BOSTON — Massachusetts’ leadership in the global life sciences industry will take center stage at the State of Possible Conference 2026, scheduled for March 26, 2026, from 8:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.
Hosted by MassBio, the annual gathering is considered the premier event for the state’s life sciences ecosystem, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and patient advocates for a full day of discussions and networking.
This year’s theme, “Behind the Breakthrough,” will focus on the people, purpose, and collaboration driving innovation across the biopharma sector.
A centerpiece of the conference will be a high-level conversation featuring Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, alongside Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, and Christopher Viehbacher, president and CEO of Biogen. The discussion is expected to examine how Massachusetts can sustain its global leadership in life sciences amid rapid technological and economic shifts.
The conference will also spotlight cutting-edge scientific innovation, including a presentation by Anna Greka, physician-scientist at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard and professor at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, who will discuss an AI-powered drug discovery platform built on novel biological approaches.
Industry leadership and investment perspectives will be represented by speakers such as Chris Garabedian, venture portfolio manager at Perceptive Advisors and chairman and CEO of Xontogeny; Jeff Elton, vice chairman of ConcertAI; Scott Robertson, co-founder and managing partner of Dauntless Ventures; and Jigar Raythatha, partner at Third Rock Ventures, who will deliver the closing keynote.
A number of biotech CEOs will share insights from the frontlines of innovation, including Jodie Morrison, CEO of Q32 Bio; Andy Orth, CEO of City Therapeutics; Kasper Roet, founder and CEO of QurAlis; and Joanna Stanicka, CEO and co-founder of Axonis. Policy and public sector perspectives will be provided by Aaron Michlewitz, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
The program also reflects the broader ecosystem supporting life sciences innovation. Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, CEO and president of MassBio, will play a central role in the event, joined by Rosie Cunningham, executive director of Life Science Cares Boston, and Nicole DeFeudis, senior reporter at Endpoints News.
Patient and community voices will also be featured, including Kate Mogul, patient advocate, and Tamar Thompson, vice president of patient experience and insights at Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. Their perspectives will be complemented by emerging workforce voices such as Jamall Leslie, a Bioversity graduate and critical support technician at Flagship Lab Services, and Zach Stanley, executive director of Bioversity.
Additional expertise in strategy, communications, and policy will be provided by John Stanford, partner and CEO of Novel Strategies, and Melanie Whittington, managing director at the Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics. The event will be emceed by Vanessa Welch.
The day-long agenda will include keynote discussions, panel sessions, and industry award presentations, covering topics such as the state of life sciences innovation, the cost and value of new therapies, leadership challenges in biotech, and the role of artificial intelligence in drug discovery.
Massachusetts remains a global hub for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovation, supported by a dense network of research institutions, startups, and established companies. Organizers say the State of Possible Conference plays a critical role in bringing this community together to share insights, foster collaboration, and advance patient-driven innovation.
The event will conclude with a networking reception, offering attendees the opportunity to connect across sectors and explore new partnerships.
Registration is currently open, with strong interest expected from across the life sciences community.
Featured Speakers – 2026 State of Possible Conference
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Noubar Afeyan — Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Flagship Pioneering
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Rosie Cunningham — Executive Director, Life Science Cares Boston
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Nicole DeFeudis — Senior Reporter, Endpoints News
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Jeff Elton — Vice Chairman, ConcertAI
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Chris Garabedian — Venture Portfolio Manager, Perceptive Advisors; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Xontogeny
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Anna Greka — Physician-Scientist, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard; Professor, Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham
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Maura Healey — Governor, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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Jamall Leslie — Bioversity Graduate and Critical Support Technician, Flagship Lab Services
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Aaron Michlewitz — Chairman, House Committee on Ways and Means, Massachusetts House of Representatives
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Kate Mogul — Patient Advocate
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Jodie Morrison — Chief Executive Officer, Q32 Bio
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Kendalle Burlin O’Connell — Chief Executive Officer and President, MassBio
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Andy Orth — Chief Executive Officer, City Therapeutics
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Jigar Raythatha — Partner, Third Rock Ventures
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Scott Robertson — Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Dauntless Ventures
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Kasper Roet — Founder and Chief Executive Officer, QurAlis
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John Stanford — Partner and Chief Executive Officer, Novel Strategies
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Joanna Stanicka — Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Axonis
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Zach Stanley — Executive Director, Bioversity
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Tamar Thompson — Vice President, Patient Experience and Insights, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease
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Christopher Viehbacher — President and Chief Executive Officer, Biogen
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Vanessa Welch — Event Emcee
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Melanie Whittington — Managing Director, Leerink Center for Pharmacoeconomics (CPE)
