ABOUT THE EVENT
Date: October 13, 2025 5pm - October 15, 2025 10pm PDT
Event Location: La Jolla, California
The Advanced Lateral Flow Conference (ALFC), presented by DCN Dx, is the leading global event for lateral flow diagnostic developers, manufacturers, and those driving their commercial success. This annual conference delivers cutting-edge insights through expert-led sessions and provides a platform for researchers and developers to exchange ideas and innovations. Attendees gain practical insights to advance their businesses, deepen their knowledge of rapid diagnostics, and connect with leading minds shaping the future of point-of-care testing.
The ALFC 2025 theme, Catalyzing Growth: Tech Advancements, Funding, and Regulatory Roadmaps in LFA, focuses on the three pillars driving real-world progress in diagnostics: capital, innovation, and regulatory clarity. From shifting FDA expectations to sustainable funding models and manufacturability challenges, the content will tackle the strategic decisions that shape successful lateral flow products.
Attendees include product managers, business development leads, investors, regulatory professionals, scientists, supply chain reps, and service providers from across the diagnostics ecosystem. These are the people responsible for turning ideas into impact, and ALFC is where they come to learn, connect, and get things done.
This year’s program features a dynamic lineup of keynotes, technical sessions, and poster presentations designed to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities in lateral flow diagnostics. Agenda session highlights include:
· From Battlefield to Benchside: How Strategic AI is Reshaping Science Ops—Jeremy Elser, Ph.D. (Head of Science Operations, Palantir Technologies)
· Executive’s Corner: Running Diagnostics Companies in the Age of Complexity—Moderated by James Zanewicz, JD, LLM, RTTP (CEO, San Diego Connect and EVP, Medicine and Research, Maky)r; and joined by panelists Charlie Mamrak (CEO, DCN Dx), Thomas Plotts (CFO / COO, Gravidas Diagnostics, Inc.),Tony Serafini-Lamanna (President, Diagnostics, Meridian Bioscience), and Tomás Toribio (Managing Director, OPERON, S.A.)
· Innovation Award Pitches—Finalists present in a live “Shark Tank”-style session to judges Owen Davis (Managing Partner, Martis Capital); Donna Hochberg, Ph.D. (Partner & Managing Director, Head of Dx, PM & LST & Services, Health Advances); Brian Weinstein (Managing Director, Medical Technology, William Blair); and Pat Vaughan, Ph.D. (COO, DCN Dx); hosted by Mitzi Rettinger (Chief Revenue Officer, DCN Dx). The $10,000 prize will be announced at the Oct. 15 Closing Reception and Awards Ceremony.
· Raising Right: Why Diagnostics Startups Fail to Fund—Giles Hamilton (Board Member, and Investor)
