Biophotonics in Boston

June 9, 2014

Turning photonics technologies into beneficial products is a mission that many engineers and scientists feel strongly about.

Conard Holton

Turning photonics technologies into beneficial products is a mission that many engineers and scientists feel strongly about. Because we wholeheartedly agree, BioOptics World editor in chief Barbara Goode and I are co-chairing a new event dedicated to this goal: Strategies in Biophotonics, from September 9−11 in Boston.

The only way that photonics-related biomedical innovations can fulfill their greatest potential is if they find their way into the hands of researchers, clinicians, and patients. Until now, no event has been focused entirely on helping innovators develop and commercialize these products. We hope to spur this process by presenting a unique group of speakers and panelists from bio-related academic, corporate, government, and investor communities. In turn, they will attract an audience that also will be able to take advantage of an exhibition of photonics products and extensive networking.

We are honored to kick off the conference with a keynote by MIT Institute Professor Robert Langer, whose patents have been licensed by over 250 companies. We also have key speakers from Illumina (the first company to achieve the $1000 genome), Palomar Medical (maker of systems for cosmetic procedures), and BD Biosciences (a world leader in diagnostic and research tools) talking specifically about the integration of optics and photonics. We'll close with a presentation and panel discussion involving some of the most highly respected innovators from Mass General Hospital and UCLA, for instance, on future trends such as mobile health.

The content aims to provide "lessons learned" from these very experienced people on what has worked and what hasn't. It will offer clear information on business modeling, finance, and understanding customer needs, and guidance on dealing with intellectual property, regulation, and reimbursement. For the full agenda, please visit our website at www.strategiesinbiophotonics.com.

I am promoting this event here because I think it will be an example of a new sort of meeting that brings together people who can help one another fulfill the great potential we all see in photonics.

About the Author

Conard Holton | Editor at Large

Conard Holton has 25 years of science and technology editing and writing experience. He was formerly a staff member and consultant for government agencies such as the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the International Atomic Energy Agency, and engineering companies such as Bechtel. He joined Laser Focus World in 1997 as senior editor, becoming editor in chief of WDM Solutions, which he founded in 1999. In 2003 he joined Vision Systems Design as editor in chief, while continuing as contributing editor at Laser Focus World. Conard became editor in chief of Laser Focus World in August 2011, a role in which he served through August 2018. He then served as Editor at Large for Laser Focus World and Co-Chair of the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar from August 2018 through January 2022. He received his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania, with additional studies at the Colorado School of Mines and Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.