Pittsburgh Hosts Life Sciences Week 2018: Convergence and Connectivity

PITTSBURGH—Researchers, entrepreneurs, corporations and investors will connect to foster new partnerships and increase the region’s impact in the life sciences during Pittsburgh Life Sciences Week 2018, presented by the University of Pittsburgh.

Strength in life sciences research is raising the Pittsburgh region’s profile nationwide. Events throughout the city April 16-20, 2018, will highlight current life sciences work as well as the emerging innovations and initiatives across Pittsburgh’s expanding life sciences community. Meet the cutting-edge creators of health care startups and spinouts throughout the week and discover how research and business resources can connect to create life-changing life sciences innovations.

This year’s Life Sciences Week theme, “Convergence and Connectivity,” is reflected in the range of partners that have come together to create the program. More than a dozen organizations have joined forces to present a series of events that show both the diversity and the interconnectedness of Pittsburgh’s life sciences community. And, based on more than 600 registrations to date, more than 130 organizations will be represented among the attendees.

“Pittsburgh’s world-class research institutions, clinical resources and big-data capabilities poise the region to be a global leader in the life sciences sector,” said Rebecca Bagley, University of Pittsburgh vice chancellor for economic partnerships.

“In partnership with InnovatePGH we are building on the naturally occurring Pittsburgh Innovation District to support growth in the life sciences sector. With the launch of LifeX Labs and our partnership with UPMC to transform the former Ford Motor Co. plant at 5000 Baum Blvd. to house cutting-edge research, including a new Immune Transplant and Therapy Center, we are developing a vibrant life sciences ecosystem that will accelerate the pace of innovation to enhance human health and establish the region as a life sciences leader,” she said.

Life Sciences Week 2018 kicks off with a discussion on current life sciences investment trends and the Pittsburgh region’s growing life sciences sector.

“Life Science Investments – Pittsburgh’s Dynamic Translational Research is Attracting National Players” is set for 4 p.m. April 16 in the University of Pittsburgh’s O’Hara Student Center, 4024 O’Hara St., Oakland. Panelists include Jeanne Cunicelli, executive vice president, UPMC Enterprises; Yvonne Kobayashi, senior director, Emerging Technology & Innovation, Corporate Business Development, Eli Lilly and Company; Catherine V. Mott, CEO/founder, BlueTree Venture Fund and BlueTree Allied Angels; and Ben Scruggs, associate, Hatteras Venture Partners. Craig Kenesky, head of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati’s New York Patent and Innovation practice, will moderate.

The week’s free public events include opportunities to:

• Hear from experts at the forefront of combating the opioid crisis.
• See new assistive technologies in the University of Pittsburgh’s Human Engineering Research Laboratories at Bakery Square.
• Learn about new regenerative therapies in esophageal repair, nerve regeneration and liver function and tour the University’s labs at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Bridgeside Point.
• Visit a hydroponic urban microfarm and bioshelter at Oasis Farm and Fishery in Homewood.
• Meet the LifeX team and portfolio company CEOs at the forefront of biotechnology commercialization targeting unmet health needs in cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and more in the new LifeX Labs space in the Strip District.

A schedule of events and registration information are available online.

Follow and join the discussion with the hashtag #LifeSciPGH.

Pittsburgh Life Sciences Week is presented by the University of Pittsburgh in partnership with Avenu, Bio Breakfast, Carnegie Mellon University, Idea Foundry, Innovation Works, Life Sciences Pennsylvania, Magee-Womens Research Institute, Oakland Business Improvement District, Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse, Pittsburgh Technology Council, the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh (URA), UPMC Enterprises and Women In Bio.

Pittsburgh Life Sciences Week is sponsored by Huntington Bank, PMI, UPMC Enterprises, ThermoFisher Scientific, Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation.

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