Life Sciences Future SW
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2026 Panel Discussions
8:30am – 9:15am Leading Through Uncertainty – Positioning for Success
After four years of volatility, life sciences companies are entering a period of renewed opportunity. What strategies enabled both emerging and established organizations to navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger for 2026? This session will share practical lessons on resilience, building durable growth, deploying capital with intention, and sustaining momentum—while remaining prepared for future cycles.
Speakers:
– Nick Pachuda, DPM, Partner, Neovate Capital Partners
– Michael Bozik, MD, President, Ion Channel Research & Development, Biohaven
– Scott Morley, Senior Director, University of Pittsburgh | Office of Industry and Economic Partnerships
Moderated by: Lisa Witte, Senior Vice President and President, Customer Channels Group, Thermo Fisher Scientific
9:15am – 10:00am Precision Medicine in Practice: Application of new tools in real-world care settings
Advances in multi-omics, digital health, AI, and real-world data is transforming personalized medicine. From smarter diagnostics to more tailored treatment decisions, dig into how these tools are improving outcomes, optimizing care delivery, and moving precision medicine from promise to practice.
Speakers:
– Anantha Shekhar, MD, PhD, Dean, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
– Chris Murphy, MS, CEO, ElevateBio
– Nathan Netravali, PhD, R&D Director, AI Center of Excellence + Advanced Modeling Development, Smith + Nephew
12:15pm – 1:00pm Clinical Trials – Today and Tomorrow
New tools, models, and networks are driving throughput and outcomes.
Leading health systems and biopharma companies are using innovative platforms, technology, data integration, and collaborative networks to improve trial efficiency, access, and outcomes. How can these methods also help trials be more patient-centric and better engage diverse providers and patient populations?
Speakers:
– Nicole Ansani, PharmD, Senior VP, New Development Initiatives, UPMC Enterprises
– Lara Luciano, Global Monitoring & Site Engagement, Global Clinical Operations, GSK
– Stacy Hurt, Chief Patient Officer, Parexel
– Chelsea Osterman, MD, Executive Medical Director, Tempus AI
Moderated by: Teresa Whalen, RPh, CEO, CytoAgents
4:30pm – 5:15pm Seizing Opportunity in a Genuinely Optimistic Funding Environment
What’s in today’s life sciences financing environment? Spanning capital raises, M&A activity, and IPO trends – capital experts will give an overview of the current landscape and explore creative capital sources, the role of corporate venture arms, non-dilutive funding strategies, etc.
Speakers:
– Jeff Chu, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Features Ventures
– Chris Howerton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, LifeSci Partners
– Jasmina Marjanovic, PhD, Senior Director, External Partnering, Catalyze 360, Eli Lilly and Company
– Eric Keller, Parallel Entrepreneur
Moderated by: David Kalson, Shareholder, Dentons
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Life Sciences Pennsylvania was founded in 1989 by a biotech scientist at Penn State University. Today it has grown to represent the entire life sciences industry – biotechnology and diagnostic companies, medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, investment organizations, research institutions, and myriad service industries that support the life sciences in Pennsylvania.