California Life Sciences (CLS)

The Convergent Technology Award is presented to a medical device, digital health, or medical diagnostic company for their innovative work and impact on the California life sciences sector. Presenting the 2024 finalists: 🔬 Moon Surgical: Shaping the future of the OR with its efficient, sustainable, and digitalized Maestro System. 🔬 Osso VR: Creates award-winning XR training experiences used by leading healthcare companies and hospital systems. 🔬 Cooler Heads Care: The only solution that makes it profitable for infusion centers to offer chemotherapy patients scalp cooling so they can keep their hair. Get inspired by their innovations and be part of the decision—vote by Oct 15! 🗳️ 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄: https://bit.ly/3TVbEy7

California Life Sciences released the following statement expressing concerns with the impact the FTC’s final rule on premerger notification rules implementing the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act, can have on the collaborative life sciences ecosystem in California. “The resulting burden and uncertainty of the agencies’ approach will disincentivize M&A and hamper investment in the research and development that leads to new treatments and cures. This will be especially devastating to our early-stage innovators and startups for whom M&A represents a path to necessary resources, investments and infrastructure needed to advance breakthroughs from the lab to patients.“ Read the full statement here: https://bit.ly/3U7NIrf

Last week, California Life Sciences and Johnson & Johnson gathered industry leaders, innovators, and investors in the industry for an inspiring summit focused on harnessing AI’s potential to transform pharmaceutical research and development. 🔬 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬: 𝐀𝐈-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐫𝐮𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲: We learned how AI algorithms are accelerating the identification of potential drug candidates, significantly reducing time-to-market. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Experts emphasized the importance of integrating diverse data sources, enabling more comprehensive insights, and fostering collaboration across disciplines. 𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞: Engaging discussions addressed the ethical considerations and regulatory challenges that come with implementing AI in drug development. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Several case studies showcased successful AI implementations, illustrating tangible benefits in efficiency and cost savings. Future of R&D: The consensus? AI is not just a tool; it’s a game changer. As we continue to embrace these technologies, the potential for breakthroughs in patient care is immense. A huge thank you to our sponsors, Avantor and Danaher Corporation speakers, pitch finalists, and attendees for making this event a success. Together, we are shaping the future of pharmaceutical innovation. #AISummit #PharmaceuticalR&D #Innovation #Healthcare #AI #DrugDiscovery #FutureOfMedicine

Are you a life sciences entrepreneur looking to grow your business? The National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program offers approximately $200 million annually to biotech startups with no strings attached. Join NCI SBIR Director of Investor Relations Brittany Connors, PMP and Program Director Saroj Regmi, PhD for an informative webinar to learn how to: ➡️ Obtain SBIR funding: Explore funding opportunities that can amount to over $7 million per project. ➡️ Navigate the review process: Understand the ins and outs of the SBIR evaluation process. ➡️ Commercialize your innovation: Gain insights into bringing your healthcare technology to market. ➡️ Learn about other commercialization resources: Discover additional resources and tools provided by the NCI SBIR Development Center to support your business growth.   𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: https://bit.ly/3XOHXQm

This award highlights up-and-coming California-based innovators who are making strides towards transforming the life sciences landscape. Meet the Emerging Innovation Award finalists for the 2024 Pantheon Awards: 💡 AltruBio Inc.: A clinical-stage biotechnology company developing novel Immune Checkpoint Enhancers (ICE) to address pressing medical needs of patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. 💡 Cellares: The first Integrated Development and Manufacturing Organization (IDMO), accelerates global access to life-saving cell therapies with its Cell Shuttle™ and Cell Q platforms. 💡 Mammoth Biosciences: A biotechnology company focused on leveraging its proprietary ultracompact CRISPR systems to develop potential long-term curative therapies for patients with life-threatening and debilitating diseases. Discover their remarkable innovations and cast your vote by Oct 15! 🗳️ 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄: https://bit.ly/4gUGUH6

