New York, NY – Oct. 22, 2024 – On October 24th, 2024, 250 high school students from across New York City will participate in the second annual Life Sciences Day, organized by Life Science Cares NY in collaboration with NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). Running from 10 AM to 2 PM, the event will take place across six premier research hubs throughout the city, including Alexandria LaunchLabs, Biolabs@NYU Langone, Cure, SOSV/IndieBio, Taystee Lab Building, Innovation Triangle-West Harlem and West End Labs.

Life Sciences Day will showcase to students the diverse career opportunities within the biotech, life sciences and healthcare sector, known for its innovation of new medical tests, drugs, vaccines and medtech devices. This dynamic event will give students an inside look through interactive tours, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities with top professionals in the industry.

“It’s one thing to learn about science in a classroom, but to experience it in active research settings is next level for the students,” said Elizabeth Fassberg, Executive Director of Life Science Cares New York. “Life Sciences Day’s focus on healthcare and entrepreneurship provides real-world exposure to ideas, technologies and careers. We believe the students will come away being better informed to build meaningful life science careers, which also helps diversify the talent in this field.”

The event kicks off with opening remarks shared virtually from Cure, a healthcare innovation hub, to all six event locations at 10:15 AM. Speakers will include Seema Kumar, CEO of Cure and member of the Board of Managers of Life Science Cares New York; Pablo Legorreta, Founder and CEO of Royalty Pharma; Mark Veich, CEO of Advancium Health Network and Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of Deerfield Foundation; and Viq Pervaaz, Senior Vice President, Life Sciences and Healthcare of NYCEDC.

“Life Sciences Day is a vital initiative that not only showcases the many career opportunities in New York City’s thriving life sciences sector but also empowers the next generation of innovators in important industries like biotechnology and healthcare,” said Andrew Kimball, President and CEO of NYCEDC. “Through initiatives like Life Sciences Day, our LifeSci NYC Internship Program, Break into Biotech, our support of BioBus, and SPARC Kips Bay, we are reaffirming New York City’s global reputation as a leader in life sciences, while creating new economic opportunities, and equitable career pathways for New Yorkers.”

The companies participating in the day’s events include:

• Interactive Tours: Students will be exploring cutting-edge facilities and technologies through visits to industry-leading companies including MeiraGTx, Kallyope, Graviton Bioscience, Quorum Bio, Onco Precision, XYone Therapeutics, Humane Genomics, Deerfield Catalyst, Excelsior Sciences, Wandercraft, Lexeo Therapeutics, and Volastra Therapeutics. Students in Harlem also will visit  BioBus’ brick and mortar lab at Columbia University and the Mink Building – both in Innovation Triangle-West Harlem.
• Hands-On Experiment Workshops: Students will participate in experiments involving strawberry DNA hosted by Lime Therapeutics; liver viewing and talks with Ochre Bio; bacterial glowing at Quorum Bio; BioArt led by Karen Ingram at IndieBio; LEGO and breathing apparatus demonstrations at Deerfield Catalyst; a safety experiment using shaving cream and gloves with Safety Partners; and Thermo Fisher will get the kids excited with some of their equipment.
• Hands-On Startup Workshops: Students will learn about building life science companies and pitching ideas at IndieBio; startup finances by Baker Tilly; career paths from Kersten Small from Selah Therapeutics and Juvenescence and Andra Stevenson from Merck. Haystack Medical and Bioworkshop will discuss their journey starting from academia and moving into the startup space.
• Networking Luncheons: Students will meet  additional professionals in all fields that deal with Life Sciences at all six hubs including founders and starts ups at Harlem BioSpace and CUNY  and companies such as,Loxo at Lilly, Cellectis, Astr Partners, ZenasBio, Royalty Pharma, RSM US LLP, Evommune, Sciex, Cytiva, Beckman Coulter Life Sciences, Lexeo Therapeutics, Envisagenics, Thermo Fisher, Freshfields, Humane Genomics, XYone Therapeutics, and Onco Precision, recent 2024 NYCEDC Golden Ticket winner!

Six life science hubs in New York City are participating in the Life Sciences Day experience:

• Alexandria LaunchLabs – A leading incubator for early-stage life sciences companies at 430 East 29th St.
• Biolabs@NYU Langone – A shared lab fostering biotech startups at 180 Varick St.
• Cure – An affiliate of Deerfield Management, this healthcare innovation campus is home to startups and established companies at 345 Park Ave South.
• SOSV/IndieBio – A startup development program funding human and planetary health companies at 7 Penn Plaza.
• Taystee Lab Building, Innovation Triangle-West Harlem – A bio/tech innovation hub in West Harlem consisting of the Janus Property Company’s Factory District, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center/City College and Columbia University at 450 West 126^th St.
• West End Labs – A premier life sciences development at 125 West End Ave.

Students from 10 NYC schools will attend the event:

• Belmont Prep High School
• Cristo Rey New York High School
• Dream Charter School
• Eagle Academy for Young Men
• High School for Health Professions and Human Services
• International Baccalaureate World School
• John Dewey High School
• Thurgood Marshall Academy
• The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology
• EHTP (East Harlem Tutorial Program)

About Life Science Cares
Life Science Cares activates the financial and human capital of the life sciences industry and partners with nonprofits to disrupt the cycle of poverty and inequality in our communities. Currently operating in five industry hubs (Boston, Philadelphia, New York, San Diego and the San Francisco Bay Area), Life Science Cares builds deep and meaningful partnerships with community-based organizations providing access to basic needs, access to education and access to opportunity. Learn more at  https://lifesciencecares.org/.

About New York City Economic Development Corporation

NYCEDC is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization that works for a vibrant, inclusive, and globally competitive economy for all New Yorkers. We take a comprehensive approach, through four main strategies: strengthen confidence in NYC as a great place to do business; grow innovative sectors with a focus on equity; build neighborhoods as places to live, learn, work, and play; and deliver sustainable infrastructure for communities and the city’s future economy.

Contact:
Elizabeth Fassberg

[email protected]

646-339-4760