8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

8:30 AM - 8:45 AM

WELCOME

SpeakerS:

• • Nancy J Kelley, JD/ MPP (CONFIRMED)
    President & CEO, Nancy J Kelley + Associates
    Founding Member, Builds Bio+
    
    
  • Mitchel W. Simpler (CONFIRMED)
    Managing Partner Emeritus, JB&B
    Founding Member, Builds Bio+

8:45 AM - 9:00 AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: FOSTERING INNOVATION, SUPPORTING TRANSFORMATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND CREATING OPPORTUNITY IN PENNSYLVANIA

The State of Pennsylvania aims to be a leader in economic growth, job creation, and innovation by connecting businesses, the workforce, PA’s world-class universities and research institutions, and the public sector to spur economic development, particularly in communities that have too often been left behind. By helping businesses that are already in Pennsylvania, encouraging new ones to move to Pennsylvania, and investing in the workforce, the Governor’s Office of Transformation and Opportunity aims to create real opportunity and build an economy that works for everyone.

Speaker:

• • Jennifer Gilburg (CONFIRMED)
    Deputy Secretary of Technology and Entrepreneurship
    Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development

9:00 AM – 9:40 AM

THE SCIENCE DRIVING INNOVATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION

This session will include a panel of scientists and academic leaders from Philly institutions, moderated by a leading scientist, and will explore the recent and next generation of technologies that are emerging from Philly institutions, driven by increasing NIH funding levels to Philadelphia institutions. The panel will also explore how science can differentiate Philadelphia from other major life science clusters such as Boston, San Francisco and the Greater NYC Metro area.

SPEAKERS:

• • John Swartley (CONFIRMED)
    Chief Innovation Officer, University of Pennsylvania
    
    
  • Todd Kilbaugh, MD (CONFIRMED)
    Endowed Chair of Translational Science and Innovation, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
    
    
  • Aleister Saunders (CONFIRMED)
    Executive Vice Provost for Research & Innovation PhD, Drexel University
    
    
  • Yah-el Har-el (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Professor of Instruction in Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Temple University 

9:40 AM – 10:30 AM

TALKING TECH: WILL AI TRANSFORM THE LIFE SCIENCES ECOSYSTEM?

We now live in a time where AI doesn’t compete with human endeavors—it elevates them. And nowhere are its applications more remarkable than in life sciences, where digital transformation enabled by AI and machine learning is affecting virtually every aspect of the value chain and bringing us closer to the future of health. Applying AI to big data in life sciences can help companies reshape business models, streamline biopharma manufacturing, and enhance everything from cognitive molecule research and clinical trial data flow, to self-healing supply chain applications and product intelligence. It can also enable life sciences companies to be more personalized and authentic in how they engage with health care professionals, patients, and other stakeholders. This panel will explore how researchers and companies are using AI to accelerate cures.

MODERATOR:

• • Audrey Greenberg (CONFIRMED)
    Founder, Center for Breakthrough Medicines 

SPEAKERS:

• • Donna Conroy (CONFIRMED)
    Co-Founder and CEO, SciMarOne
    
    
  • David Latshaw II (CONFIRMED)
    CEO and CoFounder, BioPhy
    
    
  • Irene Rombel (CONFIRMED)
    CEO and Co-Founder, BioCurie
    
    
  • Walter R. Witschey (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Professor of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, UPenn
    
    
  • Edward Kim (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Professor of Computer Science, Drexel University College of Computing & Informatics
    
    
  • Matthew Stamm (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Drexel University College of Engineering

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM

BREAK AND INCUBATOR/ EXHIBIT INNOVATION HALL

11:00 AM – 11:40 AM

FINANCING SUCCESSES AND LEADING INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

This session will feature three or four life science companies, all of whom have raised significant rounds of funding in the last year, together with representatives of the venture funds that backed them. Speakers will discuss the the unique science they are pursuing, or products developed. The current regulatory and financial challenges in the life sciences market and the competitive pressures from surrounding life science clusters will also be discussed.

MODERATOR:

• • John Pennett (CONFIRMED)
    Partner in Charge, National Technology and Life Sciences Group, Eisner Advisory Services

Representative Companies:

• • Jang-Ho Cha (CONFIRMED)
    Chief Scientific and Medical Officer, Latus Therapeutics - $54M Series A Financing
    
    
  • Josh Muntner (CONFIRMED)
    Chief Financial Officer, Imvax

11:40 AM – 12:00 PM

KEYNOTE: THE PATIENT PERSPECTIVE

HealthTree is a global nonprofit organization using innovation to save lives. Its cutting-edge technology—HealthTree Cure Hub— unites patients and researchers to help people with blood cancer live better and longer and leads the search for a cure.

SpeakerS:

• • Michael Riotto (CONFIRMED)
    Myeloma Coach, The HealthTree Foundation
    
    
  • Richard Armstrong (CONFIRMED)
    Coach, The HealthTree Foundation

12:00 PM – 12:40 PM

STARTUP SPOTLIGHTS - DISCUSSIONS WITH THE ACCELERATORS & INCUBATORS BUILDING THE PHILADELPHIA MARKET

Note: Be sure to visit the Incubator Innovation Hall, a new addition to the Symposium this year!

