How to Advance in Biotech: Maximize Your Contributions to the Industry Early in your Career

In case you didn't know, today's healthcare problems are complicated. Some say that all of the simple diseases have been cured and we're left with "some of the hardest scientific problems in the history of the species." Meanwhile, finding capable talent to lead biotech companies has become an enormous industry problem. What can be done do to expand the size and diversity of the talent pool, in the hopes of curing more diseases more efficiently? In short, what does it take to succeed sooner in life sciences? .

Drug development relies on years of experience across the industry and exposure to multiple upstream and downstream elements in order to be prepared for the challenges in our unique field. If you're a young person working in drug or device development, what are the roles that will give you a broad set of experiences to prepare you for an eventual CEO role, with the fewest detours and the most value?

We will discuss what needs to be done, and where you should put your energy today to be a leader in the field tomorrow. Hear from experts across the industry, from the investors who know what they're looking for when it comes to biotech leadership, the experienced CEO's who know what it takes, and some of the young people on the front lines of successful biotech startups. You'll also hear some insights about why we should care about promoting diversity within biotech leadership, as well as some of the steps that Johnson & Johnson has taken to address the life science industry issues of today.

Partner:
The NEVCA works to make Massachusetts the best place in the world to start new companies: building relationships among founders and investors; amplifying the voice of Massachusetts' entrepreneurial community; connecting top students with startups; and advocating for innovation-friendly public policy. With 700+ venture capital professionals from 80+ firms, its members collectively manage more than $50 billion in capital.

Speakers:
Moderator: Michael Gladstone | Principal, Atlas Partners read bio»
Laura Indolfi, Ph.D. | CEO and Co-founder, PanTher Therapeutics read bio»
Michael Schrader | Co-Founder & CEO, Vaxess Technologies read bio»
Chuck Wilson, Ph.D. | President & CEO, Unum Therapeutics read bio»

Agenda:
3:00 PM | Registration Opens and Networking
3:30 PM | Presentation: Does biotech have an age problem?
3:40 PM | Presentation: Industry's role in helping early stage companies advance quickly
4:00 PM | Panel Discussion
5:00 PM | Audience Q&A
5:30 PM | Networking Reception
6:00 PM | Program Close

Fees:
$35 | General Public
$25 | Student/Academic
$45 | At the door

Location:
JLABS @ LabCentral
700 Main Street
Cambridge, MA

Speakers' Biographies:
Moderator: Michael Gladstone | Principal, Atlas Partners
Michael Gladstone is a Principal at Atlas Venture. Michael was a member of the founding teams of several Atlas Venture-originated companies, including Padlock Therapeutics (acquired by BMS), Surface Oncology, and IFM Therapeutics. He serves as a board member of Obsidian Therapeutics and as a board observer for IFM Therapeutics, Kyn Therapeutics, Replimune, and AvroBio; he was previously a board observer for Delinia (acquired by Celgene). He has also been closely involved with Atlas's immuno-oncology investments CoStim Pharmaceuticals (acquired by Novartis) and Unum Therapeutics. Prior to joining Atlas in 2012, Michael was a senior associate consultant in the life sciences practice at L.E.K. Consulting, where he focused on business development and corporate strategy for biopharma clients. Previously, Michael worked in the Viral Pathogenesis department of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center where he led research on cellular HIV vaccines with Harvard Medical School Professor Norman Letvin. Michael received an AB in biochemical sciences with highest honors from Harvard College, where he graduated magna cum laude and was awarded the Harvard College Scholarship. While at Harvard, he received a Herchel Smith Undergraduate Fellowship, among other grants, for his undergraduate immunology research.

Laura Indolfi, Ph.D. | CEO and Co-founder, PanTher Therapeutics
Laura Indolfi is the Co-Founder & CEO of PanTher Therapeutics, an early stage spin-out from MIT and MGH that provides superior technologies for revolutionizing the treatment of locally advanced inoperable solid tumors. Her scientific expertise covers a broad range of therapeutic areas (cardio, cancer, regenerative medicine) and approaches (drug delivery, cell therapy, implanted devices). Together with her strong technical background, Laura has hands-on business and managerial know-how developed during her biomedical business training at Sloan and Harvard Business schools, combining the science and business knowledge to drive the company's vision. Prior to PanTher, she was a research associate at the Harvard-MIT Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, and served as an entrepreneur-in-residence at the MGH Cancer Center. In 2016, she was named a TED Fellow, one of 21 people chosen annually by the TED organization who are considered to be the most disruptive and transformative change-makers in the world.

Michael Schrader | Co-founder & CEO, Vaxess Technologies
Michael Schrader is the founding CEO of Vaxess, a Gates Foundation and venture-backed company developing next-generation vaccines on the MIMIX sustained-release microneedle platform. MIMIX combines enhanced immunogenicity through "infection mimicry" with high temperature stability and ease of administration to create more effective vaccines that are easily delivered around the world. Prior to founding Vaxess, Michael spent time at Google, Toyota, and Honda R&D where he helped bring a range of products to market and earned fifteen patents for innovative new designs. Michael received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

Chuck Wilson, Ph.D. | President & CEO, Unum Therapeutics
Charles ('Chuck') Wilson is President and CEO of Unum Therapeutics, a company developing a novel cellular immunotherapy platform for the treatment of cancer. Chuck previously served as the Global Head of Strategic Alliances for Novartis. In this role he led the partnering efforts across all disease areas up through clinical proof-of-concept. Chuck was also a co-founder of Archemix, a biotech company developing aptamer therapeutics. There he served as CTO, responsible for the company's technology platform and for managing drug discovery.