TRANSLATING
DISCOVERIES
TO IMPACT
A flagship annual biotechnology summit connecting academia, industry, and investment to turn cutting-edge discoveries into scalable biomedical innovation.
09 May 2026
The Life & Mind Building
University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3EL
ABOUT THE SUMMIT
Advancing biotech from discovery to impact
Advancing biotech from discovery to impact
OxBio Summit is a flagship, annual biotechnology summit hosted by the Oxford University Biotech Society. Through cross-sector dialogue, interdisciplinary collaboration, and knowledge exchange, the summit aims to catalyze partnerships, inspire innovation, and empower the next generation of scientific entrepreneurs as they move discoveries into ventures, therapies and scalable biomedical solutions.
Cross-sector by design
Convening leaders across science, medicine, venture, and industry from across Oxford, Cambridge, London, and beyond to strengthen pathways to innovation.
Built for translation
To elevate institutional conversations around sustainable biotech innovation.
Startup showcase
Structured to spotlight emerging biotech startups, boost venture engagement and meaningful community building.
WHY ATTEND
Built around the people shaping ThE NEXT CHAPTER OF biotech
Built around the people shaping ThE NEXT CHAPTER OF biotech
Organized for students, researchers, clinicians, founders, investors, and industry leaders focused on translating science into real-world impact.
HIGHLIGHTS
Keynotes, PANELS, AND INNOVATION TRACKS
Keynotes, PANELS, AND INNOVATION TRACKS
The 2026 theme is “Translating Discoveries to Impact,” with sessions focused on institutional pathways for translation, next-generation therapeutics, venture creation, clinical translation and biotech talent.
3 Keynotes
- Building Institutional Pathways for Translation
- Engineering Next-Generation Therapeutics
- Funding the Future of Biotech
3 Expert Panels
- Turning Discoveries into Viable Therapeutics
- Building Scalable Biotech Ventures
- Biotech Career Trajectory & Talent Pathways
3 Innovation Tracks
- Redefining Therapeutic Modalities & Finding Novel Targets
- Data, AI & Platform-Driven Drug Discovery
- Clinical Translation & Trial Design
OPEN CALL
Startup Showcase
Early-stage biotech startups and spinouts are invited to apply for the summit showcase and connect with researchers, investors, talent, and ecosystem partners.
AGENDA
Saturday, 09 MAY 2026
Saturday, 09 MAY 2026
08:30 - 09:00
Registration & Networking
09:00 - 09:15
Welcome: Why translation now
09:15 - 10:00
Opening Keynote: Building Institutional Pathways for Translation
10:00 - 11:00
Panel 1: Turning Discoveries into Viable Therapeutics
11:00 - 11:15
Coffee & Networking Break
11:15 - 12:15
Panel 2: Building Scalable Biotech Ventures
12:15 - 13:30
Networking Lunch + Start-up Showcase
13:30 - 14:15
Keynote 2: Engineering Next-Generation Therapeutics
14:15 - 15:15
Therapeutics Innovation Breakout Tracks
15:15 - 15:30
Coffee & Networking Break
15:30 - 16:30
Panel 3: Biotech Career Trajectory & Talent Pathways
16:30 - 17:00
Closing Keynote: Funding the Future of Biotech
17:00 - 18:00
Drinks Reception
FEATURED
SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
...announcements ongoing
Professor Santa Ono
EIT Oxford & Global President, Ellison Institute of Technology
Craig Fox
Operating Partner – Life Sciences, Oxford Science Enterprises
Simon Warner
Head of Licensing & Ventures – Life Sciences, Oxford University Innovation
Laura A. Lane
VP Lilly Ventures (Head of Europe), Eli Lilly & Company
AI & Platform Expert
Perspective on computation and drug discovery.
Therapeutics Builder
Operator working on next-generation modalities.
Venture Operator
Perspective on scaling biotech ventures.
MODERATOR
Moderator
Guiding the day’s most important conversations.
Keynote
Keynote Speaker
Translational biotech leader.
Founder
Founder Speaker
Biotech founder driving venture creation.
INVESTOR
Investor Speaker
Early-stage investor in biotech innovation.
CLINICAL
Clinical Translation Lead
Voice on development and trial pathways.
AI & Platform
AI & Platform Expert
Perspective on computation and drug discovery.
THERAPEUTICS
Therapeutics Builder
Operator working on next-generation modalities.
VENTURE
Venture Operator
Perspective on scaling biotech ventures.
MODERATOR
Moderator
Guiding the day’s most important conversations.
PARTNER WITH US
Founding partners can shape the platform
Founding partners can shape the platform
Key Contact
David C. Michael
Chair & Organizer
David.michael@ludwig.ox.ac.uk
OxBio Summit 2026 is the inaugural edition of what will become an annual flagship event, creating an opportunity for:
- Founding partners to help define its direction and reach.
- Support the launch of a scalable annual platform for translational science and biotech innovation, anchored in Oxford and expanding across the UK and beyond.
Register or Apply
Our Team
David C. Michael
Chair & Organizer
- Second year DPhil in Clinical Medicine
- VP Institutional Relations at OUBT
- Experience in management consulting and biomedical sciences research
Zehra Azim
Academic Liaison
- First year DPhil (PhD) Pharmacology
- MSc (Oxon) Integrated Immunology
- Founder and Lead Scientist, BioAge OS
- Research experience across Oxford, Imperial College London, UCL &
translational health tech
Devon Darley
Head of Startup Showcase/Exhibition
- Fourth year Biomedical Sciences (MSc)
- Previously served as sponsorship officer for OUBT
- Led multiple student consulting projects
Rayn Lakha
Startup Showcase Manager
- First year undergraduate in Engineering Science
- Interested in algorithmic drug design and preventative healthcare
- Worked on technical projects in industry and startups
Iyiola Oladunjoye
Industry Liaison
- First year DPhil Student in Clinical
Medicine - Experience in translational science across vaccinology and global health
- 6+ years working at the interface of research, policy, and real-world health impact
Roman Lorello
Partnerships & Sponsorships
- First year undergraduate Biology student
- Leading Oxford University’s student
bioengineering team for the iGEM competition - President of undergraduates at the Ukrainian Society.
Our Partners
