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Life Sciences Innovation Summit 2024 Finalists Revealed by DoH J.P. Morgan’s Private Capital

ABU DHABI, UAE, April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ – In conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week (ADGHW), overseen by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Life Sciences Private Capital, Blue Horizon Advisors, and United AlSaqer Group have revealed the 11 finalists for the inaugural 2024 event scheduled for May 14 – 15, 2024.

These finalists, carefully chosen from a competitive pool spanning over 20 countries, encompass a diverse array of companies and research institutions dedicated to pioneering innovative therapeutic solutions. Their unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare through pioneering research aims to address prevalent diseases in the Middle East and cater to unmet patient needs.

The selected finalists for the summit are as follows:

  • Algen Biotechnologies, led by Co-Founder & CEO, Chun-Hao Huang, PhD
  • AnaCardio, with CEO Patrik Strömberg, PhD at the helm
  • Chimera Therapeutics, Co-Founder & CEO, Matthew Lorence, PhD
  • Harmonic Discovery, under the leadership of CEO Rayees Rahman, PhD
  • Lactocore, founded and led by CEO Anton Malyshev, PhD
  • Medicovestor, guided by CEO Seah Lim, PhD
  • Oncoheroes Biosciences, with Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer Cesare Spadoni, PhD
  • Paradox Immunotherapeutics, spearheaded by Co-Founder & CEO Natalie Galant, PhD
  • SaudiVax, led by CEO Mazen Hassanain, PhD
  • Ypsilon Therapeutics, founded and led by CEO Dongxing Zha, PhD
  • ZTI Biosciences, with CEO Jaden Hyungseok Chang, PhD at the helm

Stephen Squinto, PhD, Chief Investment Officer at J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration, stating: “We are delighted to join forces with the exceptional leadership of the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi, Blue Horizon Advisors, United AlSaqer Group, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, and other local stakeholders in launching our inaugural innovation summit.”

Nabil Kobeissi, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Horizon Advisors, conveyed gratitude to the distinguished scientists and business leaders attending the event in Abu Dhabi, emphasizing the significance of the growing innovation hub and the exceptional finalists selected from a pool of over 150 global applicants.

Dr. Asma Al Mannaei, Executive Director of the Research and Innovation Centre at the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), highlighted the department’s commitment to fostering innovation and transforming the regional healthcare landscape. She emphasized the importance of creating an environment conducive to groundbreaking solutions that benefit the well-being of the community and beyond.

The judging panel for the event comprises esteemed professionals, including:

  • Laurie Glimcher, MD, President and CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
  • Jorge Guzman, MD, CEO of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
  • Prof. Shahrukh Khurshid Hashmi, Director of Research at the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi
  • David Hung, MD, Founder, President, and CEO of Nuvation Bio
  • Yasmine Hayek Kobeissi, PhD, CQF, BSc., Executive Director at Blue Horizon Advisors
  • Anya Schiess, Managing Partner at J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital

Apart from the pitch competition, the summit will feature keynote addresses and networking sessions aimed at providing valuable insights and investment opportunities in the realm of life sciences innovation. For more information about the finalists and the summit, visit the event’s official page.

ADGHW, a significant government initiative by DoH scheduled for May 13th-15th, 2024, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and investment within the global healthcare and life science community.


SOURCE: The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi