2020 Rare Disease Day
February 28, 2020 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Omni Parker House, 60 School St Boston MA 02108
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2/28/2020 9:30:00 AM
2/28/2020 2:00:00 PM
2020 Rare Disease Day
The last day of February has been designated as Rare Disease Day in Massachusetts to call attention to the public health issues associated with rare diseases, which affect nearly 30 million Americans and countless others around the world. The event recognizes Rare Disease Day and the research being done in Massachusetts to treat and cure rare disease.
This year’s agenda will feature two panels: one from the patient perspective on how they’ve turned their diagnoses into their life’s work, finding empowerment through advocacy and action; and one from the industry’s perspective on how researchers and providers are not only tailoring a therapy for a specific patient but also the entire patient experience, and how this outlook has shaped their careers.
Alone we are rare, together we are strong.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Laura Rudberg.
Omni Parker House, 60 School St Boston MA 02108
This year’s agenda will feature two panels: one from the patient perspective on how they’ve turned their diagnoses into their life’s work, finding empowerment through advocacy and action; and one from the industry’s perspective on how researchers and providers are not only tailoring a therapy for a specific patient but also the entire patient experience, and how this outlook has shaped their careers.
Alone we are rare, together we are strong.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Laura Rudberg.
Omni Parker House, 60 School St Boston MA 02108
Former CEO | Blueprint Medicines
Kate Haviland is a life sciences executive with more than 20 years of experience and leadership within the biopharmaceutical industry, as well as a substantial background in scaling high-growth organizations, strategic business development, portfolio strategy, investor relations, and commercial execution. Kate served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Blueprint Medicines from 2022 through the acquisition of Blueprint in July of 2025. Previously, she served as Chief Operating Officer from January 2019 to April 2022, and as Chief Business Officer from January 2016 to January 2019. Over this time, she was the founding chair of the portfolio management team, formed and executed business development strategy, drove global capital investment plans, and played a key role in capital market financings. In addition, she worked to drive the transformative growth of the company and support its evolution into a fully integrated business by developing and providing ongoing management of critical functions, including corporate development, corporate affairs, commercial strategy, international, technical operations, portfolio strategy and management, and information systems.
Prior to joining Blueprint Medicines, Kate held leadership roles focused on building emerging, high-growth companies and advancing the development of innovative therapies in oncology and rare diseases as Vice President, Rare Diseases and Oncology Program Leadership at Idera Pharmaceuticals, Head of Commercial Development at Sarepta Therapeutics, Executive Director of Commercial Development at PTC Therapeutics, and roles in both corporate development and project management at Genzyme. She holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University with a double major in Molecular Biology/Biochemistry and Economics and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. Kate currently serves as chair of the board of directors at Fulcrum Therapeutics, as an independent director on the board of directors at Bicara Therapeutics, as a member of the board of directors at Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) and as a trustee of the Boston Museum of Science.
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