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


KEYNOTE PRESENTATION:
Engineering Access: Scalable Genomics, Technology & the Future of Medicine


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:
Sandeep Burugupalli, Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca , Head, Data Science & Biopharmaceuticals R&D , AstraZeneca
Cris De Luca, Partner, Sanofi Ventures , Partner , Digital Investments , Sanofi Ventures
Rohan Ganesh, Partner, Obvious Ventures , Partner , Obvious Ventures
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:
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
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:
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:
Jason Fuller, Partner, Deerfield Managment , Partner , Deerfield Management
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
Panel Moderator:
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Innovation in Science & Business Models Advancing Drug Discovery
William T. Mayo, Senior Vice President, Research Technology, BMS , Senior Vice President, Research IT , Bristol Myers Squibb
Panelists:
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.
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
