A Working Format for Solving Real Challenges
The first event in our Live Lab series, bRo5 is an interactive working session built around real-world challenges in oral drug delivery. Participants engage directly with one another—sharing experiences, testing ideas, and exploring enabling technologies.
Smaller working groups
Real problem solving
Scientific collaboration
Focus on complex modalities
Kickoff Keynote
Start off the day with a bold scientific vision from Dr. Jennifer Petter, scientific founder of Arrakis Therapeutics, as she shares her groundbreaking work targeting RNA and designing truly novel oral therapies.
Setting the Stage: The Rule of 5 Debate
In a provocative conversation, we examine the history, utility, and limitations of the Rule of 5. Is it still a helpful compass—or a barrier to innovation?
Maria-Jesus Blanco, Senior Vice President, Head of Drug Discovery, Atavistik Bio
David Hepworth, VP, Head of Medicinal Chemistry, Inflammation and Immunology, Rare Diseases and Chemical Biology, Pfizer Inc
Jonathan Pachter, Chief Scientific Officer, Verastem
Lew Pennington, Head of Scientific Content, Drug Hunter
Moderator: Meg Landis, Director, Molecular Pharmaceutics, Pfizer
Roundtable of Enabling bRo5 Advanced Technologies for Development
Hear from experts on the enabling formulation and delivery technologies that help move non-traditional molecules forward. Expect real-world data on the round tablets, lipid systems, nanoparticle, RNA-Targeted Small Molecules, and emerging AI technologies that are changing the game.
Erica Schlesinger, VP Technical Development, Serán BioScience
Frank Tagliaferri, Chief Scientific Officer, Pace Life Sciences
Session Chair: Hector Guzman, Vice President, CMC Technical Operations, Newleos Therapeutics
Hands-On Session
Bring your questions—and your toughest formulation challenges—to our interactive roundtable session. Each table will feature a dedicated expert, guiding deep-dive discussions on oral bioavailability, permeability, regulatory strategy, and more. This is your chance to workshop your toughest roadblocks with the best minds in the field.
We’ll close the session by sharing key insights from each table and building a roadmap for what’s next in oral delivery innovation.
Session Chair: Padma Narayan, Vice President, CMC, New Co.
Fireside Chat: Transformation of the Boston Biotech
The Fireside Chat ignites the stage with Boston’s biotech trailblazers in a raw, no-filter conversation about what’s driving transformation right now. Expect bold perspectives, unvarnished lessons, and breakthrough ideas that challenge the status quo and spark new possibilities. This is where the energy peaks, the insights get real, and the future of drug development takes shape in front of you.
Joshua Cohen, Founder & CEO, Amylyx Pharmaceuticals
Leslie J Williams, Serial Entrepreneur, CEO and Board Member
Moderator: Hannah Baratham-Green, Life Sciences Reporter, Boston Business Journal
2025 Sponsors
