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
UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center
San Francisco
June 10 | 1pm – 7 PM
Agenda
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Check-In / Registration
1:30 – 1:45 PM
Welcome Remarks
› Mike Guerra, President & CEO, California Life Sciences
› Hanmin Lee, MD, Director, UCSF Fetal Treatment Center and Surgeon-in-Chief of UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital
› Leah Makley, PhD, Chief Operating Officer, MBC BioLabs
1:45 – 2:30 PM
Panel Discussion
“New Frontiers of Neuroscience: Building Startups in a High-Risk, High-Reward Space”
Neuro is having a resurgence, and this panel can tackle the realities of building in neuro and discuss how advances in biomarkers, imaging, AI, and genetics are changing the game.
› Lennart Mucke, MD, Director, Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease & Professor of Neurology, UCSF
› Lin Ning, PhD, Senior Associate, Dolby Ventures
› Matias Serebrinsky, Cofounder and General Partner, PsyMed Ventures
› Maya Gosztyla, PhD, Co-founder and CSO, Brainstorm Therapeutics
› Leah Makley, PhD, Chief Operating Officer, MBC BioLabs | Session Moderator
2:30 – 2:40 PM
Break
2:40 – 4:00 PM
Company Presentations – Session 1
Track A – Therapeutics
Q&A Investor Panel
› Susan Chen, PhD, Vice President, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings US
› John Dimos, PhD, Vice President, Alexandria Venture Investments
› Shawna Frazier, PhD, Director, AbbVie Ventures
› Stuart Hwang, PhD, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
› Satoshi Konagai, Investment Lead, Astellas Venture Management LLC
› Lin Ning, PhD, Senior Associate, Dolby Ventures
› Helen Siaw, PhD, Senior Associate, Aditum Bio Fund
› Nicole Sonnert, PhD, Associate, Playground Global
Presenting Companies
› 153 Therapeutics (Neuroscience), Presentation by: Peter Noymer, PhD
› Single Dose Therapeutics, Inc. (Neuroscience), Presentation by: Davin Rautiola, PhD
› PebRx Corp (Neuroscience), Presentation by: Amy Wang, PhD
› Sculpta Inc. (Neuroscience), Presentation by: Neal Amin, MD, PhD
› Resilion Therapeutics Inc. (Oncology), Presentation by: Cristabelle De Souza, PhD
Track B – TechBio / Medtech / Tools
Q&A Investor Panel
› Georgia Lu, Founding Partner, Magnet Ventures
› Sonia Maryam Setayesh, PhD, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
› Suraj Mudichintala, Principal at Action Potential Venture Capital
› Rhiya Pau, Principal, Laerdal Million Lives Fund
› Artem A Trotsyuk, PhD, Partner, LongeVC
Presenting Companies
› Cerevia Neurosciences (Neuro), Presentation by: Ida Garakani Good
› Nspire Co (Pediatric), Presentation by: Dieter Rutzen
› ViBo Health (Diabetes), Presentation by: Gil Travish, PhD
› Bloom Standard (Pediatric), Presentation by: Annamarie Saarinen
› Woddle Baby (Pediatric), Presentation by: Shaker Rawan
4:00 – 4:10 PM
Break
4:10 – 5:10 PM
Company Presentations – Session 2
Track A – Therapeutics
Q&A Investor Panel
› Susan Chen, PhD, Vice President, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings US
› John Dimos, PhD, Vice President, Alexandria Venture Investments
› Shawna Frazier, PhD, Director, AbbVie Ventures
› Stuart Hwang, PhD, Venture Partner, Remiges Ventures
› Satoshi Konagai, Investment Lead, Astellas Venture Management LLC
› Lin Ning, PhD, Senior Associate, Dolby Ventures
› Helen Siaw, PhD, Senior Associate, Aditum Bio Fund
› Nicole Sonnert, PhD, Associate, Playground Global
Presenting Companies
› Infixion Bioscience, Inc. (Rare Disease), Presentation by: Herb Sarnoff
› Genexgen Inc. (Rare Disease), Presentation by: Amir Kiani, PhD
› AddGraft Therapeutics (Rare Disease), Presentation by: Nick Bayhi, PhD
› ENU Medicines (Allergy), Presentation by: Jerry Chen, PhD
Track B – TechBio / Medtech / Tools
Q&A Investor Panel
› Georgia Lu, Founding Partner, Magnet Ventures
› Sonia Maryam Setayesh, PhD, Investment Partner, Civilization Ventures
› Suraj Mudichintala, Principal at Action Potential Venture Capital
› Rhiya Pau, Principal, Laerdal Million Lives Fund
› Artem A Trotsyuk, PhD, Partner, LongeVC
Presenting Companies
› NeoMAP (Pediatric), Presentation by: Jacqueline Kading, MD
› HeartPoint Global (Pediatric, Cardiology), Presentation by: Elena Amin
› AVaTAR MedTech (Pediatric, Cardiology), Presentation by: Tomas Armendariz
› FaceShift (Pediatric Plastic Surgery), Presentation by: Alexander Lin, MD
5:10 – 7:00 PM
Networking Reception & Solutions Corridor
See What You Missed at the Fall 2025 Showcase
CLS’s Spring Innovation Showcase was held on December 10th in San Carlos. 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 Fall 2025 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