Wednesday Thursday Friday
 

Agenda subject to update before Conference Dates

For the most current version of the Conference Agenda, please refer to the Conference App.
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5:00 - 10:00 pm San Diego Padres vs Miami Marlins, Petco Park
 
7:30 - 9:00 am BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:10 am Welcome | Day One Introductions and Announcements
  2025 Conference Co-Chairs Brandi Roberts, Chief Financial Officer, Longboard Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mike Mayberry, Vice President, Finance, Contineum Therapeutics, Inc.
9:10 - 10:00 am KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Drew Brees
    Wednesday, May 28th, 2025 - Moderated Q&A Session with Drew Brees, former NFL Quarterback for the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, 2009 Super Bowl MVP and cofounder of the Brees Dream Foundation.
10:00 - 10:05 am Break
10:05 - 10:50 am Enhance Your Career/Job Breakout Sessions: Select One
  Choice A. The Power of AI: Driving Innovation Across Finance and Corporate Operations
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way companies approach financial decision-making, risk management, and operational efficiency. In this session, The Power of AI: Driving Innovation Across Finance and Corporate Operations, industry leaders and AI experts will discuss how organizations can leverage AI tools to enhance accuracy, speed, and strategic insights across finance and other corporate functions. This session will uncover the latest AI applications, trends, and challenges, offering participants a roadmap to integrate AI solutions that create measurable value.

 
  Choice B. Investor Relations Excellence: Communicating Value, Tracking Competition and Strengthening Connections
   

In today’s fast-paced and competitive market, effective investor relations (IR) is more than just reporting financials—it's about telling a compelling story that conveys value, building trust with investors, and staying ahead of the competition. This session, Investor Relations Excellence: Communicating Value, Tracking Competition, and Strengthening Connections, will provide actionable strategies and insights on how to craft a clear, consistent narrative that resonates with investors, monitor competitive dynamics, and foster strong, ongoing relationships with key stakeholders.
10:50 - 11:10 am Break
11:10 - 12:00 pm PRESENTATION: M&A Success Stories
    For biotech companies, being acquired can be a defining moment in their journey—offering access to new resources, expanded markets, and the potential for accelerated growth. However, the process of being acquired is complex and requires careful preparation, strategic alignment, and negotiation. In this session, Biotech M&A Success Stories: What It Takes for Companies to Get Acquired, we’ll explore the key actions and strategies that biotech companies can take to position themselves for successful acquisition. Drawing from real-world case studies, panelists will share insights on what it takes to attract the right buyer, navigate the due diligence process, and ensure a successful post-acquisition transition.


12:00 - 12:55 pm Lunch and Networking
1:00 - 2:00 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: TBA
2:00 - 2:50 pm Navigating Capital Needs: Fundraising and Cash Flow Management
    For biotech companies, being acquired can be a defining moment in their journey—offering access to new resources, expanded markets, and the potential for accelerated growth. However, the process of being acquired is complex and requires careful preparation, strategic alignment, and negotiation. In this session, Biotech M&A Success Stories: What It Takes for Companies to Get Acquired, we’ll explore the key actions and strategies that biotech companies can take to position themselves for successful acquisition. Drawing from real-world case studies, panelists will share insights on what it takes to attract the right buyer, navigate the due diligence process, and ensure a successful post-acquisition transition.


2:50 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 - 3:50 pm Enhance Your Company/Job Breakout Sessions, Select One
  Choice A. SOX 404a vs. 404b - How to Build Robust & Efficient Internal Control Systems
    In the world of corporate finance and governance, understanding the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), particularly Sections 404(a) and 404(b), is crucial for ensuring effective internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). This panel, SOX 404a vs 404b - Planning and Best Practices, will bring together experts in finance, audit, and compliance to examine the differences between 404(a) and 404(b), discuss compliance strategies, and share best practices for building robust and efficient internal control systems.


  Choice B. IT Roadmap: What pathway Do You Take to Roll Out Software and Connect Tools Companywide?
    Deploying software across an organization and connecting various tools into a unified system are critical steps in an enterprise IT roadmap. This panel, IT Roadmap - Company-wide: What Pathway Do You Take to Roll Out Software and Connect Tools, will bring together IT leaders, project managers, and system integration experts to discuss proven strategies for creating a structured, phased rollout that supports scalability, minimizes disruption, and aligns with business objectives.


3:50 - 4:00 pm Announcements, Closing Remarks
4:00 - 4:30 pm Break
4:30 - 6:00 pm Scavenger Hunt
   
