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Speakers and Panels
Presentation of the Icon And Influencer Award, Followed by Fireside Chat with Healthpeak Properties
Recognizing Healthpeak Properties' CEO, Scott Brinker for his lasting impact on life sciences real estate, and a candid conversation on where the sector goes from here
Scott Brinker
President & CEO
Healthpeak Properties
Denis Sullivan
Managing Director, Life Science San Diego Market Lead
Healthpeak Properties
The Great Lab Shakeout
Leasing Trends, Vacancy Pressure & Navigating The New Occupier Landscape
Sarah Kutner
Director, Real Estate
AstraZeneca
Jonathan Lange
Founder & Managing Partner
Red Pill Real Estate
Alicia Hinds
COO
Alloy Properties
Martin Togni
Partner
Allen Matkins
Developing & Designing the Future of Science: Flexible High-Performance Facilities
Repositioning Adaptable Lab, R&D, Biomanufacturing & Innovation Facilities for Evolving Scientific, Operational & Sustainability Demands
Joanna Giorgio Hilvert
VP, Environmental, Sustainability & Integration
BioMed Realty
Katie Sheehan
Director, Sustainability
Breakthrough Properties
Doug Allen
Regional Manager
Hathaway Dinwiddie
Stephen Blair
Principal, Science & Technology Practice Director
CannonDesign
Robert Fagnant
Associate Partner
Syska Hennessy Group
Brandon Fortier
Director, Science & Technology
IMEG
Funding the Future of Science
Venture Capital, Strategic Investment & Capital Behind Biotech Growth
Douglas Crawford
Managing Director, Mission Bay Capital
Managing Partner, Mission BioCapital & GM, MBC Biolabs
Peter Conte
National Director - Lab + Life Sciences
Transwestern
Darek DeFreece
Founder
Bancroft Way Captial
Tyler Morris
Director, Funding & Partnering
Biocom
Julio de Unamuno IV
Managing Partner
San Diego Venture Capital
Building Global Life Sciences Ecosystems
Academic Institutions, Innovation Districts and Public-Private Partnerships Driving Industry Growth
Maggie O'Toole
President & CEO
LabCentral
Afshin Safavi
CEO
Colorado Health & Tech Centers
Jon Needham
SVP, Asset Management
The Davis Companies
Danny Chavez
VP
Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
Joseph Marshall
Principal, Science + Technology
HGA
From Concept to Commercialization: Helping Life Sciences Companies Scale
Incubators, Accelerators & Emerging Biotech Companies Building The Next Generation of Life Sciences Tenants
Lou Kassa
CEO
Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center, Blumberg Institute, Hepatitis B Foundation, HatchBio VC Fund
James Zanewicz
CEO
Connect
Dr. Abubakar Jalloh
Site Director
Biolabs
Tiffany Granacki
Vice President of Commercial Operations
Mispro
Beyond the Lab Bench
Modernizing, Optimizing & Maximizing Life Sciences Real Estate & Infrastructure for Long-Term Performance
J. Steven Price
Founder
Price Real Estate
Razmig Boladian
Managing Partner
Rubicon Point Partners
Ransom Hamrick
Principal
Buro Happold
Jarrod Wrampe
Market Executive
Mortenson
John Groth
Chief Revenue Officer
AES Cleanroom Technology
Kurt Lindorfer
Founding Principal
PARADIGM Structural Engineers
Remarks from the podium
Sangeeta Ranade
Sr. VP
ERock
Lisa Manning
VP, Business Development
FlagShip Lab Services
Two Day International Life Sciences Real Estate Conference in San Diego
What You’ll Learn at the 2026 International Life Sciences & Biotech Conference:
Lab real estate is in a hard spot, and there's no point pretending otherwise. Nationwide vacancy hit 23.2% in Q1. Asking rents have declined for five straight quarters, now sitting at $67 per SF. More than half of the 60M SF of lab space delivered between 2020 and 2025 still sits empty, and the 2025 vintage is 73.4% vacant. The strange part is that biotech itself is moving. Hiring has grown for five months running. Venture capital pulled in $7.5B in Q1, roughly $800M higher year-over-year. M&A volume more than doubled in 2025 and the XBI is at its highest point since mid-2021. That gap is why this event matters.
