Navigating Rapid Change: Biotechnology Innovation and Adaptation
March 3 & 4, 2026
Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa
IBSC 2026 Agenda
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 – Des Moines, Iowa
3:00 PM
3:40 PM
5:30 PM
Iowa State Capitol Tour
Iowa State Capitol, 1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319
Legislative Update
Room 308
Sponsored by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
- IowaBio's Lobbying Team
- Logan Shine & Emily Piper, Shine Strategie
- Kristin Murphy, BIO
Katie Hall, Iowa Soybean Association
VIP Dinner
Invite only
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 – Ankeny, Iowa
7:30 AM
8:30 AM
9:15 AM
9:25 AM
10:20 AM
11:10 AM
11:30 AM
12:00 PM
1:45 PM
2:45 PM
3:45 PM
4:00 PM
Networking Coffee
Smokey Row, 1530 SW Vintage Pkwy., Ankeny, IA 50023
Registration & Breakfast
FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, IA 50023
Welcome/Opening Remarks
- Jessica Hyland, IowaBio Executive Director
- Dr. Nolan Mente, Ph.D, Cargill, IowaBio Board Chair
Industry Keynote: AI Things Considered Panel
Sponsored by BrownWinick Law
- Ratul Chowdery, Iowa State University
- Matthew Smalley, Corteva
- Erin Rollenhagen, People Friendly Tech
- Reid Forgrave, Moderator
Tomorrow’s Innovators: High School Voices Shaping the Future of AI
- Alexa Groff, Iowa State University
- Connor Brehm, Des Moines Christian
- Henry Zou, Johnston High School
- Winston Fan, West High, Iowa City
Policy Keynote: Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer
Sponsored by the University of Iowa Research Foundation
Lunch and Biotech Leader of the Year Award
Award sponsored by America's Cultivation Corridor
- Billi Hunt, America's Cultivation Corridor
Biotech Showcase Pitch Competition
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
- BioConcrete – Saeed B. Nia
- Koos Medical Innovations – Maggie Koos
- Saber Chemical – Baker Kuehl
- Sauvera Health – Andrew Guillemette
- NeuraClick, Inc. – Subhi Marwari
- Element 20 – Stephen Wilson
Break Out Sessions: Part I
New Horizons for Value Added Agriculture through Aquaculture
- Katie Hall, Soy Aquaculture Alliance
- Dr. Amrit Bart, Soy Aquaculture Alliance
- Jackson Kimle, Midland Co.
- Landon Loftsgard, Golden Outdoors
OR
Pro-Farmer Solutions to Ecological Challenges
- Kaylee Williams, InnoVenture Iowa
- Adam Hammes, SGS America
- Tony Thompson, Century Farm
- Ryan Peterson, Eocene Environmental Group
Break Out Sessions: Part II
Claiming Intelligence: Patenting at the Intersection of AI and Biotech
- Zachary Pratt, Fredrikson and Byron
- Sean Solberg, Fredrikson and Byron
OR
ISU-BioMADE Partnership for a Biomanufacturing Scale Up Facility
Sponsored by Iowa State University Research Foundation
- Kevin Moore, Iowa State University
- Chad Pastor, BioMADE
- Zhiyou Wen, ISU CCUR
Biotech Showcase Award Ceremony
Reception
Thank you to our generous sponsors!
Biotech Showcase Sponsor
Iowa Biotech Leader Award Sponsor
Policy Keynote Sponsor
Industry Keynote Sponsor
VIP Dinner Sponsor
VIP Cocktail Reception Sponsor
Legislative Update Sponsor
Session Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Networking Coffee Sponsor
