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.
Registration Now Open – June 4 in Berkeley
The next stop on your fundraising journey!
The Spring showcase will spotlight California’s emerging innovation while helping startups connect with investors, channel partners, and corporate business development and licensing collaborators.
Tickets:
CLS Members, early stage startups, and investors receive complimentary access to attend this event. Please contact [email protected] to receive your complimentary code.
Non-member life sciences company employee – $50
Non-member service provider – $150
Interested in becoming a member of CLS? Contact [email protected] to learn about applying your ticket cost towards yearly membership!
Agenda
1:00 – 1:30 pm | Check-In/Registration
1:30 – 1:45 pm | Welcome Remarks
Mike Guerra, President & CEO, California Life Sciences
Gino Segre, PhD, Managing Director, Bakar Labs
1:45 – 2:30 pm | Panel Discussion – “Beyond Capital: Building Strategic Partnerships for Startup Growth”
Panel will explore how early-stage life sciences companies can leverage strategic partnerships with pharma, biotech, academia, and investors.
Gino Segre, Managing Director, Bakar Labs (Moderator)
Luke Gruenert, Director of Strategic Innovation, Chiesi Global Rare Diseases
Peter Kotsonis, Assistant Vice Chancellor Innovation and Partnerships, University of California San Francisco
Sonia Maryam Setayesh, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
Wesley Jackson, President & CSO, Valitor
2:30 – 2:40 pm | Break
2:40 – 3:50 pm | Company Presentations + Investor Q&A
Track A – Therapeutics Pitch Session #1
Q & A Investor Panel
Dana Watt, Partner, Breakout Ventures
David Crean, General Partner, 1004 Ventures
Helen Siaw, Senior Associate, Aditum Bio Fund
Karl Handelsman, Managing Partner, Codon Capital
Phillip Sander, Investment Analyst, IndieBio/SOSV
Satoshi Konagai, Associate Investment Director, Astellas Venture Management LLC
Stuart Hwang, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
Presenting Companies
Simurx Inc. (Oncology) – Presentation by: Shahab Asgharzadeh, MD
Voyant Bio (Immunotherapy) – Presentation by: Assaf Magen, PhD
Oro Therapeutics (Oncology) – Presentation by: Matt Smith, MBA
Inapill (Immunology) – Presentation by: Greg Timblin, PhD
Track B – MedTech Pitch Session #1
Q & A Investor Panel
Alex Trombetta, Principal, Initiate Ventures
Artem A Trotsyuk, Partner, LongeVC
Ayah Hamdan, Head of Health, Venture Investments at Plug and Play Tech Center
Georgia Lu, Founding Partner, Magnet Ventures
Sonia Maryam Setayesh, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
Presenting Companies
TAKEOFF41, INC. (Neonatology) – Presentation by: Joe Phongpreecha, PhD
Phaser Solutions (Biomanufacturing) – Presentation by: Adam Morgenthaler
NeedleGPS (Radiology) – Presentation by: Lohith Kini, MD, PhD
Bioxytech Retina Inc. (Ophthalmology) – Presentation by: Ali Basiri, PhD
3:50 – 4:00 pm | Break
4:00 – 5:00 pm | Company Presentations + Investor Q&A
Track A – Therapeutic Pitch Session #2
Q & A Investor Panel
Dana Watt, Partner, Breakout Ventures
David Crean, General Partner, 1004 Ventures
Helen Siaw, Senior Associate, Aditum Bio Fund
Karl Handelsman, Managing Partner, Codon Capital
Phillipp Sander, Investment Analyst, IndieBio/SOSV
Satoshi Konagai, Associate Investment Director, Astellas Venture Management LLC
Stuart Hwang, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
Presenting Companies
Kopra Bio (Oncology) – Presentation by: Andrew Bartynski, PhD
Scudo Biosciences (Transplant) – Presentation by: Sheena McGowan, PhD
ResVita Bio (Dermatology) – Presentation by: Amin Zargar, MS, PhD
Track B – TechBio Pitch Session #2 (AI & Digital Health)
Q & A Investor Panel
Alex Trombetta, Principal, Initiate Ventures
Artem A Trotsyuk, Partner, LongeVC
Ayah Hamdan, Head of Health, Venture Investments at Plug and Play Tech Center
Georgia Lu, Founding Partner, Magnet Ventures
Sonia Maryam Setayesh, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
Presenting Companies
Misogi Labs (AI drug discovery) – Presentation by: Jessica Mustali
Dabble Health (Neurology) – Presentation by: Lawrence Chernin, PhD
MINE Inc. (Metabolic) – Presentation by: Bobby Kwan, PhD
5:00 – 7:00 pm | Networking Reception & Solutions Corridor
Sponsorship Opportunities
Interested in becoming a sponsor of the biannual Innovation Showcase? Contact Emily Morgan, Senior Director Marketing & Programs, to learn more.
Innovation Sponsor (SOLD OUT) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,000
Non-member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,000
◆ Opportunity to deliver brief remarks (3 minutes)
◆ One (1) full-page advertisement in the digital program: Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’ biweekly bulletin and bi-monthly Founders Channel newsletter
◆ 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 (One remaining!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,000
Non-member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,500
◆ Opportunity to provide opening remarks for specific pitch session
◆ Logo recognition as a supporter on event website, pre-event promotion including email and social channels, onsite signage and digital program
◆ One (1) half-page advertisement in the digital program: Digital program to be distributed as a supplement in CLS’ biweekly bulletin and bimonthly Founders Channel newsletter
◆ Logo recognition as a supporter on event website, pre-event promotion including email and social channels, onsite signage and digital program
Solutions Corridor Exhibitor (Limited remaining spots!) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,000
Exclusive for California Life Sciences’ Service Provider Members
◆ 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
See What You Missed at the Fall 2024 Showcase
CLS’s Fall Innovation Showcase was held on December 10th in South San Francisco. The day began with our Investor Partnering Forum, where select start-ups had the opportunity to meet with ten different investors in one-on-one meetings. The afternoon programming included a panel discussion with FAST California alumni, who shared their perspectives on creating, building, and scaling start-ups. This discussion was followed by two pitch tracks featuring the Fall 2024 FAST cohort, comprised of 12 therapeutic and diagnostic 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 CLSAdvantage cost-savings partners.
