2026 Michigan Drug Discovery & Development Symposium
A Day of Learning and Discovery
REGISTER TODAY
Monday, May 11, 2026
Washtenaw Community College | Morris Lawrence Building
4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor
Advancing Innovation. Connecting Michigan's Biosciences Community.
The 2026 Michigan Drug Discovery & Development Symposium brings together biopharma professionals, contract research organizations (CROs), faculty, students and others for a day of learning, networking, and collaboration. It’s a unique opportunity to engage with Michigan’s biotechnology community, explore drug discovery efforts, and discover new avenues for partnership.
REGISTER TODAY
WHY ATTEND?
Inspiring Keynotes & Panels - Gain insights from thought leaders tackling today's biggest challenges in the industry
Research Presentations & Posters - Explore groundbreaking science and innovative projects from across Michigan
Exhibits - Connect with organizations advancing the latest technologies and solutions
Networking Opportunities - Build meaningful connections that spark future collaboration
Whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge, connect with like-minded professionals, or discover new opportunities, this symposium puts you at the forefront of the industry.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This event is designed for anyone invested in advancing drug discovery and development, including:
- Faculty, researchers, and students from Michigan's leading universities
- Biopharma professionals and CRO representatives
- Entrepreneurs, innovators, and members of the biotechnology community
If you're eager to explore the latest innovations, collaborate across sectors, or grow your professional network, you won’t want to miss this event.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Felicia Pagliuca, PhD
Senior Vice President, Cell and Genetic Therapy Research; Site head LC1
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Dr. Felicia Pagliuca is currently Senior Vice President, Cell and Genetic Therapy Research at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. She received a BS from Duke University and a PhD from Cambridge University where she was a Marshall Scholar. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Douglas Melton at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, where she worked with Dr. Melton to discover how to generate stem cell-derived pancreatic beta cells in the lab. She co-founded Semma Therapeutics with Dr. Melton in 2014. While at Semma, she served as Vice President of Cell Biology Research and Development, where she led the development of investigational cell therapies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. She joined Vertex Pharmaceuticals in 2019, when Semma was acquired by Vertex, and served as the company’s Vice President and Disease Area Executive for type 1 diabetes for 5 years before moving into her current role.
Meet Our Speakers
Scott Knauer
Vice President, Head of Global Therapeutics
Zoetis
Duxin Sun, PhD
Assoc. Dean for Research, Professor of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Michigan
Samuel ChUang, PhD
Executive Director, Scientific Advisory Services
Charles River Laboratories
Kurt Zinn, DVM, MS, PhD
Professor and Director, MSU Drug Discovery
MSU College of Veterinary Medicine
David Eve
Vice President, Medical Affairs
Ionetix
Zachary Weingarden, MSE
Vice President, AI Technology & Applications
TrialAssure
David Esposito
CEO
ONL Therapeutics
Kimberlee Trzeciak
Senior Vice President
Capitol Hill Consulting Group
Melissa McKinley
President
Kelley Cawthorne
Alice Walker, PhD
Assistant Professor
Wayne State University
Scott Haller, PhD
Director, Transitional Imaging Center
Charles River Laboratories
Jessica Murdock
Principal Medical Writer
MMS Holdings
Amanda Beaster, PhD
Director, Regulatory Strategy
MMS Holdings
Gerry Higgins, PhD, MD
Chief Scientific Officer
Phenomics AI
Brandon McNaughton, PhD
CEO
