9:00AM - Check-In; Networking
9:30AM - Seating
9:45AM - Morning Keynote
- James M. Sweeney - CEO of CardioNet
10:45AM - Morning Panel: Lab 2 Boardroom/New Models in Biotech
Lab to Boardroom
Solid background in science alone is no longer enough to succeed in the biotech industry. Rather than pure biotech background, as
the future leaders in biotechnology, we need to learn how to incorporate our knowledge of science into leadership and management abilities.
This panel will focus on the many different paths of successfully making a transition from the lab bench to the boardroom. The panelists
will share their experiences that set up their successful careers in biotech as well as provide entrepreneurial insight into the specific
trends and opportunities emerging in the industry today.
- Julia Brown - Amylin
- Kevin Lustig - Assay Depot
- Andrew Shiau - Kalypsys
- Paul Shabram - Ventana Biosciences
New Models Biotech
Traversing the Valley of Death: Exploring Breakthrough Models in Biotech
The traditional venture creation model in the biotech industry has been around for more than 20 years. New entrepreneurs rely on it because industry-consolidating players such as those in the Big Pharma came into being deploying such models. Due to the nature of biotech business, it is often prohibitively capital intensive and difficult to scale. Many young ventures, once past the first phase of discovery, enter an long and hard-to-navigate business landscape before they can see breakthrough success in the market. In addition, established biotech and pharmaceutical companies poses extremely high barriers to entry. Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, and a biotech industry veteran, will discuss his opinion on a much needed new model of venture creation in the biotechnology arena, a model that will boost the robustness and diversity of innovation instead of stifling it under the current model.
The traditional venture creation model in the biotech industry has been around for more than 20 years. New entrepreneurs rely on it because industry-consolidating players such as those in the Big Pharma came into being deploying such models. Due to the nature of biotech business, it is often prohibitively capital intensive and difficult to scale. Many young ventures, once past the first phase of discovery, enter an long and hard-to-navigate business landscape before they can see breakthrough success in the market. In addition, established biotech and pharmaceutical companies poses extremely high barriers to entry. Duane Roth, CEO of CONNECT, and a biotech industry veteran, will discuss his opinion on a much needed new model of venture creation in the biotechnology arena, a model that will boost the robustness and diversity of innovation instead of stifling it under the current model.
- Duane Roth - CONNECT
11:45AM - Lunch/Networking Session
12:45PM - Afternoon Panels: Clean Technology/IP & Finance
Clean Technology
The public eye has increasingly turned towards global warming as a result of green house gases from
carbon emissions. At the turn of the twenty-first century, the demand for clean-technology is at its
highest in history. The panel will discuss the challenges of starting a clean-tech company and the
opportunities for biotechnology entrepreneurs in this field. Discussion around biofuels, carbon
emission reduction, environmental clean-up, and related areas will offer insights into both the current
state and the future of clean-tech.
- Moderator: Holly Smithson - VP of Cleantech San Diego
- Dr. Fatemeh Shirazi - Founder & President Microvi Biotech
- Seth Burns- Founder & Managing Member of Biogas & Electric, LLC
- Anthony Arand - CEO of Envirepel
Intellectual Property & Financing Your Venture
Intellectual property is the foundation for all technology start-ups. However, first-time entrepreneurs
often have great deal of difficulty navigating the unfamiliar waters of IP practices. Furthermore, young
entrepreneurs often fail to understand how to fully leverage one’s intellectual property to achieve better
financing terms for his or her start-up. This panel will go over the patenting and subsequent licensing
process. Thereafter, the panel will discuss the possibilities of licensing to an established firm or for
starting a new enterprise and the appropriate funding needed.
- Moderator: Stephen Flaim - Technology and Business Advisor, von Liebig Center
- James Schaeffer - Merck
- Otis Littlefield - IP Attorney, Morrison & Foerster LLP
- John Rodenrys - TCA / CEO & Sr. Managing Director Leading Ventures
- Ned Israelsen - TCA / Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
