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Forum - Day 1
Tuesday, September 23
Forum - Day 2
Wednesday, September 24
8:00 AM — 9:00 AM
Networking, Registration Open
9:00 AM — 9:35 AM
Welcome Remarks & Introductions

BioHealth Capital Region Leaders welcome attendees to the 11th Annual Forum.

Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
Anthony Lakavage picture
Anthony Lakavage
9:35 AM — 9:55 AM
GEN Top 10 BioCluster Update

Alex Philippidis, Senior Business Editor at Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (GEN), is back at the BioHealth Capital Region Forum to present the latest Top 10 Bio Clusters in the United States. For the second consecutive year, the BioHealth Capital Region proudly maintains its position in the Top 3, maintaining the goal that the BHCR set almost nine years ago to be ranked a Top 3 Bio Cluster by 2023. Discover how other regions are performing and explore the shifts and trends in the Top 10 Bio Clusters for 2024.

Alex Philippidis picture
Alex Philippidis
9:55 AM — 10:15 AM
BioHealth Capital Region Update

Pete Briskman, Executive Managing Director and Co-Lead of JLL's Mid-Atlantic Life Sciences Practice, returns to the BioHealth Capital Region Forum to provide an update on the BHCR and its noteworthy advancements in the life sciences sector. Pete's presentation will delve into local and national trends, highlight key achievements, and offer insights into the future of the region's life sciences landscape performance in 2023 and the outlook for 2024 and beyond.

Pete Briskman picture
Pete Briskman
10:15 AM — 10:25 AM
Pete Briskman and Alex Philippidis Q&A
Pete Briskman picture
Pete Briskman
Alex Philippidis picture
Alex Philippidis
10:30 AM — 11:15 AM
Surviving and Thriving in the New Federal Environment

With threatened cutbacks in federal funding for essential bio health research, new approaches on drug testing, and efforts to reshore bio manufacturing in the U.S, the Bio Health Capital Region is uniquely positioned to face both challenges and opportunities in the new federal environment. From NIH to the FDA, from our nationally ranked research universities to the private bio industry, no sector is immune from feeling the effects of research funding, new regulatory, and other headwinds facing our region. 
 

Brian Darmody picture
Brian Darmody
Matt Owens picture
Matt Owens
Kate Hudson picture
Kate Hudson
11:15 AM — 11:45 AM
Networking Break
11:45 AM — 12:15 PM
National Science and Technology Associations view of Current American S&T Environment for their Members

With the new Administration and Congress, the challenges and opportunities for science and technology programs are enormous, from likely reductions in overall federal funding for research and development to focused opportunities in AI, quantum computing, and manufacturing.  The Bio Health Capital is especially vulnerable given its outsized role in federal R and D, from being the home of NIH and FDA to our many leading research universities in the region, but also with opportunities in AI, quantum, and the intersection with bio health technologies.

Hear from leading national Science and Tech membership organizations on the impact of the changing landscape in federal funding, opportunities for increased interaction with the private sector and foundations, and what it means for growing the Bio Health Capital Region.

 

 

 

Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
Mark Skinner picture
Mark Skinner
Steve Susalka picture
Steve Susalka
Brian Darmody picture
Brian Darmody
12:20 PM — 1:00 PM
Bridging Academia and Industry: University Initiatives to Advance Life Science Innovation

This panel will spotlight the latest initiatives from leading universities across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., designed to support and accelerate the growth of the region's pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and startup ecosystem. Join us to hear from academic leaders about the existence of critical resources, including state-of-the-art core facilities, entrepreneurial training through I-Corps programs, advanced biocontainment laboratories, and other transformative new centers with expertise relevant to pharma and biotech companies . Discover how these university-led efforts are creating new opportunities for industry collaboration, providing access to cutting-edge technology, and streamlining the path from discovery to commercialization.

Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak picture
Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak
Mark Esser picture
Mark Esser
Robert Miller picture
Robert Miller
Farhang Alem picture
Farhang Alem
Dan Kunitz picture
Dan Kunitz
1:00 PM — 2:00 PM
Lunch Break

Sponsored by WellDoc

2:00 PM — 2:45 PM
FDA Implications

More to be announced

Deb Autor picture
Deb Autor
Kelliann H. Payne picture
Kelliann H. Payne
2:50 PM — 3:15 PM
Keynote: Whurley
William Hurley picture
William Hurley
3:15 PM — 3:45 PM
Networking Break
3:45 PM — 4:25 PM
Progress & Pitfalls: Impactful AI Applications from Drug Discovery through Manufacturing

Join us for a dynamic panel discussion tailored for life science innovators in the BioHealth Capital Region on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the pharmaceutical industry. Our strategic pharma experts will share insights on: 

  • Discovery: Learn how AI accelerates the identification and prioritization of new or repurposed drug targets. 
  • Development: Discover how AI accelerates and optimizes designing, testing, and bringing new medications or therapies to market and improving patient outcomes, including accelerating clinical trials, identifying novel endpoints, diversifying trials, evaluating regulatory pathways and accelerating go/no decisions.
  • Manufacturing: Explore AI applications to streamline production processes, reduce time and costs, and elevate product quality. 

This panel will explore where AI is already making an impact, and how future AI developments and technologies may contribute to the availability and delivery of valuable medicines for improved patient outcomes.

Michael Levy picture
Michael Levy
Katherine Duncan picture
Katherine Duncan
Mike Bemben picture
Mike Bemben
Seth Zonies picture
Seth Zonies
Amitabh Varshney picture
Amitabh Varshney
4:25 PM — 4:55 PM
Fireside Chat: State of the Union
Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
Ronald  Piervincenzi picture
Ronald Piervincenzi
4:55 PM — 5:00 PM
Closing Remarks for Day 1
Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
5:00 PM — 6:30 PM
Reception

Sponsored by Bora

September 24, 2025 at 8:00 AM — September 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Networking, Registration Open
September 24, 2025 at 9:00 AM — September 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Opening Remarks
Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
September 24, 2025 at 9:05 AM — September 24, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Keynote Speaker: IonQ
Marco Pistoia picture
Marco Pistoia
September 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM — September 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Putting Quantum Technologies into Practice: Solving Problems in Healthcare

The panel discussion, "Putting Quantum Computing into Practice: Solving Problems in Healthcare," will explore the potential of quantum computing to create positive change in the healthcare landscape. We will discuss how quantum technology can address some of the industry's most complex challenges, from accelerating drug discovery and designing personalized treatments to enhancing diagnostic accuracy and securing patient data. The panelists will discuss the current state of quantum applications, highlight emerging use cases, and examine the practical steps and collaborative efforts needed to bring these groundbreaking solutions from research to real-world patient care.

Marco Pistoia picture
Marco Pistoia
Matt Cimino picture
Matt Cimino
September 24, 2025 at 10:20 AM — September 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Networking Break
September 24, 2025 at 10:50 AM — September 24, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The Role of Philanthropy in the Bio Health Capital Region: Catalyzing Research and Innovation

Funding from Philanthropy and Foundations to support bio health research is accelerating at the same time federal support is declining. Nearly 40 percent of R and D funding performed at universities is now funded by non-profit organizations. Cashed out bio entrepreneurs willing to give back to their alma maters are another source of funding for capital infrastructure and research. Hear how the Bio Health Capital Region is taking advantage of these new non-federal funding sources to grow the region's bio ecosystem. 

Brian Darmody picture
Brian Darmody
Mark Esser picture
Mark Esser
September 24, 2025 at 11:40 AM — September 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Critical Medicines: Dependencies on Foreign Sources and Opportunities for Domestic Manufacturing - Steps to Anticipate and Mitigate

More to come

September 24, 2025 at 12:25 PM — September 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Lunch Break

Sponsored by 

September 24, 2025 at 1:25 PM — September 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Improving Patient Care Using Emerging AI Capabilities

More to come

September 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM — September 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM
10th Annual Crab Trap Competition - Wed. September 24th at 2:10 PM

Experience the excitement as emerging companies pitch their innovative solutions to win cash and services. This competition showcases groundbreaking ideas and provides start-ups with invaluable exposure and networking opportunities.

September 24, 2025 at 3:10 PM — September 24, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Networking Break
September 24, 2025 at 3:30 PM — September 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
More to be released
September 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM — September 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
BioHealth Investment Trends

More to come

Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
September 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM — September 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
ATCC Conversation
Ruth Cheng picture
Ruth Cheng
September 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM — September 24, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Closing Remarks
Richard Bendis picture
Richard Bendis
September 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM — September 24, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reception

Sponsored by 

Featuring the USP Impurities Rock Band