Neva West | CEO & Co-founder
Biotech Social, Inc
Dr. Neva West has 20 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, including as a Global Medical Director at Biogen and as the owner of a medical communications and strategy firm working with many mid-size and startup pharmaceutical companies. She has worked in many therapeutic areas, spanning from rare disease to Alzheimer’s and obesity. After receiving a PhD in neuroscience, Dr. West completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Lurie Children's Hospital, where she patented novel gene therapy vectors for CNS delivery. Combining her scientific research, pharma industry, communications, and patient advocacy experience is what led her to envision how providing a novel funding mechanism for innovative science could transform how clinical research is done in the US.
Appearances:
Day 1 - World Orphan Drug Congress USA 2026 @ 15:10
Navigating the "New Normal" in Biotech: Addressing Uncertainties Around Funding, Regulatory Pathways and Partnering/Exit Strategies in a Challenging Macro Environment
In the evolving rare disease and orphan drug sector, companies face a “new normal” of constrained funding, complex regulatory pathways, and shifting partnership or exit strategies. This session explores how rare disease biotechs can navigate these uncertainties while advancing critical therapies for underserved patient populations. Experts will share practical approaches to de-risk development, engage regulators effectively, and build strategic alliances that support long-term success.
Objectives
- Examine the unique funding and regulatory challenges facing rare disease and orphan drug developers in today’s macro environment.
- Discuss strategies for efficient capital use, early regulatory engagement, and designing programs to attract partnerships or successful exits.
- Review case studies highlighting how rare disease biotechs maintain development momentum and patient impact despite market and regulatory uncertainties.
Created by
Terrapinn is proud to be a member of isla.
Working together to build sustainable events