Upstate Medical University will host business and industry leaders, along with government and economic development officials from Syracuse and Kingston, Ontario, March 29 to hear about key collaborative opportunities between the two cities.

The conference will take place from 8:30 to 5 p.m. at the second annual Kingston-Syracuse Pathway Cross Border Conference on Health Innovation to be held at the Crown Plaza Syracuse, 701 E. Genesee St.

Sessions will include discussions on Industry and University Collaborations; Cancer Diagnosis; MedTech Innovation; Regenerative Medicine and Biomanufacturing; Workforce Development in Health Care, among others.  Additionally, five Innovation teams have been selected from applications received to participate In the 2nd Annual Kingston Syracuse Pathway (KSP) Pitch Competition.

Opening remarks at the conference will be presented by Upstate President Mantosh Dewan, MD, and Centerstate CEO President Rob Simpson.

The keynote address, “The Opportunity of the Century” will be presented by Michael Hausladen, general manager of Lotte Biologics.

Also on tap is a Fireside Chat on Health Care Needs in an Era of Shortages, featuring Upstate University Hospital CEO Robert Corona, DO, MBA; and Kingston Health Sciences Center President and CEO David R. Pichora, MD, FRSSC as well as a review of a healthcare systems cross border new drone delivery program.

“This gathering is a way to further explore cross-border collaborations in multiple areas, including economic development, research, resource-sharing and problem-solving on the important issues of the day, such as finding solutions to developing a strong health care workforce,” said Kathi Durdon, MA, CCRP, executive director of the CNY Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) and one of the conference organizers. “It’s also a way for those in attendance to hear of opportunities for university-industry collaborations.”

The cities of Kingston and Syracuse, about two hours apart, have many similarities including their size (both slightly under 150,000 population), economic development efforts and medical universities tied to their teaching hospitals.

The cities of Kingston and Syracuse are naturally connected—in proximity and through shared economic advantages and interests. Kingston, Syracuse, and their surrounding regions are both home to world-class academic and research institutions; innovation ecosystems in key market sectors, including health innovation, biotech, and advanced manufacturing; and enjoy close access to major economic hubs including Toronto, Montreal, and New York City.

The Kingston-Syracuse Pathway results from long-standing collaboration between business, government, and academic leaders from both sides of the border. By facilitating cross-border collaboration on cutting-edge research and development; unlocking new global markets for entrepreneurs, startups, ; and improving connectivity between governments, officials believe the Kingston-Syracuse Pathway will maximize the competitive advantages of Eastern Ontario and Northern and Central New York State.

The overall vision of the Kingston-Syracuse Pathway is to enhance connectivity and position the regions as collaborative leading global innovation ecosystems.

The first cross-border conference held in Kingston, Ontario last June addressed, among others, issues related to the pandemic, such as vaccines, global health, infectious diseases, health care systems in the COVID-19 aftermath.

In addition to Upstate, the conference is sponsored by Centerstate CEO, Kingston, Ontario, Canada; Kingston Health Sciences Centre; Queens University; Fulton Savings Bank; SUNY Oswego; MedTech and the CNYBAC.

Interested in registering for the conference?  Go here.

Caption: The conference includes tours of CNY Biotech Accelerator, a SUNY Upstate facility serving for-profit companies that are actively commercializing a biotech-related product or service.