October 8, 2025

Where Innovation Meets Inspiration: Highlights from SABPA’s 23rd San Diego BioPharma Conference

By Michelle Luo, PharmD, MS

San Diego, October 4, 2025 — The SoCal Association for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Advancement (SABPA) hosted its 23rd annual San Diego BioPharma Conference, transforming the Hilton Del Mar into a vibrant crossroads of science, entrepreneurship, and visionary thinking. The full-day event brought together Nobel laureates, CEOs, investors, and next-generation innovators who are collectively shaping the future of healthcare.

A Celebration of San Diego’s Collaborative Spirit

Opening the event, Dr. Yi Liu, President of SABPA San Diego and CEO of Kumquat Biosciences, welcomed more than 500 attendees and highlighted the region’s unique blend of scientific depth and community synergy. “San Diego thrives because we share ideas freely and transform them into impact,” he said — setting the tone for a day centered on resilience, translation, and innovation.

Morning Keynotes: From Molecular Elegance to Corporate Resilience

The morning scientific session, chaired by Yinghong Gao, Venture Partner and VP of Business Development at Viva Biotech, opened with a moment of pride and celebration as SABPA proudly announced the 2025 SABPA Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. K. Barry Sharpless, W.M. Keck Professor of Chemistry at Scripps Research, one of only two scientists ever to receive two Nobel Prizes in Chemistry.

Dr. Sharpless captivated the audience with insights into the evolution of click chemistry and its extension into SuFEx (fluorosulfate) reactions, emphasizing their precision and transformative potential in covalent drug design. Drawing from collaborative research on the tuberculosis enzyme PKS13, he described fluorosulfates as “sleeping beauties” — reactive only in the presence of live proteins — opening new possibilities for selective, durable therapeutics.

SABPA also proudly presented the 2025 SABPA BioPharma Achievement Award to Dr. Kyle W. Gano, CEO of Neurocrine Biosciences, honoring his visionary leadership and enduring impact on neuroscience innovation. In his keynote, “Neurocrine – A Resilient Journey to Success,” Dr. Gano shared lessons from decades of perseverance through partnership challenges and clinical setbacks, culminating in breakthrough therapies such as Ingrezza and Crenessity. His journey exemplified the conference’s core message: resilience and purpose drive scientific progress.

The session continued with Dr. Jirong Lu, SVP and Site Head at Eli Lilly Biotechnology Discovery Center, presenting “Lilly Biotechnology Discovery,” and Tim Swaller, Executive Director at Novartis, discussing “Advancing Science and Innovation in a New California Hub.” Both highlighted how AI-enabled analytics and structure-guided design are accelerating translational science and reshaping drug discovery.

Morning Panel: Cross-Border Collaboration and the AI Revolution

Moderated by Dr. Yi Liu, the panel “Cross-Border Transaction: How China Innovation Disrupts the Ecosystem” brought together:

• Jason Brown, PhD, Chief Business Officer, Everest Medicines
• Cynthia Hong, PhD, Director, Novartis
• Kathleen Lin, PhD, Sr. Director & Site Head, Lilly Gateway Labs San Diego
• Kevin Matchett, MBA, VP, Corporate Partnerships and Portfolio Innovation, Flagship Pioneering

Speakers explored how China’s expanding biotech ecosystem and AI-driven R&D are reshaping the global innovation map.
The discussion underscored that progress in life sciences now transcends geography — built instead on data, creativity, and true collaboration.
Cross-border partnerships, shared clinical datasets, and AI-powered discovery platforms are driving a new era of co-creation, echoing SABPA’s vision as a bridge between East and West in biomedical advancement.

Lunch & Learn: Insight Over Lunch

Four concurrent sessions fueled lively discussions on biotechnology and leadership. Deloitte shared strategies for accelerating growth in life sciences; GemPharmatech showcased its world-leading mouse model platform for drug discovery; Hicomp Microtech explored FDA, NIH, and real-world adoption of organ-on-chip technologies; and InnoStar highlighted strategic CAR-T development and regulatory pathways across China and the U.S.

Afternoon Session: From San Diego Legacy to Next-Gen Leadership

The afternoon session, co-chaired by Dr. Xin Jiang (CEO, Stealth Biotech), and  Dr. David Wallace (Senior Director, Biosplice Therapeutics), showcased San Diego’s vibrant biotech leadership.
Daniel M. Bradbury (BioBrit LLC) opened with “San Diego Biotech – A 30-Year Perspective,” followed by Dr. Scott Struthers (Crinetics Pharmaceuticals) on “Crinetics: A San Diego Story of Bootstrapping a Biotech,” and Dr. David Campbell (Janux Therapeutics) with “Lessons Learned on Janux’s Journey from a Seed Funded to a Public Company.”

Their talks traced San Diego’s transformation from research outpost to biotech powerhouse, offering hard-earned lessons in leadership, persistence, and innovation under pressure. The session captured the entrepreneurial pulse of the region — where bold ideas and collaboration continue to drive world-class breakthroughs.

Afternoon Panel: Investor Outlook Signs of Renewal in a Reset Market

Moderated by Dr. Josh Schimmer, MD, Managing Director at Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., the Investor Spotlight Panel featured:

• Aiden Aceves, PhD, VP, Investments Team, Insight Partners
• Ruben Flores-Saaib, PhD, Senior Director, Business Development, Ligand Pharmaceuticals
• John Montana, Investor and Advisor, NuFund Venture Group
• Cindy Xiong, PhD, Partner, Foresite Capital

Panelists discussed market recovery, capital discipline, and data-driven investment strategies, expressing measured optimism for the year ahead. They agreed that recent funding resets have created space for leaner, more resilient startups, poised to lead the next wave of biotech innovation. San Diego’s ecosystem, they noted, continues to stand out for its scientific excellence and collaborative culture, making it a magnet for both venture and strategic investment.

Job Fair & Career Development: Empowering the Next Generation

Chaired by Dr. Tracy Yeo, Chair of SABPA’s Education and Career Development Committee, the 2025 SABPA BioPharma Job Fair was held alongside the annual conference, bringing together over 15 biotech companies with openings. The event offered attendees opportunities to network with recruiters, share resumes, and explore career paths across San Diego’s dynamic life sciences community.

Closing Reflections: Innovation with Heart

As the day concluded, Dr. Jian Liu, SABPA Executive Vice President, thanked attendees, volunteers, and sponsors for fueling the organization’s mission to connect science with society. The resounding takeaway: San Diego’s biotech ecosystem remains one of the world’s most dynamic and collaborative, powered by a shared belief that where science meets community, transformation follows.

Volunteers and Sponsors: The Heart Behind the Event

SABPA extends sincere gratitude to all volunteers and sponsors whose dedication and support made the 2025 BioPharma Conference a success. Their teamwork, generosity, and commitment ensured a seamless, inspiring experience for every participant.