The Maryland Tech Council and our workforce initiative, BioHub Maryland is proud to represent the strength and innovation of Maryland’s life sciences ecosystem at the 2026 BIO International Convention in San Diego. Visit us at Booth #4407 to connect with leading companies, explore cutting-edge advancements, and discover why Maryland is where life sciences lead.
MEET THE TEAM AT BIO
- Michelle Ferrone, Chief Operating Officer
- Angela Hongmanivanh, Director of Marketing and Communications
- Alexandra Haarich, Manager, Workforce Development and Partnerships
- Stephen Ferrone, Marketing Specialist
MONDAY • JUNE 22
3:00PM: Adding Value by Extending Biologics Standard Frameworks and Tools with USP
As biologics therapeutics diversify, development teams face increasing challenges in achieving comparability, scaling processes, and ensuring consistent quality across the product lifecycle. Established standards provide a critical foundation, and there is an opportunity to build on that foundation through collaboration, new platforms, and shared scientific approaches. This session explores how working with USP is anything but standard—now offering emerging standards, reference materials, digital analytics, enhanced training, and global expertise to help accelerate development reduce operational and program risk. Attendees will gain insight into how collaborating with USP may generate new revenue streams, accelerate development, enhance regulatory predictability, and support therapeutic availability.
Brian McNally, Director, Strategic Collaborations and Stakeholder Engagement, United States Pharmacopeia (USP)
TUESDAY • JUNE 23
11:00AM: The Future of AI in the Workforce Fireside Chat
Join Seiga Ohmine, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascend Advanced Therapies, and Mike Halaiko Esq., Shareholder in the Healthcare and Privacy Practices at Baker Donelson, to discuss the Future of AI in the Workforce in a fireside chat at the Maryland Leads Pavilion. The panel will explore upcoming trends, where AI fits into the workplace, and much more.
Seiga Ohmine, Chief Commercial Officer of Ascend Advanced Therapies
Mike Halaiko, CIPP/E, Shareholder, Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
2:00PM: Visit from Secretary Coker
3:00PM: What It Takes to Move Innovation Forward: Accelerating the Journey from Science to Patients
Kellen Voss, VP of Products, TrilliumBiO
Daniella Cramp, SVP & President, BioProduction and Customer Excellence, BioProduction Group, Thermo Fisher
Moderator: Kaustabh Basu, TrilliumBiO
WEDNESDAY • JUNE 24
1:00PM: The EU Biotech Act - What's in it for you?
We’re bringing the EU Biotech Act conversation to BIO 2026! Jim Kernan, from PRONAV Clinical will be joined by Claire Skentelbery of Europa Bio, to host an information session on what Europe’s most significant life sciences policy shift in a generation means for US-based Sponsors and what to do about it now to prepare.
If you’re thinking about European expansion, clinical trial strategy, or supply chain infrastructure, this one’s for you.
Jim Kernan, CEO, PRONAV Clinical
Claire Skentelbery, Europa Bio
3:00PM: Expanding Your Company’s Footprint Outside of Maryland
Maryland’s I-270 corridor has long been a fertile launchpad for life sciences innovation, but what happens when a company outgrows its home ecosystem? In this candid fireside chat, VaLogic Bio CEO Bill Robertson sits down to unpack the strategic leap of expanding a biotech’s footprint outside of Maryland. Expanding beyond the I-270 corridor involves more than just considering square footage; it’s about recognizing when geographic diversification is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Bill will discuss key decision points that indicate a company has outgrown its local talent pool, infrastructure, or partnerships. He will also explain how to evaluate new regions while ensuring that research and development momentum is not lost.
Bill Robertson, CEO, VaLogic Bio
Chris Peterson, Managing Director, Strategy & Management Consulting, Sia/LBG
