BioAgenda is a compelling mix of science reality and science possibility driven by dialogue among those at the heart of the emerging breakthroughs reshaping the life sciences and the world ahead. The spirited panel discussions and private exchanges were never dull. When a group as distinguished as this spends several days together, it is hard to leave without new ideas, insights and plans.

Dr. Gregory Stock, President
Signum Biosciences
Director, Program of Medicine
UCLA School of Medicine

The 2004 Summit’s unique blend of science, policy, ethics and the arts created an environment which stimulated a one-of-a-kind dialogue, unlike any I have ever experienced in two decades of attending biotechnology conferences…

Steven H. Holtzman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Infinity Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Looking back to BioAgenda 2004 Summit I found that in its array of relevant topics, the expertise of the speakers, and the interaction of such a knowledgeable audience it was an invaluable few days that enriched by understanding of key issues affecting the healthcare industry and especially the bio pharmaceutical industry in its largest context. Also, there was an excursion of exploration of cutting-edge technologies and ideas that was fascinating. A richly rewarding summit. Bravo.

Frederick Frank
Vice Chairman
Lehman Brothers

I have a clear distinction about where society’s responsibility is and where that of the scientist is. And I can’t abide by society saying, “We’re afraid of what it might open the door to.” On the other hand, once discoveries are made, their practical application does affect everybody and that is a legitimate place where society has a role in deciding. Scientists can explain the science, but we are not going to dictate it.  But on the other hand, we insist on the freedom to explore.

Paul Berg, PhD, speaking at the BioAgenda 2004 Summit
Professor Emeritus, Stanford University
Nobel Laureate

We were talking about entrepreneurship and a lot of that is about leadership and about taking risks and about getting out there, innovating and providing a real service to this industry… I think we all need to recognize what David Ewing Duncan is doing. One of the things that came up yesterday as a topic is the need for scientists to play a greater role in educating the public, policy makers, politicians, people who can do good and do harm to this industry by their actions… And David Ewing Duncan, he’s really trying to do this in a genuine, authentic, sincere and thoughtful way… I just hope he keeps at it, doesn’t become fatigued and keeps going on. 

Brook Byers, at the BioAgenda 2004 Summit, December 7, 2004
Partner
Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

If the 21st century is to be the century of biology, we desperately need more interdisciplinary conversations that bring together leading thinkers and practitioners in science, business, policy and ethics. BioAgenda is playing a key role in building this community.

Tom Kalil
Assistant to Chancellor, Science & Technology
UC Berkeley
Former Science Advisor to President Bill Clinton

I don't really like going to conferences, but BioAgenda is a huge exception -- invigorating, smart, newsy, controversial and consequential. I left full of info I couldn't have gotten anywhere else (not to mention a few choice story ideas).

Stephen Petranek
Editor-in-Chief
Discover Magazine

I applaud your efforts to continue providing a venue for great minds and ideas, as well as airing the more down-to-earth issues that face the future of science in America. I was impressed by the fertile mix of people: scientists, educators, thinker and doers, brought together for a rare “cross-fertilization” of ideas and energy.  It was a rare opportunity to interact, learn and be inspired.

Idelle Datlof
Founder
Stem Cell Action Network

I'm anxious about whether the public policy issues are going to be dealt with, but I'm enormously exhilarated about the scientific opportunity. One of the mottos that I have on my wall, which might very well be a motto for this meeting, is James Russell Lowell's exhortation, ‘Not failure but low aim is a crime.' So let's aim high and see where we can go with this exciting area of research at this remarkable moment in history.

Francis Collins, MD, PhD, speaking at the BioAgenda 2004 Summit
Director, National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health

I came to the meeting feeling like it would be like another typical biotechnology conference, but I was amazed at how much more engaging and stimulating it turned out to be. I think the key was the relatively small, but hugely important collection of people it attracted.

Ted W. Love, MD
Chief Executive Officer
Nuvelo, Inc.

It sometimes seems that there are as many biotech conferences as there are baseball teams in the major leagues, but just like the tremendous surge of enthusiasm that is accompanying the rebirth of baseball in Washington, the first BioAgenda meeting reminded us how exciting it can be to share visionary ideas with a deeply smart and motivated group of industry leaders and observers in a great venue. BioAgenda's second season promises to build on that excitement. Let's play ball!

Alex Barkas
Managing Partner
Prospect Ventures Partners

Advances in biology are likely to drive significant societal changes during the 21st century. It is vital that we have both well-educated leaders and a well-educated public to help shape these changes. The BioAgenda effort is a great start in this direction.

