Year in Review and What’s Next for New York Metro?
Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Time: 4:30pm to 8:00pm
Location: Arnold & Porter,
250 West 55th Street,
New York, NY 10019-9710
250 West 55th Street,
New York, NY 10019-9710
VENUE SPONSOR:
EVENT GALLERY
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD: SLIDESHOW PRESENTATION
THE CURRENT CHALLENGE: In 2025, the life sciences and biotech community endured one of the most difficult years in the history of the industry. In Washington, the dismantling of federal agencies through job reductions, proposed spending cuts, declining grant funding, caps on indirect cost reimbursement, suspension of training programs, and turmoil at the FDA created existential uncertainty about the US scientific establishment and its ability to maintain its globally dominant position as a technology leader. At the same time continuing challenges on Wall Street have made investment in new life sciences companies challenging.
THE PROMISE: The good news is that life science innovation continues despite the challenges. Indeed, 2025 delivered some of the most influential science stories of the decade. To name a few: Cutting-edge CRISPR gene and base editing technologies revolutionized the landscape of drug discovery and rare disease treatment. AI is bolstering drug repurposing research, facilitating computer-aided drug design, and reducing attrition rates for drugs entering phase 1 human testing. Advances in materials science technologies offer fresh ways to address key challenges in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
SEIZING THE NY METRO’S BIOTECH MOMENT: Fortunately, leaders in the New York Metro area have been hard at work focused on the new therapies, tools and products that will improve human health and accelerate progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Join Builds Bio+ as we discuss the exciting initiatives underway by NY Empire State Development and the findings and recommendations made by Governor Hochul’s Emerging Technology Advisory Board. 2026 may well be the year that propels the NY Metro area to the forefront of global biotechnology by accelerating scientific discovery and improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD: FEATURED REPORTS
PRESENTERS
Adam Volini
NY Empire State Development
Zach Hardy
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Alex Philippidis
Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News
Andrew Marshall, PhD
Connector Hubs, NJK+A Bioventure Studio
Gary R. Schall
Arnold & Porter
Mitchel Simpler
Builds Bio+ and JB&B
Nancy J Kelley
Builds Bio+ and Nancy J Kelley + Associates
AGENDA
4:30pm
REGISTRATION
5:00pm – 6:00pm
REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING
6:00pm – 6:05pm
Welcome and Introduction to the Meeting
- Gary R. Schall, Partner, Arnold & Porter, Emerging Companies & Venture Capital Practice (Confirmed)
- Mitchel Simpler, Founding Member, Builds Bio+; Partner Emeritus, JB&B (Confirmed)
6:05pm – 6:15pm
BUILDS BIO+ 2025 LOOK BACK AND WHAT’S AHEAD FOR 2026?
- Nancy J Kelley, Founding Member, Builds Bio+; President & CEO, Nancy J Kelley + Associates (Confirmed)
6:15pm – 6:30pm
2025/ 2026 MARKET OUTLOOK
- Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (Confirmed)
- Andrew Marshall, Senior Executive, Academic Relationships and Entrepreneurship, Connector Hubs, NJK+A Bioventure Studio (Confirmed)
6:30pm – 7:15pm
SEIZING NY METRO’S BIOTECH MOMENT
- MODERATOR:
- Adam Volini, Executive Director & VP, Life Sciences & Strategic Partnerships at NY Empire State Development (Confirmed)
- SPEAKERS:
- Zach Hardy, Public Policy at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (Confirmed)
7:15pm – 8:00pm
NETWORKING AND RECEPTION