Logo for LaunchBio Program: Invest in CuresLogo for LaunchBio Program: Invest in Cures

A disease foundation forum

  • February 20, 2025
  • 9:00am - 3:30pm PT
San Diego | UCSD Design & Innovation Building

Invest in Cures San Diego 2025

Impact Investing Through Disease Foundations

Register Today

Program

Join us on February 20 at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), home to the Gene Therapy Initiative, to explore the transformative potential of impact investing in addressing rare disease challenges. This forum highlights the promise of venture philanthropy and innovative collaborations, offering hope for the commercialization of therapies that could revolutionize rare disease treatment.

Learn from venture leaders, advocates, researchers, and entrepreneurs as they share insights on accelerating translational research and advancing cures for patients through strategic funding and collaboration. Invest in Cures features main-stage sessions, panel discussions, intimate gatherings and high-level networking opportunities. This unique event brings together researchers, clinicians and investment professionals from leading foundations to discuss cutting-edge approaches to supporting and funding breakthrough therapies.

Co-hosted by UCSD and Fondation Ipsen (under the aegis of Fondation de France), with support from community partner Curebound. Sponsorship provided by BioLabs. VIP Dinner sponsored by Wilson Sonsini.

Join us to connect and collaborate with leaders shaping the future of rare disease therapies.

There are still several opportunities to sponsor this exciting event. If you’d like to learn more, please contact LaunchBio’s CEO, Becky Beattie.

Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 am: Registration and Breakfast Networking

9:00 – 9:15 am: Welcome and Opening Remarks

9:15 – 10:15 am: Panel 1 – Investment Philosophies of Leading Venture Philanthropy Funds

10:45 – 11:00 am:  Pioneering the Future of Medicine: UCSD Gene Therapy Initiative in Action

11:00 – 11:50 am: Panel 2 – Moving from Lab to Marketplace – Success Stories and Challenges of a Rare Disease Biotech Startup

11:50 am – 12:00 pm: Wrap-up of morning session; Preview of afternoon

12:00 – 1:00 pm: Networking Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 pm: Keynote – Unlocking Breakthroughs in Rare Oncology: Collaborative Pathways to Cures

1:30 – 2:30 pm: Panel 3 – Translational Research Showcase:Accelerating Breakthroughs in Rare Disease and Oncology

2:30 – 2:45 pm: Closing Remarks – Humanizing the Mission

2:45 – 3:30 pm: Networking

By attending this event, you consent to being photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded. These images and recordings may be used by LaunchBio for promotional purposes, including but not limited to social media, websites, print materials, and other marketing or informational platforms. If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify event staff upon arrival or take necessary precautions to avoid camera areas. For any concerns or further inquiries, please contact Meredith Martindale, Director of Marketing.

Details

Sessions

9:00 am
Opening Remarks

Cori Peek-Asa, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research, UCSD

9:15 – 10:15 am
Panel 1 – Investment Philosophies of Leading Venture Philanthropy Funds

Rare disease venture funds play a pivotal role in transforming patient outcomes by strategically investing in early-stage companies developing groundbreaking therapies. Not only do these funds provide critical capital, but they also leverage their expertise and networks to accelerate the path from discovery to commercialization.

This panel will explore unique strategies that venture funds use to identify and support rare disease startups, with a focus on balancing mission-driven impact and sustainable financial returns. Panelists will share compelling case studies of successful investments, highlighting the factors that drive success in this space. Additionally, the discussion will uncover how venture philanthropy serves as a catalyst for innovation, fostering collaborations between entrepreneurs, researchers, and patient advocacy groups to address urgent unmet medical needs.

10:45 – 11:00 am
Pioneering the Future of Medicine UCSD Gene Therapy Initiative in Action

Betty Cabrera will share how this groundbreaking program is advancing the future of gene therapy. Learn about key achievements to date and their innovative approach to fostering collaboration between academic researchers and industry leaders. Hear how UCSD’s GTI is accelerating the development of cutting-edge gene therapies, creating opportunities for partnerships, and driving transformative impact in the field of medicine.

11:00 – 11:50 am
Panel 2 – Moving from Lab to Marketplace—Successes and Challenges of a Rare Disease Biotech Startup

Rare disease biotech startups play a critical role in transforming cutting-edge research into therapies that change lives. This panel will explore the complex journey of taking innovations from the lab to the marketplace. Panelists will discuss the origins of groundbreaking ideas and the challenges of transitioning from academic research to a startup environment. Gain insights on how initial funding can be secured, how to engage with investors and the strategies investors use to identify promising ventures. The conversation will also explore post-investment growth, highlighting key milestones, success metrics and strategies for scaling rare disease biotech companies. Lastly, the panel will discuss the role of tech transfer offices in facilitating commercialization and providing crucial resources for researchers and startups.

1:00 – 1:30 pm
Keynote – Unlocking Breakthroughs in Rare Oncology: Collaborative Pathways to Cures

  • Anne Marbarger, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Curebound

1:30 – 2:30 pm
Panel 3 – Translational Research Showcase: Accelerating Breakthroughs in Rare Disease and Oncology

Hear from four inspiring startups at the forefront of translational research in rare diseases. Each company will present its cutting-edge innovations, highlighting the journey from scientific discovery to clinical impact. Learn how these startups are leveraging San Diego’s vibrant life science ecosystem to transform promising research into groundbreaking therapies (with one special guest from Austin, TX)!

2:30 – 2:45 pm
Closing Remarks – Humanizing the Mission

James Uyeda will address the importance of prioritizing patient perspectives in the development and funding of therapies. Drawing on his leadership experience and hands-on involvement in rare disease advocacy, he will examine strategies for incorporating personalized approaches in clinical trial design. By emphasizing patient-centered methodologies, James will highlight how such approaches can accelerate therapy development and enhance outcomes for diverse patient populations.

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