Join us at the William J. Rutter Center for our two-day event program (Day 1: Invest in Cures; Day 2: Rare Disease Symposium) featuring thought-provoking discussions that bring together scientific, clinical, and investment perspectives to shape the future of rare disease research, innovation, and patient care.
Please register by February 1 to assist us with planning and ensure an accurate headcount. Registration for Invest in Cures and the Rare Disease Symposium is separate, so please register for the event(s) you plan to attend.
We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting two-day program!
Day 1: Invest in Cures
February 12, 2026 8:00am-4:00pm PT
Register FREE
Join LaunchBio at UCSF for a day dedicated to exploring how impact investing can accelerate progress for patients living with rare diseases. This forum offers a complementary, investor-focused lens—highlighting how venture philanthropy, strategic capital, and cross-sector partnerships can help move promising science toward real-world treatments. Hear from leaders in venture investing, philanthropy, advocacy, and biotech as they share insights on advancing translational research, de-risking early-stage therapies, and building sustainable pathways to commercialization. Through main-stage conversations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, you will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of rare disease funding and innovation.
Day 2: Rare Disease Symposium
February 13, 2026 8:30am-5:30pm PT
register FREE
The Rare Disease Symposium 2026 is hosted by the UCSF Catalyst Program and Institute for Human Genetics in partnership with Foundation Ipsen. Rare diseases affect more than 350 million people worldwide, yet significant challenges remain in diagnosis, treatment, and access to care. Through an interdisciplinary program focused on advancing diagnostics, therapeutics, and meaningful improvements for patients and their families, the symposium aims to foster collaboration across academia, industry, healthcare, and advocacy. We hope participants leave with an expanded understanding of the rare disease landscape, new connections, and the inspiration to help drive the next generation of discoveries and therapies.