Programmable Biology: AI, Synthetic DNA, and the Future of Therapeutic Discovery

Join an exclusive gathering of leaders across biotechnology, synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and venture capital to explore how advances in synthetic DNA, AI-enabled discovery, and next-generation biotech platforms are transforming therapeutic development and accelerating innovation across the life sciences ecosystem.
The evening will feature a moderated 60-minute panel discussion with distinguished founders, researchers, investors, and operators, followed by a networking reception designed to foster meaningful connections among innovators shaping the future of biotechnology.
Discussion topics may include AI-driven drug discovery, scalable synthetic DNA technologies, biotech infrastructure and commercialization, translational medicine, and the opportunities and challenges of building next-generation life sciences companies at the intersection of science, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Whether you're a founder, scientist, investor, operator, or emerging biotech professional, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading voices driving the future of healthcare and biotechnology.
Proudly sponsored by Bakar Bio Labs and Twist Bioscience
Meet the Speakers:
Adam Schieferecke, Ph.D., Co-founder and Head of Research at Vivere Oncotherapies. He leads the development of next-generation cancer immunotherapies using engineered viral platforms. Trained at UC Berkeley in gene therapy and synthetic biology, his work spans CRISPR-based protein engineering, viral vector design, and translational oncology, with multiple patents, high-impact publications, and NIH-supported research advancing new treatments for solid tumors.
Igor Bogorad, Ph.D., Co-founder and CEO of Angstrom Innovation. Angstrom Innovation is a Berkeley-based biotechnology startup building next-generation biofoundries that combine automation, AI, and high-throughput sequencing to accelerate biological research. A synthetic biologist and entrepreneur, he previously pioneered metabolic engineering technologies at UCLA and now focuses on making cutting-edge genomics tools faster, more accessible, and more affordable for the life sciences community.
Event Agenda:
5:30 PM-6:00 PM check-in
6:00 PM- 7 PM panel discussion
7:00 PM -8:00 PM networking session
8:00 - 8:30 PM cleanup
Meet the Host

Berkeley Pharma Tech Foundation is a nonprofit committed to expanding biotech understanding and improving access to the industry through education, mentorship, and networking. We host roundtables, speaker panels, and community events to connect aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs with industry leaders. Our goals: launch a funded research program within two years and build a state-of-the-art lab in the Bay Area within five. Follow us on LinkedIn or reach out to Vanloan Nguyen to get involved!
Meet the Sponsors
About Twist Bioscience: Twist Bioscience is a leading synthetic biology company that leverages its silicon-based DNA synthesis platform to accelerate research and innovation across biotechnology, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial applications. Its technologies enable scientists and startups to move from discovery to development more efficiently.
About Bakar Bio Labs: Bakar Bio Labs is a startup incubator located in Berkeley, CA that provides emerging life science companies with fully equipped laboratory space, shared scientific infrastructure, and entrepreneurial support to help translate breakthrough research into successful biotech ventures.