On Oct. 28 - 29, the BrightEdge Converge on Cancer Summit convened nearly 200 leaders from across the cancer ecosystem, including impact investors, biotech innovators, healthcare experts, academics, and patient advocates. The event focused on fostering collaboration and driving progress in the fight against cancer. The summit addressed pressing issues and explored pioneering approaches in cancer prevention, treatment, and equitable access, working to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.
Pictured above are, left to right, Director of Innovation, BrightEdge, Farnaz Bakhshi, PhD; President and Chief Executive Officer, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Julie Louise Gerberding, MD, M.P.H.; Associate Professor of Pediatric Oncology, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator, and Scientific Founder, Foghorn Therapeutics, Cigall Kadoch, PhD; John J. and Dorothy Wilson Professor of Engineering, Director of Laboratory for Multiscale Regenerative Technologies, MIT and Co-Founder of seven companies, Sangeeta Bhatia, M.D. PhD; and Managing Director BrightEdge, Alice Pomponio.
"BrightEdge is building on the shoulders of giants. With ACS’s legacy behind us, we’re leveraging expertise, strategy, and impact investment to shape the future of cancer care. Our mission is to deliver triple-bottom-line results, driving both impact and returns that fuel the fight against cancer."
- Alice Pomponio, MPP, managing director, BrightEdge
The BrightEdge Converge on Cancer Summit underscored the need for bold, innovative funding models and collaborative approaches to address the biggest challenges in cancer care. The event's key themes addressed the complex challenges across cancer care. Panels with key industry leaders discussed:
Innovation across the cancer continuum: Embracing advancements in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and support for visionary entrepreneurs, leaders at the event examined ways to improve patient outcomes and drive impactful cancer
Advancing impact through investment and collaboration: The event raised awareness of the essential role of impact investing and strategic partnerships in advancing high-impact cancer solutions. Discussions examined how cross-sector collaboration can create measurable improvements in patient outcomes and health equity.
Pursuing equitable cancer care: Reducing disparities in cancer care remains central to BrightEdge’s mission. Summit speakers highlighted the need for accessible, patient-centered models and explored how targeted investments and innovation can address critical gaps in care.
About BrightEdge
As the innovation and impact investment arm of the American Cancer Society, BrightEdge leverages ACS’ deep expertise in cancer research, patient support, and advocacy, along with strategic partnerships and financial resources to fuel oncology-aligned investing. BrightEdge accelerates transformative cancer solutions across the continuum of care through initiatives such as the BrightEdge Entrepreneurs Program, which supports early-stage companies, equity investing through the ACS Impact Venture Fund, and the Cancer Impact Investment Framework, which aligns investments toward high-priority unmet needs.
With an announcement coinciding with the summit, the release of the BrightEdge 2023 Impact Report showcases how BrightEdge portfolio companies are developing cutting-edge therapies, diagnostics, and technology with the potential to change millions of lives. See the infographic below for more details.
For more information, please contact BrightEdgeInfo@cancer.org.
