Dr. Lukas J. Farbiak is a biomedical engineering innovator and academic leader whose work in genetic medicine is transforming how diseases are treated at the molecular level. As an Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern and Co-Founder of Signify Bio, Inc., he merges deep scientific expertise with translational impact—developing advanced lipid nanoparticle platforms and signal peptide technologies that enable precise, tissue-specific delivery of therapeutic nucleic acids. With over 15 peer-reviewed publications and 20+ patent filings, Dr. Farbiak stands at the cutting edge of non-viral drug delivery and personalized therapeutics, bringing a rare blend of academic rigor, entrepreneurial vision, and collaborative leadership to every endeavor.

Omar Kassim is a globally respected executive in pharmaceutical development and supply chain strategy, known for his leadership in CDMO partnership management, external manufacturing, and complex contract negotiations. With over two decades of experience spanning finance, procurement, and technical operations, he has guided multinational teams through end-to-end product development, from pre-clinical research to commercial launch. Currently leading Takeda’s Pharmaceutical Sciences CDMO organization, Omar drives strategic network design, vendor governance, and asset integration across 175 global partners. His deep expertise in combination products and drug delivery systems, coupled with a strong foundation in finance and biochemistry, positions him as a key architect of cross-functional success in today’s evolving life sciences landscape.