2026 Final Agenda
Tuesday, May 19
Registration and Networking Coffee
Organizer's Welcome Remarks
Chairperson's Opening RemarksÂ
MARKET OVERVIEW: Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Funding the Modern Pipeline: Capital Strategy across Biology, Technology, and Informatics
Rebecca Stevenson, CFO, Souffle Thereapeutics , CFO , Souffle Therapeutics
Panelists:
Brett B. Cook, Partner, F-Prime Capital , Partner , F Prime Capital
Sophie Jones, CFO, Seismic Therapeutic , CFO , Seismic Therapeutic
John J. Keilty, Venture Partner, Third Rock Ventures , Venture Partner , Third Rock Ventures LLC
Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director, Myeloma Investment Fund of the MMRF , Managing Director , Myeloma Investment Fund of the MMRF
KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT:
Leadership at the Cutting Edge: Innovation, Strategy & Biotech’s Next Frontier


Networking Coffee Break
Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Innovation in Science & Business Models Advancing Drug Discovery
William T. Mayo, Founder, Wellfleet Advisors , Founder , Wellfleet Advisors
Panelists:
Sandeep Burugupalli, Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca , Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D , AstraZeneca
Bill Fitzgerald, Vice President of Growth and Ecosystem, SandboxAQ , Vice President of Growth and Ecosystem , SandboxAQ
Irene Rombel, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder, BioCurie, Inc. , CEO & Co Founder , BioCurie Inc.
Claire E. Smith, Partner, SpringTide Ventures , Partner , Springtide Ventures , SpringTide Ventures
A New Edge in Pharma BD and Investing: AI Scouts

A new generation of deep-research AI agents is transforming how pharma and investors identify drug assets globally and give BD teams and investors a structural advantage in sourcing the next generation of deals. This talk unveils one of the first rigorous benchmarks for AI-powered drug scouting and a multilingual agent that dramatically outperforms every leading deep-research AI system. Attendees will discover how this thesis-driven search can uncover overlooked opportunities, accelerate business development, and reshape how capital finds the next winning asset.
Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
At the Helm: Emerging and Established CEOs in Debate on Building Companies
Joanne L. Viney, PhD, Co-Founder & President & CEO, Seismic Therapeutic , Cofounder & President & CEO , Seismic Therapeutic
Panelists:
Luba Greenwood, JD, CEO, Gallop Oncology , CEO , Gallop Oncology
Rachel Humphrey, MD, President and Founding CEO, Normunity , President and Founding CEO , Normunity
Catherine Sabatos-Peyton, PhD, CEO, Larkspur Biosciences, Inc. , CEO , Larkspur Biosciences Inc
Adam Townsend, CEO, Merida Biosciences , CEO , Merida Biosciences
Anna Marie Wagner, Co-Founder & CEO, Transfyr , Co-Founder & CEO , Transfyr
Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
Networking Luncheon & Focused Roundtable Discussions (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)
Networking Luncheon & Focused Roundtable Discussions (Sponsorship Opportunities Available)
Roundtable Discussions are informal, moderated discussions, allowing participants to exchange ideas and experiences and develop future collaborations around a focused topic. Each discussion will be led by a facilitator who keeps the discussion on track and the group engaged. To get the most out of this format, please come prepared to share examples from your work, be a part of a collective problem-solving session, and participate in active idea sharing.
Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
Chairperson's Afternoon Remarks
Rana Lonnen, General Partner, Science Capital , Managing Director , dRx Capital , Novartis
Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Driving Innovation Together: The New Rules of VC, Pharma & Industry Leader Collaboration
Rana Lonnen, General Partner, Science Capital , Managing Director , dRx Capital , Novartis
Panelists:
John Chan, Global Head Digital Informatics & AI, Novartis Pharmaceuticals , Global Head Digital Informatics & AI , Data and Digital , Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Cris De Luca, Partner, Sanofi Ventures , Partner , Digital Investments , Sanofi Ventures
Rohan Ganesh, Partner, Obvious Ventures , Partner , Obvious Ventures
Kristina Kitko, Head of AI Investment, Eli Lilly and Company , Head of AI Investment , Lilly Ventures , Eli Lilly and Company
KEYNOTE FIRESIDE CHAT:
Engineering Access: Scalable Genomics, Technology & the Future of Medicine


Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Future of Lab Funding: Building Stronger Pathways between Academia, Capital, and Spinouts
Michael Langer, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, T.Rx Capital , Head of Search and Evaluation , Corp Dev , Pear Therapeutics
Panelists:
Sangeeta N. Bhatia, Professor, Director Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine, Health Sciences & Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Professor, Director Marble Center for Cancer Nanomedicine , Health Sciences & Technology , Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Jason Fuller, Partner, Deerfield Management , Partner , Deerfield Management
Paulina Hill, PhD, Partner, Sanofi Ventures , Partner , Sanofi Ventures
Sam Reiman, Director and Trustee, Richard King Mellon Foundation , Director , Richard King Mellon Foundation
Aaron Weaver, Chief Commercial Officer, Molecule AG , Chief Commercial Officer , Molecule AG
Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)
Chairperson's Closing Remarks
Morgan Cheatham, MD, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Breyer Capital , Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences , Bessemer Venture Partners
Reception
PLENARY KEYNOTE PROGRAM
Organizer's Remarks
Cindy Crowninshield, Executive Event Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Event Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute
PLENARY KEYNOTE INTRODUCTION:
Sponsored by: Getting Ready for Effective AI: Starting with FAIR Principles


PLENARY KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
Rare Conversations: Explorations of the Research, Funding, and Advocacy for Rare Diseases







In a unique plenary series of intimate conversations, we will explore the models, drivers, and challenges facing rare disease research. By uniting leaders in precision medicine, bioinformatics, national rare-disease infrastructure, and real-world legislative advocacy, we will give attendees an expansive, cross-disciplinary view of what’s required to deliver faster, more accurate, and more equitable rare-disease cures.
Welcome Reception & 25th Anniversary Celebration in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing
The Bio-IT Kickoff Reception is a reunion, reconnect with friends, explore cutting-edge research, and celebrate innovation! This year, join us in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Bio-IT World Conference & Expo with cake and champagne as we mark a quarter century of advancing science and technology. Enjoy poster presentations, networking, and vote for the Best of Show and Poster awards.

Close of Summit
Close of Day
CONFERENCE CONTENT
Eileen Murphy, MEd
Conference Producer
(+1) 781-738-0049
emurphy@healthtech.com
PARTNERING & SPONSORSHIP
Brian Caine
Business Development Manager, Investor Series
(+1) 908-809-0946
bcaine@cambridgeinnovationinstitute.com
