By Kim Polacek, APR, CPRC – February 26, 2024
Hundreds joined Moffitt Cancer Center on Friday for the Business of Biotech conference. The annual event brings together experts from health care and business to discuss innovative ways to advance cancer research and care delivery and forge partnerships to build a vibrant biotech community in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
“Our goal is to foster networking and collaborative partnerships to drive the discovery of innovative cancer care for patients.”
– Xavier Avat, Moffitt chief business officer
“Our goal is to foster networking and collaborative partnerships to drive the discovery of innovative cancer care for patients,” said Xavier Avat, Moffitt’s chief business officer. “Moffitt is the perfect host for this event. We have more than 160 researchers driving fundamental research programs, clinical development, and cutting-edge activities in bioengineering, machine learning, and advanced mathematics. Along with our viral vector and cell therapy manufacturing, we have created a unique ecosystem of capabilities that has attracted industry partners and led to significant advances in the treatment of cancer.”
Amgen Chair and CEO Robert Bradway, center, was a keynote speaker at Business of Biotech. He joins founder H. Lee Moffitt, left, OncoBay CEO Krystyna Kowalczyk, Moffitt President and CEO Dr. Patrick Hwu and Dr. James Mulé, Moffitt associate center director of Translational Science.
The day started with a keynote session featuring Amgen Chair and CEO Robert Bradway. He shared the importance of diversity in health care, especially regarding clinical trials.
He pointed to an investigational therapy for a condition that adversely affects South Asian and Black people who have a specific protein mutation. To succeed, Bradway says the clinical trial must reflect the population it is intended to serve, enrolling Black and South Asians with the mutation. Diverse clinical trial accrual is an issue in the U.S. Less than 10% of minorities enroll in clinical trials.
Two information-packed breakout sessions followed the keynote.
The first focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming health care delivery. From improving diagnostic accuracy to enhancing operational efficiency and personalizing treatment plans, AI is contributing to a more effective, patient-centered health care system.
ARK Investment Management LLC CEO and CIO Cathie Wood shares insights with moderator Lisa Detanna, managing director and senior vice president of investments at Raymond James.
The second session showcased bioengineering and its role in enhancing cancer research and care. Bioengineering concepts such as 3D bioprinting and nanotechnology are being used to improve treatment outcomes, minimize side effects and ultimately contribute to more effective cancer management.
The day concluded with a second keynote featuring Cathie Wood, CEO and CIO of ARK Investment Management LLC. Wood is one of the top investment portfolio managers in the nation, focusing on large-scale investments in disruptive innovation and new technologies like artificial intelligence, genome sequencing and gene editing. She shared why investing in innovative discoveries that will advance health care delivery is important.
Lisa Detanna, managing director and senior vice president of Investments for Raymond James, moderated the session with Wood.