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

A Disease Foundation Forum

  • February 7, 2024
  • 9:00am - 3:00pm PT
San Francico | UCSF Neuroscience Conference Center

Invest in Cures San Francisco 2024

Impact Investing Through Disease Foundations

Program

Join us at the University of California San Francisco Neuroscience Conference Center to explore the rising trend of impact investing in addressing rare disease challenges through foundations and innovative collaborations including AI in rare diseases. Learn from foundation leaders, advocates and entrepreneurs as they share their perspectives on venture philanthropy for accelerating the commercialization of new therapies and cures for patients.

Invest in Cures combines main stage sessions and panel discussions with intimate gatherings and high-level networking. It is an opportunity for researchers, clinicians and investment professionals from leading foundations to discuss innovative approaches to supporting and funding translational research and drug development.

Capacity is limited and guests must pre-register to attend.

ONE ON ONE MATCHMAKING OPPORTUNITIES

California Life Sciences, in collaboration with LaunchBio, is dedicated to creating opportunities for startups and small companies to connect with disease foundations, corporate partners, and other funding sources for new rare disease therapies To that end, selected companies can apply by January 26, 2024 to meet virtually with the following organizations to discuss partnering opportunities.

We invite you to apply to meet with the following organizations (virtually) to discuss partnering opportunities, many of which will be attending the in-person event taking place February 7, 2024, in San Francisco.

PITCH APPLICATION CLOSED

Taking place on Feb 6th is UCSF’s  Rare Disease Symposium: Catalyzing Innovation and Bridging Gaps in Rare Diseases. The event highlights translational research and innovative start-ups focused on rare eye diseases and epilepsies.

To register for the symposium, please navigate here.

Agenda

8:00am:  Coffee, Continental Breakfast, Networking

9:00am:  Welcome and Introductions, Thank You to Sponsors

9:05-9:25am:  Opening Keynote: Six Guiding Principles to Drive Innovation

9:30-10:30am:  Panel 1 – Venture Philanthropy 2.0: Advancements in Disease Foundation Funding

10:35-11:35am:  Startup Showcase – Visionary Innovations in Rare Disease: Unveiling Tomorrow’s Solutions

11:35am-1:00pm: Lunch Break and Networking

1:00-2:00pm:  Panel 2 – Accelerating Hope: The AI Revolution in Rare Disease Drug Development

2:05-2:55pm: Panel 3 – Investing In Patient Outcomes: Early Investments to Empower Innovation

Details

Sessions

9:05am: Opening Keynote: Six Guiding Principles to Drive Innovation

Considering that 90% of people living with rare diseases have no treatment, innovation is at the heart of improving patient outcomes. Numerous innovation theories attempt to unravel the various elements of innovation but these theories are often complex, varied in nature,  and difficult to apply to rare disease. We need to improve the success rate of rare disease innovation because most new ventures do not generate effective therapies.

Renowned tech innovator, physician, scientist, and devoted rare disease advocate, Dr. James Levine will distill theories on innovation to their core commonalities. There are six critical innovation principles that can be employed to make your venture more successful. Join us and learn what they are.

James Levine, PhD, MD,  President, Fondation Ipsen

9:30 – 10:30am:  Panel 1 – Venture Philanthropy 2.0: Advancements in Disease Foundation Funding

Disease foundations have increasingly taken the leap into the investment world by creating affiliated venture philanthropy or impact investment funds to invest in start-ups with promising technology that address unmet patient needs. This model has proven to be successful with numerous high-value exits and novel treatments for patient populations. As the funds continue to develop and learn from the past, they are taking new approaches to how they invest in companies.

Learn from a diverse group of disease foundation investors, including the originators, early adopters and new funds as they share their perspectives on the latest trends in investing, collaborations and syndications. Learn best practices for working with the foundations they support and the start-ups that receive investment.

10:35-11:35am: Startup Showcase  – Visionary Innovations in Rare Disease: Unveiling Tomorrow’s Solutions

Meet four high-potential start-ups with groundbreaking technology that have the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for rare eye diseases and rare epilepsies. This showcase highlights each company’s transformative science and unique approaches to addressing the unmet needs of patients suffering from these conditions.

  • Robert Bhisitkul, MD, PhD, Co-Founder & CMO, Oculinea
  • Daniel Chung, MD, CMO, Sparing Vision
  • Wesley Jones, MS, MBA, Co-Founder & CEO, Vonova
  • Chris Reyes, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Bloom Science
  • Emcee: Tyler Mizenko, MBA, VP of Relationships and Business Development, Prendio & BioProcure

 

1:00-2:00pm:  Panel 2 – Accelerating Hope: The AI Revolution in Rare Disease Drug Development

Often characterized by limited patient populations and unique challenges, rare diseases present a compelling use case for AI’s transformative capabilities. With the capacity to accelerate diagnosis, drug development and commercialization, this revolutionary technology offers hope to the many thousands of patients with rare conditions in their race against time to find a treatment. This panel brings together experts, innovators and thought leaders to explore the promising intersection of AI and rare disease treatment. Learn from industry experts on how to effectively harness the power of AI in drug discovery by asking the right questions, leveraging quality data and understanding how to effectively incorporate this tool into a more holistic drug discovery strategy.

2:05-2:55pm:  Panel 3 – Investing In Patient Outcomes: Early Investments to Empower Innovation

The mission of a disease foundation venture fund, like that of the parent organization, is to improve patient outcomes and advance treatments for unmet medical needs. These funds are often willing to take on more risk and invest earlier than other types of venture capital investors.  By leveraging the wealth of expertise of the affiliated foundations, start-ups can get to an inflection point that attracts follow-on investments. This discussion examines the relationship between disease foundation funds and their portfolio companies, shares examples of deal structures and highlights the commitment of the fund to the success of the portfolio company.

 

Partners

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