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March 02, 2026
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HSBC’s mid-year report signaled the challenges that many small and mid-sized biotech companies have shared; first financings declined in Q2 of 2025 and entrepreneurs and companies have had to make tough staffing decisions and adjust their pipelines and programs. While interest rates have started to lower, macroeconomic uncertainties remain in addition to the risk embedded in developing novel medicines. This session will begin with an overview of financing in 2025 followed by a discussion on how companies and investors have remained nimble. The role of venture capital and how family offices are participating in financing will also be featured. Key Takeaways: -Data on where venture investment dollars are going presented by HSBC Innovation -Tips from investors for leaders of biotech companies when seeking funding -Information on how family offices are participating in the ecosystem -Emerging areas of interest in innovationSpeakers
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Perseo Pharma is a biopharmaceutical company pioneering innovative metabolic therapies. The company has raised USD 12 million from private investors, including a U.S. patient advocacy organization and a corporate fund. We are currently raising our USD 9M Series A, for which we have signed a Term Sheet with a US investor. Perseo's proprietary platform technology enables the development of highly effective gut-restricted treatments for a range of metabolic disorders. The company is targeting conditions like Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) and a family of rare diseases made of Intoxication-Type Inborn Errors of Metabolism. PER301, Perseo's lead compound for EPI (well established $1.5bn market in the US alone), is being developed in partnership with Nestlé Health Science. A significant commercial milestone for this collaboration was reached at the end of 2025.Speakers
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XM Therapeutics is a Brown University spinoff developing tissue repair and regeneration therapies for chronic disorders where an impaired healing response leads to progressive fibrosis (scarring), inflammation, and hypoxia. Applying cutting edge proteomic and 3D cell culture technologies, XM designs injectable human Extracellular Matrix particles (not a cell therapy). The particles engraft in the affected tissue, modulate the dysfunctional matrix to alter cell response, and thereby reduce fibrosis and improve blood flow and organ function. Proof of therapeutic potential has been shown in two animal species and in two organ systems; heart and skin. In both organs, ECM particles had the same effects of reducing scarring and improving healing. The company is pursuing a partnering enabled business model to target multi-billion-dollar conditions starting with chronic wounds and heart failure. Leadership team is in place. Closing seed round and seeking Series A investors.
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A clinical stage company developing a sustained-release drug delivery platform with broad applications. Our first product, ST-01, has successfully completed its Phase II trial and is moving towards a Phase III trial. We have two other products in Phase II trials. ST-01 is an injected non-opioid pain medication designed to address large markets with high unmet needs. It has the potential to provide effective, long-lasting non-addictive pain management for up to four weeks from a single injection. ST-01’s Phase II trial in chronic pain was successful. We anticipate commencing its Phase III trial in 2026, subject to regulatory approval. ST-02, our second product, is a sustained release chemotherapy medication. We have initiated a Phase II study in an orphan indication, Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma (UTUC). Our third product, ST-04, has begun its Phase II trial. ST-04 is an ED medication being tested in men who are non-responsive to standard of care PDE-5 inhibitors.
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Based in Houston, FibroBiologics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a pipeline of treatments and seeking potential cures for chronic diseases using fibroblast cells and fibroblast-derived materials. FibroBiologics holds 270+ US and internationally issued patents/patents pending across various clinical pathways, including wound healing, multiple sclerosis, disc degeneration, psoriasis, orthopedics, human longevity, and cancer. FibroBiologics represents the next generation of medical advancement in cell therapy and tissue regeneration.
