We've seen the European Society of Cardiology ESC 2016 Symposium (Rome, Italy; August 27-31, 2016) listed on the Resverlogix 2016 milestone checklist at the past couple of quarterly update webcasts. We have heard Don mention that Resverlogix is sponsoring this symposium. I inquired with Resverlogix for more details and was very pleased with what I found out.

The symposium is titled: A novel approach for high CV risk patients & diabetes: the potential for epigenetics. An hour long symposium on August 28th dedicated entirely to novel approach of BET inhibition in cardiovascular disease. This isn't Resverlogix tooting its own horn. This symposium is co-chaired by Kausik Ray, who is the chairman of the BETonMACE Clinical Steering Committee. These are big time diabetes/CVD clinicians and researchers. John Kastelein is one of the world's experts in all things HDL and CETP, and was member of RVX-208 ASSURE clinical steering committee. Additionally, Jorge Plutzky is Director of The Vascular Disease Prevention Program and Co-Director of Preventive Cardiology at Harvard's Brigham & Women's Hospital and has done research on BET inhibition and atherosclerosis.

I think Don McCaffrety mentioned that August 28th is his birthday....well, this symposium should be a real treat! Later that day, after the symposium, Ewelina Kulikowski will be presenting a poster entitled "Modulation of the complement cascade in cardiovascular disease patients by a bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) protein inhibitor." I think there is good reason(s) for this symposium to be listed on the 2016 milestone checklist. This could be the day that BET inhibitors start earning their R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

Chairpersons: Kausik K RAY (London, United Kingdom), Stefano DEL PRATO (Pisa, Italy)

Subtitle: Sponsored by Physicians' Academy for Cardiovascular Education

Learning Objectives: To summarise the epidemiology and pathophysiology of patients at high cardiovascular risk and diabetes. To understand the origin of the high residual cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes and ACS. To review how BET inhibition affects gene expression via epigenetic mechanisms, as a novel strategy to improve outcomes in CVD. To update and review current clinical research programmes evaluating the role of epigenetic regulation of gene expression in CVD management.

PRESENTATIONS LIST

12:45: Introduction - A novel approach for high CV risk patients & diabetes: the potential for epigenetics. Stefano DEL PRATO (Pisa, Italy)

12:50: Challenging novel targets addressing residual risk in diabetes & cardiovascular disease: the hope of BET inhibition. Kausik K RAY (London, United Kingdom)

13:05: Understanding BET inhibition as a novel pathway for cardiovascular risk modulation. Jorge PLUTZKY (Boston, United States of America)

13:25: BET inhibition in cardiovascular disease: a new dawn? John KASTELEIN (Amsterdam, Netherlands)

13:40: Discussion & summary - A novel approach for high CV risk patients & diabetes: the potential for epigenetics. Kausik K RAY (London, United Kingdom), Stefano DEL PRATO (Pisa, Italy)