Bisnow’s International Life Sciences & Biotech Conference returns to San Diego in September 2026: the definitive forum where biotech innovation meets real estate strategy. This two-day international conference will gather top biotech executives, developers, investors, researchers and policymakers for two days of insight, dealmaking, and networking at the intersection of life sciences innovation and commercial real estate. The conversations on stage and in the hallways will be honest ones about what’s actually moving deals, where capital is willing to go, how to reposition assets that aren’t working, what tenants are demanding. Whether you're financing the next generation of biotech startups, designing advanced research facilities, or building innovation districts around the world, this conference will give you the market intelligence and relationships to act with confidence.
Key Discussions Include:
Where Biotech Capital is Flowing, And Where It's Not: M&A activity surged in 2025 and VC is re-engaging, but investors remain highly selective. Hear from leading investors, developers and operators on what today's capital environment means for funding strategies, deal structures, clinical milestones, and where the next wave of life sciences growth is emerging.
The Leasing Landscape: Tenant renewals are at record highs as occupiers avoid long-term commitments, while new demand continues to concentrate in premier space in core clusters. Brokers, landlords, and occupiers will unpack what it actually takes to win and retain tenants in today's highly competitive leasing environment.
The Academic Advantage: Universities as Innovation Engines: Universities remain at the center of life sciences innovation, driving groundbreaking research, startup creation, and talent development. Discover how academic institutions are accelerating commercialization, strengthening regional ecosystems, and shaping the future of biotech growth.
Incubators, Accelerators & The Next Generation of Lab Tenants: As capital remains constrained, incubators, venture studios, and early-stage ecosystems are supporting biotech startups. Discover how these platforms are nurturing innovation, and what developers and investors should know about supporting emerging tenants.
Intelligent Labs & The Next Wave of Biotech Innovation: AI-driven drug discovery, robotics and automation are changing how research actually gets done, and the buildings have to keep up. Learn how these technologies are reshaping lab infrastructure, workflows, and facility design.
Repositioning Underperforming Life Sciences Assets: Since 2023, 34 lab buildings have been delivered without a single tenant signed, and owners are converting space for alternate uses. Leaders explore strategies for lab conversions, repositioning office properties, upgrading infrastructure, and attracting tenants in a more selective leasing environment.
Designing the Spaces that Science Demands: From flexible R&D labs to biomanufacturing facilities, today's life sciences users require highly specialized space. Industry leaders discuss design strategies that support evolving research demands and long-term adaptability.
Decarbonizing the High-Energy Lab: Laboratories are among the most energy-intensive building types in commercial real estate. Learn how developers, operators, and tenants are balancing ambitious sustainability goals with the operational needs of cutting-edge research.
Building Innovation Districts that Compete Globally: Mixed-use developments and innovation districts are attracting talent, fostering collaboration, and creating vibrant ecosystems. Gain insights into the strategies, partnerships and placemaking initiatives required to build thriving ecosystems that can compete on a global stage.
Gain Exclusive Access To:
Insightful panel discussions featuring leading developers, biotech executives, investors, and policymakers.
Engaging keynote presentations and roundtable discussions on pressing topics impacting biotech and real estate.
Curated networking sessions connecting innovators, investors and decision-makers.
Evening cocktail receptions to foster meaningful connections and building lasting relationships.
Want to get a feel for content? Check out our past "ILS" events:
A Snapshot of Some Companies That Attended Last Year:
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., Alchemy Bio, Affinius Capital, Alloy Properties, Attovia Therapeutics, Awaken Capital, Bachem, Bakar Labs, Biocom, BioMed Realty, Biomiga, Breakthrough Properties, CARGO Therapeutics, ClearPoint Neuro, CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, Diapeutic, Debut, Embark, Endeavor Biomedicines, Exact Sciences, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, Genentech, Genomatica, Gensler, Gilead Sciences, Halozyme, Healthpeak Properties, Histologics, Illumina, IQHQ, JLL, Johnson & Johnson, Kilroy Realty, King Street Properties, Kite Pharma, Latitude Pharma, Longfellow Real Estate Partners, Luminous Capital Management, Maverix Medical, MiraCosta Biomanufacturing, Mapp Biopharmaceutical, Morgan Stanley Investment Management, Neurocrine Biosciences, Noblespace, Oterus Biosystems, Oxford Properties Group, Phase 3 Real Estate Partners, Poseida Therapeutics, Qima Life Sciences, Roche, Sino Biopharmaceutical, SteelWave, Stealth Mode, Sterling Bay, Telix Pharmaceuticals, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Trammell Crow Company, Transwestern, Ventyx Biosciences, Wexford Science + Technology, Wacker, Xcellerant Ventures ----- and hundreds more!