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Resolution Therapeutics is a clinical stage pioneer in Regenerative Macrophage Therapies (RMT) for Inflammatory and Fibrotic Diseases. CLINICAL PROGRAM / HIGH UNMET NEED - EMERALD/OPAL (P1/2) for End Stage Liver Disease (ESLD), which affects >500k people in the US with liver transplantation as the only option, leaving over 90% of patients with no alternative. TRANSFORMATIVE TREATMENT - Engineered macrophages with enhanced anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic efficacy, optimised by payload ROBUST SCIENCE & CLINICAL EVIDENCE - Two clinical Proof of Concept studies demonstrating safety and efficacy in patients with cirrhosis; robust biomarker package FOCUSED PIPELINE - Efficacy demonstrated in lung fibrosis and GvHD with platform expansion into In Vivo modality
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InterAct Therapeutics (IAT) is a preclinical company advancing its proprietary InterAct Print™ platform to deliver transformative gene therapies for metastatic cancers. Our lead candidate, IAT-S2, targets breast cancer-derived liver metastases (BCLM), a devastating orphan disease with no approved therapy and a 5-year survival rate below 10%. IAT-S2 introduces a transgene to hepatocytes, reprogramming the liver microenvironment to inhibit metastatic tumor growth. We are about 18 months from IND submission. We recently submitted to the FDA our INTERACT Meeting package and Orphan Drug Designation application. InterAct Print™ is a proprietary computational biology engine that identifies the genes most essential for metastatic colonization across different organs. Once validated in BCLM, it provides a repeatable framework to rapidly expand into other metastasis-dominant and oligometastatic indications. We have additional drug candidates in our pipeline.
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Tessera Therapeutics is pioneering Gene Writing™—a new genome engineering technology that writes therapeutic messages into the genome to treat diseases at their source. Our mission is to cure disease by writing in the code of life.
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The Innovation Stage offers a mix of programming showcasing Florida talent, R&D, and investment and innovative biotech companies seeking breakthrough treatments.
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As biotech companies compete for talent, capital, and speed to value, geographic strategy has become a source of competitive advantage. South Florida has experienced an influx of seasoned operators, rapid expansion of research capabilities across multiple universities, and increasing engagement from both traditional and alternative capital providers. This discussion will examine what is drawing companies and leaders to the region — including operational efficiency, talent arbitrage, access to family office and international capital, and a more coordinated academic ecosystem. Can these factors translate into a durable competitive edge outside legacy hubs — and what must align to convert momentum into a true ecosystem flywheel?Speakers
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Ironfist Therapeutics is advancing a new class of nanomedicine radiopharmaceuticals that selectively target tumor associated macrophages. Our precision medicine approach to treat any tumor with TAMs has the potential to change the paradigm in cancer treatment by reprogramming or removing these suppressive cells so the immune system can see the tumor clearly and strike with full force. The nanomedicine component of Tamrada is comparable in size to an antibody fragment, does not leave the vasculature except in tumors, and has renal and biliary clearance without metabolism. 64Cu/177Lu-Tamrada enables precision dosing of cancer patients using a theragnostic approach. 177Lu-Tamrada provides an additional benefit of a bystander effect by killing adjacent tumor cells as demonstrated in preclinical models with clinical trials starting in 2H 2026. The nanomedicine in Tamrada is amendable to modifications to create a pipeline of radiopharmaceuticals with different radioisotopes.
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Life Bio is a clinical-stage [SR3.1]biotechnology company pioneering cellular rejuvenation therapies to reverse and prevent multiple diseases of aging. The company’s proprietary Partial Epigenetic Reprogramming (PER) platform utilizes three transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, and Klf4—to restore older and damaged cells to a younger and healthier state. This innovative approach targets a root cause of aging at the epigenetic level, thereby offering the potential to address a wide range of serious age-related diseases. Life Bio’s lead program, ER-100, is being developed for optic neuropathies, including glaucoma and non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), with Phase 1 initiated in the first quarter of 2026 for both indications. Beyond ER-100, the company is strategically broadening its therapeutic pipeline to address additional age-related diseases, underscoring the platform’s versatility and transformative potential.
