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Iowa Biotech

Navigating Rapid Change: Biotechnology Innovation and Adaptation

March 3 & 4, 2026

Des Moines and Ankeny, Iowa

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
  • IowaBio's Lobbying Team
    • Logan Shine & Emily Piper, Shine Strategies
    • 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
AI Student Panel
Policy Keynote: Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer
Lunch and Biotech Leader of the Year Award
  • Billi Hunt, America's Cultivation Corridor
Biotech Showcase Pitch Competition
Sponsored by Corteva Agriscience
  • Hermes Biomaterials – Connor Thorpe
  • 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
Claiming Intelligence: Patenting at the Intersection of AI and Biotech
  • Zachary Pratt, Fredrikson and Byron
  • Sean Solberg, Fredrikson and Byron

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
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

ISU-BioMADE Partnership for a Biomanufacturing Scale Up Facility
  • Kevin Moore, Iowa State University
  • Chad Pastor, BioMADE
  • Zhiyou Wen, ISU CCUR
Biotech Showcase Award Ceremony
Reception
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