Business of Biotech Brings Industry Leaders to Moffitt for a Look at What’s Next in Cancer Innovation

Image of the Moffitt SRB atrium showing all the attendees of Business of Biotech 2026

Now in its 19th year, Moffitt's Business of Biotech conference has become one of Florida's premier events for the life sciences industry.

Photo by: Chris Zuppa

The 19th annual Business of Biotech conference brought the life sciences community to Moffitt Cancer Center for a day focused on the future of cancer innovation. Biotech executives, startup founders, investors and researchers gathered to share ideas, exchange insights and explore new approaches shaping cancer research and care.

large crowd sitting in Moffitt's Ted Couch Auditorium

More than 900 people registered to attend this year's Business of Biotech conference.

The day began with the Life Sciences Keynote, presented by AbbVie. Moderated by David Piacquad, the session featured AbbVie leaders Wulff‑Erik von Borcke and Andy Souers, PhD. They discussed changes across the oncology landscape, highlighted areas of emerging innovation and examined how advances in science and technology continue to influence drug discovery.

Guest sitting on a stage for the Business of Biotech Life Sciences keynote session

From early-stage innovation to clinical impact, AbbVie Wulff‑Erik von Borcke and Andy Souers, PhD, shared their thoughts on bringing new therapies to patients.

The focus then shifted to digital innovation during the Digital Health Keynote, presented by Flare Capital. Tim Plett of JP Morgan joined Flare Capital’s Michael Greeley for a conversation on the growing role of digital health in health care. The discussion explored how technology is changing care delivery today and what it could mean for patients and providers in the future.

Flare Capital’s Michael Greeley and JP Morgan’s Tim Plett discuss how digital health innovation is reshaping care delivery today while setting the stage for a more connected, patient-centered future.

A broader view of innovation took center stage during the Bridging the Bay Areas fireside chat. Moderated by Moffitt President and CEO Patrick Hwu, MD, the session featured Saeed Amidi, founder and CEO of Plug and Play Tech Center, and Cathie Wood, founder, CEO and CIO of ARK Invest. The group discussed what it would take for Tampa Bay to grow into a leading innovation hub, including building talent, attracting investment and strengthening collaboration across sectors.

Patrick Hwu, MD, Moffitt’s president and CEO, moderates a fireside discussion uniting tech and investment leaders aPatrick Hwu, MD, Moffitt’s president and CEO, moderates a fireside discussion uniting tech around Tampa Bay’s innovation potential.

Patrick Hwu, MD, Moffitt’s president and CEO, moderates a fireside discussion uniting tech and investment leaders around Tampa Bay’s innovation potential.

Attention then turned to early‑stage innovation during Investor’s Verdict, where AccelerOnc startups delivered rapid‑fire pitches focused on digital health, artificial intelligence and data‑driven cancer care. AccelerOnc is a first‑of‑its‑kind digital venture studio launched by Moffitt that combines clinical insight, technology and capital to help advance oncology startups. The session was moderated by AccelerOnc Managing Partner Kamal Jethwani, MD, ith industry leaders offering feedback on each pitch.

One of the companies pitched during the session was ClearOnc Insights, which connects patients with Moffitt oncologists to deliver remote, evidence-based cancer guidance through employer and payer networks.

The conference closed with a session focused on targeted therapeutics and emerging radiopharmaceuticals. Moderated by Speros President Josh Carpenter, PhD, the discussion included Moffitt physician Ghassan El-Haddad, MD, and examined how targeted radionuclide therapy is advancing precision oncology and expanding treatment options for patients.

Radiopharmaceuticals are specialized medicinal compounds that use radioactive isotopes to diagnose or treat diseases, particularly in medical imaging and targeted cancer therapy.