Akadeum Life Sciences
Andrea Gonzales, PhD
Professor and Director, MSU Drug Discovery
Michigan State University
Robert Forgey
President and CEO
Iaso Therapeutics
James MoblEy, PhD
CSO
Nipuna Therapeutics
Jessica reed
CEO
Diapin Therapeutics
Stephen Rapundalo, PhD
President and CEO
MichBio
Judith Leopold, Phd
CEO
MEKanistic Therapeutics
Merlinda-Loriane SEwavi, MS
CEO
Syntheia Labs
Robin Schmidt
Vice President, Clinical Operations
Blue Parachute
Josh Dishinger, PhD
Biomedical Innovation Specialist/Grant Funding Manager, Innovation Partnerships
University of Michigan
Rebecca Bakker-Arkema
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
BIA Clinical Group
Matt DeLong, PharmD
Vice President, Radiopharmacy
BAMF Health
Mark Ammann, PharmD
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Quantum Regulatory
Brittany Connors
Director Investor Relations
NCI SBIR Development Center
Timothy Brent
Venture Principal
Pathway to Cures
Jeffrey Wiese
Senior Director, Safety Risk Management
MMS Holdings
Maxine Santoro
COO
RxPlora
Ken Massey
Senior Director of Venture Development
Wayne State University
Tim Cernak
Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry
University of Michigan
Xuefie Huang, PhD
MSU Research Foundation Professor
Michigan State University
Mike Zamiara
CEO
Niowave
Don Zinn
Vice President, Global BD&L
CROSSJECT
Andrew Kocab, PhD
CEO
Dvant Pharma
Navnath Gavande, PhD
Assoc. Professor, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
Wayne State University
Lindsay Klee
Founder and Principal
Intent Venture Management
Charles Hasemann, Phd
Associate BP for Innovation & Economic Development
Michigan State University
Conference Agenda
Networking Breakfast
7:30-8:30 AM
Continental Breakfast, Networking
The Evolving State of Drug Discovery: Redefining Development Models
8:30-9:30 AM
This session brings together industry leaders to explore how drug discovery is being reimagined amid rapid scientific, technological, and market shifts. Panelists will examine breakthroughs in digital innovation, cross-sector collaboration, regulatory changes, and evolving business strategies—focusing on how these forces converge to transform therapy discovery, development, and delivery to accelerate patient impact.
Moderator:
Brandon McNaughton, PhD, Akadeum Life Sciences
Panelists:
Samuel Chuang, PhD, Charles River Laboratories
David Esposito, ONL Therapeutics
Scott Knauer, Zoetis
Innovations in Drug Discovery and Development
9:35-10:30 AM
Hear about exciting new scientific breakthroughs and technology advances in drug discovery and therapeutics development from Michigan academic and industry researchers.
Moderator:
Charles Hasemann, PhD, Michigan State University
Panelists:
Timothy Cernak, PhD, University of Michigan
Navnath Gavande, PhD, Wayne State University
Xuefie Huang, PhD, Michigan State University
Networking Break
10:30-11:00 AM
Networking, Posters, Sponsors and Exhibitors
AI and the Future of Drug Discovery: Revolutionizing the Path from Target to Therapeutic
11:00-11:55 AM
Discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of drug discovery—from initial target identification through preclinical development to the clinic and patient.
Moderator:
Andrew Kocab, PhD, Dvant Pharma
Panelists:
Gerry Higgins, PhD, MD, Phenomics AI
Duxin Sun, PhD, University of Michigan
Alice Walker, PhD, Wayne State University
Zachary Weingarden, MSE, TrialAssure
Keynote Plenary Session - From Breakthrough Science to Transformative Medicines: Navigating Drug Discovery in the Modern Innovation Era
12:00-1:15 PM
Dr. Felicia Pagliuca will share insights on translating breakthrough science into transformative medicines within today’s rapidly evolving innovation ecosystem. Drawing on experience as an innovator and leader in cell and genetic therapies, she will discuss emerging tech shaping discovery, building high-performing R&D teams, and balancing scientific ambition with regulatory and commercial realities in the global biotech landscape.