MODERATOR:

• • Lou Kassa (CONFIRMED)
    CEO, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Hepatitis B Foundation and Blumberg Institute

Speakers:

• • Matthew Burkhardt (CONFIRMED)
    Director, B+Labs
    
    
  • Robert Christmas (CONFIRMED)
    Chief Operating Officer, Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center 
    
    
  • Melina Blees (CONFIRMED)
    Site Director, BioLabs Philadelphia
    
    
  • Sarajane Blair (CONFIRMED)
    General Manager, CIC and Innovation Campus, Science Center
    
    
  • Tracy Brala (CONFIRMED)
    Senior Vice President, Strategy and Partnerships, University City Science Center
    
    
  • Denita Henderson (CONFIRMED)
    Managing Director, Pennovation Center
    
    
  • Tomás Isakowitz, PhD (CONFIRMED)
    Program Director, PENN I-Corps
    
    
  • Stephen G. Nappi (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Vice President, Technology Commercialization and Business Development, Innovation Nest

12:40 PM – 1:00 PM

How Does Philly Compare? Mapping Out Emerging Markets Across the U.S.

Moderator:

• • Matthew Gardner (CONFIRMED)
    Managing Director, CBRE

SPEAKERS:

• • Danielle Bogdanowicz (CONFIRMED)
    Vice President of Business Operations & Strategy, BioLabs
    
    
  • Peter Cramer (CONFIRMED)
    Vice President and Market Executive, Wexford Science and Technology

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

LUNCH AND INCUBATOR/ EXHIBIT INNOVATION HALL

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM

KEYNOTE: PUBLIC SECTOR PERSPECTIVE – LIFE SCIENCES AND INNOVATION AT THE FOREFRONT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN PHILADELPHIA

Speaker:

• • Rebecca L. Grant, DVM (CONFIRMED)
    Senior Director of Life Sciences & Innovation, City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce
    (Mayor Parker Administration) 

2:00 PM – 2:45 PM

INVESTING IN GROWTH – INNOVATIVE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Philadelphia's life sciences industry is experiencing remarkable growth and expansion, but a key factor to maintaining this preeminence is a skilled and well-prepared workforce. Workforce solutions are being developed on multiple fronts in and around Philadelphia. We've gathered a diverse set of success stories that highlight the achievements in our area and examine how other biotech hubs have tackled similar issues. Through the lens of lessons learned, we'll share these success stories and discuss the broader context of where we need to go in the region.

Moderator:

• • Eric Hacherl (CONFIRMED)
    Chief Operating Officer, Kyttaro Therapeutics

Speakers:

• • Sharon H Willis (CONFIRMED)
    Co-Founder, VP Sales and Customer Relations, Integral Molecular
    
    
  • Maurie Smith (CONFIRMED)
    Managing Director, Keystone LifeSci Collaborative
    
    
  • AJ Adams (CONFIRMED)
    Director of Partnerships, West Philadelphia Skills Initiative
    
    
  • David Zuzga (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Dean of Biomedical Studies, The Wistar Institute
    
    
  • Maya Heiland (CONFIRMED)
    Senior Director, STEM Education, University Science Center
    
    
  • Alana O’Reilly (CONFIRMED)
    Associate Professor at Fox Chase Cancer Center
    Executive Director/Chief Scientific Officer, eCLOSE Institute
    
    
  • Kara Spiller (CONFIRMED)
    Professor of Biomedical Innovation, School of Biomedical Engineering, Science, and Health Systems at Drexel University

2:45 PM – 3:15 PM

STATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA LIFE SCIENCES MARKET

Moderator:

• • Nelson Way (CONFIRMED)
    Director, Leasing & Development at the Navy Yard, Ensemble

Speakers:

• • Lauren Gilchrist (CONFIRMED)
    Executive Vice President and Market Leader, Newmark
    
    
  • Anthony Maher (CONFIRMED)
    President, University Place Associates
    
    
  • P. Timothy Conrey (CONFIRMED)
    Principal, Regional Director, Scheer Partners
    
    
  • Joe Colletti (CONFIRMED)
    Executive Vice President, Jones Lang Lasalle

3:15 PM – 3:45 PM

FIRESIDE CHAT: PENNSYLVANIA 2025 LIFE SCIENCES OUTLOOK

Looking ahead at the top priorities and challenges for the future in the innovation market.

Moderator:

• • Alex Philippidis (CONFIRMED)
    Senior Business Editor, Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News 

Speakers:

• • Ian Anderson (CONFIRMED)
    Senior Director of Research & Analysis, CBRE
    
    
  • Matthew Gardner (CONFIRMED)
    Managing Director, CBRE

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM

RECEPTION AND EXHIBIT INNOVATION HALL