2026 Preliminary Agenda





Oncology Venture, Innovation & Partnering Summit
Connecting Investors and Business Leaders to Accelerate Cancer Innovation
10/19/2026 - October 20, 2026 ALL TIMES EDT
Join us for an exclusive gathering of senior-level investors, corporate executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders at the Third Annual Oncology Venture, Innovation & Partnering Summit, October 19-20, 2026, in Cambridge, MA. Connect with future investors and partners at intimate networking sessions; gain strategic insights on funding activities, exits, business development, and innovation strategies in cancer therapeutics and diagnostics from industry-led panels; and hear candid perspectives and business recommendations from oncology thought leaders during dynamic fireside chats. The Oncology VIP Summit is positioned as the premier meeting place for key oncology stakeholders to foster meaningful connections, acquire valuable strategic insights, and drive innovation and collaboration.
Preliminary Agenda

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
The Future of Oncology Investing: Where Will the Next Breakthroughs—and Returns—Come From?

Christine Brennan, PhD, Vice President, Venture Investments, Johnson & Johnson , Vice President , Venture Investments , Johnson & Johnson

Panelists:

Jason P. Hafler, PhD, Managing Director, Sanofi Ventures , Managing Dir , Sanofi Ventures

Karin Kleinhans, PhD, Partner, MRL Ventures Fund , Partner , MRL Ventures Fund

Michael Partsch, Chief Venture Officer, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation , Chief Venture Officer , Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation WARF

Jason Rhodes, Partner, Atlas Venture , Partner , Atlas Venture

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Big Pharma Perspective on Oncology R&D: Investment Strategies, Partnering Models, and Exit Pathways

Michal Preminger, PhD, MBA, CEO, BioMed X Venture Labs; Former Regional Head, J&J Innovation , CEO , BioMed X Venture Labs

Panelists:

Polly Brown, Vice President, Head of Business Development, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca , VP & Head of Bus Dev , Oncology R&D , AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Navigating China’s Rise: Partnering, Investment, and Strategic Challenges & Opportunities for US Biopharma

Anna French, DPhil, Managing Partner, Qiming Venture Partners , Managing Partner , Qiming Venture Partners

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
CEO Chat: Oncology CEO Perspectives on Leading through Uncertainty

Rachel Humphrey, MD, President and Founding CEO, Normunity , President and Founding CEO , Normunity

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence to Transform Oncology Drug Development and Healthcare

Ann DeWitt, PhD, General Partner, Engine Ventures , General Partner , Engine Ventures

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Next Frontiers in Oncology Therapeutics: Translating Scientific Innovation into Commercial Success

Stephen Curtis, PhD, Senior Director, New Ventures, BrightEdge, American Cancer Society , Sr Dir , American Cancer Society

Panel Moderator:

PANEL DISCUSSION:
Radiopharmaceuticals Venture, Innovation & Partnering

John Wu, PhD, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group , Managing Director and Partner , Boston Consulting Group

Panelists:

Brian Goodman, PhD, Managing Director, Vida Ventures , Managing Dir , Vida Ventures LLC

David Greenwald, PhD, Managing Director, Investment, Public Structured Finance, Deerfield Management , Managing Dir , Deerfield Mgmt

Philina Lee, PhD, CEO, AdvanCell , CEO , AdvanCell