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Dr. Brett Hall, who received his doctorate in cancer biology from West Virginia University and now resides in San Diego and serves as President of Trans Medical Sciences, Chief Scientific Officer for Immuneering, and Chairman of the Board for BioArkive, is the keynote presenter for the 9th Annual West Virginia Bioscience Summit, taking place on Thursday, April 25th at the Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place.

“It starts with one,” said Bryan Brown, executive director of the West Virginia Bioscience Association. “One idea, one researcher, one discovery, one entrepreneur – like Dr. Brett Hall – is all it takes to make significant change that helps patients, spurs innovation and facilitates economic progress in West Virginia’s life science sector.”

Brown said the West Virginia Bioscience Summit will highlight the progress being made in the biotech industry in the state and feature experts discussing strategies to grow life science businesses in the region.

Topics will include the implementation of the federal Opportunity Zone Program and the recent passage of legislation to create a state matching program for Small Business Innovation Research grants. Both programs will help facilitate investment in the life science, technology and R&D industries.  In addition, attendees will hear from legislative leaders discussing policy initiatives to help entrepreneurs, discussion on vaccine development occurring at WVU, and much more.

A host of industry leaders and subject matter experts will participate in the conference, including:

• Brett Hall, Ph.D., President, Trans Medical Sciences
• Richard Giersch, CEO, Valtari Bio and Director, WVU Innovations
• F. Heath Damron, Ph.D., Director, Vaccine Development Center at WVU
• Matt Powell, Ph.D., Co-Founder/Chief Operating Officer, New River Labs
• Zach Wright, Founder/Chief Executive Officer, SwifTAG Systems
• Mark McLaughlin, Ph.D., Executive Vice President, Modulation Therapeutics, Inc.
• Frank Binder, Ph.D., President, Microbiological Consultants
• Matt Harbaugh, Managing Director, Mountain State Capital
• Ryan Thorn, Director, Economic Development, Office of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
• Olen York, Co-Founding Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, Marshall University Lewis College of Business
• Aaron Sporck, Director of Economic Development, Office of U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito
• Jeanne Bonds, Community Development Office, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond
• Wesley White, Deputy Secretary of Commerce, WV Department of Commerce
• Josh Cook, WV Forward Research Fellow, West Virginia University

“Entrepreneurs and researchers in any technology or life science field will benefit from the programming offered at this year’s conference,” said Brown. “Economic developers, investors, policy makers and technical assistance providers will benefit as well.”

The event will begin at 8:45am on April 25th with the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) Networking Breakfast and end with the Life Science Research Showcase & Reception.  The reception features faculty-led research teams, academicians, clinicians and companies from around the state showcasing their work.

To view the agenda, click here. To register for the event, click here.

Event sponsorship is being provided by the following:  West Virginia University, Mylan, VWR, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, TechConnect West Virginia, Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America, Novartis, Consumer Healthcare Products Association and the WV Clinical and Translational Science Institute.

For additional information, contact Bryan Brown at (304) 546-5500.