On January 15, 2025, during the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, the Italian Innovation and Culture Hub in San Francisco – INNOVIT hosted the annual event “ITALY ON THE MOVE 2025.”
Organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the ITA (Italian Trade Agency), and locally by the Consulate General of Italy in San Francisco and the Los Angeles Office of the Italian Trade Agency, the event brings together key players of the Italian life sciences ecosystem in San Francisco each year for meetings with partners in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, aiming to foster new transatlantic collaborations in the biotech, pharma, medtech, and healthtech sectors.
The event opened with a video message from Italy’s Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Mariangela Zappia, followed by greetings from the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco, Sergio Strozzi.
The Director General for the Promotion of Italy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Min. Plen. Mauro Battocchi, then presented Italy’s exceptional achievements in the life sciences sector (“Italy as a Global Leader in Life Sciences”). The institutional presentations concluded with remarks from Erica Di Giovancarlo, Director and Coordinator of the USA Network at the Italian Trade Agency in New York.
A significant moment was the panel titled “Navigating Transatlantic Partnerships in Life Sciences,” moderated by Audrey Greenberg, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Breakthrough Medicines. Industry experts included:
– Frederick Beddingfield, CEO of Rubedo Life Sciences
– Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, CEO of Bracco Imaging
– Elcin Barker Ergun, CEO of Menarini Group
– Karthic Jayaraman, Partner at TPG Capital
– Pierluigi Paracchi, CEO of Genenta Science
– Maria Cristina Porta, General Director of ENEA Tech and Biomedical
– Riccardo Zagaria, CEO of DOC Pharma
Additionally, five innovative Italian startups had the opportunity to present their projects to an audience of investors and potential partners from Silicon Valley: Aavantgarde, Butterfly Decisions, Cellply, Medlea, and Sibylla Biotech, showcasing their revolutionary proposals and growth potential in the U.S. market.
The event served as an ideal platform for networking among investors and industry representatives, allowing for significant exchanges and the identification of new collaboration opportunities. Many attendees appreciated the meeting as an occasion to explore synergies between Italian and American businesses.
With the growing interest in health and innovation, including the intersection with Generative Artificial Intelligence, events like “ITALY ON THE MOVE 2025” are essential for promoting Italy as a leader in the life sciences sector. With the support of institutions and the commitment of companies, Italy is poised to build a prosperous future in partnership with the United States.
