The New Orleans BioInnovation Center (NOBIC) is a technology business incubator that focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and supporting biomedical and clean technology innovation in the region.
On November 17th and 18th, 2014, the organization is hosting Innovation Louisiana, the life science entrepreneurship conference for regional researchers, investors and startups. The conference will feature both life science and technology commercialization experts, alongside keynote speakers with experience in biotechnology startup development.
NOBIC recently released information about both keynote speakers: “Dr. Sandra Coufal of Sibling Capital has over two decades of experience as a practicing physician and in life sciences entrepreneurship. She has helped lead two biotechnology startups through exits, including one acquired by Amgen in 2007 for $420 million and another that completed its initial public offering in 2013. Senior TED Fellow Dr. Nina Tandon, whose current startup EpiBone is developing technology to regrow human bones for skeletal reconstruction, will offer the closing keynote for the conference on November 18.”
The full conference agenda is available here.
Innovation Louisiana will host an intensive two-day series of workshops, panels and keynote addresses, followed by the annual BioChallenge pitch competition for participating startups. Regional startups in the life sciences, cleantech and digital health have until October 1 to apply to compete in front of investors and industry experts for a chance to win a top prize of $25,000 cash.
Additional speakers and panelists at the conference will be present to engage attendees throughout sessions on forming, funding, and growing a bioscience startup. Panelists include Jennifer Hartt of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Will Glindmeyer of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Randy Hubbell of Cardiva Medical, Dale Pfost of Advent Ventures, Matt Rice of Ballast Point Ventures, Craig Krugman of MDoutlook, Sue Preston of MiniVax, and Mark Graffagnini of Graffagnini L.C.
Innovation Louisiana 2014 will take place during Global Entrepreneurship Week, an annual worldwide celebration of entrepreneurs and startups that drive economic growth.