DIA's LIFT Series Brings Startup Pitch Competitions, Innovation Programming to Global Annual Meeting

Founders to connect with biopharma decision-makers to gain support, insight

WASHINGTON, April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DIA, a global non-profit organization of life sciences professionals, is bringing the LIFT Series — a platform designed to connect biotech and clintech startups with investors and industry leaders — to its Global Annual Meeting in Philadelphia from June 14-18.

The LIFT Series, short for Linking Innovation, Funding, and Translation, guides founders through fundraising, clinical research, regulatory strategy, and market entry. Dedicated programming on June 16-17 will facilitate access to cross-disciplinary expertise that is difficult to find in one place.

The centerpiece is the Whale Tank, where startups pitch their innovations to potential customers and investors. Past participants have used judges' validations and critiques to refine their value proposition and land follow-up meetings. A cash award for winners and other prizes will be awarded to participants. The next application deadline for startups is April 10.

Among the judges are:

• Bob Tepper, Co-Founder and Partner at Third Rock Ventures and former President of R&D at Millennium Pharmaceuticals
• Dr. Raju Kucherlapati, the Paul C. Cabot Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School who played a central role in the Human Genome Project
• Dr. Ron DePinho, a Professor in the Department of Cancer Biology and former President of the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Dr. Peter Marks, the Senior Vice President for Molecule Discovery and Head of Infectious Diseases at Lilly, and a former Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research

Representatives from Eli Lilly, AbbVie, Flagship Pioneering, GSK, Massachusetts General Hospital, Moderna, Modi Ventures, Novartis, Third Rock Ventures, and other organizations will also serve as judges.

"The LIFT Series will bring every side of the conversation into one room and give emerging companies a direct line to the expertise, funding, and insight needed to turn promising science into improved patient outcomes," said Marwan Fathallah, DIA's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Other LIFT Series programming will cover how biopharmaceutical companies make purchasing decisions, the newest global partnership models, and investors' perspectives, plus pitching workshops and roundtables for startups with industry leaders.

DIA 2026 has been reimagined and reinforced, with daily plenaries, curated oncology and obesity programming, and a DIA Celebrate networking event and Global Inspire Awards at the National Constitution Center joining 150-plus sessions on 10 content tracks and DIA's can't-miss global regulatory town halls.

More than 4,000 professionals are expected. With FIFA World Cup matches and America 250 celebrations in Philadelphia this summer, attendees are encouraged to book accommodations early through DIA and save. Registration costs increase after May 14. Media members can email [email protected] for credentials.

About DIA

DIA is a leading global non-profit life science membership association that drives collaboration in drug, device, and diagnostics development in pursuit of a healthier world. Founded in 1964 with headquarters in Washington, D.C., and offices in Europe and Asia, DIA provides unparalleled networking opportunities, educational resources, scientific research publications, and professional development programs to members in more than 80 countries.

Learn more at DIAglobal.org and connect with DIA on X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

SOURCE Drug Information Association