Moderator:
Andrea Gonzales, PhD, Michigan State University
Keynote Speaker:
Felicia Pagliuca, PhD, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Track Sessions
1:20-2:05 PM
Innovation Track
MichBio's Annual Startup Expo
Get a front-row seat to the future of biotechnology. Early-stage startups from Michigan present their cutting-edge products, breakthrough technologies, and disruptive innovations. Each company will deliver a rapid-fire pitch and highlight the potential to transform healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Moderator:
James Mobley, PhD, Nipuna Therapeutics
Presenters:
Robert Forgey, Iaso Therapeutics
Judith Leopold, PhD, MEKanistic Therapeutics
Jessica Reed, Diapin Therapeutics
Maxine Santoro, RxPlora
Merlinda-Loriane Sewavi, MS, Syntheia Labs
Drug Development Track
Investigational New Drug (IND) Applications - Types, Requirements and Opportunities
This session will review the different types and essential components of INDs, regulatory requirements for submission, approval process, critical steps in planning and executing successful INDs, and the strategic opportunities that arise at this stage of the drug discovery and development pathway.
Panelists:
Jessica Murdock, MMS Holdings
Jeffrey Wiese, MS, MMS Holdings
Track Sessions
2:10-2:55 PM
Innovation Track
Navigating Current Funding Models for Drug Discovery and Development
This session will explore strategies for securing funding in a rapidly changing research environment that can sustain and accelerate commercialization. Experts will discuss funding sources including governmental programs, partnerships with strategics, and philanthropic collaborations.
Moderator:
Ken Massey, PhD, Wayne State University
Panelists:
Timothy Brent, Pathway to Cures
Brittany Connors, PMP, National Cancer Institute,
National Institute of Health
John Dishinger, PhD, University of Michigan
Don Zinn, CROSSJECT
Drug Development Track
Revolutionizing Drug Development: Emerging Trends in Clinical Trials and Regulation
This session will explore how evolving FDA regulations and innovative approaches are reshaping the landscape of clinical trials and drug development. Discussion will highlight how new models, technologies, and regulatory frameworks are accelerating development timelines, enhancing patient engagement, ensuring data integrity, and driving more efficient and flexible trial designs.
Moderator:
Lindsay Klee, Intent Venture Management
Panelists:
Mark Ammann, PharmD, Quantum Regulatory
Rebecca Bakker-Arkema, BIA Clinical Group
Amanda Beaster, PhD, MMS Holdings
Robin Schmidt, Blue Parachute
Networking Break
2:55-3:20 PM
Networking, Posters, Sponsors and Exhibitors
Radiopharmaceuticals: the Next Frontier in Disease Treatment
3:20-4:10 PM
Explore the explosive growth of radiopharmaceuticals and their transformative potential in diagnosing and treating diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular conditions. This session will delve into the latest advancements, industry trends, and the challenges of scaling up production and deployment for clinical use, showcasing how this emerging field is revolutionizing modern medicine.
Moderator:
Scott Haller, PhD, Charles River Laboratories
Panelists:
David Eve, Ionetix
Matt DeLong, PharmD, BAMF Health
Mike Zamiara, Niowave
Kurt Zinn, DVM, MS, PhD, College of Veterinary Medicine
How Regulatory and Legislative Policy is Reshaping Drug Discovery and Development
4:15-5:00 PM
A session covering the latest legislative developments at the state and federal levels that are impacting how therapies are discovered, developed and brought to market. Topics will include policies related to funding of research and commercialization, FDA and business regulations, and legislation affecting rare diseases, biopharma business models, use of animals in research, and more.
Moderator:
Stephen Rapundalo, PhD, MichBio
Panelists:
Melissa McKinley, Kelley Cawthorne
Kimberlee Trzeciak, Capitol Hill Consulting Group
Reception
5:00-6:30 PM
Appetizers, Networking, Posters, Sponsors and Exhibitors
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
EXHIBITORS
American Laboratory Trading | CDD Vault | Cyprotex | SU Group | VWR | Pace Analytical Life Sciences
Drug Discovery University of Michigan | Oxford Biomedical Research | AAPharmSyn | TSRL Inc. | AnchorBio
Michigan State University Drug Discovery | Cayman Chemical | DNA Software | RxPlora | Porton Pharma Solutions