FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Yolanda Fintschenko
(925)784-3597
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2025 Tri-Valley Life Sciences Summit Showcases Regional Innovation, Startup Success, and Community Impact
PLEASANTON, CA – October 28, 2025 – On Wednesday, October 15, the 2025 Tri-Valley Life Sciences Summit brought together 241 entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, and business leaders at Rosewood Commons Conference Center in Pleasanton to celebrate the region’s thriving life sciences ecosystem. Hosted by Kaiser Permanente, California Life Sciences, and Kilpatrick, the summit featured a dynamic program of networking, keynote speakers, and panel discussions spotlighting the “QuantaLife connection” and the region’s startup growth.
IMAGE CAPTION: Networking at the 2025 Tri-Valley Life Sciences Summit in Pleasanton.
IMAGE CAPTION: City of Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch opens the summit with a warm welcome to the city.
Attendees enjoyed a hosted reception, a welcome from Pleasanton Mayor Jack Balch, and opening remarks from summit emcee Yolanda Fintschenko, Executive Director of i-GATE Innovation Hub. Fintschenko explained, “The Tri-Valley Life Sciences Summit is about building connections—bringing together founders, funders, and ecosystem members to catalyze innovation and strengthen our community.
California’s Investment in the Life Sciences
Derek Kirk, Senior Advisor for Economic Policy at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), offered the bright note to what has been a difficult funding outlook to life sciences founders and companies. Highlighting the state’s prioritization of biotech and life sciences, Kirk pointed to the state resources available to those in the industry, including the opportunity for direct investment from iBank.
IMAGE CAPTION: Derek Kirk, Senior Advisor for Economic Policy at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) highlights California’s investment in the life sciences industry.
Keynote & Fireside Chat
The keynote fireside chat featured Pam Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, Diablo Service Area, Kaiser Permanente, discussing the impact of life sciences tools innovations on healthcare delivery. Galley led with a very personal story describing how next-generation diagnostics and precision medicine are improving cancer treatment including a cancer therapeutic that is now successful but came too late to save her brother’s life. She shared this and other examples and insights about how these and other innovations are shaping patient outcomes and the future of care. Taking questions from the audience, she invited the founders in the audience to connect with her directly to partner more closely with Kaiser Permanente.
IMAGE CAPTION: Pamela Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager, Diablo Service Area, Kaiser Permanente, answering questions from the audience about how innovators can partner more closely with Kaiser Permanente.
Panel Discussion: The QuantaLife Connection
Moderated by Derek Kirk, the panel included Don Masquelier (Principal, Altamont Bio), Klint Rose, PhD (formerly co-Founder, CEO/CTO Purigen Biosystems), Austin So, PhD (Founder, Clarica Genomics), and Ben Hindson, PhD (Co-Founder, CSO, 10x Genomics). Panelists explored the chain reaction of innovation following the QuantaLife acquisition, the assets and culture fueling Tri-Valley’s startup ecosystem, and the evolving needs of life sciences entrepreneurs. The most unique aspect of the Tri-Valley – the unique mix of talent with the region boasting the wide variety of scientists and engineers necessary to solve hard problems and deliver truly industry-shifting innovations.
IMAGE CAPTION: Panelists and keynote speakers address the summit audience. Left to right: Derek Kirk, the panel included Austin So, PhD (Founder, Clarica Genomics), and Ben Hindson, PhD (Co-Founder, CSO, 10x Genomics), Klint Rose, PhD (formerly co-Founder, CEO/CTO Purigen Biosystems), Don Masquelier (Principal, Altamont Bio).
Sponsors & Organizers
About Our Presenting Sponsors
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.
About California Life Sciences
California Life Sciences (CLS) is the state’s most influential and impactful life sciences membership organization, advocating for the sector and its diverse innovation pipeline. For more than 30 years, CLS has served the community by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. CLS works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners to promote this vibrant sector. The organization shapes public policy, improves access to breakthrough technologies, educates lawmakers, and advances equity within the ecosystem by championing innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our times. CLS’s mission is to protect and nurture California’s life sciences industry, empowering discoveries that lead to healthier lives around the world. Visit https://www.califesciences.org/ to learn more.
About Kilpatrick
Kilpatrick is a full-service, global law firm that serves as “trusted counsel to the world’s most innovative companies.” With more than 650 attorneys in over 22 offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, the firm focuses on providing practical, business-centric solutions built on strong client relationships. As a presenting sponsor, Kilpatrick brings legal expertise and a collaborative approach to help advance the Tri-Valley’s life sciences and health innovation ecosystem. Visit https://ktslaw.com/ to learn more.
Organizers
About Startup Tri-Valley
Startup Tri-Valley is an initiative to grow and strengthen our region by helping more startups succeed. We do this by connecting founders and innovators to a tightly networked ecosystem of resources built specifically for science-based startups. The initiative is sponsored by the Tri-Valley cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and the Town of Danville and i-GATE Innovation Hub partners Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories. To learn more, visit https://startuptrivalley.org.
About i-GATE Innovation Hub
i-GATE Innovation Hub is a non-profit organization focused on increasing economic prosperity through entrepreneurship in the Tri-Valley. i-GATE provides startup incubation resources through Daybreaks Labs and connects the regional innovation ecosystem through the Startup Tri-Valley initiative. To learn more, visit https://igatehub.org.
About the City of Pleasanton
The City of Pleasanton is a vibrant community located in the Tri-Valley region of the San Francisco Bay Area and home to over 79,800 residents. Among Pleasanton’s many assets are an excellent school system, a highly educated workforce, and a diverse, innovation-driven business community of over 3,600 companies. The City of Pleasanton is proud to support economic growth in life sciences and tech innovation. To learn more, visit https://www.cityofpleasantonca.gov.
For a complete list of the organizing committee, event partners, affiliates, and sponsors, visit https://startuptrivalley.org/2025-tri-valley-life-sciences-summit
###
High-resolution images available upon request.