Women Leaders in Life Sciences Law

The 2nd Annual West Coast Summit for Women Leaders in Life Sciences Law is organized by American Conference Institute (ACI), part of the C5 Group of Companies. The event is part of C5 Group’s Life Sciences Global Series.

The conference brings together women leaders across life sciences law to address substantive legal, regulatory, and commercial/business issues affecting the biotech, pharmaceutical, and medical technology sectors as well as explore strategies for professional development, with an emphasis on the importance of support and mentorship. The 2026 program focuses on navigating regulatory uncertainty, financing and transactions, AI, intellectual property, global risk, and executive leadership while building a strong professional community.

The conference will take place November 10–11, 2026 at the AC Hotel San Francisco Airport/Oyster Point Waterfront, 1333 Veterans Blvd, South San Francisco, CA 94080.

The summit is designed for life sciences corporate counsel and outside counsel, including chief legal officers, general counsel, senior attorneys, compliance leaders, intellectual property professionals, commercial and business development counsel, and other legal and business executives. It is relevant to professionals at public and private companies ranging from startups to multinational organizations, as well as participants from law firms, non-profits, government agencies, and academic institutions.

The core industries represented are biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. The broader community also includes law firms and professional services supporting life sciences organizations, with past attendance including recruiting, consulting, and other advisory organizations.

The 2026 agenda covers FDA policy and enforcement trends, MFN drug pricing and the Inflation Reduction Act, biopharma deal structuring, biotech financing, creative partnerships, intellectual property, alliance management, False Claims Act risk, generative and agentic AI, AI governance, tariffs and supply chain resilience, China-related cross-border risk, and executive leadership. Professional development sessions also address career advancement, resilience, strategic influence, and the evolving role of the chief legal officer.

Attendees will gain practical approaches for managing regulatory and enforcement uncertainty, structuring transactions under pricing pressure, protecting IP and data rights, governing AI responsibly, and strengthening supply chain and cross-border risk management. They will also explore strategies for financing innovation, building durable partnerships, expanding executive influence, and positioning legal teams as strategic business partners.

The speaker faculty includes senior in-house legal and compliance leaders, chief legal officers, general counsel, intellectual property and commercial counsel, outside counsel, recruiters and consultants, industry association leaders, and members of the judiciary. The program emphasizes practical perspectives from professionals working directly across the life sciences ecosystem.

The current faculty represent organizations including Novartis, Olema Oncology, Arcellx, Neurelis, Pierre Fabre Pharmaceuticals USA, Enliven Therapeutics, Vir Biotechnology, Genentech, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Vera Therapeutics, Caribou Biosciences, Boundless Bio, and the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association. The faculty also includes representatives from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California, Ropes & Gray, Latham & Watkins, Sheppard Mullin, Akin, Mintz, Paul Hastings, Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone, and Major Lindsey & Africa.

The conference includes dedicated networking breakfasts, refreshment breaks, networking lunches, interactive reflection roundtables, and a Day One networking reception. The 2026 networking lunch also offers optional seating by company type and job function to help attendees connect with relevant peers.

Yes. Groups of 4–8 attendees from the same organization receive a 10% conference discount, while groups of 9–12 receive a 15% discount. Groups of more than 12 should call 1-888-224-2480; team members must be from the same organization or firm and register together in one transaction.

For in-person or livestream registrations, written cancellations received 11 or more days before the conference start date are eligible for either a full credit memo or a full refund. Cancellations received 0–10 days before the conference start date are not eligible for a refund; substitutions are permitted with advance notice under ACI’s current terms and conditions.

ACI has arranged a limited number of rooms at a negotiated rate at the AC Hotel San Francisco Airport/Oyster Point Waterfront. To access the conference rate, attendees should contact the hotel directly and quote “ACI / WILS West”; the guest room block cut-off date is October 2, 2026, and availability and rates cannot be guaranteed after that date or once the block is full.

CLE credit is available for this conference. ACI certifies that the activity has been approved for CLE credit by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board and the State Bar of California, and accreditation will be sought in other jurisdictions requested by registrants where continuing education requirements apply.