2019 Agenda
Cambridge Healthtech Institute’s 14th Annual
Neurotech Investing and Partnering Conference
Advancing Neurotechnology through Investment and Collaboration
May 21-22, 2019
The Neurotech Investing and Partnering Conference is a global forum where investors, executives, entrepreneurs, scientists and others involved in the development of new treatments and diagnostics for the brain and nervous system come
together to shape the future of their organization and the industry.
This market-defining conference features keynotes on the state of the neurotech industry, cutting edge company presentations, leading translational research projects and panel discussions on a comprehensive selection of neurotech topics.
Final Agenda
Atlantic Ballroom
7:30 am Conference Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 Welcome and State of the Neurotech Industry
Guest speakers provide an annual review of trends and developments in neurotech.
Speakers: Carla M Lema Tome, MBA, PhD, Senior Manager, Aesara and Conference Producer
Harry Tracy, PhD, President, NI Research
9:00 Investing in Neurotech Panel
A diverse panel of private, public and strategic investors will discuss their investment strategies. What does it take to get a neurotech company funded? What are the benefits and risks of business models in devices, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and information
technology? What are today’s deal terms and valuations? What are the best exit strategies and how is neurotech comparing to other industries?
Moderator: Bruce Leutcher, MD, Partner, PJT Partners
Panelists: Jamil Beg, Principal, 5AM Ventures
Laura Tadvalkar, PhD, Senior Associate, MP Healthcare Venture Management
Deanna Belsky, PhD, Associate, Dolby Family Ventures
Maria Shepherd, Principal, Mass Medical Angels
Avery Bedows, Neurotech Specialist, Loup Ventures
10:00 Coffee Break with Exhibit Viewing
10:45 Treatments for Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Disorders
As the population ages, the market for neurodegenerative disorders is exploding. Current treatments stabilize symptoms only for a short period of time. What is on the horizon for symptom improvement and disease modification from drug and device companies?
Can earlier or more accurate diagnosis improve outcomes?
Moderator: Meg Smith, Senior Vice President, Research Management, Cure Alzheimer's Fund
Speakers: Zach Malchano, CEO, Cognito
Martin Tolar, MD, PhD, CEO, Alzheon
James G. Moe, PhD, MBA, President & CEO, Oligomerix
Michael Szulczewski, President, Gliacure
Susanne Wilke, PhD, MBA, CEO, Cognoptix
11:45 Developments on the Horizon for Pain
Drugs and devices with novel mechanisms of action are on the horizon to decrease side effects and improve efficacy for pain. Hear from leading companies on their approaches.
Moderator: Kerrie Brady, MBA, Chief Business Officer, Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Centrexion
Speakers: Angelique Johnson, PhD, CEO, MEMstim
Sunyoung Kim, DPhil, Founder and CEO, Helixmith
Philippe Diaz, PhD, CEO, DermaXon
12:45 pm Networking Luncheon
2:00 Internal and External Research and Development
Pharmaceutical and device companies are looking to provide complete solutions that span from prevention to treatment. Functions across the value chain will be kept in-house or partnered. This panel of experts will discuss how they approach collaborations
with other companies, academic groups, research institutes and platform companies.
Moderator: Michael Kranda, Director, Business Development, Allen Brain Institute
Panelists: Eric Schaeffer, PhD, Senior Director of Neuroscience Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Pierandrea Muglia, MD, Vice President & Head Neuroscience Discovery Medicine, UCB Pharma
Murali Gopalakrishnan, MBA, PhD, Senior Director & Global Head, Search & Evaluation Neuroscience
Beth Shafer, PhD, Head Neuroscience Business Development, Center for External Innovation, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
3:00 Refreshment Break with Exhibit Viewing
3:30 Targeting Orphan Diseases
Orphan disorders are a hot area of investment due to perceived benefits with regulatory agencies, ready access to patients, and premium pricing. This session will gather companies developing treatments for ALS, lysosomal storage disorders, Huntington’s,
and more.
Moderator: Nicole Johnson, Founder, FOXG1 Research Foundation
Speakers: Sean Ekins, PhD, Founder and CEO, Collaborations Pharmaceuticals
Sylvain Lengacher, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder, GliaPharm
Anthony R. DePasqua, MBA, Co-Founder and CEO, EnClear
4:30 Strategic Development of Your Product Outside of the US: The Australian Advantage
Ric DeGaris, Head, Clinical Operations, Neuroscience Trials Australia
4:45 Emerging Company Showcase
The fourth annual Emerging Company Showcase offers the stage to young neurotech companies to pitch their drug, device, diagnostic, or software to an audience of investors, CEOs, and executives in the field. Please view the event website for a full list
of this year’s presenters.
