Over twenty national experts on entrepreneurship, startup funding, the pharmaceutical industry, and more will speak at the November event in New Orleans
September 27, 2016 – The New Orleans BioInnovation Center announces the keynote speakers for the upcoming Innovation Louisiana 2016 conference, an educational event on November 14 and 15 that educates attendees on translating cutting-edge scientific research into viable businesses. This fourth annual conference offers critical networking, education, and professional development opportunities, and it attracts more than 150 attendees each fall, including researchers, students, entrepreneurs, and other professionals in the state life sciences industry.
Dr. Brett Wingeier of startup Halo Neuroscience will offer a keynote speech to close the first day of the conference. His company uses neurostimulation, or light electrical pulses, to improve the performance of professional athletes, and Dr. Wingeier will discuss these efforts and the work of his previous startup on an implantable medical device that stops seizures in epilepsy patients. On Tuesday, Rachel Rimsky of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research will offer the event’s closing keynote, discussing the Foundation’s work to accelerate the development of new breakthroughs for patients suffering from Parkinson’s.
“More than $650 million is invested in scientific research and development at Louisiana universities each year,” said Aaron Miscenich, President of the New Orleans BioInnovation Center. “This conference is part of our ongoing work to support new Louisiana businesses based on this research, as we help innovators turn research breakthroughs from lab-level experiments into products and services that benefit patients around the world.”
Additional speakers include investors from Louisiana, Texas, California, and other regions, as well as innovation experts from major industry corporations Pfizer, Medtronic, and Becton Dickinson. Other leaders from Sultan Ventures, Carmell Therapeutics, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, Ochsner Health System, and numerous other organizations will also participate in panels. Session topics will include finding funding for development and commercialization, building a strong team, conducting customer and market research, securing development partners, preparing to introduce innovations in clinical settings with doctors and patients, and much more.
The BioInnovation Center offers facilities, free consulting, educational events, and the BioFund capital program to emerging Louisiana innovators as they work to develop new healthcare interventions to treat patients around the world. Ultimately, the conference is aimed at providing critical educational and networking opportunities to help Louisiana innovators develop new technology companies that create jobs and economic growth for the region. According to a BIO industry report, average bioscience wages in Louisiana in 2014 were more than $35,000 higher than average wages in the wider private sector.
The conference is presented with major support from JPMorgan Chase. Registration and more information are available at neworleansbio.com/innovationla, and ticket prices will increase on October 1. Discounted tickets are available for students.
ABOUT THE NEW ORLEANS BIOINNOVATION CENTER
The New Orleans BioInnovation Center is a not-for-profit technology business incubator focused on fostering entrepreneurship and supporting bioscience innovation in Southeast Louisiana. In addition to offering labs, offices, and conference facilities, the Center provides educational programming, an innovative capital program, and free assistance to emerging growth companies as they develop and bring new technologies to market. These include diagnostics, drugs, medical devices, health information platforms, and clean technologies that hold great promise for addressing a wide range of medical and environmental problems. Learn more at www.neworleansbio.com.
