assess the feasibility of a translational porcine hiatal hernia model that mimics the clinical repair of a hiatal defect reinforced with a medical device. Secondary objectives included evaluating implant-tissue interactions through macroscopic, histologic, and mechanical assessments following a 12-week implantation period.

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Implementation of a Fully Instrumented Closed-Chest Porcine Cardiovascular Research Model: A Stepwise Approach to Multivessel Instrumentation and Hemodynamic Monitoring

Translational cardiovascular research increasingly relies on large-animal models that require hemodynamic monitoring, coronary intervention, heart failure induction, and mechanical circulatory support. Establishing these complex models demands extensive vascular access planning and precise catheter placement. This presentation describes a stepwise approach to implementing a fully instrumented closed-chest porcine cardiovascular model using percutaneous vascular access and fluoroscopic guidance in a non-survival model.

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Break with Exhibitors

Rabbit Patellar Tendon Defects: A Journey in Animal Model Development

This presentation shares the journey of adapting a published rabbit patellar tendon defect animal model to fit the needs of a novel therapeutic for a tendon regeneration pilot experiment. Through extensive research, collaborative problem-solving strategies, and technical refinements, a successful model was created for the needs of the study that yielded positive outcomes. Through sharing this journey and our methods for animal model development, we aim to help others in addressing challenges during their own model creation and refinement.

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Refined laparoscopic sampling of the hepatic portal vein in adult Mangalitza pigs

Hepatic portal vein (HPV) sampling in pigs is used in biomedical research for a variety of reasons including the study of nutrition, pharmacokinetics, metabolism and gut–liver interactions in health and disease. HPV sampling is most commonly achieved with an open laparotomy approach; however, this highly invasive approach increases the risk of surgical complications and animal welfare concerns. Laparoscopic approaches are described in miniature pigs but to our knowledge, there are no studies reporting laparoscopic sampling of the HPV in adult, full size pigs. Fatty pig breeds such as the Mangalitzas are of increasing interest in translational research due to their high visceral fat content and susceptibility to metabolic disease. In this study we describe the refinement of a minimally invasive HPV sampling method.

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Refinement of Post-Operative Antiemetic Protocol for Bile-Duct-Cannulated Macaques

Retrospective analysis of post-operative inappetence and veterinary intervention due to weight loss or abdominal discomfort in bile-duct-cannulated non-human primates at our institution was 69% and 84%, respectively. Additionally, incidence of post-operative vomiting after a single post-operative dose of maropitant citrate was 19%. Based on these additional risk factors for post-operative complications, we aimed to eliminate or decrease post operative nausea and ileus by adding antiemetics: maropitant citrate, famotidine, ondansetron, and metoclopramide to the post-operative medication protocol SID for 3-5 days after surgery.

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Lunch with Exhibitors

Keynote: The Oncopig Cancer Model, an Innovative Large Animal Platform for Preclinical Evaluation of Novel Therapeutic Approaches