Anil Diwan, CEO, Allexcel
Donald Wright, Founder, President and CEO, Clarigent Health
Subhadeep Das, Co-Founder and CEO, Convalesce
Jeff June, CEO, Ischemia Care
Colin Kealey, CMO, Monarch Bio
Ingrid van Well, PhD, Founder and
CEO, Neural Dynamics Technologies
Samuel Kellett, President and CEO, United Sciences
Song-Song Liao, Founder and interim CEO, Aldans Health
Paolo Cassano, PhD, CoFounder, Niraxx Light Therapeutics
5:45 Welcome Reception with Exhibit Viewing
6:45 Close of Day
Atlantic Ballroom
8:00 am Continental Breakfast
8:30 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Translating Neurotechnology from the Lab to the Clinic
John Donoghue, PhD, Director, Wyss Center for Bio and Neuroengineering
9:00 Licensing, Partnering and Investing in Neurotech Panel
Big pharma, biotech and medtech need to act to capitalize new innovations that provide solutions to the global demands in healthcare. This insider panel will discuss their areas of interest for in-licensing, partnering and investing in novel therapeutics,
devices and diagnostics, and what they look for in a partner.
Moderator: Christine de los Reyes, Vice President, Strategic Planning & Business Development, Alopexx Enterprises
Panelists: Atsushi Hashimoto, Vice President, Business Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma
Laszlo Kiss, PhD, Executive Director, WRD / Principal, Pfizer Ventures
Nicholas Scarchilli, Director, Business Development, Biogen
Ravneesh Sachdev, Vice President, Business Development, SAGE Therapeutics
10:00 Coffee Break with Exhibit Viewing
10:45 Next Generation Psychiatry
Schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD and other psychiatric illnesses represent a large portion of the neurotech market. Development of promising next-generation treatments is challenging. Novel devices and diagnostics are poised to change
the treatment landscape. This session will gather the most innovative treatments for mental health disorders.
Moderator: Manuel Lopez Figueroa, PhD, Managing Director, Bay City Capital
Speakers: David Baker, President and CEO, Vallon Pharma
Hans Eriksson, MD, CMO, Compass Pathways
Teresa Tarrago, PhD, CEO and Co-Founder, iProteos
Emer Leahy, PhD, MBA, President and CEO, Psychogenics
11:45 Frontiers in Neurotechnology
In this session we will hear from companies on the cutting edge. Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, novel neurostimulation devices developed for new markets, closed loop systems create the promise of reduced side effects and more targeted treatment.
New technology is yielding benefits in discovery and delivery of therapeutics to brain. This session will preview of next generation products and companies in neurotechnology.
Moderator: Aaron Sandoski, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Norwich Ventures
Speakers: Alice Zhang, CEO, Verge Therapeutics
Bob Cathcart, President and CEO, AIM Medical Robotics
Philip G Ashton-Rickardt, PhD, Founder and CEO, Smith Therapeutics
Ana Maiques, CEO, NeuroElectrics
Leon Ekchian, PhD, CEO, NeuroSigma
12:45 pm Networking Luncheon
2:00 Parkinson’s and Other Movement Disorders
Current treatments for movement disorders can improve functioning but suffer from side effects and “off” periods, especially as the disease progresses. A number of novel pipeline pharmaceuticals and devices seek to address these issues. This
session will explore how disease-modifying treatments alter the course of movement disorders and how companion diagnostics can be leveraged to provide the most optimal outcome for patients.
Moderator: Wasim Q. Malik, PhD, Managing Partner, Iaso Ventures
Speakers: Randall Moreadith, MD, PhD, President and CEO, Serina Therapeutics
Susan Rosenbaum, JD, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Lauren Sciences
Jim DeMesa, MD, MBA, CEO, Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals
David Donabedian, PhD, Co-Founder and CEO, Axial Biotherapeutics
3:00 New Discoveries powered by NINDS
The small business program at NINDS is used to achieve the mission of the Institute by supporting innovative ideas at different stages of development, including applied bench research, translational research, and early stage clinical trials.
Moderator: Stephanie Fertig, Director, NINDS Small Business Programs
Speakers: Michael A Tones, PhD, Head of Pharmacology, Pulse Therapeutics
Sherine Chan, PhD, Co-Founder, Neuroene Therapeutics
Thomas Sanderson, Co-Founder, Mitovation
Kirkwood Pritchard, PhD, CSO, ReNeuroGen
4:00 Close of Conference