JOIN US FOR
2025 PEDS
A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE | OCT. 8-9, 2025
Implications of Change: Bridging Innovation and Investment to Advance Pediatric Cancer Therapies in a New Era
Presented by
Implications of Change: Bridging Innovation and Investment to Advance Pediatric Cancer Therapies in a New Era
- Adapting to evolving regulatory priorities and policies to support new drug development.
- Leveraging patient and caregiver insights to enhance market positioning.
- Aligning scientific innovation with investment strategies to advance new therapies.
- Learning from biotech pioneers working to scale pediatric oncology breakthroughs.
Can't tune in live? All registered attendees will have access to recordings of the livestream.
SESSION CHAIRS
Brenda Weigel, MD
Vice President of Clinical Research Industry Engagement, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
PEDS Co-Chair
Session chair: Patient-Centered Value - Leveraging Insights to Drive Better Market Positioning in Pediatric Oncology
Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
Vice President, Clinical Development
Inovio Pharmaceuticals Inc.
PEDS Co-Chair
Session chair: Biotech Stories - Key Lessons in Scaling Pediatric Oncology Breakthroughs
Stacey Adam, PhD
Vice President, Science Partnerships, Translational Science at the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH)
Session chair: Strategic Insights - Navigating Regulatory Frameworks to Accelerate Pediatric Oncology Innovation
Sam Blackman, MD, PhD
Entrepreneur in Residence at GV; Co-Founder and Former Head of Research and Development at Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Session chair: From Research to ROI - Making the Case for Investing in Pediatric Cancer Therapies
FEATURED SPEAKERS
SPONSORED BY:
Full Agenda
PEDS Day 1 | Wednesday, Oct. 8th
OPENING REMARKS
10:00 - 10:15 AM EST
Led by: Kay Koehler, CureSearch CEO and PEDS Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
10:15 – 10:45 AM EST
Current Challenges in Pediatric Drug Development
Led by: Janet Woodcock, MD, former FDA Principal Deputy Commissioner
SESSION 1: Strategic Insights: Navigating Regulatory Frameworks to Accelerate Pediatric Oncology Innovation
Focuses on understanding evolving regulatory landscapes and how to align drug development strategies with policy changes for successful commercialization.
10:45 AM – 12:30 PM EST
Session Chair: Stacey Adam, PhD, FNIH
Presentations:
Turning Regulatory Requirements to Develop into Strength and Opportunities
Dominik Karres, MD, EMA
The Role of Patient Advocates in Accelerating Pediatric Oncology Innovation
Nicole Scobie, ACCELERATE
Pediatric Oncology Development: Aligning Regulatory, Strategic, and Policy Realities
Kevin Bugin, PhD, Amgen
BREAK FOR LUNCH
12:30 to 1:15 PM EST
SESSION 2: Patient-Centered Value: Leveraging Insights to Drive Better Market Positioning in Pediatric Oncology
Explores the role of patient and caregiver perspectives in shaping research priorities, improving outcomes, and creating a compelling case for stakeholders and investors.
1:15 - 3:15 PM EST
Session Chair: Brenda Weigel, MD, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Essential but Elusive: The Critical Need—and Persistent Barriers—for Patient-Reported Outcomes in Pediatric Clinical Trials
Sue Zupanec, MN, NP, The Hospital for Sick Children
Speak Up! The Voice of the Patient in Clinical Trials
Geoffrey Kannan, MD, PhD, Precision for Medicine
Going the Last Mile: Making Clinical Trials more Attractive for EVERYONE
Michelle McMurry-Heath, MD, PhD, BioTechquity Clinical
DAY 1 CLOSING REMARKS
3:15 to 3:30 PM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
PEDS Day 2 | Thursday, Oct. 9th
OPENING REMARKS
10:00 - 10:15 AM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD
SESSION 3: Funding Drug Development for Pediatric Cancer and Rare Diseases: Where Do Things Stand Today?
An engaging session featuring an opening presentation followed by a panel discussion with field experts, highlighting strategies to align innovation with profitability, navigate market challenges, and attract investment to advance pediatric oncology.
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM EST
Session Chair: Sam Blackman, MD, PhD, Google Ventures
Featured Panelists:Benjamin Cappiello, Rubicon FoundersJeffrey Skolnik, MD, Inovio PharmaceuticalsBrenda Weigel, MD, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
BREAK FOR LUNCH
12:15 - 1:00 PM EST
SESSION 4: Biotech Stories: Key Lessons in Scaling Pediatric Oncology Breakthroughs
Features case studies and best practices from biotech leaders who have navigated the pediatric oncology space, sharing lessons learned from both successes and setbacks in scaling breakthroughs from R&D to market.
1:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Session Chair: Jeffrey Skolnik, MD, Inovio Pharmaceuticals
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Allen, PhD, Chimerix
Davy Chiodin, PharmD, Day One Biopharmaceuticals
Iris Valtingojer, PhD, Sanofi
Anna Butturini, MD, Independent Consultant, Clinical Development and Oncology
DAY 2 CLOSING REMARKS
3:00 - 3:15 PM EST
Led by: Co-Chairs, Brenda Weigel, MD and Jeffrey Skolnik, MD