Game changers: Cures for 21st century biological threats

  • Fri, April 10, 2026 • 9:00 am ET
  • 333 E Stadium Blvd
  • Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104

This meeting of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council explores biological threats and efforts to develop the tools required to address future events.

On Friday, April 10, at 9:00 a.m. ET, the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council will host its latest meeting, examining how biodefense technology innovators are achieving success and taking on challenges in an ever-changing threat environment.

Biotechnology has accelerated at a rapid pace, driven in part by federal investment and policy. Advances in biological sciences create new opportunities for addressing biological events, and the public and private sectors at all levels have a role to play in bolstering these efforts. This meeting of the commission will discuss the biological threat to food and agriculture, and the international perspective on the threat. The discussions will also touch upon the state of biotechnology innovation and federal regulation, research, and development activities.

New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival, and no on-site registration will be permitted.

Please complete the form below to register for this event.

Speakers

Agenda

9:00–9:15 a.m. | Welcome remarks

Fred Upton
Commissioner,
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense,
Atlantic Council

Tom Ridge
Co-Chair,
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense,

Atlantic Council

9:15–10:45 a.m. | Panel one: In the big house

Speakers to be announced

10:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. | Panel two: Great Lakes vigilance

Speakers will address the biological threat landscape.

Speakers

Jennifer Runyan
Special Agent in Charge,
Detroit Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Cindi Corbett
Scientific Director General,
National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada  

Natasha Bagdasarian
Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan

12:15–1:00 p.m. | Lunch

Join us for our lunch break.

1:00–2:30 p.m. | Panel three: Government regulation, research and development

Speakers will discuss policy and resource needs for federal investment in biotechnology, regulation of medical countermeasures and other products, and public-private partnerships for biodefense research and development.

Speakers

Peter Marks
Senior Vice President, Molecule Discovery,
Eli Lilly;
Former Director,
Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration

Anand K. Parekh
Chief Health Policy Officer,
School of Public Health, University of Michigan

2:30–2:45 p.m. | Break

Break in programming.

2:45–4:00 p.m. | Panel four: Arsenal of innovation

Speakers will highlight private sector successes and challenges in the current biodefense research, development, and manufacturing landscape, lessons learned for future innovation, and areas where government assistance could help elevate industry activities in this sector.

Speakers

Kevin Esch
Executive Vice President,
Research and Development, Zoetis

Stephen Rapundalo
President and Chief Executive Officer,
Michigan Biosciences Industry Association

4:00–4:05 p.m. | Closing remarks

Fred Upton
Commissioner,
Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense,
Atlantic Council

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The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense at the Atlantic Council provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of US biodefense and recommends changes to policy and law that strengthen national biodefense while optimizing biodefense resources.

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges facing the United States and the world.

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