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7 Hills Pharma is a clinical-stage company advancing first-in-class small molecules leveraging a novel mechanism of action, pioneered by 7HP founders, to safely enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies against treatment-resistant solid tumors, with no added toxicities. Our platform of selective integrin activators optimize multiple rate-limiting immune cell adhesion events to overcome resistance and drive a productive anti-tumor immune response. Our unique mechanism of action attacks a fundamental pathway of tumor immune evasion. In a Phase Ib/IIa clinical trial testing alintegimod, our first clinical-stage molecule, in combination with sequential dual checkpoint blockade against aPD-1-resistant solid tumors, we have so far treated 12 patients, with encouraging early biomarker observations, disease control, and a partial response. The Phase Ib data readout is expected mid-2026.
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Immunis is a clinical-stage biotechnology company at the forefront of regenerative and longevity medicine, developing health-focused therapeutics for age and immune-mediated muscle and metabolic diseases. The company’s investigational therapeutic, IMM01-STEM, is a novel stem cell-derived secretome containing a diverse array of naturally occurring factors known to regulate immune signaling and promote muscle regeneration. IMM01-STEM activates multiple cellular pathways to potentially counteract the biological deficits underlying muscle and metabolic decline with age. By improving physical function, supporting metabolic health, and enhancing quality of life into old age, IMM01-STEM represents a groundbreaking approach to regenerative health. There are currently no FDA-approved secretomes, making IMM01-STEM the first therapeutic of its kind and making Immunis a global leader in secretome research.
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Expansion in the target landscape, from TL1A and beyond, has accelerated progress in I&I drug development with multibillion-dollar M&A across the past two years attracting more funding for programs in this space. This panel will explore the landscape of targets and indications showing the most promise to address unmet patient needs at large scale.
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Newron is a biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Bresso near Milan, Italy, the Company has a strong track record of advancing neuroscience-based treatments from discovery to market. Newron’s lead compound, evenamide, is a first-in-class glutamate modulator and has the potential to be the first add-on therapy for TRS and for poorly responding patients with schizophrenia. Evenamide is currently developed in the global pivotal ENIGMA-TRS Phase III development program. Clinical trial results to date demonstrate the benefits of this drug candidate in the TRS as well as poorly responding patient population, with significant improvements across key efficacy measures increasing over time, as well as a favorable safety profile, which is uncommon for available antipsychotic medications. Newron has signed development and commercialization agreements for evenamide with EA Pharma (a subsidiary of Eisai) for Japan and other Asian territories, as well as Myung In Pharm for South Korea.
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ProMIS is a clinical-stage biotechnology company committed to the discovery and development of therapeutic antibodies selective for toxic oligomers associated with the development and progression of neurodegenerative and other misfolded protein diseases. The Company’s proprietary target discovery engine, EpiSelect™, has been shown to predict novel targets known as Disease Specific Epitopes (DSEs) on the molecular surface of misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative and other misfolded protein diseases. PMN310, the Company’s lead product candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, is a humanized monoclonal antibody that has been designed to selectively target only the toxic oligomers, avoiding plaque, thereby potentially reducing, or eliminating amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) liability. In addition, PMN310 could potentially offer an improved efficacy profile over other amyloid-directed therapeutics. PMN310 was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA.
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Consano Bio is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing a novel therapeutic designed to address serious pain conditions where conventional therapies are limited or ineffective. Its lead investigational program, C-1101, is being developed as a potential first-in-class, non-opioid pharmaceutical therapy for chronic lumbosacral radiculopathy (LSR), more commonly known as chronic sciatica.Speakers
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GATC Health is a tech-bio company revolutionizing drug discovery and development by simulating complex human biology to predict how drugs will perform in the body, achieving 91% specificity and 86% sensitivity. Trusted by the world’s largest insurance marketplace, biopharma, researchers, and investment partners, GATC Health’s risk prediction product, the Derisq™ AI report, accurately assesses and predicts drug candidate safety, efficacy, and non-obvious side effects prior to the commitment of development capital. GATC Health’s AI platform is also generative, creating intellectual property, extending pipelines, and optimizing assets. By uniting advanced AI, multiomics, and predictive modeling, GATC Health accelerates breakthroughs and reduces costly late-stage failures to bring safer, more effective therapies to patients worldwide. For more information, visit www.gatchealth.com.
