An Exclusive Interview with David Barrett
Ahead of the World TPD & Induced Proximity Summit South Korea, we sat down with David Barrett, Head Of Engineered Small Molecules & Oncology Research at Astellas, to gain exclusive insight into the current TPD space ahead of the summit.
David has a track record of optimizing and delivery of quality, differentiated development candidates to the pipeline. He has extensive management experience within pharmaceutical R&D., with a specific focus on scientific excellence, effective cross-cultural interactions, leadership, responsibility, productivity and influence.
Dive into insights below and be sure to secure your pass and join David this June in Seoul.
Can you share a sneak peek into what you have in store for your talk at the summit?
I will be introducing some updates to our TPD approach.
What would you forecast for the TPD market in the world or in Asia? Any big wins or obstacles cleared that you’d like to highlight?
2026 should see many advances in the TPD space, with an approved product, emerging clinical data, progression of assets into late-stage clinical studies, and new Induced Proximity modalities entering the clinic.
Equally, what do you think are the biggest hurdles still to be tackled over the next year?
Biggest hurdles will continue to be demonstration of Proof-of-Value for clinical stage assets, in terms of differentiation versus SoC and competition.
Given the above, what benefits do you see in attending the TPD Summit in South Korea for the community?
It will be an opportunity to learn about the current state-of-the-art in the field directly from folks who have driven the field around the world.
Any final thoughts or messages you’d like to share with the people reading this interview?
The level of innovation that has emerged in the TPD field in the last few years is breathtaking. Many of these advancements have been driven out pf Asia. The Seoul conference will be a great opportunity to grasp the depth of expertise in this field.
