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5th Annual Philadelphia Life Science Symposium

SymposiumVenue
Date Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time 4:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Price Paid
Location The Quorum @ University City Science Center 3675 Market St #200, Phila, PA 19104

5th Annual Symposium for Life Science Innovation and Development brings the entire life science ecosystem together

Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem has made enormous strides forward in the last year, serving as a magnet for new resources, technologies and companies.The theme of the upcoming Philadelphia Annual Symposium for Life Science Innovation and Development — “Philadelphia Rises, Making Enormous Strides in Life Sciences” — is cause for optimism in a difficult period for the industry.

View Full Symposium Overview & Details

Philadelphia Rises: A Growing Life Sciences Ecosystem

Rise in the International Rankings
Philadelphia ranked 5th in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News’ ranking of top biotechnology clusters in the country, climbing two positions after rising in NIH and VC funding. PitchBook’s VC Ecosystem ranking of the world’s top startup cities placed Philadelphia 10 out of 100, ahead of major life science clusters in the US and internationally.
Major Public Investments

Last year, we highlighted the $30 million public investment in the Philadelphia Navy Yard that will transform 54 acres into advanced manufacturing, life science and commercial use sites.This year, Pennsylvania is launching the $125 million “Innovate in PA 2.0” program to boost its life sciences sector. The capital will be used to back early-stage startups, expand clinical trials, seed regional venture studios, and fund workforce development. The initiative was officially unveiled by Gov. Josh Shapiro at Philadelphia’s B+labs and is the largest state investment in the life sciences industry in over two decades, designed to alleviate severe capital shortages.

Major Companies Entering the Market

There has been a steady stream of new investment by large companies and foreign companies choosing to locate in Philadelphia:

Eli Lilly and Company
Announced a new Lilly Gateway Labs location at 2300 Market Street offering lab space and resources for early-stage biotech companies. This preceded their announcement of a $3.5 billion investment in the Lehigh Valley to create a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility—the largest in PA history—creating 850+ jobs.
Legend Biotech
Opened a new state-of-the-art cell therapy R&D facility at 2300 Market Street.
TerraPower
Plans a $450 million cancer treatment plant at the Bellwether District in South Philadelphia, supported by $10 million from PA state funding to create 225 full-time jobs.
CTIBIOTECH
A global leader in 3D printing of human tissues, announced the launch of its North American subsidiary in association with BioLabs for Advanced Therapeutics.
Minaris
Enhancing its GMP Cell Banking Suites in Philadelphia, expanding capabilities to better support cell and gene therapy programs from development through commercialization.

Continued Academic Innovation

Monell Chemical Senses Center
Signed a 20-year lease to expand its headquarters in One uCity Square. 150+ scientists will move into 64,000 sq ft in a facility investment valued at over $30 million. Founded in 1968, Monell is the world’s only independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated entirely to the science of taste and smell.
University of Pennsylvania
Celebrated the grand opening of the National Science Foundation Artificial Intelligence-Driven RNA BioFoundry (AIRFoundry) at One uCity Square, funded by the NSF with $18 million to accelerate RNA-based technology discovery.
ARPA-H THRIVE Program
Awarded up to $160 million to accelerate personalized genetic medicines for rare diseases, with two Philadelphia-area leaders among the recipients: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and Gemma Biotherapeutics.

We’ll dive into these topics in detail at the upcoming Symposium.

Building on the Success of Past Symposiums

Collectively, past Philadelphia Symposiums (phillybuildsbio.org) were attended by 875+ registrants, featuring 40+ speakers each year offering insights into the market.

Previous Keynotes include:

  • Kevin Mahoney (CEO, UPENN School of Medicine)
  • Jonathan A. Epstein, MD (Executive Vice Dean & CSO, Penn Medicine)
  • Michael Flaschen (SVP, Daiichi Sankyo)
  • Eric Hacherl (Head of Manufacturing, Spark Therapeutics)
  • Stephan Grupp, MD, PhD (Section Chief, Cellular Therapy and Transplant Section; Inaugural Director, Susan S and Stephen P Kelly Center for Cancer Immunotherapy; Medical Director, Cell and Gene Therapy Laboratory)
  • Jennifer Gilburg (Deputy Secretary of Technology and Entrepreneurship, PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development)
  • Rebecca L Grant, DVM (City of Phila Dept of Commerce)
  • Drew Weissman (2023 Nobel Laureate, Penn Medicine)
  • Dr. Luis Montaner (EVP, The Wistar Institute)

2026 Program Highlights

3
Keynotes
5
Panel Discussions
4
Networking Breaks (3.25 hrs)
Incubator Innovation Hall
Meet incubators from the Greater Philly Metro Region (Philadelphia, Southern NJ, and Delaware) and representatives from their portfolio companies.
Global Reach
The program will be Closed Live Streamed Nationally and to London, sharing local success stories with a national and international audience!

Connecting the Full Life Sciences Ecosystem

Steering Committee

A Steering Committee composed of prominent individuals from Philadelphia’s academic, life science, government, association, and real estate development sectors oversees the Symposium.View Steering Committee →

Audience Profile

Appealing to scientists, academic leaders, investors, VCs, CEOs, community leaders, developers, brokers, architects, and engineering partners across the full scope of our engaged ecosystem.View 325+ Constituent Groups List →Philadelphia Rises — bringing together the companies, researchers, investors, institutions, and innovators driving the region’s next era of life sciences growth.

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