LSO IDEAS TO ACTION LIFE SCIENCES FORUM 2025
Accelerating Competitiveness: Reimagining Ontario’s Life Sciences in a Changing World
Tuesday, September 23rd
Now in its 16th year, Life Sciences Ontario’s Ideas to Action Forum returns as the premier gathering for life sciences leaders from industry, academia, and government to shape the future of Ontario’s health innovation ecosystem.
Get ready for TED-style talks, high-impact audience engagement sessions, and a political pundit panel diving into real talk behind science policy, funding, and global collaboration. With a sharp focus on Ontario’s global advantage, the future of collaboration, and navigating science in a new world order, this year’s Forum promises fresh insights and bold ideas.
From dissecting misinformation and the “attack on science,” to addressing the economic realities facing the sector, to spotlighting advanced therapeutics and biomanufacturing, Ideas to Action is where real conversations drive real change.
Whether you’re leading strategy, shaping policy, or championing innovation, this is the room you want to be in.
| Time | Session | Speakers/Details |
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast | |
| 8:30 – 8:40 AM | Welcome | |
| 8:40 – 9:00 AM | Opening Remarks | To be announced |
| 9:00 – 9:45 AM | Keynote Address – Forward Looking | Tim Caulfield Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, and Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta |
| 9:45 – 9:50 AM | Audience Polling | Interactive polling session |
| 9:50 – 10:50 AM | Debate Panel: Competing Visions for Canada’s Life Sciences | Moderator: Garret Tone, Executive Director Invest Ontario Panelists: Alison Symington, Strategic Life Sciences Consultant Parimal Nathwani, President and CEO, Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners More panelists to be announced |
| 10:50 – 10:55 AM | Final Audience Polling | |
| 10:55 – 11:15 AM | Morning Break | |
| 11:15 – 11:35 AM | TED Talk #1 | Matt Cahill, Strategic Advisor; CFO Nomic Bio |
| 11:35 – 12:05 PM | TED Talk #2 | Speaker: To be announced |
| 12:05 – 12:55 PM | Buffet Lunch | |
| 12:55 – 1:55 PM | Panel: Health System Readiness & Technology Adoption | Moderator: Christine Elliott, Partner, Fasken Panelists: Alaine Grand, VP Market Access & Strategic Customers, Johnson & Johnson Innovation Medicine Connie Cote, CEO Health Charities Coalition of Canada More panelists to be announced |
| 1:55 – 2:15 PM | Afternoon Break | |
| 2:15 – 2:35 PM | TED Talk #3 | Cate Murray, President and CEO Stem Cell Network |
| 2:35 – 2:55 PM | TED Talk #4 | Speaker: Suzanne McGurn, President and CEO, Canada Drug Agency |
| 2:55 – 3:55 PM | Panel: Political Pundits – Inside the Policy Machine | Moderator: Bill Dempster, President, 3SixtyPublic Affairs Panelists: Kim Wright, Wright Strategies Sarah Letersky, Senior Vice President, Rubicon Strategy Jason Lietaer, President, Enterprise Canada Stevie O’Brien, Senior Advisor, McMillan Vantage |
| 3:55 – 4:15 PM | Closing Remarks & Next Steps | |
| 4:15 – 6:00 PM | Networking Reception | Includes guest speaker remarks |
Date: Tuesday, September 23rd
Time: 8 A.M – 5 P.M
Venue: The Arcadian, 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower, 8th Floor, Toronto
Read last year’s Ideas to Actions Forum Report
