Program Extension!
Innovation and Commercialization in 2026 and Beyond
We are happy to announce that we are now adding an extra day to the program for the LES Annual Meeting in Boston on Wednesday October 22! NOTE: registration is mandatory.
2025 brought many changes. Among them, new policy initiatives at the federal level toward funding science and technology. Leaving aside the ongoing court battles and the ever-changing politics, what we have seen over the short term is likely to impact licensing professionals for the coming decade.
Join us, on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in a non-partisan, program on innovation and commercialization in 2026 and beyond. It’s free to LES 2025 Annual Meeting attendees.
The day will begin with tea/coffee and networking with fellow attendees from 8:30am-9:00am!
We are adding four panel sessions as described below:
Panel 1: Separating Myth from Reality: What is the Reality of the Federal Funding Cuts and How can You Improve Your Company’s/Client’s Success in Obtaining and Retaining Funding?
9:00am – 9:50am
KATE HUDSON
Deputy Vice President & Counsel
Association of American Universities
KIM HOLLOWAY
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation Acceleration
University of Massachusetts
Marc Oettinger
Assistant Director of Innovation Transfer University of California
BRYAN SHUY
Senior Vice President
The Conafay Group
Chris Locher
Chief Executive Officer
Versatope Therapeutics
David Powsner
(Moderator)
Shareholder
Davis, Malm D'Augostine P.C.
Panel 2: It’s Tough To Make Predictions, Especially About The Future: Prepare Your Contracts – and Yourself – For Long-Term Changes in Your Company’s/Client’s Innovation and Commercialization Strategies.
10:00am – 10:50am
LORI GLOVER
Managing Director Global Strategic Alliances
Executive Director
CSAIL initiatives Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Yogesh SHarma
Global Head, External Research Collaborations Novartis BioMedical Research
Erin Hall
Strategic Transactions Officer
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Amy Achter
VP of External Innovation and Partnership
Cytiva
Mark Thirman
(Moderator)
Global Distributed Cloud and Edge Leader
IBM
Panel 3: Thinking Outside the Box: Alternative Strategies for Keeping the Lights On in the Lab and on the Production Line
11:00am – 11:50am
Myron Kassabra
Vice President, Investments
Mass Ventures
Michelle King
IP Team Lead & Senior International Trade Specialist
US Dept. of Commerce
Pravin Chaturvedi
Co-Founder & CEO
Oceanyx Pharmaceuticals
Tom Clay
CEO
Xtalic Corporation
Erin Hall
(Moderator)
Strategic Transactions Officer
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lunch Time Panel: Discussion with University, Industry and Regulators to Find/Discuss Points of Agreement and Going-Forward Strategies for Science and Technology Research and Commercialization
Includes packed lunch box 12:00pm-1:00pm
LORI GLOVER
Managing Director
Global Strategic Alliances
Executive Director
CSAIL initiatives
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Parth Chakrabarti
Senior Director of Transactions and New Ventures
Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Executive Vice Chancellor for Innovation and Business Development
UMass Chan, Medical School
KATE HUDSON
Deputy Vice President & Counsel
Association of American Universities
Brooke Thomson
President & CEO
Associated Industries of Massachusetts
John Hallinan
(Moderator)
Chief Development Officer
Danforth Advisors
Certified Licensing Professionals Reception 6:00pm -
Held at the Back Bay Social
If you would like to attend this event free of charge, then please email Ashley Bardsley abardsley@licensingcertification.org
This event is sponsored by
REGISTRATION FEES (USD)
les annual meeting existing registrants
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Already registered for LESAM25?
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Take the opportunity now to attend for FREE whilst spaces are still available!
Become an les member & attend wednesday meeting only
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Become an LES member today and attend the Wednesday meeting for free!
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For more details on LES membership please visit www.lesi.org/membership/