Designed to address the most pressing questions in anti-doping science, USADA’s Annual Symposium on Anti-Doping Science marked its 25th anniversary with a focus on prohibited substances that have recently exploded in popularity and accessibility—peptides and protein therapeutics.
Held in Chattanooga, Tennessee from September 25-28, the Symposium united more than 89 scientific and medical experts from 22 countries to discuss the theme, “Peptides, Proteins, and the Proteome,” recognizing that the relatively small number of positive tests for peptide hormones and related biological agents highlights a persistent complexity around detection rather than an absence of abuse.
“Now in its 25th year, the Symposium on Anti-Doping Science continues to tackle the timeliest issues in doping detection and deterrence by uniting experts with diverse skillsets from around the world,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “This legacy of open dialogue and problem solving is something that truly moves the needle for clean athletes and the global anti-doping system.”
This year, experts in analytical chemistry, clinical proteomics, medicine, legal, and investigations and anti-doping practice discussed a wide range of topics around peptide and protein drugs, including erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, growth hormone analogues, and other peptide therapeutics that can be misused to enhance performance. Participants explored both the analytical challenges around these substances, as well as the tools and techniques that laboratories are using to advance the detection and identification of complex biological agents.
“Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the USADA Science Symposium is an opportunity to recognize how far anti-doping science has progressed—and to focus clearly on the work that remains,” said USADA Chief Science Officer Dr. Matthew Fedoruk. “As peptide and protein therapeutics become more accessible, more sophisticated, and challenging to detect, collaboration across laboratories, researchers, testing authorities, investigators, and sport organizations is essential.”
Stakeholders from the following organizations participated in these important discussions:
- 19 WADA-accredited laboratories, including: Catalonian Antidoping Laboratory, German Sport University Cologne Laboratory, DoCoMo Ghent Laboratory, Seibersdorf Laboratory Austria, Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Australian Sports Drug Testing Lab, among others
- National Anti-Doping Agencies, including Australia, Barbados, Germany, Iceland, Japan, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the U.K.
- International Federations and the International Testing Agency
- The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and LA28 Organizing Committee
- Major League Baseball, National Football League, PGA Tour, and the National Basketball Association
- Multiple universities from around the U.S. and the world that are engaged in research, including anti-doping research
- Partnership for Clean Competition
In addition to advancing practical, next-generation solutions for detecting peptide and protein drugs, the Symposium helped participants better understand the full lifecycle of an anti-doping case by witnessing a mock trial that demonstrated how scientific evidence is used during the results management process. The program also highlighted how anti-doping investigations can work in tandem with law enforcement investigations, which is critical to identifying illicit peptide suppliers.
Award for Excellence in Anti-Doping Science
The Symposium also provides the opportunity to recognize and award the achievements of scientists who have made an impact on anti-doping approaches and best practices. USADA was pleased to present the 10th Larry D. Bowers Award for Excellence in Anti-Doping Science to Prof. Dr. Mario Thevis from the German Sport University Cologne and Director of the Center for Preventive Doping Research, the Cologne accredited anti-doping laboratory. Prof. Dr. Thevis is one of the most influential figures in analytical anti-doping and forensic science and research and is the current Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal Drug Testing and Analysis. He serves on a range of global scientific expert advisory groups involving the WADA Prohibited List, contamination, and supporting the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ laboratories. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, received dozens of research grants from the PCC, WADA, and other funding organizations, and has mentored many early-career scientists.
About the Symposium
The USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science has a long tradition of bringing together external experts, anti-doping laboratories, and scientific and medical experts from anti-doping organizations to discuss timely and relevant scientific doping challenges facing sport. The goal of the Symposium is to enrich the scientific expertise within the global anti-doping community, identify where the challenges lie, and develop ideas and solutions that can be built upon after the Symposium to advance anti-doping science that helps protect clean athletes and maximizes both detection and deterrence strategies. The USADA Symposium began in 2002 and has been held in a variety of cities within the United States and internationally annually. Next year’s Symposium will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.
For more information or media inquiries, email Media@USADA.org.