The global incidence of cancer is rapidly rising and remains a leading cause of death worldwide. While human clinical trials are the benchmark for testing cancer therapies, regulatory, enrollment, and financial challenges of trial inception are significant. Advances in cancer care are therefore dependent upon the use of preclinical model systems to test new treatments. However, current preclinical cancer models have disadvantages that limit effective translation of novel therapeutic approaches to clinical practice. A large number of rodent cancer models have been developed; however, differences in drug metabolism make rodents poor models of toxicity and efficacy in preclinical studies, of immense importance as <8% of drugs translate successfully from animal testing into clinical trials. The small size of rodents also prohibits the use of the same imaging approaches, devices, and techniques employed in clinical practice. As such, there is a significant need for a clinically relevant large animal cancer models for preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic dosing, delivery, biodistribution, safety, and effectiveness. Pigs serve as a promising preclinical model for evaluation of novel image-guided and surgical therapeutic approaches given their similar size, anatomy, physiology, genetics, immunity, and metabolism compared to humans. This presentation will focus on the development, characterization, and utilization of the Oncopig Cancer Model® to address this unmet preclinical cancer modeling need. The Oncopig® is a transgenic inducible porcine cancer model that develops tumors in defined locations following Cre recombinase induced expression of KRASG12D and TP53R167H driver mutations. To date Oncopigs® have been used to model a range of tumor types including pancreatic, liver, kidney, color, bladder, and lung cancers. Oncopig® tumors consistently develop within two weeks, with sizes ranging from 0.5 up to 3 cm in size depending on the AdCre dose used and organ targeted. Tumors are monitored and targetable using clinically relevant imaging modalities (CT, MRI, ultrasound, fluoroscopy, endoscopy), making them ideal models for preclinical evaluation of novel surgical devices and image-guided therapies. To date the Oncopig® has successfully been utilized for preclinical evaluation of ablation devices, arterially directed therapies, and novel Y90 approaches. However, as with all animal models, the Oncopig® is not without limitations, which include lack of control of tumor histology due to non-specific AdCre cell targeting and spontaneous regression resulting from immune recognition and tumor cell killing. To address these limitations, new approaches to induce tumors through autologous and allograft Oncopig® cancer cell injection have been developed. Once optimized, these novel approaches will facilitate development of Oncopig® tumors with defined tumor histology suitable for long-term efficacy studies. Use of cancer cell lines for tumor induction also provides the opportunity to introduce defined driver mutational profiles and induce expression of therapeutic targets of interest for preclinical evaluation of precision medicine approaches. Current efforts to develop a Mini-Oncopig® model will further enable long term follow up and preclinical pharmaceutical evaluations. Together, this work demonstrates the relevance and future potential of the Oncopig® model for physician training and preclinical evaluation of novel surgical, image-guided, and targeted therapeutic approaches prior to translation into clinical practice.

Break with Exhibitors

Track 1: Baby Steps: Perioperative Considerations for Neonatal Rodents

Neonatal rodents serve as valuable animal models across a wide range of surgical research applications, yet their perioperative management presents unique challenges due to the complex and dynamic physiologic transitions that occur during early development. This session will review key maturational differences that influence anesthetic approaches, with an emphasis on the importance of tailoring anesthetic selection to the developmental stage rather than extrapolating protocols from mature animals. The currently available literature will be discussed alongside emerging research to inform readily applicable techniques for anesthesia, analgesia, and perioperative care and monitoring. Attendees will gain current, evidence-based knowledge and practical strategies for performing surgical and anesthetic procedures in neonatal mice and rats.

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Track 2: You Want Us to Do What?

Life in a CRO is never dull. We are consistently faced with new opportunities and challenges that make us think, problem-solve, refine, and improve. Mid 2025, an opportunity arose for a long-term caprine study involving frequent sedations and procedural techniques with a machine we didn’t have on hand at the time and were not familiar with. In this presentation, we will take you on our journey of machine implementation, the refinements we employed to facilitate multiple weekly sedations in these ruminants and the outcomes of what we expected may happen versus what actually happened.

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Track 1: Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Sticks of the Femoral Vessels

Vascular access in laboratory animal research is necessary for a variety of procedures and data collection including invasive blood pressure monitoring, catheterization of the heart and cannulation for extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. Traditional methods of blind percutaneous sticks using the Seldinger technique and vascular cutdown to the vessels provide consistent access but take longer establish and can damage to the surrounding tissues. Ultrasound guided percutaneous sticks using the Seldinger method for establishing vascular access allows for quicker access and vessel catheterization saving time, decreased damage to surrounding tissues and refinement of established practices which supports the 3Rs of animal research.

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Track 2: Vascular Access in the Nanopig: Practical Experience with Implantable Vascular Access Ports and Vascular Access Buttons

The nanopig is an emerging swine model in preclinical research, offering distinct advantages in size and manageability; however, reliable long-term vascular access remains a meaningful technical challenge. This presentation discusses the practical development and operational experience with two vascular access devices — the implantable Vascular Access Port (VAP), a fully subcutaneous device requiring percutaneous needle access, and the Vascular Access Button (VAB), an externalized device providing needle-free access. Rather than directly comparing these systems, this presentation explores each device independently with respect to surgical technique, perioperative outcomes, catheter patency, and utility in pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) study applications. Additional discussion will address postoperative social housing considerations and innovative techniques — including the use of extension sets for both VAP and VAB systems — to facilitate continuous, low-stress access during PK study days, including methods for accessing devices while animals remain in their home cages.

