2026 Preliminary Agenda






Bio-IT World Venture, Innovation & Partnering
Connect Capital and Science to Shape the Future
May 19, 2026
As part of the 25th Annual Bio-IT World Conference & Expo, the 3rd Annual Bio-IT World Venture, Innovation & Partnering Conference (May 19, 2026) delivers an executive-level platform for investors, corporate leaders, and entrepreneurs driving the next wave of biotech and precision medicine. This boutique event convenes C-suite leaders from venture capital, private equity, corporate venture arms, growth-stage companies, and pharma. The 2026 program zeroes in on AI-driven discovery, platform- vs. product-investment models, evolving M&A and partnership strategies, IPO and private liquidity pathways, and regulatory shifts shaping capital deployment. Sessions are designed to provide investors with clear insights into market dynamics, risk-adjusted returns, and scalable innovation strategies. Through candid discussions, fireside chats, and curated panels, participants will explore how capital is being allocated, where innovation pipelines are headed, and how to identify long-term winners. Alongside investor-focused dialogue, attendees gain access to 150+ exhibits, 11 scientific tracks, and global partners from 30+ countries to broaden their market perspective.
Preliminary Agenda

Chairperson's Remarks

Morgan Cheatham, MD, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Breyer Capital , VP , Bessemer Venture Partners

Rana Lonnen, General Partner, Science Capital , Managing Director , dRx Capital , Novartis

William T. Mayo, Senior Vice President, Research Technology, BMS , Senior Vice President, Research IT , Bristol Myers Squibb

Leadership at the Cutting Edge: Innovation, Strategy & Biotech’s Next Frontier

Photo of Michael Nally, CEO, Generate:Biomedicines , Chief Executive Officer , Generate:Biomedicines
Michael Nally, CEO, Generate:Biomedicines , Chief Executive Officer , Generate:Biomedicines

From Start-Up CEO to Global AI Leader: What the Future of Drug Discovery Tells Us About Tomorrow’s Best Investments

Photo of John Chan, Global Head Digital Informatics & AI, Novartis Pharmaceuticals , Global Head Digital Informatics & AI , Data and Digital , Novartis Pharmaceuticals
John Chan, Global Head Digital Informatics & AI, Novartis Pharmaceuticals , Global Head Digital Informatics & AI , Data and Digital , Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Photo of Rana Lonnen, General Partner, Science Capital , Managing Director , dRx Capital , Novartis
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

William T. Mayo, Senior Vice President, Research Technology, BMS , Senior Vice President, Research IT , Bristol Myers Squibb

Panelists:

Sandeep Burugupalli, Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca , Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D , AstraZeneca

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Innovation at the Helm: CEO Journeys through Company Building & Market Breakthroughs

Joanne L. Viney, PhD, Co-Founder & President & CEO, Seismic Therapeutic , Cofounder & President & CEO , Seismic Therapeutic

Panelists:

Catherine Sabatos-Peyton, PhD, CEO, Larkspur Biosciences, Inc. , CEO , Larkspur Biosciences Inc

Rachel Humphrey, MD, President and Founding CEO, Normunity , President and Founding CEO , Normunity

Adam Townsend, CEO, Merida Biosciences , CEO , Merida Biosciences

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Funding the Modern Pipeline: Capital Strategy across Biology, Technology, and Informatics

Rebecca Stevenson, Head, Healthcare Investment Banking, Americas, HSBC , Head of Healthcare Investment Banking, Americas , HSBC

Panelists:

Luba Greenwood, CEO, Gallop Oncology , CEO , Gallop Oncology

Sophie Jones, CFO, Seismic Therapeutic , CFO , Seismic Therapeutic

Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director, Myeloma Investment Fund of the MMRF , Managing Director , Myeloma Investment Fund of the MMRF

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Discovery to Delivery: Innovation in Life Sciences and the Models that Scale It

Morgan Cheatham, MD, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Breyer Capital , VP , Bessemer Venture Partners

Panelists:

Cris De Luca, Partner, Sanofi Ventures , Partner , Digital Investments , Sanofi Ventures

Bill Fitzgerald, Head, Biotechnology Markets Americas, Google , Head , Biotechnology , Google Inc

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


CONFERENCE CONTENT
Eileen Murphy, MEd
Conference Producer
781-738-0049
emurphy@healthtech.com

PARTNERING & SPONSORSHIP
Brian Caine
Business Development Manager, Investor Series
(+1) 908-809-0946
bcaine@cambridgeinnovationinstitute.com