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Evening Social Event

7:30 - 9:00 am BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:10 am Welcome | Day Two Introductions and Announcements
9:10 - 10:00 am KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Joe Quinlan - What in the World is Going On?
    Joe’s presentation will highlight key drivers of growth, critical secular trends, and the potential risks to growth and earnings in the medium-term. Key global trends affecting the US economy and capital markets will also be examined. Attendees can ask questions during a moderated Q&A at the end.
10:00 - 10:50 am Enhance Your Career Breakout Sessions: Select One
  Choice A. Mastering Personal Branding: Networking, LinkedIn, and Career Growth Strategies
    In today’s competitive job market, establishing a compelling personal brand is essential for career advancement, professional credibility, and meaningful networking. This panel, Mastering Personal Branding: Networking, LinkedIn, and Career Growth Strategies, brings together industry leaders, career coaches, and LinkedIn experts to provide actionable insights on building and sustaining a powerful personal brand. Panelists will explore how professionals can use LinkedIn strategically to boost visibility, leverage connections, and unlock new career opportunities.
  Choice B. How to Build Strong & Effective Relationships with Board Members
    The panel discussion will focus on the essential strategies for building a strong and effective relationship between executives and their Board of Directors (BOD). Panelists, including seasoned board members and C-suite leaders, will share best practices for managing board expectations and fostering productive communication. The conversation will cover key topics such as aligning board and executive goals, setting realistic performance metrics, and ensuring transparency in decision-making. Attendees will learn how to proactively address potential areas of tension, such as differing views on strategy, risk tolerance, and corporate governance, while maintaining a collaborative and supportive relationship with the board. Additionally, the panel will explore how executives can effectively engage with boards on critical matters, from financial performance to long-term strategic initiatives, to ensure alignment and drive organizational success.
10:50 - 11:15 am Break
11:15 - 12:15 pm Life Science Cares Philanthropy Event
12:15 - 1:00 pm Lunch and Networking
1:00 - 2:00 pm KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: John Foley
    As Lead Solo of the Blue Angels and his research on what makes an elite performer strive for more, John Foley has leveraged speed, execution, and world class expertise to share his high-energy message as a world expert on team performance. His message is simple enough that each of us can implement it personally and professionally, yet so profound that it can change our lives and our company if we choose to embrace it. And it all starts with gratitude. John is here to share The Glad To Be Here® Mindset—his secret sauce to living a life of gratitude, purpose, passion, and presence.
2:00 - 2:50 pm Capital Allocation Strategy - Risk vs. Reward
    In the biotech industry, executives face a delicate balancing act when allocating capital: investing in high-risk, high-reward opportunities while ensuring financial sustainability and long-term growth. With innovation and clinical development at the heart of biotech, understanding where to deploy resources to achieve the highest return is crucial. In this session, "Capital Allocation Strategy: Risk vs. Reward in Biotech," experts will discuss how executives can effectively manage their capital to fund promising projects, mitigate risks, and maximize returns. The panel will provide actionable insights on prioritizing investments in clinical trials, technology development, partnerships, and commercialization, and how to make data-driven decisions that align with both short-term needs and long-term strategic goals.
   
2:50 - 3:00 pm Break
3:00 - 4:00 pm Enhance Your Career Breakout Sessions: Select One
  Choice A. How to Find BOD Positions
    The panel discussion will provide executives with practical guidance on navigating the path to securing a seat on a corporate board. The conversation will cover key strategies for building a strong board-ready profile, including the development of relevant expertise, personal branding, and networking within industry and governance circles. Panelists will share insights on how executives can leverage their financial acumen, strategic thinking, and leadership experience to attract the attention of nominating committees and executive search firms. Additionally, the discussion will highlight the importance of understanding board dynamics, governance best practices, and the evolving role of boards in today’s business landscape. Attendees will leave with actionable advice on how to position themselves for board opportunities, expand their professional influence, and enhance their leadership trajectory.
  Choice B. How to Be a Better Leader - Working with Different Generations
    The session will focus on effective leadership strategies for managing a multigenerational workforce. Attendees will gain insights into the unique characteristics, communication preferences, and work values of different generational cohorts, including Baby Boomers, Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z. The discussion will cover practical approaches to fostering intergenerational collaboration, addressing potential challenges such as generational biases, and creating an inclusive work environment that leverages the strengths of each generation. This session will provide actionable takeaways for leaders to enhance team cohesion, improve retention, and drive organizational success in a diverse and evolving workplace.
4:00 - 4:10 pm Break
4:10 - 5:00 pm PANEL: IPO Success Stories
    This panel discussion will delve into the critical factors that drive successful initial public offerings (IPOs) in the biotechnology sector. Industry experts and company leaders will share firsthand accounts of their IPO journeys, discussing key challenges, strategies, and lessons learned along the way. The conversation will explore how biotech companies can effectively navigate the complexities of the IPO process, from securing investor interest to managing regulatory hurdles and positioning for long-term growth. In addition, the panel will look forward to the evolving biotech landscape, highlighting emerging trends, opportunities, and potential risks in a rapidly changing market. Attendees will gain valuable insights into what makes an IPO successful in biotech, as well as how companies can prepare for future public offerings amidst an increasingly competitive and dynamic environment.
5:00 - 5:10 pm Announcements, Closing Remarks
   
  Break Before Evening Special Event
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Evening Special Event
 
 
7:30 - 9:00 am BREAKFAST
9:00 - 9:10 am Welcome | Day Three Introductions and Announcements
  Introducing the 2026 ABFO Conference Chair
9:10 - 10:10 am Fireside Chat with Joe Kudla, Founder of Vuori - One of the fastest growing brands in the world
    Join us for an inspiring and insightful fireside chat with Joe Kudla, Founder and CEO of Vuori, a brand that has captured the world’s attention through its meteoric rise in the activewear industry. Vuori’s journey to success has been marked by bold choices, calculated risks, and a deep understanding of both the rewards and challenges that come with entrepreneurial ventures. In this session, Joe will share his journey, the mindset needed to navigate risk, and how confidence has played a crucial role in his decision-making and resilience as a leader.
10:10 - 11:00 am PANEL PRESENTATION: TBA
11:00 - 11:10 am Closing Remarks
       
       
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