2026 Final 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.

Tuesday, May 19

Recommended Pre-Conference Workshops and Symposia*

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Cambridge Healthtech Institute is pleased to offer six pre-conference Workshops scheduled across two time slots (9:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:15–4:15 pm) and three Symposia from 8:30 am–3:45 pm. All are designed to be instructional, interactive, and provide in-depth information on a specific topic. They allow for one-on-one interaction and provide a great way to explain more technical aspects that would otherwise not be covered during the main conference tracks that take place Wednesday–Thursday.

*Separate registration required. Additional details:

Symposia: www.bio-itworldexpo.com/symposia

Workshops: www.bio-itworldexpo.com/workshops

Registration and Networking Coffee

Organizer's Welcome Remarks

Chairperson's Opening Remarks 

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

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

Photo of Michael Nally, CEO, Generate:Biomedicines , Chief Executive Officer , Generate:Biomedicines
Michael Nally, CEO, Generate:Biomedicines , Chief Executive Officer , Generate:Biomedicines
Photo of Rahul Chaturvedi, Founder & CEO, Clora, Inc. , Founder & CEO , Clora Inc , Clora
Rahul Chaturvedi, Founder & CEO, Clora, Inc. , Founder & CEO , Clora Inc , Clora

Networking Coffee Break

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

Claire E. Smith, Partner, SpringTide Ventures , Partner , Springtide Ventures , SpringTide Ventures

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.

Presentation to be Announced

Chairperson's Afternoon Remarks

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

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:

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

Kristina Kitko, Head of AI Investment, Eli Lilly and Company , Head of AI Investment , Lilly Ventures , Eli Lilly and Company

Irene Rombel, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder, BioCurie Inc. , CEO & Co Founder , BioCurie Inc.

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

Photo of Michael Chambers, Founding CEO, Aldevron , Founding CEO , Aldevron
Michael Chambers, Founding CEO, Aldevron , Founding CEO , Aldevron
Photo of Morgan Cheatham, MD, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Breyer Capital , VP , Bessemer Venture Partners
Morgan Cheatham, MD, Partner, Head of Healthcare & Life Sciences, Breyer Capital , VP , Bessemer Venture Partners

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, 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 , Cofounder & CEO

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 Management , 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

Chairperson's Closing Remarks

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

PLENARY KEYNOTE PROGRAM

Organizer's Remarks

Cindy Crowninshield, Executive Event Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute , Executive Event Director , Cambridge Healthtech Institute

PLENARY KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Presentation to be Announced

Welcome Reception 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! 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