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Alphyn Biologics, Inc. is advancing breakthrough therapies for skin diseases using its patented drug platform for first-in-class Multi-Target Therapeutics®. The company's platform technology is an innovation that has multiple bioactive compounds, with multiple mechanisms of action, to uniquely target the interconnected causes of dermatologic diseases. Alphyn's lead drug candidate for atopic dermatitis has completed Phase 2 trials with superior results, positioning to be the first drug to directly target AD’s four key problems – itch, inflammation, bacteria, and dry skin. Our second drug candidate for molluscum contagiosum virus directly treats the multiple disease problems of the virus, itch, inflammation and, in certain patients, dermatitis and bacterial infection with its associated pain. Alphyn’s platform drug candidates have a robust safety, side effect, and patient tolerability profile, supporting worry-free, long-term use. They have broad patent protection through 2043.Speakers
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Quantum-ready, AI-native drug-discovery platform with first-in-class anti-infective & metabolic peptides, $8.7m+ non-dilutive funding locked in, and a patent estate already battle-tested against a US major player - now ready for scale-up. Raising funds: $50M Series A Use: - scale the AI + Quantum engine - secure multiple strategic partnerships - and advance 2 lead drug to IND-readiness. PEACCEL is pioneering AI- and Quantum-driven peptide and protein design. Its proprietary innov’SAR™ platform integrates generative AI, reinforcement learning, and early Quantum machine learning to engineer high-value biologics with exceptional speed and precision. The company targets two major unmet medical needs: (1) antimicrobial resistance, and (2) cardio-metabolic disease through peptides entering pre-clinical development. Powered by Google Cloud and recognized by NVIDIA as an “AI Start-Up to Watch”. PEACCEL demonstrated a quantum advantage up to 14 qubits for drug toxicity prediction.
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Azitra is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for precision dermatology. Azitra's lead program, ATR-12, uses an engineered strain of S. epidermidis designed to treat Netherton syndrome (NS), a rare, chronic skin disease with no approved treatment options. NS may be fatal in infancy with those living beyond a year having profound lifelong challenges. The ATR-12 program includes a Phase 1b clinical trial in adults with NS. ATR-04, Azitra's additional clinical program, utilizes another engineered strain of S. epidermidis for the treatment of EGFR inhibitor associated skin toxicity; a Phase 1/2 clinical trial has been initiated for this program. EGFRi associated rash impacts approximately 150,000 people in the US. The ATR-12 and ATR-04 programs were developed from Azitra's proprietary platform of engineered proteins and topical live biotherapeutic products that includes a microbial library comprised of approximately 1,500 bacterial strains.
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ABOUT INNOPATH InnoPath Therapeutics is a pre-clinical-stage dermatologic oncology company developing next-generation topical treatments for actinic keratosis (AK) and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)—conditions affecting tens of millions of patients each year and often treated today with therapies that cause significant pain, inflammation, and poor adherence. InnoPath’s approach is to reformulate well-characterized active molecules into precision topicals designed to selectively target diseased cells while minimizing damage to healthy skin, aiming to deliver strong efficacy with a far better patient experience. By leveraging an efficient 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway and a growing intellectual property portfolio around formulation, method of use, and novel applications, the company is pursuing a faster, lower-risk path to market while addressing one of the largest unmet needs in dermatology.
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GLP-1 analogs have rewritten treatment standards and changed patients’ expectations related to obesity, yet even more tantalizing is growing evidence they could hold the key to broader improvements in cardiometabolic health and address other age-related diseases with implications for longevity R&D. This panel will highlight cellular and systemic approaches to elucidating the role of GLP-1 in multiple diseases associated with aging, discuss the clinical evidence that has generated excitement, and reveal how leaders in this nascent therapeutic area are approaching their pipelines.