Through October 15th, California Life Sciences (CLS) is accepting applications for our Investor Partnering Forum, taking place just before the highly anticipated Innovation Showcase on December 10 in South San Francisco. This is a unique opportunity for emerging startups to connect with a curated group of investors. Each investor will select up to six companies for one-on-one, 20-minute in-person meetings. Confirmed Investors: AbbVie Ventures, Astellas Pharma Venture Management, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases, Civilization Ventures, LDV Partners, LongeVC, Remiges Ventures, Inc., Servier Pharmaceuticals, and Xontogeny. At CLS, we are committed to driving California’s innovation ecosystem, supporting growth, and empowering life sciences startups. Ready to fast-track your success and connect with leading investors? Apply now! 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐍 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐄 & 𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐋𝐘: https://bit.ly/3NfSIWZ

Congratulations to the recipient of the 2024 Pantheon Impact Award, Life Science Cares! 🏆 Life Science Cares, Inc. activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. Now operating in five life science hubs (Boston, Philadelphia, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area and New York), LSC has invested $12.6 million and tens of thousands of volunteer hours in community organizations providing access to basic needs, access to education or access to opportunity. This new award is presented to Life Science Cares in recognition of their continuous commitment to making a positive, lasting impact in their local communities. Voting continues for the other categories until October 15th, so get your votes in! 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄: https://bit.ly/3XRUtyv

Last chance to register! Tomorrow, October 9th at 9am PT, California Life Sciences, in collaboration with Hogan Lovells, is hosting the next webinar in our Access to Capital series: What’s the Deal with Due Diligence? Positioning Your Company for Success. During this one-hour discussion, our panel of experts will discuss diligence considerations from corporate and regulatory perspectives to best position emerging life sciences companies for success in the deal-making process. 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘: https://bit.ly/3NhPC4W Scheduling conflict? We encourage you to register, and we will send you a recording of the live conversation.

Presented in memory of our 2016 Biotech Educator of the Year, Elizabeth Schar, this award recognizes an individual for their commitment to improving California’s life sciences sector by highlighting and promoting diversity, inclusivity and empowerment through meaningful resources and mentorship, inspiring our next generation of leaders. Presenting the Inspiring Future Leaders finalists for California Life Sciences’ 2024 Pantheon Awards: 🤝 Erik Harris, Ultragenyx: Chief Commercial Officer and EVP at Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical. At Ultragenyx, Erik sponsored and started the company’s formal DEI initiative and co-founded UltraMosaic, the first of seven company ERGs, which recognizes the mix of ethnicities and cultures at the company. Beyond Ultragenyx, he co-founded The Just Society to create a forum to support, empower and mentor Black professionals. 🤝 Morgan M. Stanton, PhD, Opal Therapeutics: CEO and founder of Opal Therapeutics. Dr. Stanton is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s health and founded Opal to drive therapeutic discovery in reproductive disorders such as fibroids and endometriosis. 🤝 Paul Utz, MD, Stanford University: Dr. Utz founded Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR), a summer research program for high school students in STEM, focusing on women, underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged students. SIMR has hosted >1,100 trainees in 25 years, promoting diversity in America’s STEM research workforce. Uncover their inspiring stories and make your voice heard by voting by Oct 15! 🗳️ 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄: https://bit.ly/3PJqvIQ

Introducing the finalists for the 21st Annual Pantheon Awards in the Biopharma category: 🧬 Day One Biopharmaceuticals: A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that was founded to address a critical unmet need: the dire lack of therapeutic development in pediatric cancer. 🧬 Geron Corporation: A commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company aiming to change lives by changing the course of blood cancer. 🧬 Glaukos Corporation: An ophthalmic medical technology and pharmaceutical company focused on novel therapies for the treatment of glaucoma, corneal disorders and retinal disease. 🧬 Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.: Aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Learn more about their life changing work and show your support by casting your vote by Oct 15! 🗳️ 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄: https://bit.ly/4h5OOOe