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Track 1: Supporting the 3Rs by Increasing Catheter Patency Duration in Rodents

Vascular access is a key element in many preclinical studies. In chronic protocols involving repeated administration of compounds, blood sampling, or both, maintaining a prolonged catheter patency duration is essential. Several factors influence the catheter functionality, the most critical being the accurate positioning of the catheter tip at an optimal anatomical site. The use of a closed system is another crucial determinant; closed systems incorporating transcutaneous buttons have been shown to significantly extend catheter patency performance. Catheter material and tip design also play important roles. Polyurethane is widely considered the material of choice, while a rounded tip minimizes endothelial damage and reduces the risk of thrombus formation. Strict adherence to aseptic technique and the use of sterile solutions are essential to prevent infection and biofilm formation, thereby promoting an unobstructed catheter flow. In addition, employing a positive pressure technique during catheter locking decreases the likelihood of intraluminal clot formation. Collectively, these factors must be carefully considered and consistently applied to achieve optimal catheter patency duration.

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Track 2: Adventures in Neurosurgery: What Could Go Wrong?

This presentation will describe a routine neurosurgical procedure that took an unexpected turn. We will walk through the case from the moment everything appeared normal to the point where the situation shifted unexpectedly, highlighting the subtle and not so subtle clues that signaled trouble. To establish context, the session will begin with an overview of the patient, the surgical plan, and the intraoperative environment. From there, we will outline the specific issue that arose, including the anesthetic indicators that suggested something was wrong. Audience participation will be encouraged as we pause to discuss the developing scenario, gather perspectives, and explore differential considerations in real time.

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Track 1: Surgical Approaches for Placement of Left Ventricular Assist Device on a Chronic Sheep Model

Track 2: Surgery Beyond the Operating Room: Telemetry Implants in Farm Animals—Two Case Studies

Implantable telemetry enables high-resolution, longitudinal recording of physiological variables while minimizing handling-related artefacts. In livestock, the promise of telemetry is particularly compelling for studying cardiometabolic and reproductive function under conditions that are closer to real-life production systems. Yet, farm-animal surgery is performed in a context where animal size, temperament, housing, and environmental contamination can markedly increase the complexity of anaesthesia, intra-operative logistics, and post-operative management. In addition, maintaining device function and data continuity depends on robust surgical technique, careful tissue handling, and a closure strategy that withstands movement, lying/standing cycles, and group housing.

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Poster Judging

Poster Breakdown

Luau Reception and Foundation Auction

Registration

Breakfast

Opening Remarks

Keynote: Precision Delivery of Advanced Therapeutics: Overcoming Surgical and Anesthetic Challenges for Successful Dosing of Next Generation Drugs

The field of medicine has traversed multiple major eras, each typified by major advances in humanity’s ability to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. At the turn of the 19th century, the scientific method became a cornerstone of the medical field, leading to the development of antibiotics, vaccines, anesthetics, and rapidly expanding surgical capabilities. Currently, we are at the start of the next chapter for the field of medicine, the era of personalized and precision medicine. Medical science has advanced to the point where individual patients with never-before described diseases can be treated with custom-made therapies that vastly improve their quality of life. Gene therapies, cell therapies, and radiopharmaceutical theranostics all rely on highly precise mechanisms of action to treat diseases that until now were untreatable. Many of these therapies require equally precise surgical delivery procedures to be successful. Here, an overview of some of these precision delivery procedures will be presented. These procedures include MRI- and CT- guided infusions; drug delivery to peripheral nervous tissues such as the cochlea, the retina, the semicircular canals, the trigeminal ganglia, and the dorsal root ganglia; high-intensity focused ultrasound enabled opening of the blood-brain barrier for drug delivery; and intranasal delivery of therapeutics for neurologic disease will all be discussed. Advantages of using precision drug delivery procedures such as access to anatomical structures central to disease processes, minimization of off-target toxicity, and management of scalable drug manufacturing processes by reducing the total amount of therapeutic dose will also be highlighted. Development and refinement of these practices in nonclinical settings is a key component of bringing these therapies to the patients and the families that need them.

