In recognition of its overwhelming potential, there has been an increase in research funding across the world for cell research, including stem cell research. Apart from venture capitalists taking interest in this area, government funding agencies, foundations, and even the biopharmaceutical companies are working in partnerships with academic institutes, research centers, and other biopharmaceutical companies to fund cell-based research, in particular stem cell research, and company development.

This program will address:

• The challenges and demands of financing cell and tissue-based, especially stem cell research, companies.

• Why IP is the most valuable asset of any company and how to protect your IP through relationships and activities.

• The benefits and value of partnering relationships in this unique industry.

• Join entrepreneurial academics, start-up, and early stage company entrepreneurs for an invaluable program filled with viable solutions and successful case presentations about funding strategies and opportunities to create partnerships and collaborations.

12:30 Registration

1:00 Moderator’s Opening Remarks

1:05 Regenerative Medicine -- The Business Model Problem
Bruce Cohen, MBA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc.
Regenerative medicine, in all of its forms (cancer vaccines, cell therapy, cell-based drugs, embryonic stem cells), shows great promise for curative treatment to debilitating diseases. Some of these treatments are in late stage trials, and some are only at the idea stage. However, regardless of stage, all of them must address the fundamental and historical problems associated with regenerative medicine -- the degree to which the cost is appropriate to the benefit, a viable strategy for commercial scale production and the willingness of investors to put money into companies whose business model relies on curative. intervention as opposed to chronic treatment.

1:35 Commercializing Cell-Based Therapies
Bruce M. Wentworth, Ph.D., Senior Director, Cardiovascular Research, Genzyme Corp.
Call it regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, or cell therapy – the dream of providing tissues and cells for the alleviation of human suffering incurred thorough injury or disease often runs afoul of practicality. Thus, highly successful regenerative therapies are not always great businesses at the start. A discussion of the problems encountered in commercializing cell therapies as well as new concepts in regenerative medicine that may overcome the hurdles will be presented.

2:05 Partnering
Ahsan A. Awan, JD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Global CINRG, Inc.

2:35 Refreshment Break

3:00 Panel Discussion: How to Put it Together & Make it Work for You

Faculty representing biopharma, finance, business, and legal interests have been carefully selected to assist you in the navigation of financial, business, and scientific investments.

Co-Moderators:
Teo Forcht Dagi, M.D., MPH, MBA, FACS, FCCM, Partner, HLM Venture Partners & Harvard – MIT, Division of Health, Sciences and Technology Faculty

Rosemarie Hunziker, Ph.D., Program Director, Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine, NIH NIBIB

Panelists:
Bruce Cohen, MBA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Cellerant Therapeutics, Inc.

Eve Herold, Science Journalist, Director, Public Policy Research & Education, Public Policy, Genetics Policy Institute

John P. Iwanicki, ESQ Senior Partner, Banner & Witcoff, Ltd.

Michele Keane-Moore, Senior Consultant, The Biologics Consulting Group, Inc.

Bruce M. Wentworth, Ph.D., Director Cardiovascular Research, Genzyme Corp

Topics to be Discussed:

• Making sure your startup’s technology is truly protected

• Who is buying into stem cell? Why and why not.

• Filing a Phase 1 IND in cell therapies - even if you can do it, should you?

• Mechanism of actions in cell therapies - why are they important?

4:00 Close of Survive & Thrive