March 22 - 25, 2026 | San Diego Convention Center | Booth #1438

Frederick, MD – February 10, 2026: StageBio is proud to return to the Society of Toxicology Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in San Diego this March. Our team will be on-site and ready to meet with you to discuss how we can support your drug and medical device development programs. Whether you’re advancing early discovery, GLP studies, or late stage development, we’re here to explore how our scientific expertise and comprehensive services can help drive your programs forward.

Visit us at Booth #1438 to connect with our team to learn how StageBio’s collaborative approach to histopathology in the preclinical drug development space (20+ pathologists across multiple disciplines) delivers the precision, quality, and the regulatory confidence sponsors need to bring safe drugs and medical devices to market.

Featured Session: Roundtable Discussion on Humanized Transgenic Mice

Tuesday, March 24 | 4:30-6:00 PM
Session Title: Mice with a Mission: Optimal Use ofHumanized Transgenic Mice as an "FDA Innovative Platform"

Dr. Tracey Papenfuss will serve as Session Chair and present on the critical considerations for designing robust efficacy and safety studies using humanized mouse models.

Dr. Papenfuss's Presentation (4:45 PM):
"The Puzzle Pieces andComplexities of Study Design and Endpoint Considerations When Using HumanizedMouse Models For Efficacy and Safety Studies"

Humanized transgenic mice have become essential tools for evaluating novel therapeutics, particularly immunotherapies, biologics, and cell and gene therapies. The use of humanized mice has been recognized as an innovative platform to address the recent (2025) FDA roadmap regarding reducing animal testing in preclinical safety studies. This roundtable will provide considerations of various humanized mouse models, key considerations in study design and immunotoxicology and pathology endpoints and describe the practical use and application within the industry to inform on drug discovery and development.

Celebrating Dr. Papenfuss's Leadership

We're thrilled to announce that Dr. Tracey Papenfuss will be promoted from Vice President to President of the Comparative, Translational, Pathology and Veterinary Specialty Section (CTPVSS) at this year's SOT meeting. Dr.Papenfuss's dedication to advancing translational toxicology and fostering collaboration across the pathology community has made a lasting impact on the specialty section and the field at large.

CAMAN NetworX Night

Monday, March 23 | 7:30-9:00 PM | Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Dr. Papenfuss will also participate in the Career Advancement, Mentoring, and Network (CAMAN) Joint Networking Event, an evening designed to connect toxicology professionals across career stages and foster mentorship opportunities. She will serve as a mentor for both the CTPVSS and theImmunotoxicology Specialty Section (ITSS). Join colleagues for meaningful conversations and relationship-buildingin a relaxed setting.

StageBio's Expertise in Toxicologic Pathology

StageBio provides comprehensive pathology services to support drug and medical device development.  Our capabilities include:

• Toxicologic Pathology: Significant experience in both GLP and non-GLP studies across all major species, with expertise in reporting, study design and peer review

• Pathology Expertise:  20+ pathologists working across sites that provide specialized expertise both in organ systems (e.g. nervous, immune, ocular, etc.) and therapeutic modalities (e.g. biologics, cell and gene therapy, immuno-oncology, medical device) both in discovery and safety assessment for GLP and non-GLP studies. Deliverables include reports, peer reviews, consulting and other support for complex  client needs

• Specialized Histology Expertise: High‑quality, reproducible histology supported by advanced capabilities including IHC/IF assay development, custom biomarker validation, plastic embedding for hard tissues and medical devices, and precision histotechnology workflows designed for complex studies.

Whether you're developing small molecules, biologics, a medical device, or cutting-edge cell therapies, StageBio's team brings the proven expertise and regulatory insight needed to advance your program with confidence.

Meet the StageBio Team

	David Bruning CEO David Bruning is Chief Executive Officer of StageBio, leading the company’s global strategy and operations across North America and Europe. With more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and prior service as a StageBio board member and customer, he brings deep insight into client needs and preclinical services. His focus is on advancing scientific rigor, service quality, and StageBio’s role as a trusted histopathology partner.
	Tracey L. Papenfuss, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVP Senior Pathologist Dr. Papenfuss is a board-certified veterinary pathologist and PhD immunologist with extensive experience in translational toxicology and immunotoxicology. Her expertise spans cell and gene therapies, biologics, and novel therapeutic modalities. Dr. Papenfuss is an active leader in the toxicologic pathology and immunotoxicology communities in multiple scientific organizations and will serve as President of the CTPVSS starting at SOT 2026. She is passionate about advancing scientific rigor and mentoring the next generation of pathologists, immunotoxicologists and translational scientists.
	Ailsa Delgado Sr. Business Development Executive Ailsa Delgado is a Senior Business Development Executive at StageBio with more than 18 years of experience fostering strategic partnerships across pharmaceutical, biotech, government, and academic organizations. She takes a deeply customer-centric approach to supporting non-clinical and clinical programs, working closely with clients to align goals, study needs, and expertise driving long-term collaboration and succesful program outcomes.
	Yasmine Shakibi Business Development Executive Yasmine Shakibi is a Business Development Executive at StageBio, supporting biotech and research organizations. With a background in histology and pathology CRO services, she works closely with discovery and translational teams to clarify needs, align timelines, and connect clients with the right scientific expertise. Her collaborative, tech-enabled approach helps fast-moving teams move programs forward efficiently.
	Anthony Rohr Business Development Executive Anthony Rohr is a Business Development Executive at StageBio with more than two decades of experience in contract research and development. With a background spanning CRO operations, regulatory frameworks, and commercial strategy, he helps clients navigate complex preclinical workflows with confidence. Known for a consultative, efficiency-driven approach, Anthony supports scalable growth and strong client partnerships.

Connect With Us

Stop by Booth #1438 to discuss your pathology needs, explore partnership opportunities, or simply connect with our team. We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

For more information about StageBio's preclinical pathology services, visit www.stagebio.com.

Register for SOT 2026: