2025 Translational Resource Center Networking Exchange
April 22 – 23, 2025 | Boston, MA
Hosted by TRC in April 2025, this event highlighted innovations at the intersection of dental, oral, and craniofacial science and regenerative medicine. Participants explored strategies for generating clinical evidence to drive patient impact through four expert panels featuring clinicians, entrepreneurs, investors, and strategic partners. Podcasts of the panel discussions are available below.
Panel 1: Best Practices for Generating Clinical Evidence that Drives Adoption
Recognizing that the clinical evidence required for regulatory approvals is necessary but not always sufficient to drive clinical adoption, experts examine what is needed, and feature insights and case studies from their innovative approaches to generating clinical evidence and advancing innovations in the dental oral cranial (DOC) and regenerative medicine (RM) fields.
Moderator: Jeanne Ambruster, BS (Translational Resource Center/ CEO, The Avenues Company)
Panelists:
- Michael Newman, DDS (Industry Consultant, Senior Associate Editor, J American Dental Association)
- Irina Dragan, DDS, DMD, MS, eMBA (Periodontist, Educator, Researcher, The Perio Studio)
- Peggy Hansen (GM Contract Development & Manufacturing, SVP Quality, Regulatory & Clinical Affairs, Regenity Biosciences)
- Carrie Hartill, MBBS (Principal, Regulatory Strategies LLC)
Panel 2: Entrepreneurs on Challenges & Pathways to Getting Clinical Studies Funded
Entrepreneurs in the DOC and RM fields share their journeys navigating the funding landscape to advance clinical studies that support regulatory approvals, drive adoption, and enable launch of successful business ventures.
Moderator: Paul Kostenuik, PhD (Translational Resource Center/ Founder & Owner, Phylon Pharma Services)
Panelists:
- Dominik Lysek, PhD (CSO, Revere Partners/ CEO, PharmaTrail)
- Bill Leimkuehler, MBA (Co-Founder & COO, Biolectrics)
- Iris Wedeking (CEO & Founder, iDentical Inc)
- Alfred Griffin, III, DMD, PhD, MMSc (CEO & Co-Founder, LightForce Orthodontics)
- Samuel Lynch, DMSc, DMD (Founder, CEO & Chairman, Lynch Regenerative Medicine)
- Connie Chang, MBA (Translational Resource Center/ COO, ONL Therapeutics)
Panel 3: Investors/ Strategics on Creative Strategies for Funding Clinical Studies to Drive Adoption
Industry experts and investors unpack real-world challenges and successes and discuss considerations that inform investment decisions.
Moderator: J. Les Burrows, BBA Marketing (General Manager, Geistlich North America)
Panelists:
- Eugene Dorff, BA (CEO & President, Solmetex)
- William Weber, BS, PhD, MBA(Director, Business Development, Geistlich Pharma)
- Bart Doedens, MD, MBA (Managing Director, DeltaGVentures)
- Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA (Managing Partner, Revere Partners)
- Bindusaran Apa, BEng (Executive Director, CareCapital Advisors)
Panel 4: Collaborative Mechanisms to Improve Funding of Clinical Studies
Building on insights from previous panels, a multidisciplinary group of experts converges to explore innovative, collaborative opportunities for funding clinical studies that will drive adoption of innovations in the DOC and/or RM fields.
Moderator: David Kohn, PhD (Translational Resource Center/ Professor, University of Michigan)
Panelists:
- Maria Ryan, DDS, PhD (EVP & Chief Clinical Officer, Colgate-Palmolive Company)
- Denise Marks, MBA, CPA (CFO, EVP, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health/CareQuest Innovation Partners)
- James Schulz (SVP, Government and Public Affairs, American Dental Association)
- Mariya Filipova, MBA (Managing Director, 4100DX)
Podcasts were created with the assistance of Google’s NotebookLM and Wondercraft based on recordings from the event.
Entrepreneur Expo
Another highlight of the event was the Entrepreneur Expo – made possible by the generous support of our sponsors, Colgate-Palmolive and vVardis – which showcased cutting-edge technologies at the intersection of dental, oral, and craniofacial research and regenerative medicine.
Click Here to View All Projects
Panelists and sponsors selected the winners in the following categories:
- Big Leap Forward – Biggest Potential Game Changer
- Capital Catch – Most Likely to Attract Investors
- Ready for the Chair – Fastest Track to Clinical Adoption
The event wrapped up with an engaging Networking Reception, offering attendees the chance to connect, exchange insights, and reflect on the day’s key takeaways.
Thank you to all attendees, speakers, panelists, moderators, Sponsors and Friends, both in person and online. We hope you found the event valuable and inspiring, and we look forward to seeing you at our future events!
Thank You 2025 TRC Networking Exchange Sponsors!
Translational Resource Center would like to thank the following companies for their generous support of the 2025 TRC Networking Exchange.
Friends of the Translational Resource Center
Translational Resource Center would like to recognize the following companies for their long-standing guidance and support which have been instrumental in the growth of the TRC.
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