Life Science TN celebrates another successful LSTCON, this time with record attendance
LSTCON 2025 saw 200 participants, seven panels, several networking opportunities, a venture forum, and a rooftop reception
NASHVILLE, TN — November 19, 2025 — LSTCON, Tennessee’s only life science and biotech conference, returned to the Westin in downtown Nashville on November 18 to bring together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policy advocates from across the state. Hosted by Life Science Tennessee (LST), the goal of LSTCON is to be a catalyst for collaboration, learning, and innovation across Tennessee’s growing life science ecosystem.
“Despite the wide scope of life science innovations happening in Tennessee, from groundbreaking precision surgery technologies to life-changing gene therapies and more, we need more opportunities for local professionals to connect, collaborate, and accelerate innovation,” said Abby Trotter, Executive Director of Life Science Tennessee. “LSTCON provides exactly that: a space to bring industry stakeholders together, celebrate their achievements, and spark new opportunities for partnership and growth. We love watching everyone get together, and having more people than ever join us made this year’s LSTCON extra special.”
This year’s agenda featured an exciting lineup of panels, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, as well as the popular Venture Forum — a high-energy pitch competition for emerging Tennessee startups. Discussions spotlighted home-grown innovations, opportunities for growth in the sector, and the latest scientific and policy developments shaping the industry. Panel topics included:
- New Frontiers: Exploring How Gene Therapies Will Alter Patient Care & Delivery
- Tennessee Innovation Parks Driving Life Science R&D
- From Lab Bench to Term Sheet: De-Risking Academic Discoveries for Venture & Industry Investment
- Tennessee’s Opportunity in Radiopharmaceuticals
- Life Science Policy Outlook
- Cutting Edge: Next Generation Surgical Innovations
- Middle Tennessee Life Science Market Report
The conference culminated in the Venture Forum — a one-of-a-kind pitch competition showcasing the state’s emerging life science startups. This year’s startups included Yaya Scientific, NatureFound Biotech, Kifa Therapeutics, Miller Co., and 2025 Scipreneur Winner EndoLimb Orthoplastic Solutions, Inc. Participants presented their companies to a panel of judges, including Lana Caron, Solas BioVentures; Eller Kelliher, LaunchTN; and Chris Garabedian, Xontogeny. The venture forum was moderated by Holland & Knight’s Sara Klock
The winning pitch, which won $10,000 sponsored by Holland & Knight, was from Kifa Therapeutics’ Chris James, M.D. Kifa Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing first-in-class, orally bioavailable, mutant-selective inhibitors of the G2019S LRRK2 protein to slow or stop Parkinson’s disease progression. By targeting the genetic root cause of disease, Kifa aims to deliver a true disease-modifying therapy beyond dopaminergic symptom control. The company, a participant in the Michael J. Fox Foundation’s LITE Consortium, is advancing its lead program toward IND-enabling studies under the leadership of Dr. Chris James and scientific founder Dr. Craig Lindsley of Vanderbilt University.
Event sponsors included: Holland & Knight, Vanderbilt University, Covalent Properties, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Avantor, PhRMA, Pfizer, Bennett & Pless, and the Life Science TN Foundation.
About Life Science Tennessee
Life Science Tennessee is a statewide nonprofit that works to advance and grow Tennessee’s life science industry through advocacy, partnerships, and economic and workforce development. Its members include companies, universities, research institutions, and public agencies involved in developing life science products and services that improve health and well-being across the globe. LST serves its members by providing business and economic development support, advocacy, education, and networking opportunities.