Charles Cantor
Co-Founder & CSO
Sequenom

Science stands at the edge of breath-taking discoveries that will touch, and irrevocably change, the life of every individual on the planet. There can be no doubt that these changes are coming, but how they affect us depends on how we integrate them into our view of our world and of ourselves. BioAgenda brings together an unprecedented mix of scientists, theologians, entrepreneurs, and artists to discuss these issues and begin to bring them into equilibrium with our society, its need, and its fears. As our political leaders shrink away from doing anything about these inevitable changes, BioAgenda provides leadership right when it’s needed most.

Floyd Romesberg, PhD
Assistant Professor
The Scripps Research Institute

From Galileo to genomics, BioAgenda led participants through the minefields of scientific innovation and the policy that does or doesn’t govern it, stimulating lively and thoughtful exchanges.

Cynthia Schneider, PhD
Director, Life Sciences and Society
Georgetown University
Former UN Ambassador to the Netherlands

The BioAgenda Summit was an invigorating intellectual sparing with some of the best minds in the biotech industry. For those who want to understand the issues that confront our industry, there are few forums that cover the field as well as BioAgenda.

Anthony J. Russo, PhD
Chief Executive Officer
Euro RSCG Life PR and Noonan Russo

I thought that the 2004 BioAgenda meeting was extremely informative and valuable. The participants had diversity of interests and expertise, but they had in common a desire to share, to learn, and to improve the quality of human health. I learned a lot, and enjoyed talking to old and new acquaintances about many aspects of science, biotech, and science policy. BioAgenda promises to fill an important need for deeper, richer communication between scientists and the public.

Cynthia Kenyon, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics
UC San Francisco

BioAgenda 2004 pioneered a new forum that allows for a broader perspective on the issues facing our industry and the many areas where it will have a growing impact.

Jean-François Formela, MD
Senior Partner
Atlas Venture

The summit brought together leaders in science and business to work on bridging the gap between innovation and translation. It was an intellectually stimulating environment and BioAgenda’s efforts are certainly a critical component that will lead the needed changes in translation of innovation to better jobs, increased standard of living and hopefully improved quality of life.

Jennifer Elisseeff, PhD
Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins University

I enjoyed the conference immensely - the sessions were fun and stimulating - the speakers very interesting and enjoyable. As a scientist and entrepreneur involved in this industry, I was interested in some of the consensus vision for the future we are all building. The conference from that standpoint was excellent- providing the "food for thought" that is needed to think out of the box. My company provides the platform technology for this future and finding ways to effectively position myself into the right segments is a key challenge - It was great to hear from leading scientists and venture people about the trends and implementation for the future.

Peter J Coassin
President
Aurora Discovery

Having attended the Agenda conference for many years when I was running technology companies, I was delighted to see that BioAgenda, after only its first year, is on track to become the same type of leadership event for biotech—one where the “agenda-setters” for the industry meet in a context of stimulating science and provocative business presentations to discuss the most critical issues and advance the most promising solutions.  

Ken Haas
Abingworth Management

BioAgenda brings together some of the world's leading thinkers and innovators in science to investigate the critical issues and policies to the industry. Foremost is Information-based medicine – the ability to screen, diagnose and treat patients as unique individuals, that will give physicians better ways to manage information about individuals and entire populations. By integrating information such as a person’s genetic profile, doctors will be able to diagnose more accurately, more often, and to make more consistently effective treatment decisions."

Caroline Kovac
General Manager
IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences

I attended BioAgenda with two colleagues from the American Cancer Society. Our hope was to get information and perspective about emerging issues in life science. Our hopes were more than realized. We found BioAgenda informative, provocative, intellectually stimulating. Our assessment of BioAgenda was unanimous: most worthwhile.

David Collin, MPH
Director of Organizational Learning
Associate, Futuring and Innovation Center

The 2004 summit provided an intellectually rich and thought-provoking Environment completely unique compared to the majority of narrowly focused industry conferences. It would be impossible to walk away from it, not feeling enriched by the experience.

Victor Kleinman
Managing Director, Life Sciences Division
Soloman-Page Group

BioAgenda is a terrific, right-sized conference at which leaders in the life sciences industry meet and think about, and discuss on a personal level, the fundamental issues affecting the industry today and in the future. It is an intimate gathering of people who really care about the industry, and the attendees come away from the conference having really thought about, and learned about, the issues, rather than just hearing a series of "talking heads" on panels as is the case with so many other conferences. It is will worth the time to attend.

Bruce W. Jenett, JD
Heller Ehrman LLP

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