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Halia Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapies that target inflammation at its source. Our pipeline is built on a deep understanding of genetic resilience—natural human mutations that protect against disease by shutting down harmful inflammatory pathways. HT-6184, our lead program, is an oral NEK7/NLRP3 inflammasome modulator with compelling Phase 2 data in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). In partnership with UAE national genomics initiatives. HT-4253, our LRRK2 inhibitor, is advancing toward a precision-medicine Phase 2 in genetically defined early Alzheimer’s disease. We operate across the U.S. and the Middle East, leveraging global clinical networks, genetic databases, and regulatory pathways to accelerate therapeutic development in inflammation-driven diseases.
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Jupiter Neurosciences, Inc. is a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on developing therapies for neuroinflammation and central nervous system disorders. The Company’s lead clinical program is advancing through a Phase IIa trial in Parkinson’s disease. Jupiter is also commercializing Nugevia™, a consumer product built on its patented JOTROL™ technology platform designed to enhance resveratrol bioavailability. Jupiter’s dual-path strategy combines clinical development with commercial revenue generation.
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Model Medicines is an AI-native biotechnology company developing first-in-class small-molecule therapeutics by targeting conserved biological choke points that drive disease across multiple indications. Its proprietary discovery platform integrates multimodal AI, generative chemistry, and predictive safety modeling to enable end-to-end drug discovery, from novel target identification through preclinical proof-of-concept. The lead program, MDL-001, is the first oral, direct-acting, non-nucleoside antiviral targeting a previously undiscovered allosteric site in viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp Thumb-1). MDL-001 has demonstrated broad-spectrum preclinical efficacy across respiratory and liver viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, RSV, HCV, HBV, and HDV, and is advancing toward IND submission in late 2026. MDL-001 was presented at IDWeek, The Liver Meeting® (AASLD), and HepDART. Model Medicines was recently named a Fierce 15 company and selected for BARDA’s VANGUARD program.Speakers
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Recall Therapeutics is pioneering a breakthrough platform for memory restoration in Alzheimer’s disease, oncology-related cachexia, and aging-associated sarcopenia.
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Soligenix is a late-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing products to treat rare diseases where there is an unmet medical need. Our Specialized BioTherapeutics business segment is developing and moving toward potential commercialization of HyBryte™ (SGX301 or synthetic hypericin) as a novel photodynamic therapy utilizing safe visible light for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). With successful completion of the second Phase 3 study, regulatory approvals will be sought to support potential commercialization worldwide. Development programs in this business segment also include expansion of synthetic hypericin (SGX302) into psoriasis, our first-in-class innate defense regulator (IDR) technology, dusquetide for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, including oral mucositis in head and neck cancer (SGX942), and Behçet's Disease (SGX945).
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Synklino is a clinical stage biotechnology company pioneering transformative therapies for solid organ transplantation. Our first-in-class breakthrough drug candidate, SYN002, is a therapeutic fusion protein designed to eliminate both active and latent CMV infection in donated organs through ex vivo organ perfusion, offering a proactive and life-changing therapy for immunocompromised transplant recipients. Following recent regulatory approval, SYN002 is set to enter clinical development in kidney transplantation in in the coming months.Speakers
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Canary Cure Therapeutics is a late-stage preclinical biotechnology company pioneering a paradigm shift in the treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases. While first-generation therapies have validated the massive market potential for weight loss, they leave significant gaps in long-term metabolic health—most notably the loss of lean muscle mass and the burden of frequent dosing. Reprogramming Adipose Tissue using RNAi to treat Obesity with Muscle Preservation At Canary Cure, we are moving beyond appetite suppression toward metabolic reprogramming for rapid and healthy weight loss while preserving muscle. Through our proprietary Chorus-siRNA platform, we develop first-in-class RNA interference (RNAi) therapies that "reprogram" energy-storing white fat into energy-burning beige fat. Canary Cure is actively seeking strategic development partners and investors for a Series A financing round to advance our lead program into the clinic.
