2025 Agenda
Biocom’s Converge Summit will bring together the brightest minds in life science and technology to advance human health.
*Agenda below is subject to change.
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Registration & Networking
Registration will remain open throughout the conference.
Welcome Remarks & Attendee Introductions
Speakers
Michelle Nemits
Executive Director, Bay Area, Biocom
Converge Summit: Uniting Life Science and Technology
Join Matthew Hudes as he shares the genesis of the Converge initiative as well as Biocom’s unwavering commitment to cultivating a dynamic community of leaders and innovators dedicated to advancing human health through collaboration.
Speakers
Matthew Hudes
Founder & CEO, bdlBiologx
Keynote Session
Speakers
Aliza Apple, Ph.D.
Vice President, Catalyze360 AI/ML, Eli Lilly
Marc Tessier-Lavigne, Ph.D.
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Xaira Therapeutics
Executive Insights: A Fireside Chat
With a rich background spanning biophysics, technology innovation and startup mentorship, Joe Betts-LaCroix, co-founder and CEO of Retro Biosciences, will share his unique perspective on utilizing AI/ML-driven science to shape the future of human health and longevity.
Speakers
Joe Betts-LaCroix
Co-Founder & CEO, Retro Biosciences
Jeff Kindler, J.D.
Former Chairman & CEO, Pfizer; CEO, Centrexion Corporation
The Latest Advancements in Drug Discovery
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders pioneering the integration of AI, machine learning and synthetic biology to revolutionize therapeutic development. Join our esteemed speakers from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Atomic AI, Junevity, Noetik, Pheiron and Profluent as they explore cutting-edge innovations.
Speakers
Ron Alfa, M.D., Ph.D.
Co-Founder & CEO, Noetik
Thore Buergel, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & CEO, Pheiron
Pantea Khodami
Worldwide Head: Life Sciences and Precision Medicine – Solutions & Strategy, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Ali Madani, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO, Profluent
Janine Sengstack, Ph.D.
Co-Founder & Chief Scientific Officer, Junevity
Raphael Townshend, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO, Atomic AI
Coffee & Networking Break
Moonshot Innovations: All About Focused Research Organizations
In this can’t-miss session moderated by Pier 70 Ventures managing partner, Preetha Ram, Ph.D., leaders from Convergent Research and E11 Bio will explore how focused research organizations (FROs) are filling gaps in the R&D ecosystem to accelerate innovation.
Speakers
Jun Axup, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer, E11 Bio
Anastasia Gamick
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, Convergent Research
Preetha Ram, Ph.D.
Managing Partner, Pier 70 Ventures
Building the Future: A Conversation with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
This exclusive fireside chat between Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and CZ Biohub Network Chief Operating Officer Marc Malandro, Ph.D. and Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco Chief Scientific Officer Sandra Schmid, Ph.D. will delve into the role of open-access data sets as a catalyst for innovation.
Speakers
Marc Malandro, Ph.D.
Chief Operating Officer, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative & CZ Biohub Network
Sandra Schmid, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub San Francisco
Networking Lunch
Beyond Limits: Collaborating for a World First Innovation
Join our speakers from Microsoft, NVIDIA and Pangaea Data as they discuss a new first-in-the-world project and share how collaboration and partnerships are driving progress.
Speakers
Vibhor Gupta, Ph.D.
Founder & Director, Pangaea Data
Thomas Osborne, M.D.
Chief Medical Officer, Microsoft Federal Civilian; Clinical Professor, Stanford Health Care
Austin Walsh
General Manager, Healthcare, Microsoft
Renee Yao
Ecosystem Business Development, Healthcare Life Sciences, NVIDIA
Revolutionizing Patient Care: Addressing Health Inequities Through AI
Speakers
Ameen Salahudeen, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Hematology & Oncology, University of Illinois College of Medicine
Discovering Patients with AI
Speakers
Suha Bachir, M.D., M.S.
Clinical Associate Professor, Medical Biochemist Genetics, Stanford University
David Everman, M.D.
Clinical Scientist, Pangaea Data
Accelerating Innovation Through Pharma Collaborations
Speakers
Shifeng Pan, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Genesis Therapeutics
Dan Rock, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Cartography Biosciences
Daniel Tumas, DVM, Ph.D.
VP, Search & Evaluation, Corporate Development, Gilead Sciences
Networking Break
Fireside Chat
Speakers
Martha Head, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President, Center for Research Acceleration by Digital Innovation, Amgen
Matthew Hudes
Founder & CEO, bdlBiologx
VC Perspectives
In the final session of our conference, moderated by Wilson Sonsini partner, Ali Alemozafar, J.D., Ph.D., leaders from Andreessen Horowitz, DCVC Bio, General Catalyst, Playground Global and Time BioVentures will share their insights on the venture landscape at the intersection of science and technology.
Speakers
Ali Alemozafar, J.D., Ph.D.
Partner, Wilson Sonsini
Benjamin Kim, Ph.D.
Partner, Playground Global
Emily Park, M.D.
Principal, DCVC Bio
Ben Portney, Ph.D.
Investing Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
Elena Viboch
Managing Director, General Catalyst
D.A. Wallach
Co-Founder & General Partner, Time BioVentures
Networking Reception
Unwind from a day of thought-provoking panel discussions, presentations and fireside chats and join fellow innovators and executives in continued conversations while you enjoy delicious refreshments. This reception provides an excellent opportunity to network with summit attendees and speakers one final time before the conference concludes.