Relevant News:
The $70B Quantum Boom Is Building A New Real Estate Sector (7.20.26)
Vacancy Has Peaked For Life Sciences. The Good News Ends There (6.23.26)
Putting Health And Tech Under One Roof Could Bring Denver Innovation To The Next Level, Experts Say (6.22.26)
Lab Rents Down 20% In Boston, But A Deeper Reset May Be Needed To Revive Market (6.11.26)
Cambridge Does Heavy Lifting As Golden Triangle Takeup 35% Above 5-Year Average (5.13.26)
Tenants Gain Even More Power In Bay Area Lab Market (5.3.36)
Biotech's Outlook Brightens, But Lab Landlords Face Deepening Vacancies, Falling Rents (4.21.26)
For questions, recommendations, comments or press inquiries please email our event producer, Samantha D'Angelo at samantha.dangelo@bisnow.com.
For speaker or sponsorship interest, please email our VP of West Coast, Stephanie Smith at stephanie.smith@bisnow.com.
To request disability-related accommodations, please contact thea.parkert@bisnow.com no later than 10 business days prior to the event.
Venue
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
One Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92101
Ballroom: 4th floor - Sapphire Ballroom
Parking: Self-parking $45 & Valet parking $65
After you book your conference ticket, take advantage of Bisnow’s preferred rates at Hilton San Diego Bayfront. You can book directly here. Please note, we only have a specified number of rooms allotted at the discount and they are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Other Suggested Hotel Accommodations Include:
Marriott Residence Inn San Diego Downtown / Gaslamp Quarter
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter
Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina
Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego
Agenda
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
|
Tuesday September 1, 2026
|
|
|
3:00 PM
4:00 PM
|
Check in, Badge Pick Up & Networking
|
|
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
|
Icon & Influencer Award Presentation & Fireside Chat
Bisnow presents the Life Sciences Icon and Influencer Award to Scott Brinker, CEO, Healthpeak Properties, Inc. |
|
4:30 PM
5:30 PM
|
Welcome Reception
Drinks, Appetizers & Structured Networking |
|
Wednesday September 2, 2026
|
|
|
9:00 AM
10:00 AM
|
Breakfast & Networking
|
|
10:00 AM
10:45 AM
|
Building Global Life Sciences Ecosystems
Academic Institutions, Innovation Districts and Public-Private Partnerships Driving Industry Growth |
|
10:45 AM
11:00 AM
|
Quick Break
|
|
11:00 AM
11:45 AM
|
Funding the Future of Science
Venture Capital, Strategic Investment & Capital Behind Biotech Growth |
|
11:45 AM
12:30 PM
|
From Concept to Commercialization: Helping Life Sciences Companies Scale
Incubators, Accelerators & Emerging Biotech Companies Building The Next Generation of Life Sciences Tenants |
|
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
|
Lunch & Networking
|
|
1:30 PM
2:15 PM
|
The Great Lab Shakeout
Leasing Trends, Vacancy Pressure & Navigating The New Occupier Landscape |
|
2:15 PM
2:30 PM
|
Quick Break
|
|
2:30 PM
3:15 PM
|
Beyond the Lab Bench
Modernizing, Optimizing & Maximizing Life Sciences Real Estate & Infrastructure for Long-Term Performance |
|
3:15 PM
4:00 PM
|
Developing & Designing the Future of Science: Flexible High-Performance Facilities
Repositioning Adaptable Lab, R&D, Biomanufacturing & Innovation Facilities for Evolving Scientific, Operational & Sustainability Demands |
|
4:00 PM
5:00 PM
|
Cocktail & Networking
|
Tickets
Limited Availability
$485.00 /ticket
Reserve your seat before the next increase.
What You Get:
- Access to expert panel discussions featuring leading CRE developers, biotech executives, investors and policymakers.
- Targeted networking sessions designed to connect industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers.
- Keynote presentations and roundtable discussions on the most pressing topics impacting biotech and real estate.
- Evening cocktail receptions to foster meaningful connections and partnerships.
- Breakfast, lunch, snacks and beverages throughout the two-day event.
PS - Want the attendee list for free?
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