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Guidant Bio (aka Sonnet Bio) is a clinical stage oncology company with differentiated dual-cytokine and next gen ADC assets built on our clinically validated proprietary tumor-targeting delivery platform. We have spun out all the Sonnet Bio assets after a reverse merger of the publicly listed entity with a crypto company. We see pipeline value inflection milestones at 1, 2 and 3 years with a $20MM to $30MM funding. We are also looking for partnerships for co-development on our next gen ADC targeted delivery platform. Our dual IL-12+IL-15 fusion protein couples with circulating albumin to get actively transported and sequestered in the tumor microenvironment. Synergistic activity of IL12 and 15 gives 2X more potency than IL-12 or IL-15 alone. The phase I clinical data with IL-12 and this targeted delivery platform demonstrates safety at high doses , along with a regulatory pathway for IL-15 in bladder cancer makes this a low risk rapid development approach with POC in 18 mos.
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More than a third of U.S. licensing deals this year have involved assets sourced from China and investment is adjusting in response. As deal activity accelerates, regulatory scrutiny has intensified. This session will examine valuation impacts, evolving deal structures, and regulatory considerations related to cross border investment trends and how they affect U.S. firms’ planning in an active tariff environment.
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Duo Oncology is an oncology company reimagining chemotherapy, a foundational treatment for metastatic cancer. Its lead program, DUO-207, consolidates multi-drug chemotherapy regimens into a single, potent prodrug for pancreatic, lung, breast, and other inoperable cancers. DUO-207 is trial-ready, supported by completed IND-enabling studies, orphan designations, and strong preclinical benchmarks versus standard of care. Duo has secured strategic investment from BeOne Medicines, received multiple SBIR awards, and was selected for the NCI NanoCharacterization Program and the NIH Investor Initiative. Following a favorable FDA pre-IND meeting, Duo is preparing an efficient first-in-human program that begins at Phase 1b and expands into Phase 2 after enrolling the initial nine patients. This capital-efficient strategy is focused on generating early clinical data to support strategic partnering or acquisition within the next three years.Speakers
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Vincere Biosciences is a Boston-based, AI-powered biotechnology company developing first-in-class therapeutics that target the fundamental mechanisms of aging and disease. By enhancing mitophagy—the cell’s natural system for clearing damaged mitochondria—Vincere aims to stop the progression of Parkinson’s disease and other age-related conditions at their root. Powered by a proprietary virtual cell platform and rigorous, mechanism-driven science, Vincere is building a patent-protected pipeline of transformative medicines designed not just to treat symptoms, but to meaningfully improve and extend human life
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Sebastian BioPharma is a preclinical oncology company developing tumor-targeted, multi-pathway therapeutics for colorectal cancer and other immunotherapy-resistant solid tumors. Our lead program uses a dual payload antibody–oligonucleotide conjugate approach designed to overcome tumor immune escape while reducing systemic toxicity, with expansion potential across additional solid tumors.
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Jecho Laboratories is a clinical-stage company focusing in oncology across fusion proteins, ADCs, TCEs, and bsAbs.
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In a capital-constrained environment, Enveda distinguished itself by securing high-quality funding at a rapid clip—closing a $150M Series D in late 2025 to achieve "unicorn" status just five years after its seed round. In this fireside chat, UBS Senior Biotechnology Analyst Mike Yee sits down with CEO Viswa Colluru, PhD, to unpack the strategy behind Enveda’s outlier success. They will discuss how Enveda validated its platform to investors by moving faster than the industry average (from concept to clinic), how they secured backing from giants like Premji Invest and Sanofi, and how they are generating tangible value by using AI to analyze natural samples to advise candidate selection and enable three drugs in different indications to already reach clinical trials.
