AGENDA

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Conference Registration

6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Welcome Reception and Dinner

7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Registration and Networking Breakfast  

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Partnering Hall

9:00 – 9:10 a.m.

Welcome Remarks  

9:10 – 9:55 a.m.

Venture Capital Financing Trends Panel
This panel will discuss recent trends in venture financing, including corporate venture capital and partnerships, valuations and round sizes, tranching and milestones, as well as platform versus asset considerations.

Moderator:
Jennifer Fang, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Joe Cabral, Frazier Life Sciences
Aaron Nelson, Novo Holdings
Issi Rozen, Google Ventures

10:00 – 10:45 a.m.

Investment Strategies and Licensing Agreements in the Chinese Biotech Market
Join us to explore the opportunities and challenges in the Chinese biotech market. This panel will cover investment strategies and licensing agreements for both Chinese and international companies, highlighting the impact of China’s innovative drug pipeline on U.S. biotechs and venture capital.

Key topics include the evolving regulatory landscape and strategies for navigating cross-border complexities. Attendees will gain insights into effective licensing agreements and investment tactics to leverage the growth of the Chinese biotech sector for global innovation.

Moderator:
Jennifer Fang, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Aoife Brennan, Climb Bio
David Lennon, Whitehawk Therapeutics
Ken Song, Candid Therapeutics

10:45 – 10:55 a.m.

Break

10:55 – 11:40 a.m.

Guiding the Transformative Power of AI in Life Sciences: Insights from Industry Leaders
Join us for an engaging panel discussion that will delve into the profound impact of artificial intelligence on drug discovery, diagnostics, personalized medicine, and beyond. This panel will feature industry leaders, including Quin Wills, CEO of Ochre Bio, who will share insights from the world’s largest perfused liver lab in New York, where human models are advancing AI-driven drug discovery. Additionally, Brent Vaughan, Founder of Stealth TechBio and board member at Kuzani Pharmaceuticals, will bring over 20 years of experience in digital therapeutics, highlighting his expertise in autism and neurodegenerative disorders.

Moderator:
Ali Alemozafar, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Jay Carter, Isomorphic Labs
Ryan Gill, Codebreaker Tx
Fez Ujjainwalla, Terray Therapeutics
Brent Vaughan, Eratos Therapeutics
Quin Wills, Ochre Bio

11:40 a.m.  – 12:25 p.m.

Leveraging Patent Strategies for Successful Biotech-Pharma Collaborations
Join us for an engaging panel featuring in-house counsel from GSK and Sanofi. This session will explore the crucial role of intellectual property (IP) in fostering successful partnerships between biotech firms and big pharma.  Our panelists will share essential strategies for securing and managing patents, highlighting their influence on collaboration dynamics and innovation within the biotech-pharma landscape.

Moderator:
Derrick Rowe, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Don Huddler, GSK
Justin Huddleson, Sanofi
John McKeague, Skyhawk Therapeutics and Dragonfly Therapeutics

12:25 – 1:30 p.m.

Networking Lunch

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

Exploring Alternative Financing Trends in Biotech
Join industry experts as they explore the complexities of drug development and current market conditions, focusing on innovative financing solutions. This panel will cover options such as royalty financing, venture debt, strategic partnerships, and the role of SPACs and reverse mergers as pathways to public markets. Participants will discover key challenges, regulatory factors, and effective strategies for securing funding in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you’re a biotech entrepreneur, investor, or legal advisor, this session will provide essential insights to help you thrive in the evolving biotech financing arena.

Moderator:
Matt Bresnahan, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Daniel Abernathy, Otsuka, McQuade Center for Strategic Research and Development
Jonathan Christopher LiPuma, Fortress Investment Group
Bill Grau, Royalty Pharma

2:20 – 3:05 p.m.

M&A: Preparing for Single Program Divestures
Over the last few years, there has been a resurgence of discussions about divesting single programs in a tax efficient manner, while preserving the seller’s rights in, and ability to continue to develop, its other programs.  Join a panel of Wilson Sonsini attorneys in a discussion about the strategies that companies have used to navigate the issues surrounding these transactions from a corporate, IP and tax perspective, including at the time the founders are considering the initial structure of the company, in anticipation of the company starting an M&A process and at the time a company is actively engaging in M&A discussions.

Moderator:
Robert Ishii, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Miranda Biven, Wilson Sonsini
Jason Breen, Wilson Sonsini
Myra Sutanto Shen, Wilson Sonsini

3:05 – 3:15 p.m.

Break

3:15 – 4:00 p.m.

Navigating Perspectives in Deal-Making: Insights from Key Stakeholders
Join us for an engaging panel discussion that will explore the diverse perspectives that drive value in biotech collaborations. Our expert panel will provide insights into the complexities of deals for various stakeholders.

Moderator:
Farah Gerdes, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Laure Escoubet, Light Horse Therapeutics
Rami Hannoush, Versant Ventures
David Poon, DCx Biotherapeutics
Markus Renschler, Light Horse Therapeutics
John Tallarico, Novartis

4:05 – 4:50 p.m.

Leading the Charge: Biotech CEOs Shaping the Future of Healthcare
Join us for an engaging discussion featuring prominent biotech CEOs who are transforming the healthcare landscape. This panel will provide valuable insights into the strategies these leaders employ to navigate the evolving biotech market.

Moderator:
Alex Key, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
David Earp, Circle Pharma
Silviu Itescu, Mesoblast
David Lee, Servier Pharmaceuticals

4:50 – 5:35 p.m.

Driving Change: Innovations and Trends in European Pharma
Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the transformative trends reshaping the European pharmaceutical landscape. Industry leaders will delve into key advancements in personalized medicine and explore how AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing drug discovery processes while driving growth and innovation. The panel will also examine the critical role of biosimilars, the emergence of novel therapies like gene and cell therapies, and the importance of collaborative research initiatives aimed at addressing rare diseases. Additionally, the discussion will highlight regulatory adaptations that enhance patient access to essential therapies.

Moderator:
Ian Edvalson, Wilson Sonsini

Speakers:
Brian Bronk, Sanofi
Lawrence DeGraaf, GSK
JM Lee, Novo Nordisk

5:35 – 6:15 p.m.

Fireside Chat: David Bearss Ph.D., Co-Founder, CEO and President, Halia Therapeutics
Join us for this featured interview session moderated by Ian Edvalson, Wilson Sonsini. 

6:15 – 6:20 p.m.

Closing Remarks

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Venture Capital Uncorked: Wine Tasting Closing Reception 

*Please note that the schedule and panel topics are subject to change.*