Welcome from STAT

Opening Remarks

Pfizer: Vaccines and beyond

Pfizer’s CEO, Albert Bourla, returns to the STAT Summit to reflect on the year that was. As the company continues to lead in Covid-19 vaccine production, he will discuss what’s next — from boosters and beyond.

Catching up with Tony Fauci

As the deadly Covid-19 pandemic has dragged on, few voices have been as important as that of Anthony Fauci. He’ll join STAT’s Helen Branswell to discuss the past year and what to expect in the months ahead.

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Leading Change at Sanofi

Over the past two years, Sanofi has narrowed its focus, re-filled its pipeline of experimental drugs, and used cutting edge technologies across its business. CEO Paul Hudson joins STAT’s Rick Berke to discuss.

Introducing the 2021 STAT Biomedical Innovation Award

This year’s recipient of the STAT Biomedical Innovation award will be announced with an introduction from award sponsor, Pfizer.

Breaking biotech’s barriers

Many brilliant women study biology. Why don’t more become professors, entrepreneurs, or CEOs? A panel of women who have made their mark in biotech tell their stories, and talk candidly about the ceilings they had to shatter and they are still banging against.

Coffee Break

Asking the big questions to drive health equity

Despite an increased focus on inequities in the health care system, data show that disparities and patient distrust continue to deepen. A reflection on the importance of disrupting the status quo, and collaborating to create holistic solutions that address the systemic barriers at the root of health disparities.

Confronting an American tragedy

Black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women. The causes are myriad and the solutions are long ignored. A look at the progress that is being made, both in research and at the highest echelons of government.

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Putting the values back in value-based care

One of the biggest challenges in health care today is the enormous disparity in access to lifesaving care and leading-edge treatments, especially when it comes to cancer. A discussion on the country’s “value-based” health care ecosystem and the path to making cancer care more accessible.

Hypebuster Elisabeth Bik

There is no one better at spotting cases where researchers have modified or faked data involving images — a talent that has led her to speak up against both big name researchers and a biotechnology company. Bik will explain how she does it and share stories from her fight for good science.

Closing Remarks

Closing from STAT

In-person program – Registration opens

The in-person program will take place at the BSA Space in downtown Boston, located at 290 Congress Street, 2nd Floor. All in-person attendees will be asked to show a proof of Covid-19 vaccination upon arrival. Masks are required indoors throughout the event and reception. Drinks will be served and outdoor networking space will be available.

Program begins – Welcome from STAT

Spotlight Session

Fireside chat

When John Maraganore became the CEO of Alnylam in 2002, the company’s technology was almost unknown to investors. A Nobel Prize, two decades, and three approved products later, he is retiring. He’ll reflect on his journey and talk about the future.

The company builder behind Moderna

Under founder Noubar Afeyan, Flagship Pioneering has become a prolific and successful assembly line for biotechnology firms, including Agios, Acceleron, and, of course, Moderna. Hear his thoughts on his journey and the future of biotech.

Program concludes – Closing from STAT

Networking reception

Drinks and passed appetizers will be served. Attendees will be asked to indicate their comfort level for networking on their name badge. Outdoor networking space available.

Opening remarks

The long haul: Living with long Covid

Lauren Nichols grappled with the effects of long Covid for the past year. She shares her story and why calling attention to how little is still known about this disease is so important.

Introducing the 2021 STAT Wunderkinds

Meet the unheralded heroes of science and medicine.

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Can Congress finally tackle drug pricing reform? – Part 1

Bringing down high drug prices is a key part of the Democratic Party’s platform. But how, exactly, to do it? A moderate Democrat gives his view of the state of play.

The next revolution in cell therapy

Allogene’s goal is to radically transform cancer treatment. David Chang will join STAT’s Megan Thielking to discuss the development of AlloCAR T products for blood cancers and solid tumors, and their potential to increase patient access while decreasing manufacturing time and costs to the healthcare system.

Inside the Biden Administration’s plan to change science

A testament to the President’s long-held pledge to “end cancer as we know it,” ARPA-H will aim to bring the deftness and flexibility of DARPA to healthcare research. Will it work?

Coffee Break

Rebuilding trust and traceability in science

How do we enable collaboration within and between institutions in a secure and ethical way when the institution and practice of science is up for debate?