Track 1: Leadership Development Coaching: Building High-Performing Leaders Through Interactive Learning

Track 2: Clamp, Crash, Recover: Anesthetic Management of Porcine Orthotopic Liver Allotransplantation

Swine have been used extensively to study transplant immunology and rejection. Although information exists regarding transplant physiology and graft survival, there is a gap in the literature regarding the clinical management of these patients. This presentation will discuss the intraoperative management of a swine orthotopic liver allotransplant survival model performed without venovenous bypass.

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Track 1: Computational reconstruction of glioblastoma surgical margins identifies molecular drivers of residual tumor recurrence

Glioblastoma recurrence after maximal safe resection remains a major challenge in neurosurgical oncology, with residual infiltrative tumor cells frequently persisting beyond radiographically visible margins. Current surgical approaches rely primarily on anatomical visualization and histopathological evaluation, limiting the ability to predict which residual regions harbor aggressive tumor populations. This study developed a computational framework integrating surgical pathology, transcriptomic profiles, and invasion-associated molecular signatures to identify biological determinants of postoperative recurrence risk.

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Track 2: Clamp, Crash, Recover: Postoperative Management of Porcine Orthotopic Liver Allotransplantation

Swine have been used extensively to study transplant immunology and rejection; however, a significant gap exists in the literature regarding clinical management. This presentation discusses postoperative care and three case outcomes for a swine orthotopic liver allotransplant survival model without venovenous bypass.

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Break

Track 1: Pharmacokinetics and Analgesic Efficacy of a Novel Extended-Release Buprenorphine Formulation in Mice and Rats

The laboratory rat is a commonly used animal research model. Rats often are a part of experimental and surgical models that may infer pain and discomfort. The inclusion of analgesia in the care for these animals is an ethical and regulatory obligation for both their welfare and well-being. Therefore, the selection for the safest and most effective pharmacologic intervention for postoperative pain management is critical.

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Track 2: Comparison of Two Long-acting Injectables in Non-Human Primates with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Long-acting injectable (LAI) formulations are designed to maintain prolonged drug exposure while reducing dosing frequency, however little is known about the tissue response over time. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized as a non-invasive method to monitor injection depot formation, volume changes, matrix degradation, and tissue response over time. Two vehicles were evaluated for continuous delivery of a small molecule compound in non-human primates: a conventional polyethylene glycol 300 (PEG300) based formulation and a poly (lactic-co-glycolic) acid in situ gel (PLGA-ISG). The objective was to characterize depot degradation and to provide in vivo insight into the mechanism of prolonged drug release observed with ISG formulations

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Track 1: Round Table: From Risk to Resolution: Tackling Controlled Substance Oversight in Surgical and Laboratory Settings

Track 2: Evaluation of subcutaneous GV20 Dexmedetomidine as an alternative to intramuscular ketamine-xylazine for rabbit anesthetic pre-medication

Ketamine and xylazine (Ket-Xyl) is commonly administered intramuscularly (IM) as a sedative or preanesthetic regimen. However, it has been shown to cause local muscle necrosis. Dexmedetomidine IM has been associated with bradycardia and hypotension. An alternative approach, administering dexmedetomidine to the acupuncture point GV20 in the canine has been recently proposed. The GV20 site has the benefit of a faster onset time as well as ease of use compared to IM administration.

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Track 2: Prolonged Sheep Anesthesia for Extended Neurosurgical Procedures

Prolonged Sheep Anesthesia for Extended Neurosurgical Procedures A workflow was developed to enable 12+ hours of stable anesthesia in sheep for long-duration neurophysiology studies. A modified anesthetic protocol emphasizing hemodynamic stability, multimodal analgesia, and continuous physiologic monitoring was combined with a custom head-support system designed for comfortable, long-term cranial positioning. Animals were maintained in a padded recovery sling to preserve alignment, prevent pressure injuries, and allow safe intra-procedure adjustments. This approach supported uninterrupted neural access, consistent physiologic stability, and rapid post-procedure recovery, enabling timely assessment for neurologic issues. This integrated system establishes a feasible platform for extended large-animal neuro research.

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Break

Awards Luncheon

Keynote: TBD — Dr. Navin Kapur

Meeting Adjourned

Board Meeting Debrief

Old Town Trolley Tour – Optional

San Diego Whale Watching – Sunset Cruise – Optional