Multinational pharmaceutical corporations deliver a reverse pitch of their current open innovation initiatives, and discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie in the Boston Bio Ecosystem.

Panelists:

Daniel Curran, Senior Vice President, Head of the Center for External Innovation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
The mission of Takeda’s Center for External Innovation (CEI) is to source, transact, and support innovative external ideas to create new therapeutic options to treat disease in Takeda’s therapeutic areas of interest. The responsibilities of CEI include overseeing all research and development, business development activities, strategic venture investments, academic alliances, externalization/spin-outs, and supporting merger and acquisition efforts.

Christian Schubert, Director and Head of R&D External Innovation, Servier BioInnovation

Christian joined the Servier Group as Director of Servier BioInnovation, the inaugural U.S. office of the Servier International Research Network (SIRN), aimed at identifying opportunities and potential partners globally in the Group’s five therapeutic areas. He trained in neurobiology and biochemistry at MIT and Harvard, and is an expert in health-related life science innovation. Christian has previously held positions with Biogen and Pfizer in R&D, Corporate Strategy and External Innovation. He serves as strategic advisor to multiple life science venture funds and startup companies.

Makoto Mark Ohori, Head of AIM Cambridge DRY, Astellas Pharmaceuticals
Mark was appointed Head of AIM Cambridge DRY in April 2018. From 2015-2018, He was a Visiting Scientific Director for Astellas Venture Management LLC (Menlo Park, CA), working in-residence at Potenza Therapeutics (Cambridge, MA) where he served as Co-chair of the Joint Steering Committee overseeing a strategic immuno-oncology research collaboration between the companies. Previously, Mark was an Investment Director at Astellas Venture Management, where he led investments in early-stage biotech companies and established research partnerships with both biopharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.

Moderated by: Carrie Allen, Executive Director, CIC Captains of Innovation

This event is part of Japan Life Sciences Innovation Night. Japan and Boston share a strategic relationship — this evening of networking, panel discussions pitches, and flash talks seeks to align the next generation of entrepreneurial spirit with the talent and resources needed to thrive in tomorrow’s market. To indicate your interest for headcount purposes, please visit our Eventbrite.