ONL Therapeutics’ Lindsay Puscas to Keynote Business of Life Sciences at a2Tech360

Signature event will bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to explore the future of life sciences innovation in Michigan.

From breakthrough discoveries in university labs to life-changing therapies reaching patients, transforming scientific innovation into commercial success requires collaboration across the life sciences ecosystem. That's the focus of The Business of Life Sciences, a signature event of a2Tech360, where researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders will gather Tuesday, September 29, from 5-8 p.m. at the Kensington Hotel to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of healthcare innovation. Ann Arbor SPARK today announced that Lindsay Puscas, Vice President of Clinical Operations at ONL Therapeutics, will keynote the event.

Returning for its second year as on the a2Tech360 lineup, The Business of Life Sciences brings together the innovators driving the future of healthcare. The evening will feature a keynote presentation, expert panel discussion, company showcases, and networking, offering practical insights into funding, regulatory pathways, commercialization, and the partnerships that move groundbreaking discoveries from the lab to the marketplace.

Puscas brings more than 15 years of clinical research experience to the keynote stage. As Vice President of Clinical Operations at ONL Therapeutics, she has led the company's clinical team through four completed clinical trials and helped advance its lead therapeutic candidate, xelafaslatide, into a global Phase 2 clinical program. Prior to joining ONL Therapeutics, she managed a portfolio of more than 200 clinical studies at the University of Michigan's Kellogg Eye Center, including pioneering pediatric gene therapy trials for inherited retinal diseases.

"Michigan's life sciences ecosystem succeeds because researchers, entrepreneurs, clinicians, and industry partners are willing to work together to solve complex challenges," said Puscas. "I'm excited to share ONL Therapeutics' journey and join this conversation about how we can continue accelerating innovation and bringing new therapies to patients."

The evening will also feature the panel discussion, "From Discovery to Impact: Advancing Therapeutics in Ann Arbor's Innovation Ecosystem," with:

• Peter Toogood, University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute
• Elke Lipka, Ph.D., MBA, TSRL
• Kimberly Wicklund, Sartorius

Together, the panelists will discuss how research institutions, startups, contract research organizations, and industry partners can work together to move promising discoveries from the laboratory into commercial success.

"Life sciences innovation doesn't happen in silos - it takes a connected ecosystem," said Jennifer Olmstead, vice president of business development at Ann Arbor SPARK. "The Business of Life Sciences brings together the people making that ecosystem thrive, creating opportunities to learn from one another, forge new partnerships, and strengthen southeast Michigan's position as a global leader in health innovation."

The Business of Life Sciences is designed for researchers, founders, executives, investors, and professionals working across biotechnology, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital health, and healthcare innovation. The event also complements the MichBio Michigan Medical Device Summit, taking place the following day, giving attendees a unique opportunity to extend their networking and engage with industry leaders across two consecutive days of life sciences programming.

Tickets for The Business of Life Sciences event are $75, and registration is now open at a2Tech360.com.

Ann Arbor SPARK thanks a2Tech360 Presenting Sponsors Oracle and OpenAI, as well as Sartorius and ONL Therapeutics, for their support .