Since 2009 the Falling Walls Science Summit (former Falling Walls Conference) has been a forum for global science leaders with a focus on science breakthroughs. The summit takes place every year in Berlin from 7–9 November, the anniversary day of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Its holistic approach of international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral discourse is globally unique and attracts leading researchers, CTOs, science strategists, sciences funders, and media worldwide.
Falling Walls Science Summit gives stage to the brightest minds in science who through their groundbreaking research continue to break the walls between science and society to show how science can help to find solutions to combat the biggest challenges of our time.
Who you will meet and what you will learn:
Be the first to learn about the groundbreaking scientific ideas and meet the scientists behind them.
Start-ups: Meet up-and-coming start-up founders, who pitch their science start-up ideas on 7 November at the Summit as part of the Falling Walls Venture project. Among this year’s start-ups listed to pitch for the main title are:
• MANA.BIO (ISRAEL)
Mana.bio aims to unlock RNA therapy by developing a novel AI-based RNA delivery platform. By utilizing high throughput screening and AI, Mana created a highly efficient, ex-liver cell-specific non-viral RNA delivery solution.
• ONCOLIQ (ARGENTINA)
Oncoliq is developing a highly sensitive, non-toxic, non-invasive, and low-cost test to detect up to 50 cancer types with one blood draw combining molecular biology strategies with machine learning.
• SMARTBAX (GERMANY)
smartbax develops new antibiotics to fight multi-drug resistant bacteria focusing on the activation of enzymatic processes instead of classical inhibition.
• TABBY THERAPEUTICS (ISRAEL)
Tabby Therapeutics engineers B cells as evolving drugs and focuses on the broader applications of B cell technology in therapeutics and drug discovery.
• YNNO MED (HONG KONG)
Ynno Med focuses on the discovery and development of first-in-class antimicrobial drugs using its in-house developed AI-assisted technology, striving to combat the ever-present situation of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
• VOXCELL BIOINNOVATION (CANADA)
Using high-resolution 3D bioprinting technology, VoxCell is creating human-like vascularized tissue models which act as a screening platform to identify unviable drug candidates earlier in the drug development process.
Grow your network, connect and showcase
• Grow an international and interdisciplinary network and meet global leaders in the pharma and biotech industry (previous Summit speakers include Özlem Türeci and Ugur Sahin of Biontech, Summit participants/representatives of Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim Venture Fund, Bayer and many others).
• Connect with Summit participants to exchange expertise and collaborate on the solutions to the most pressing topics of our time.
• Showcase your research and show impact as a global opinion leader by participating in Circle Day Plenary and Round Table formats.
This year’s Circle Day on 8 November will include such topics as:
• Precision Prevention in Health: The Power of Genomics (Helmholtz Munich): This panel discussion will explore the opportunities to couple genomics at scale with promising exciting technology developments to catalyse a change in addressing grand challenges in modern healthcare.
• Generative AI in Innovative Therapy Development (Sartorius): This Plenary Table will explore the transformative potential of Generative AI in advancing innovative therapies and realizing their great promises. The panelists will discuss the current breakthroughs and future trajectory as well as ethical considerations and challenges associated with AI-driven therapy development.
• Altering Medicine by Cell and Gene Therapy (Bayer)
• Unlocking the Mysteries of the Cell (Chan Zuckerberg Foundation): In this round table discussion a multidisciplinary group of experts will share their perspectives on how collaborations using state-of-the-art genomic, open science, and imaging technologies are providing new insights into human biology and how these fundamental discoveries will shape tomorrow’s therapies.
Summit three-day programme includes:
• Pitch Day on 7 Nov: Falling Walls Pitches convene the finals of three global competitions: Falling Walls Lab for emerging talents, Falling Walls Venture for science startups, and Falling Walls Engage for science engagement and communication.
• Circle Day on 8 Nov: the day of discourse, Falling Walls Circle focuses on grand challenges and foresight. Global science leaders gather at Falling Walls Circle Tables to map out innovative strategies. At the topical Breakthrough Symposia winners of the Falling Walls Breakthrough of the Year discuss their research.
• Breakthrough Day on 9 Nov: the day of celebration and inspiration by the most recent science breakthroughs. The Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year are presented by world class researchers.
About Falling Walls
The Falling Walls Foundation is inspired by the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 and the dawn of a new era of freedom. The non-profit foundation promotes breakthrough thinking and builds a growing network of leaders from science, business, and the public sector to tackle great challenges and make groundbreaking ideas accessible to society.
Which are the next walls to fall in science and society?
