DURHAM – WRAL TechWire kicks off its “Live” 2018 event schedule with a forum focusing on the rapid evolution and growth of the life science industry across North Carolina. And highlighting the program is a “fireside chat” interview with David King, chair and CEO of Burlington-based LabCorp, a growing international life science conglomerate.

David King

King will be interviewed by WRAL TechWire Editor and co-founder Rick Smith to kick off “The State of Biotech” program.

But there’s more. King also will participate in a panel discussion led by Joan Siefert Rose, the CEO of LaunchBio and former longtime CEO of the Council for Entrepreneurial Development.

Joining the discussion will be:

  • Susanna High, BlueBird Bio COO
  • Eric Linsley, BioInnovation Capital Managing General Partner

Registration is now open. Tickets are free.

Why focus on life science?

The speed of innovation in biotech is moving like never before, and the focus to move even faster, safely and accurately, is invigorating and wrought with challenges. The stakes are high. Biotech companies are not just producing treatments to improve quality of life but creating cures that save lives. The Triangle and North Carolina have emerged as havens for biotech companies both established and emerging.

WRAL TechWire Live is set for March 1 at LaunchBio’s Larger Than Life Science event at The Chesterfield Building in Durham where some of the Triangle’s power hitters step up to the plate to pitch North Carolina as a great place to grow a biotech company. We’ll explore the transformation in the industry and our region, plus what lies ahead as machine learning, AI and VR become more than gimmicks.

WRAL TechWire Live Program

  • 4:00-5:00 PM: Networking
  • 5:00-5:05 PM: Welcome
  • 5:05-5:35 PM: Fireside chat with David King, Labcorp Chairman & CEO + Rick Smith, WRAL TechWire Editor
  • 5:35-5:45 PM: Audience Q&A
  • 5:45-6:25 PM: Pitch Panel – Trends in biotech, advice for startups, funding, why NC is a growing environment for life sciences firms
    • Susanna High, BlueBird Bio COO
    • David King, LabCorp Chairman & CEO
    • Eric Linsley, BioInnovation Capital Managing General Partner
    • Moderator: Joan Siefert Rose, LaunchBio CEO
  • 6:25-6:35 PM: Audience Q&A
  • 6:35-6:40 PM: Closing