RALEIGH（North Alpha Post）—The Research Triangle region of North Carolina is set to host a highly anticipated biopharmaceutical event—the 1st Annual NC Biotech Innovation & Investment Summit (NC-BIIS 2026)—on April 24, 2026, at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park (RTP).
The summit is organized by the newly established North Carolina chapter of the Sino-American Pharmaceutical Professionals Association (SAPA-NC), part of SAPA, an organization with a 33-year history.
According to the organizers, this marks SAPA-NC’s inaugural flagship event, expected to attract hundreds of professionals from academia, industry, and investment sectors. The summit will focus on cutting-edge advancements in biomedicine and emerging investment opportunities.
This year’s theme is “Beyond Borders, Beyond Biotech Frontiers.” Against the backdrop of rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, and precision medicine, experts will explore innovation trends and collaboration opportunities shaping the next decade of the biopharmaceutical industry.
Nobel Laureate Leads a Distinguished Lineup
The one-day summit will feature over 30 prominent speakers participating in keynote talks and panel discussions, covering six key frontier topics:
- AI Drug Discovery
- Genetic Medicines and Gene Therapy
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Startups & Investment
- Global Biotech Expansion
The summit’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Gregg L. Semenza, recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Currently a professor of genetic medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Semenza was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. His work on the HIF-1 (hypoxia-inducible factor) pathway has profoundly influenced research in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and anemia.
The summit will also bring together leading scientists and industry experts, including:
- Dr. Xiaofan Wang, Distinguished Professor of Cancer Research at Duke University and Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Ms. Sheila Mikhail, Co-founder and former CEO of AskBio
- Dr. Bruce R. Donald, James B. Duke Distinguished Professor at Duke University
- Dr. Eric Otto Johnson, Chief Science Officer of RTI International
- Dr. Tony Jun Huang, William Bevan Distinguished Professor at Duke University
- Dr. Greg Wang, Professor at Duke Cancer Institute
- Dr. Xian Chen (Professor) and Dr. Pengda Liu (Associate Professor), Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at UNC-Chapel Hill
In addition, the summit will feature prominent representatives from the investment and biotech industries. Together, these speakers represent key areas including Nobel-level basic medical research, oncology, gene therapy commercialization, AI-driven life sciences, and translational medicine—offering insights that bridge scientific depth and industry foresight.
Diverse Program to Foster Collaboration
The summit will be chaired by Dr. Bin Xiao, President of SAPA-NC and Co-founder & CSO of Uni-Pioneers BioMed. Co-chairs include:
- Dr. Li Lan, Associate Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology at Duke University
- Dr. Li Qian, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill and Director of the McAllister Heart Institute
- Dr. Di Qin, Member of Duke Capital Partners
The program will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and VIP fireside chats to encourage in-depth dialogue and collaboration. A dedicated “Talent & Career Networking” session will provide students and early-career researchers with opportunities to engage directly with industry leaders.
The choice of Research Triangle Park as the venue is symbolic. Anchored by Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State University, RTP is one of the most important life sciences hubs in the United States. The region is home to over 385 biotech and life sciences companies, employing approximately 55,000 professionals.
Notably, about 7 of the world’s top 10 Contract Research Organizations (CROs)—including IQVIA, Syneos Health, Fortrea, Parexel, and Labcorp—are headquartered in North Carolina. Global clinical research firms such as ICON, Charles River, and Worldwide Clinical Trials also maintain major operations in the region.
This robust ecosystem provides a strong foundation for the summit and creates vast opportunities for collaboration among academia, industry, and capital.
Building a Southern Hub with a Global Network
Founded in 1993 in New Jersey, SAPA was established by Chinese biopharmaceutical scientists to advance life sciences, promote U.S.-China collaboration, and support professional development.
Over the past three decades, SAPA has grown to more than 10,000 members, with chapters in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Connecticut, and the Midwest.
As AI, gene therapy, and precision medicine continue to evolve rapidly, the Research Triangle is emerging as a global hub for biotech innovation. Organizers emphasize that NC-BIIS 2026 is not just an academic conference, but a comprehensive platform connecting science, entrepreneurship, capital, and talent.
The inaugural summit is expected to fill a gap in large-scale academic and investment forums within the Chinese-American biotech community in the Triangle, while further enhancing North Carolina’s global influence in life sciences.
Registration and Participation
The organizers welcome professionals from the pharmaceutical, academic, investment, media, and related sectors to register and join the SAPA-NC network.
Graduate students, college students, high school students, and experienced volunteers are also encouraged to participate.
Corporate sponsorships, institutional partnerships, and individual donations are welcomed to support the successful execution of the summit and to advance innovation in North Carolina’s life sciences sector.
The preparation of this summit has received strong support from SAPA headquarters and other chapters. Special thanks are extended to Wei Ding, Lily Li, Jack Wu, and Charles Li for their guidance and support in establishing SAPA-NC and organizing the event. The organizers also express sincere appreciation to the SAPA-NC volunteer team and core members, especially Dr. Yuelong Guo, Dr. Daniel Luo, Ms. Yapei Zhang, Dr. Lisa Li, Dr. Yanpei Hui, and Dr. Jian Ma, for their dedication and contributions.
Registration Links
- Summit Registration：
www.sapa-nc.org - Membership Registration：
www.sapa-nc.org/membership - SAPA Global Website：
www.sapaweb.org - Email:：[email protected]
- LinkedIn：SAPA-NC