Events

Time: 3:00PM - 6:00PM
Location: Lobby
RSVP LabCentral residents contact Luke for the free code

In case you didn't know, today's healthcare problems are complicated. Some say that all of the simple diseases have been cured and we're left with "some of the hardest scientific problems in the history of the species." Meanwhile, finding capable talent to lead biotech companies has become an enormous industry problem. What can be done do to expand the size and diversity of the talent pool, in the hopes of curing more diseases more efficiently? In short, what does it take to succeed sooner in life sciences?

Drug development relies on years of experience across the industry and exposure to multiple upstream and downstream elements in order to be prepared for the challenges in our unique field. If you're a young person working in drug or device development, what are the roles that will give you a broad set of experiences to prepare you for an eventual CEO role, with the fewest detours and the most value?

We will discuss what needs to be done, and where you should put your energy today to be a leader in the field tomorrow. Hear from experts across the industry, from the investors who know what they're looking for when it comes to biotech leadership, the experienced CEO's who know what it takes, and some of the young people on the front lines of successful biotech startups. You'll also hear some insights about why we should care about promoting diversity within biotech leadership, as well as some of the steps that Johnson & Johnson has taken to address the life science industry issues of today.

Partner:
The New England Venture Capital Association (NEVCA) works to make Massachusetts the best place in the world to start new companies: building relationships among founders and investors; amplifying the voice of Massachusetts' entrepreneurial community; connecting top students with startups; and advocating for innovation-friendly public policy. With 700+ venture capital professionals from 80+ firms, its members collectively manage more than $50 billion in capital.

Speakers:

• Moderator: Michael Gladstone | Principal, Atlas Partners
• Laura Indolfi, Ph.D. | CEO and Co-founder, PanTher Therapeutics
• Michael Schrader | Co-Founder & CEO, Vaxess Technologies
• Chuck Wilson, Ph.D. | President & CEO, Unum Therapeutics

Speaker spotlight:

Chuck Wilson, Ph.D.
President & CEO, Unum Therapeutics 

Charles ('Chuck') Wilson is President and CEO of Unum Therapeutics, a company developing a novel cellular immunotherapy platform for the treatment of cancer. Chuck previously served as the Global Head of Strategic Alliances for Novartis. In this role he led the partnering efforts across all disease areas up through clinical proof-of-concept. Chuck was also a co-founder of Archemix, a biotech company developing aptamer therapeutics. There he served as CTO, responsible for the company's technology platform and for managing drug discovery.

Agenda:

• 3:00 PM | Registration Opens and Networking
• 3:30 PM | Presentation: Does biotech have an age problem?
• 3:40 PM | Presentation: Industry's role in helping early stage companies advance quickly
• 4:00 PM | Panel Discussion
• 5:00 PM | Audience Q&A
• 5:30 PM | Networking Reception
• 6:00 PM | Program Close