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KaliVir Immunotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company at the forefront of developing next-generation oncolytic immunotherapies. By harnessing the unique advantages of the vaccinia platform, KaliVir engineers optimized viral backbones to create innovative candidates for cancer treatment. The Company's proprietary Vaccinia Enhanced Template (VET™) platform integrates multiple genetic modifications, allowing for the systemic delivery of oncolytic vaccinia candidates and the targeted expression of therapeutic transgenes within tumors. KaliVir is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
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Immunophotonics, Inc. is developing an innovative therapy to prevent cancer from coming back after local tumor destruction (ablation) therapy. Advancements in cancer treatment, such as precision medicines and immune checkpoint inhibitors, have significantly improved cancer patient survival. However, tumor recurrence remains a major challenge for those undergoing curative therapies. The uncertainty of whether cancer will return after treatment weighs heavily on patients and their families. As pioneers of Interventional Immuno-Oncology® Immunophotonics, we are at the forefront of cancer care. The company's goal is to turn local tumor destruction into a systemic immune response that provides long-lasting protection against cancer recurrence. Our proprietary lead molecule, IP-001, is a novel cancer immunotherapy developed by Immunophotonics. It can stimulate the patient's immune system to create a robust defense against cancer following standard tumor ablation therapies.
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ImmuneOnco is a Hong Kong-listed (Stock Code: HK.1541) clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Timdarpacept, a SIRPα-IgG1 Fc fusion protein, is currently in Phase III clinical development for the first-line treatment of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), with a potential Biologics License Application (BLA) submission by the end of 2026. Amulirafuspalfa, a first-in-class CD47×CD20 bispecific antibody, is on the verge of initiating Phase III study. It is being evaluated for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (end of Phase II) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, Phase Ib). IMC-003 (an ActR2A-Fc fusion protein) — featuring enhanced affinity and potent blocking activity — is in Phase I for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). A trispecific candidate targeting GDF-9/ActR2A/ActR2B is currently in the preclinical stage.
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March 03, 2026
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The pace of US biotech IPOs stalled for much of 2025 but reductions in interest rates corelate with an uptick in new offerings as investors reconsider the risks and returns from new medicines in this dynamic commercial landscape. This session will examine which technologies, therapeutic areas, and types of messages are most resonating with IPO investors.
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Alternative investors such as Ares Specialty Healthcare and Blackstone Life Sciences are providing management teams with options for non-dilutive capital to support M&A and R&D to compliment or substitute future equity rounds. This fireside chat will discuss some of the financing options companies should consider, such as private debt, royalties, and R&D project finance. This discussion will also highlight what alternative finance investors are seeking in their partners and the benefits of collaboration for companies.
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Oncolytics is developing pelareorep, the only dsRNA REO virus being developed as an immunotherapy treatment for various tumors, including KRAS mutant MSS mCRC and 2L anal cancer. Pelareorep has achieved 2-3x the efficacy benchmarks versus standard of care treatment in colorectal, anal and pancreatic cancer. The company is led by former head of legal and strategy at Ambrx, Jared Kelly.Speakers
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As the policy environment in Washington continues to evolve, biotech leaders are seeking clarity on implications for R&D, investment, and patient access. This briefing will cover developments at FDA, CMS, and HHS and what stakeholders should expect next.
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AIVITA Biomedical is a biotechnology company developing personalized vaccines for the prevention of infectious disease and treatment of cancer. We take a unique pan-antigenic approach for our cancer vaccine — targeting all neoantigens, rather than a select few — allowing our treatment to overcome cancer’s tendency to mutate over time. Utilizing our autologous cell therapy platform, which has generated multiple therapeutic vaccine programs shown to be safe and effective in early clinical trials, we are developing a personalized multi-pathogen vaccine for with adaptive immunity against infectious disease. Our patient-specific treatments in cancer have shown significant promise in eradicating tumors without harmful side effects in our melanoma, glioblastoma and ovarian cancer clinical studies. Our personalized vaccine for COVID-19 demonstrated a 97% T-cell response against the most current strains.
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Rakuten Medical is a clinical and commercial-stage biotech advancing its Alluminox™ photoimmunotherapy platform, which combines a drug and device to treat cancers. Its lead asset, ASP-1929, an EGFR-targeted antibody-dye conjugate, is in a global Phase 3 trial with anti-PD-1 therapy and has been approved in Japan since 2021 for unresectable or recurrent head and neck cancer, with 800+ commercial treatments completed. In December 2024, the company enrolled the first patient in its global Phase 3 1L study, following strong ASCO 2024 data (24-month OS 52.4%, CR 23.5%, with a well-tolerated safety profile). Real-world post-marketing data further confirm efficacy and safety. Rakuten Medical is seeking partners to license and co-develop its technology globally.
