The Philly Underdog Series
The Philly Underdog Series is a Life Science Cares Philadelphia convening designed to bring together Greater Philadelphia’s life sciences community around one essential question:
How do we build an industry that creates opportunity as intentionally as it creates innovation?
Rooted in Philadelphia and grounded in our north star to disrupt poverty, this series centers the people, pathways, and structural realities that shape who gets to participate in our region’s biotech and healthcare ecosystem. Each session is intentionally intimate and storytelling-driven, connecting what we talk about in boardrooms to what people need in real life.
Across the series we will spotlight Life Science Cares’ three pillars: Basic Needs, Education, and Opportunity. Because stability is not the finish line, it is the starting point.
Series sponsorship sustains the Underdog Series as a platform for candid, human conversation and helps Life Science Cares Philadelphia expand access to opportunity across Greater Philadelphia.
We are also grateful to B+Labs for their continued support of the Underdog Series and their role in strengthening Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem.
Up Next: Session 2 | Stability Before Opportunity
Before breakthroughs reach patients. Before innovation scales. Before opportunity expands. There must be people and systems willing to carry discovery forward. Session 2 of the Philly Underdog Series explores what happens when individuals and institutions step into the gaps systems have not yet solved. Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem has long been shaped by scientists, founders, and companies translating discovery into real-world impact.
The evening opens with a filmed 20-minute fireside chat featuring:
David C. Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc
Physician-Scientist, University of Pennsylvania
Co-Founder & President, Every Cure
Co-Founder & President, Castleman Disease Collaborative Network
Author of Chasing My Cure
Dr. Fajgenbaum’s work began with a deeply personal challenge. After nearly losing his life to Castleman disease, he identified a repurposed treatment that is now saving his own life and others. That experience revealed a critical gap in the system: life-saving discoveries often exist within medicines already developed, but lack the infrastructure to bring them to patients.
Through Every Cure, he is working to unlock the full potential of existing treatments and accelerate cures for diseases that might otherwise remain overlooked.
Following the fireside, guests will join a panel discussion and curated networking with leaders across Philadelphia’s life sciences ecosystem, widening the conversation around resilience, leadership, and the role our industry can play in strengthening Philadelphia.
Registration
Complimentary registration is part of our commitment to broad industry access and peer-driven dialogue across Greater Philadelphia. Donations are encouraged to help sustain this series and expand access to opportunity throughout our region.
Ticket options include Life Sciences Professional | Complimentary and Service Provider / Supporting Partner | $100. Supporting Partner registrations directly fund Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s work to disrupt poverty through access, education, and workforce pathways such as Project Onramp.
Ticket Options
Life Sciences Professional | Complimentary
Designed for professionals working within life sciences companies, including biotech, pharma, research, and clinical organizations, as well as employees of Life Science Cares Corporate Partners and members of our Boards.
Service Provider / Supporting Partner | $100
Intended for service providers, vendors, advisory firms, and supporting partners. Paid registrations directly support Life Science Cares Philadelphia’s mission and help widen access to opportunity.
Leadership Lunches
Leadership Lunches are a separate, invitation-only convening connected to Underdog Series themes. They occur earlier in the day for a curated group of board and partner leaders.
At a Glance
- Curated room of life sciences leaders and ecosystem builders
- Filmed fireside followed by panel discussion and networking
- Hosted at CytoPHL for Session 2 in University City
- Complimentary access for life sciences professionals
Session 1 Recap: February 10 (Sold Out)
Session 1 launched the series with a sold-out room. It paired a filmed founder conversation with a candid panel on how access, talent, and opportunity shape what gets built in Greater Philadelphia and who gets to help build it.
Here’s what you missed.
Featured Fireside: Inside the Build
A live, filmed, podcast-style conversation with Philly founders actively building here, making intentional choices about workforce, culture, and community impact, and opening doors for emerging talent through real pathways into the industry. Watch the chat here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55nIiL5VFvk&feature=youtu.be
Speakers:
Lake N. Paul, PhD, CEO and Founder, BioAnalysis LLC, LSC Philadelphia Corporate Partner
Martin Lehr, Co-Founder and CEO, Context Therapeutics, LSC Philadelphia Board of Advisor and Corporate Partner
Panel Conversation
A cross-section of voices representing investing, education pathways, and early career talent, grounded in a shared question: how do we build a stronger Philly ecosystem by widening access and making opportunity real.
Panelists:
R. Carter Caldwell, Penn Medicine Co-Investment Program
Raymond John, Founder, 12 Plus
Rema Aldaraji, Project Onramp Intern, Penn State
Sharon Willis, PhD, Co-Founder, Integral Molecular