Artificial Intelligence: The new sheriffs in town

These academics are helping AI move out of its Wild West phase. For all the hype, there’s relatively little research or oversight setting the bar for how AI should improve patient care. Here are some fixes.

Policy prescriptions for a better health care system

Three in 10 patients with insurance still face financial barriers when accessing health care and prescription medicines in the United States. Steve Ubl will join Matthew Herper to discuss the biopharma industry’s plans to help build a better health care system that improves access and protects innovation.

Airborne?

One of the biggest questions of the pandemic: to what degree is the virus spread in droplets, and to what degree does it spread as aerosols in the air? Here’s what we’re learning about the virus’s spread.

Biotech visions with George Church

One of the pioneers of both DNA sequencing and gene editing, Church is one of the biggest sources of ideas in the biotech industry. From bringing back the mammoth, or something like it, to using CRISPR to barcode mice, come hear his thoughts on health, science, and what it means to be human.

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Pharmalot talks Dopesick

The Hulu series Dopesick delves deep into a crisis STAT knows well: the epidemic of opioids in the U.S. Ed Silverman, STAT’s illustrious and award winning pharma correspondent, will trade notes with director of the series and the author of the bestseller on which it is based

Closing remarks

Breakout Session

This virtual breakout session will provide attendees the opportunity to connect with each other, along with featured speakers and STAT reporters. The session will be exclusive to attendee pass holders, and will take place in a private Zoom meeting room separate from the other public-facing programming.

Welcome remarks

GlaxoSmithKline face the future

Two different funds say GlaxoSmithKline has huge potential — but perhaps not with its current strategy and management team. CEO Emma Walmsley will take the stage to explain why she believes the path GSK is on is the right one.

Race and the future of cancer screening

As he turned 30, STAT reporter Nicholas St. Fleur got a colonoscopy. His story provides a window into both the rise of colorectal cancer in young Americans and the disproportionate risk Black people face with the disease. Here, he’ll look at the future of colorectal cancer screening, perhaps even detecting cancer with a blood test.

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Creating alternatives to surgery

An inside look into how alternatives to surgical treatment improve patient care for those with specialty cancers and urological diseases.

Outthinking the next pandemic

Trevor Bedford developed a technique for understanding the family trees of viruses. As SARS-Cov-2 virions flooded the United States, he became a key figure in helping the public understand what was happening and why. Now a MacArthur “genius” grant recipient, he’ll talk about what we need to learn from this pandemic and how to face the next one.

Curing cancer takes a village

Faced with the largest global health crisis of our time, the industry came together to achieve what would have been impossible without partnership. A look at how we can apply the accelerated collaboration witnessed in the wake of Covid-19 to oncology and curing cancer.

Coffee Break

The great reopening: A how-to

When Covid hit, it was hard to imagine entering stadiums for football and basketball games, packing audiences into Broadway theaters, or holding conferences. Experts who have done it will weigh in on how we can return to these activities while minimizing risks, seizing our lives back from the virus.

Speeding clinical trials in Covid-19 and beyond

The pandemic showed a need for haste and agility in conducting clinical trials. Recognizing that business as usual was insufficient, Medidata partnered with clients to implement innovative ways to plan, start, and oversee studies, as well as to collect evidence.

Searching for Alzheimer’s answers

New medicines that target clumps of amyloid in the brain are reaching the market. What data do we need to evaluate them? A discussion.

When biology meets technology

Verily, an Alphabet company, has been the site of tons of eye-catching projects. But it also seemed to lack focus. The company’s leaders take center stage to discuss the work the company has already done, and what it is doing, to change the nature of clinical trials.

How do we stop disease before it starts?

While the current healthcare model focuses on treating and curing illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, Amgen is advocating for a different approach: one aimed at predicting who is at risk and helping to prevent the impact of serious diseases.

From treatments to trending

How does one communicate the fast-moving science of a pandemic to the public? Social media, with its short messages and overheated memes, would seem an odd fit. But these experts have found themselves taking to their feeds to explain hard science.

Can Congress finally tackle drug pricing reform? – Part 2

Officials in the House and Senate have spent the fall negotiating how, exactly, to lower drug prices. A key player weighs in on the current situation.

Closing remarks

Closing from STAT