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The production of high-quality mammalian cells remains a bottleneck, limiting productivity across the biomedical R&D landscape—from basic research to translational sciences, and therapeutics manufacturing. XDemics Corporation, a Caltech spin-out, has solved this challenge with our proprietary High-Density Cell Respiration™ (HDCR™) laboratory cultureware and bioreactor products. These products permit tissue-level oxygenation, allowing cells to reach 10–100X higher densities than conventional devices, near the theoretical limit of achievable densities for cell growth. With HDCR™, researchers and manufacturers can generate far more high-quality viable cells and products with less sheer-induced debris in much less space and time, sharply cutting costs, speeding discovery, production, and increasing quality and reproducibility. XDemics is the proud winner of the 2026 SLAS Ignite Award for best start up.
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KYAN Technologies is a functional precision medicine platform company dedicated to revolutionizing cancer care through our platform Optim.AI. This powerful tool empowers oncologists by providing them with critical insights to make informed clinical decisions for their patients. Optim.AI integrates small data AI and biological experiments to offer an efficient solution that transforms the identification of optimal outcomes from vast drug-dose combinations, revolutionizing the development and delivery of therapies to patients. In addition to our clinical test, KYAN is committed to conducting extensive research studies across various cancer indications to not only contribute to the advancement of biopharma services but also aid in the development of novel biopharmaceutical assets.Speakers
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While deal volumes have adjusted following the influx of capital during the pandemic, there has still been significant activity as pharma continues to assess overall strategy and biotech companies seek partners to continue progress in the clinic with the goal of commercialization. An overview presentation on deal trends will open this discussion, followed by pharma BD leaders and biotech companies that have partnered with them to offer perspective on navigating the complexities of dealmaking.Speakers
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The Innovation Stage offers a mix of programming showcasing biotech companies seeking breakthrough treatments and the University of Florida.
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RESTEM is a leading clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing off-the-shelf, next-generation cell therapies for autoimmune, inflammatory, and age-related diseases. Leveraging proprietary products, deep clinical expertise, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, RESTEM is advancing two potentially transformative programs, Restem-L, our umbilical cord lining progenitor cells (UMPCs) therapy for autoimmune diseases, and activated natural killer cell (aNK) therapeutics targeting senescence and age-associated disorders. Our therapies are designed to reprogram the immune system rather than focusing solely on symptom management, offering patients with limited options the potential to address underlying disease mechanisms. RESTEM is headquartered in Miami, Florida. For more information, please visit www.restem.com and follow us on X and LinkedIn.
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IMMEDIATE Therapeutics is a late-stage biotech company developing IMT-358, a first-in-class cardioprotective metabolic therapy for use in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), high-risk surgeries, trauma, and other ischemic emergencies and backed by $40M in NIH funding. IMT-358 is a proprietary, protocolized GIK (glucose-insulin-potassium) formulation that addresses a critical gap in care - preserving cardiac tissue before reperfusion or predictable surgical stress. In an 871-patient Phase 2 trial, IMT-358 demonstrated a 50% reduction in cardiac arrest or mortality and a 80% reduction in infarct size. With FDA Breakthrough Therapy, SPA, and BLA designations, a single pivotal Phase 3 trial is planned for 2026. IMT-358 has broad applicability across cardiovascular, surgical, and oncology settings, and is designed for seamless integration into real-world workflows.
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As biotech funding dynamics evolve, investors are seeking capital models that reward commercial discipline and strategic partnership. Traditional venture pathways are giving way to hybrid approaches — royalty-backed financing, milestone-linked investments, and collaborative commercialization partnerships that preserve capital and accelerate growth. This discussion will examine how biotech companies are navigating this new environment. What defines an investable biotech in 2026? What is the new biotech capital stack? How are partnerships reshaping valuation, risk and ROI?
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