Future of Health Summit 2026

SPARC Collective: Advancing Biomedical Discovery Through Bold Investment (Invite only)

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Recognizing that many of the most transformative biomedical breakthroughs, from gene editing to mRNA vaccines, have emerged from high-risk, long-horizon research, this roundtable affirms the unique and indispensable role of philanthropic organizations in advancing bold bets in biomedical science, catalyzing paradigm-shifting discovery in areas like disease biology, therapeutics, and diagnostics at a time when traditional funding mechanisms often favor incremental progress and shorter timelines. This roundtable will bring together leaders from biomedical research institutes and private foundations to explore how bold, long-term investments can unlock breakthrough discoveries in human health, drive systems change across the health ecosystem and redefine the future of medicine. 

    Moderator

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    Ishita Das

    Director, SPARC, Philanthropy, Milken Institute

    Speakers

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    Nina Frost

    President, RARE Hope
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    Alya Michelson

    Co-founder, Michelson Philanthropies
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    Ryan Schoenfeld

    CEO, The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research