Spotlighting Big Ideas and Bold Science
Held twice a year, the CLS Innovation Showcase brings approximately 200+ life science stakeholders, including biopharma representatives, investors, key advisors, expert service providers, together to foster connections and vital partnering conversations while spotlighting California’s robust innovation.
Take The Next Stop On Your Fundraising Journey
The showcase spotlights California’s emerging innovation while helping startups connect with investors, channel partners, and corporate business development and licensing collaborators.
Tickets
This event is free for:
- CLS Members
- Early-Stage Startups
- Investors
Non-Member Life Sciences Companies: $50
Non-Member Service Providers: $150
The Forum at Gateway of the Pacific
bay Area
DEcember 10 | 1pm – 7 PM
Agenda
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Check-In / Registration
1:30 – 1:40 PM
Welcome Remarks
› Kim Brocchini, Senior Vice President, Membership & Business Development, California Life Sciences
1:40 – 2:20 PM
Panel Discussion
Topic to be Announced
2:20 – 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 – 3:50 PM
Company Presentations – Session 1
Track A – Therapeutics
Q&A Investor Panel
› Reetika Bhardwaj, PhD, Principal, Dolby Family Ventures
› Susan Chen, PhD, Vice President, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings US
› Shawna Frazier, PhD, Director, AbbVie Ventures
› Stuart Hwang, PhD, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
› Chloé Leprêtre, PhD, Head of Global R&D External Innovation, Servier
› Helen Siaw, PhD, Senior Associate, Aulis Capital
› Dana Watt, PhD, Partner, Breakout Ventures
Presenting Companies
› Lucina Biotherapeutics (Ophthalmology)
› Third Element Bio (Neuroscience)
› Therna Biosciences (Platform Technology, Rare Disease) – Chiesi Discovery Awardee
› Chimera Therapeutics (Autoimmune)
Track B – TechBio / Medtech / Diagnostics
Q&A Investor Panel
› Christopher Ghadban, MBA, Head Life Science Investing, The Venture Collective
› Alexis Ji, PhD, Founding Partner, Primer Ventures
› Larry Liu, Venture Partner, Heinz Ventures
› Suraj Mudichintala, Partner, Mudi.VC
› Darren Platt, PhD, Venture Partner, Magnet Ventures
› Sonia Maryam Setayesh, PhD, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
› Artem A Trotsyuk, PhD, Partner, LongeVC
› PR Yu, PhD, Managing Partner, Yu Galaxy
› Crystal Zheng, MS, Associate, HealthQuest Capital
Presenting Companies
› Paisley Bio (Precision Medicine, Oncology) – FAST WIB Awardee
› Altitide (Enabling Technologies)
› NeoVariant Bio (Diagnostics, Oncology)
› Selene Nanorobotics, Inc. (Medical Device, Dental / Endodontics)
3:50 – 4:00 PM
Break
4:00 – 5:00 PM
Company Presentations – Session 2
Track A – Therapeutics
Q&A Investor Panel
› Reetika Bhardwaj, PhD, Principal, Dolby Family Ventures
› Susan Chen, PhD, Vice President, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings US
› Shawna Frazier, PhD, Director, AbbVie Ventures
› Stuart Hwang, PhD, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
› Chloé Leprêtre, PhD, Head of Global R&D External Innovation, Servier
› Helen Siaw, PhD, Senior Associate, Aulis Capital
› Dana Watt, PhD, Partner, Breakout Ventures
Presenting Companies
› Forta Bio, Inc. (Oncology)
› ResNovas Therapeutics (Oncology) – Servier Discovery Awardee
› TLR Biosciences Inc. (Oncology)
› Terrapeutics Pharma (Oncology)
Track B – TechBio / Medtech / Tools
Q&A Investor Panel
› Christopher Ghadban, MBA, Head Life Science Investing, The Venture Collective
› Alexis Ji, PhD, Founding Partner, Primer Ventures
› Larry Liu, Venture Partner, Heinz Ventures
› Suraj Mudichintala, Partner, Mudi.VC
› Darren Platt, PhD, Venture Partner, Magnet Ventures
› Sonia Maryam Setayesh, PhD, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
› Artem A Trotsyuk, PhD, Partner, LongeVC
› PR Yu, PhD, Managing Partner, Yu Galaxy
› Crystal Zheng, MS, Associate, HealthQuest Capital
Presenting Companies
› Korda Health (AI, Diagnostics)
› Ditto Bio (AI, Drug Discovery) – CLS FAST Golden Ticket Awardee
› MeCo Diagnostics (Diagnostics, Oncology)
› Eye Guardian Device Corp. (AI, Diagnostics)
5:00 – 7:00 PM
Networking Reception & Solutions Corridor
See What You Missed at the Spring 2026 Showcase
CLS’s Spring Innovation Showcase was held on June 10th in San Francisco. The afternoon programming included a panel discussion with FAST California alumni and industry experts, who explored how early-stage life sciences companies can leverage strategic partnerships with pharma, biotech, academia, and investors. This discussion was followed by two pitch tracks featuring the Spring 2026 FAST cohort, comprised of 12 therapeutic and techbio companies. Their presentations showcased California’s emerging innovation while helping startups connect with investors, channel partners, and corporate business development and licensing collaborators. The event concluded with a networking reception and solutions corridor, featuring CLS Cost Savings partners.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Innovation Sponsor
$10,000
$10,000
- Opportunity to deliver brief remarks (3 minutes)
- One (1) full-page advertisement in the digital program
- Logo recognition as a supporter on event website, pre-event promotion including email and social channels, onsite signage and digital program
- Option to host tabletop display during networking reception
Pitch Session Sponsor
$5,000
$5,000
- Opportunity to provide opening remarks for specific pitch session
- One (1) half-page advertisement in the digital program
- Logo recognition as a supporter on event website, pre-event promotion including email and social channels, onsite signage and digital program
Solutions Corridor Exhibitor
$2,000
$2,000
- Table-top display + opportunity to distribute branded promotional materials
- Access to the final attendee list for pipeline development
- Logo recognition as a supporter on event website, pre-event promotion including email and social channels, onsite signage and digital program