Weaving the Philly Biotech Ecosystem
April 25, 2026
Jon M. Huntsman Hall
University of Pennsylvania
8am - 9pm EST
Plan Your Experience
Join us on April 25, 2026 for the second annual Wharton Biotech Conference, presented by Penn Biotech Group.
Join industry leaders, forward-thinking professionals, and driven students as we weave the Philadelphia biotech ecosystem together and dive into the challenges and breakthrough innovations defining the future of biotechnology.
Highlights Include:
Translational Science & Innovation
Turning discovery into impact. Explore how Philadelphia’s academic strength, emerging technologies, and translational infrastructure move ideas from the lab to the clinic.
Business & Capital
Powering growth through strategy and investment. Discover how capital, partnerships, and deal-making connect startups, investors, and established players across Philadelphia biotech.
AI x Biotech
Where data meets biology. See how AI is accelerating drug discovery, development, and commercialization across Philadelphia’s growing life sciences ecosystem and beyond.
Commercial Strategy & Marketing
From innovation to adoption. Learn how biotech companies position, differentiate, and scale breakthrough solutions within competitive global and regional markets.
Healthcare Policy & Regulation
Navigating the rules of innovation. Examine how policy and regulation influence access, speed, and sustainable growth for biotech companies in the region.
Careers & Community
Building the people behind biotech. Explore career pathways, leadership, and community networks shaping Philadelphia’s life sciences workforce.
Entrepreneurship & Investment
Fueling the next generation. See how Philadelphia startups are launched, funded, and scaled—strengthening the region’s pipeline of biotech innovation.
Investment Series Competition
The Investment Series Competition challenges teams to develop and pitch a biotech investment thesis, evaluating scientific innovation, market opportunity, and risk before a panel of industry experts.
Networking Opportunities
Connect with speakers, industry leaders, and fellow students through dedicated networking opportunities.
Keynote Speaker: To Be Announced
Choose Your Track or Design Your Own Day
Our program is organized into two complementary tracks that reflect the full biotech journey, from discovery and development to policy, people, and commercialization. Attendees are encouraged to follow a single track for depth or move between tracks to build a personalized experience.
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Track A dives into the engines that power biotech innovation. Sessions focus on translational science, AI-driven discovery, and the flow of capital that brings breakthrough ideas to life. This track is ideal for those shaping the future of therapeutics—from the lab bench to the boardroom.
You’ll gain insights into:
Translating scientific breakthroughs into viable companies
How AI is transforming drug discovery and clinical development
The investor perspective on value creation and growth
Building scalable biotech businesses within the Philadelphia ecosystem
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Track B explores the external forces and human capital that determine whether innovation succeeds in the real world. Sessions examine healthcare policy, commercial strategy, marketing, and career development—providing a broader view of how biotech companies grow, compete, and sustain impact.
You’ll gain insights into:
Navigating regulatory and policy challenges
Commercial strategy beyond the molecule
Market differentiation and stakeholder engagement
Career pathways, leadership skills, and workforce evolution
We are expecting 40+ speakers from various industry fields and levels! Click the boxes below to see who will be speaking in each session (check back soon for further details).
Conference Schedule
Inside Last Year’s Conference
Organizing Team
Rani Baidoun
Co-President
Penn Biotech Group
Yi Qi
VP of Investment Research
Penn Biotech Group
Jiale Chen
Co-Director of Event Planning
Wharton Biotech Conference
Shawn Song
Co-Director of Sales/Finance
Wharton Biotech Conference
Manthan (“Manny”) Patel
Director of Career Development
Penn Biotech Group
Matt Liebers
Co-Director of Event Planning
Wharton Biotech Conference
Molly Eron
Director of Marketing
Wharton Biotech Conference
Hua Lim
Co-VP of Conference
Penn Biotech Group
Alex Martinez Lopez
Co-President
Penn Biotech Group
Taylor Brysgel
Co-President
Penn Biotech Group
Faris Halilovic
Co-VP of Conference
Penn Biotech Group
Aline Owase
Co-Director of Event Planning
Wharton Biotech Conference
Nektarios Kostopolous
Co-Director of Sales/Finance
Wharton Biotech Conference
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Interested in sponsoring the Wharton Biotech Conference? Email us at info.pbgconsulting@gmail.com