This panel brings together three leaders from industry, advocacy, and research to discuss the evolving landscape of rare disease development. They’ll highlight recent scientific breakthroughs, the growing impact of patient engagement, and strategies for translating discoveries into scalable treatments. These speakers will explore how collaboration among biotech companies, research institutions, and patient communities is accelerating progress, offering insights into the scientific, operational, and human dimensions of advancing therapies for underserved populations.

Explore how Eli Lilly’s Catalyze360 initiative is building a comprehensive platform for early-stage innovation spanning venture investment, academic partnerships, startup incubation, and translational research. This session offers founders and scientists an inside look at how Lilly identifies breakthrough science, supports emerging companies, and accelerates the path from discovery to future medicines.

This panel will explore how biotech startups are navigating today’s challenging funding environment by leveraging alternative and non-dilutive capital sources such as strategic pharma partnerships, venture philanthropy, government grants, and novel financing structures. These four investors, founders, and industry leaders will discuss when to pursue these options, how they impact company strategy, and what the future of biotech funding may hold. Join this panel if you’re an entrepreneur seeking practical insights to building resilient capital strategies beyond traditional venture capital.

Many scientists begin in academia, but the biotech ecosystem extends far beyond research and experimental design. From industry R&D and company building to venture capital, business development, and policy—where do your skills have the most impact? Join us for a candid discussion with industry leaders who successfully transitioned from academic training into the commercial ecosystem. Discover roles beyond the bench, learn how a PhD/postdoc translates into industry, and find out how to map your strengths to the future of biotechnology.

This panel will explore why women’s health is rapidly emerging as a critical and historically overlooked frontier in biotechnology, highlighting recent advances, growing investment, and the unique opportunities for innovation in areas like reproductive health and chronic conditions. These founders, investors, and scientific leaders will discuss how the field is evolving and what it will take to build successful, enduring companies that address significantly unmet needs.

Join these biotech leaders for a candid conversation that strips away the corporate jargon to explore the raw reality of navigating social impact in a high-stakes industry. This panel will dive into the hard trade-offs where purpose meets real-world execution, from pricing and partnerships to hiring and layoffs. These speakers will share personal reflections on their leadership regrets, how they leverage their corporate platforms for equitable access, and how early-career professionals can start building their own "purpose muscle" today. Ultimately, proving that mission-driven leadership isn’t a branding exercise, it is a daily series of deliberate decisions you can practice at any stage of your career.