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October 2026 Newsletter
Connecting the French and San Diego life-sciences communities
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OCTOBER AT FRENCH BIOBEACH
Un mot de Sonia
October marks the beginning of fall, bringing cooler evenings—but San Diego’s life-sciences calendar is certainly not slowing down. With events taking place nearly every week—and, on some days, several at once—this month offers an exceptional number of opportunities for our community to come together.
The variety is equally exciting: scientific symposia, drug-development conferences, investor and innovation forums, leadership summits, discussions at the intersection of AI and biotechnology, and informal networking gatherings. Each offers a different way to exchange ideas, discover new perspectives, build relationships, and strengthen the connections that make our community so dynamic.
October is also the month of Halloween—a fitting reminder that creativity and imagination extend far beyond the laboratory. We hope you will join us at The Bella and take advantage of the many opportunities to connect throughout the month. Let’s celebrate the season and continue building a vibrant French BioBeach community together!
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OCTOBER HAPPY HOUR
French BioBeach Monthly Gathering
Thursday, October 8, 2026
4:30-7:00 p.m.
The Bella Lounge
2880 Torrey Pines Scenic Drive
La Jolla, CA 92037 |
SPONSORED BY
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Making preclinical research more predictable
At genOway, we combine decades of expertise in genetically modified models with deep biological knowledge to deliver tailored preclinical solutions. By working closely with researchers to understand their needs, we help design models that improve predictability and advance the development of new therapies.
Join the French BioBeach community for an evening of conversation, drinks, and meaningful connections across San Diego's biotechnology and life-sciences ecosystem.
Information & Registration
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INDUSTRY UPDATE
Pharma & Biotech News
NEWS FROM FRANCE
Biolevate raises €30 million in Series A financing
Biolevate raised €30 million to scale its AI platform for automating scientific and regulatory workflows and to support international expansion, including a new Boston office. Read more
Bpifrance expands InnoBio 3 to €207 million
Bpifrance increased the size of its biotechnology investment fund to €207 million, supported by Sanofi, Servier, Ipsen, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Institut Pasteur. Read more
Sanofi × Cheplapharm strategic partnership
SEPTEMBER 14, 2026
Sanofi agreed to transfer 20 mature medicines and three manufacturing sites to Cheplapharm, receiving a 26.4% equity stake in return. The transaction represents a significant restructuring of Sanofi's mature-medicines portfolio as the company increases its focus on innovation. Read more
Sensorion receives authorization for SENS-601 clinical trial
Sensorion received authorization in France to initiate the Phase I/II HearConnex trial for GJB2-related hearing loss, with first-patient dosing targeted for early 2027. Read more
OSE Immunotherapeutics partner begins Phase II trial
OSE Immunotherapeutics' partner, Veloxis, dosed the first patient in the Phase II RENGEVITY-201 trial of pegrizeprument for preventing rejection in kidney-transplant recipients. Read more
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NEWS FROM SAN DIEGO
Arcturus Therapeutics to acquire myNEO
Arcturus Therapeutics agreed to acquire Belgian AI drug-discovery company myNEO, bringing computational capabilities for mRNA design and target identification in-house. Read more
ADARx Pharmaceuticals prices upsized IPO
ADARx Pharmaceuticals priced its upsized IPO at $17 per share, with expected gross proceeds of approximately $446.3 million and potential total proceeds of approximately $535.2 million including AbbVie's concurrent private placement. Read more
Fate Therapeutics receives $15 million CIRM grant
Fate Therapeutics received a $15 million CIRM grant to advance its Phase II RECLAIM-LN trial of FT819 for refractory lupus nephritis. Read more
Tempo Therapeutics receives NIH SBIR funding
Tempo Therapeutics was awarded up to $2.25 million in NIH SBIR funding to support the MOSAIC II study of its MAP Wound Matrix. Read more
Daré Bioscience receives NIH funding for DARE-PTB2
Daré Bioscience received approximately $908,000 in NIH funding to advance DARE-PTB2 for preventing idiopathic preterm birth. Read more
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SAVE THE DATE
Upcoming San Diego Events
RNA Technology and Therapeutics Symposium
Friday, October 2, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
J.R. Beyster Auditorium, UC San Diego, La Jolla
A one-day symposium bringing together 14 academic and industry speakers to explore advances in RNA biology, therapeutics, and technologies.
Registration is closed; waitlist requests are available by email. Event and waitlist information |
BVS’ Biotech Community Event at SOVA Science District
Tuesday, October 6, 4:30-7:00 p.m.
SOVA Science District, 11545 Sorrento Valley Road, San Diego
An outdoor gathering featuring biotech vendor exhibits, networking with Southern California life-science professionals, tacos, and beer.
Free for eligible life-science employees; fees apply to product and service providers. Information & registration |
Discovery & Development US
Monday-Tuesday, October 12-13
Hilton San Diego Bayfront
A two-day drug discovery and development conference. Event information |
BioTools Innovator Capstone
Wednesday, October 14, 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
UC San Diego Park & Market
Accelerator presentations and networking. Event information |
Connect Founders Forum
Wednesday, October 21, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Pacific Center, 9955 Pacific Heights Boulevard, San Diego, CA 92121
A full-day, in-person event hosted by Connect San Diego that brings together founders, investors, and operators to explore the startup journey from early introductions through deal-signing. The forum connects San Diego’s active startup community across software, healthcare, defense, cleantech, life sciences, and other sectors. Information & registration |
BioLabs SD Investor Day 2026
Thursday, October 22, 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
BioLabs San Diego, Sorrento Mesa; exact address provided after registration
A CONNECT IDEA Week program bringing together founders, investors, and industry leaders for networking, startup pitches, fundraising and innovation discussions, campus tours, and an evening reception.
Free; registration is open and subject to host approval. Information & registration |
Scripps Research Biotech Innovation Summit
Thursday, October 22; registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Scripps Research, La Jolla
A full-day summit connecting scientists, entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. Event information |
OUTbio San Diego ERG Leadership Summit
Thursday, October 22, 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Travere Therapeutics, Carmel Valley
A summit for ERG leaders, executive sponsors, DEI professionals, and allies. Visit OUTbio San Diego |
Helixgate AI & Biotech Collaboration Series and Industry Night
Thursday, October 22, 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
Del Mar Social, San Diego
An AI and biotechnology collaboration program followed by industry networking. Information & registration |
San Diego Life Science Social
Wednesday, October 28, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company, 9675 Scranton Road
An informal networking event for San Diego's life-sciences community. Information & registration |
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COMMUNITY RECAP
A Special Evening at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology
On September 10, French BioBeach welcomed 96 members of the San Diego biotechnology community to a special-edition Happy Hour at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology.
The evening featured a fireside conversation with Dr. Alain Baron and Christopher Reyes, PhD, moderated by Jason Stewart. Together, they explored the opportunities, challenges, and practical realities of building a biotechnology company.
Sponsored by PwC, the discussion was followed by a sparkling networking reception over champagne.
Thank you to our speakers, moderator, sponsor, hosts, and everyone who joined us.
View the event recap on LinkedIn
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