📍VENUE: PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER, WEST HOLLYWOOD
Innovators & Investors Day
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 •WEST HOLLYWOOD
Bringing together founders, investors, researchers, healthcare leaders and innovators to shape the future of bioscience in the LA Region.
Day One of BioscienceLA Week
Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the advantages of investing in the Los Angeles bioscience ecosystem, along with insights into how bioscience companies have successfully navigated the various stages of investment funding.
The program highlighted the region’s unique opportunities for private and corporate investors while exploring the resources, partnerships, and capital landscape driving innovation. Private and institutional investors, early-stage bioscience companies, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders came together to exchange insights, build connections, and explore opportunities for continued investment and growth across the region.
STARTUP POSTER COMPETITION
The Startup Poster Competition at BioscienceLA Week showcased some of the exciting ideas, technologies, and breakthroughs emerging from Greater Los Angeles’ life sciences ecosystem.
Participating startups shared their work with founders, investors, industry leaders, researchers, and potential collaborators, and gave us a glimpse into what’s next for life sciences innovation in our region.
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2026 WINNERS
INNOVATION & INVESTORS
9:30AM - 10:00AM
10:00AM - 10:20AM
10:20AM - 10:50AM
11:40AM - 1:00PM
1:00PM - 2:00PM
2:00PM - 2:45PM
2:45PM - 3:45PM
3:45PM - 4:15PM
Registration Opens
Opening Remarks
• Steph Hseih, CEO, BioscienceLA
• Benedict Chu, Site Director, Amgen Thousand Oaks
Panel: Investing in LA Biosciences
• Siegmund Gutman, Chair of Life Sciences Litigation, Co-Chair of Patent Litigation, Mintz
Special Remarks:
Dr. Peter Slavin, President & CEO, Cedars Sinai
Fireside Chat: Two LA Life Science Companies’ Funding Journey
Moderator: Vanessa Graham-Belozeroff, Head of Portfolio & Program Management, Organon
Panel:
• Latha Vairavan, CFO, Arcutis
• Andrew Gray, CEO, CellEcho Biotech
Panel: Academic Discovery to Venture-Backed Companies
Moderator: Vanessa Almedro, Chief Commercialization Officer, City of Hope
Panel:
• Mark A. Wisniewski, Senior Director, Biopharmaceuticals & UCLA Technology Development Group
• Loren Martin, Vice Provost of Research, Innovation & Partnerships KGI
• Rene Hubert, Director of Early Career Talent & Strategic Alliances, Amgen
• Tariq Warsi, Managing Director of the USC AMI Innovation Fund
Closing Comments
Dan Witzling, COO, BioscienceLA
KICKOFF RECEPTION
4:30PM - 6:00PM
6:00PM - 6:30PM
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Reception Opens
BioscienceLA Week Opening Ceremonies & Poster Contest Announcement
Networking Reception Continues
Lunch & Startup Poster Showcase
11:00AM - 11:40AM
Investor Panel
Moderator: Chris Bostick, Partner, Orchard Capital
Panel:
• Michael Einziger, CEO, Versicolor Technologies
• Kwame Ulmer, Medtech Impact Partners; Venture Partner, Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health
• Richard Gu, Vice President, March Capital
Thank You To Our Sponsors