{"id":8355,"date":"2026-08-27T10:04:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-27T14:04:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/?p=8355"},"modified":"2026-09-19T13:44:01","modified_gmt":"2026-09-19T17:44:01","slug":"connect-bio-sherbrooke-sept29-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/news-and-events\/connect-bio-sherbrooke-sept29-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Connect\u2011Bio: Focus on Radiopharmaceuticals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the very first time, CQDM is bringing a Connect\u2011Bio event to Sherbrooke, in collaboration with TransferTech Sherbrooke and the Universit\u00e9 de Sherbrooke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This special edition will bring together over 100 researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore the latest advances transforming the development and use of radiopharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Join us for this unique edition of <strong>Connect\u2011Bio | Radiopharmaceutical Innovations<\/strong>, highlighting Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s growing expertise in this fast\u2011evolving strategic sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udcc5<\/strong> <strong>Date:<\/strong> Tuesday, September 29, 2026<br><strong>\u23f0<\/strong> <strong>Time:<\/strong> 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.<br><strong>\ud83d\udccd<\/strong> <strong>Location:<\/strong> Universit\u00e9 de Sherbrooke \u2013 Health Campus &#8211; P2 Parking will be free! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.ca\/e\/billets-connect-bio-innovations-radiopharmaceutiques-1998484207061?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.ca\/e\/billets-connect-bio-innovations-radiopharmaceutiques-1998484207061?aff=oddtdtcreator\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">(please registre)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u2728 What to expect<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Attend presentations and discussions showcasing scientific, technological and entrepreneurial advances in the radiopharmaceutical sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Exchange with experts to better understand the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of this field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>End the day with a networking cocktail, offered by our sponsor <strong>ROBIC<\/strong>, to expand your network and create new collaboration opportunities within the life sciences ecosystem.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\ud83d\udca1 Why attend?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Discover the latest innovations and trends transforming the radiopharmaceutical sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Meet leading researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and industry partners.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore new opportunities for collaboration between academia, clinical practice and industry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f Seats are limited. Reserve your spot today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.ca\/e\/billets-connect-bio-innovations-radiopharmaceutiques-1998484207061?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Register for free on Eventbrite here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Speakers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"256\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-256x300.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8415\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:262px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-256x300.jpeg 256w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-767x900.jpeg 767w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-873x1024.jpeg 873w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-1310x1536.jpeg 1310w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research-1746x2048.jpeg 1746w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Verkin-Khajadourian-Cadena-Research.jpeg 1995w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 256px) 100vw, 256px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Verkin Khajadourian<\/strong>,<em> Director, Business Development, Contract Research (<a href=\"https:\/\/cadenaresearch.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/cadenaresearch.com\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cadena Research<\/a>, a division of CPDC).<\/em><br>Verkin joined Cadena Research and CPDC in March 2026 as Director, Business Development. She brings 25 years of experience in drug development, toxicology, laboratory sciences, and commercial operations within contract research organizations.<br>In her role, she helps grow the business by building strategic relationships with pharmaceutical and biotech partners, while working with internal teams to deliver tailored research solutions for preclinical development in the radiopharmaceutical space. Verkin holds a Master of Science in Chemistry and an MBA.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2010\" height=\"1708\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8423\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;object-fit:cover;width:262px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited.jpg 2010w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited-1024x870.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited-768x653.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Martin-Lepage-UdeS-edited-1536x1305.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2010px) 100vw, 2010px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Martin Lepage<\/strong>,<em> Director of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usherbrooke.ca\/dep-imagerie-medicale-radiations\/departement\/centre-imagerie-moleculaire-de-sherbrooke-cims\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.usherbrooke.ca\/dep-imagerie-medicale-radiations\/departement\/centre-imagerie-moleculaire-de-sherbrooke-cims\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sherbrooke Molecular Imaging Centre platform<\/a> and Full Professor at the Universit\u00e9 de Sherbrooke.<\/em><br>Along with his colleagues, Martin has helped build the CIMS&#8217; reputation and strong positioning in the development, optimization, validation, as well as clinical and commercial translation of radiopharmaceutical products. Over the course of his career, he also served as a professor at Vanderbilt University, Director of the Quebec Bio-Imaging Network, and Director of the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences. He completed postdoctoral fellowships at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia, and Yale University in New Haven, United States.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1067\" height=\"1079\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Peter-Loparco-edited-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8427\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:260px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Peter-Loparco-edited-1.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Peter-Loparco-edited-1-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Peter-Loparco-edited-1-1013x1024.jpg 1013w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Peter-Loparco-edited-1-768x777.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1067px) 100vw, 1067px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Peter Loparco<\/strong>, <em>Director, Business Development and Investments at <a href=\"https:\/\/cpdc.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CPDC<\/a><\/em>.<br>With a decade of experience in the life sciences sector, Peter specializes in evaluating innovative technologies, strategic partnerships, licensing, and early-stage investment opportunities. <br>His background in biotechnology, consulting, and corporate strategy helps bridge scientific innovation and the commercialization of promising radiopharmaceutical technologies. Peter holds a Master of Biotechnology from the University of Toronto and a bachelor&#8217;s degree of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Guelph.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-7387b849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8425\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:262px;height:auto\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-300x300-1.png 300w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-400x400.png 400w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/cqdm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Ryan-Simms-Defence-Therapeutics.png 1254w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ryan Simms<\/strong>, <em>Chief Operating Officer and Head of Radiopharmaceutical Programs at<\/em> <a href=\"https:\/\/defencetherapeutics.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Defence Therapeutics<\/a>.<br>Ryan is a biopharmaceutical executive and radiopharmaceutical development leader with 20 years of experience advancing targeted radiopharmaceuticals from discovery to first-in-human clinical studies. He has led CMC, manufacturing, radiochemistry, isotope supply and technical operations for clinical-stage programs at Abdera Therapeutics, Fusion Pharmaceuticals and CPDC. As a consultant, he advises biotech companies on early-phase development and regulatory strategy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.robic.ca\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ROBIC<\/a><\/strong> for its valuable support of this event, held in collaboration with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usherbrooke.ca\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.usherbrooke.ca\/about\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">UdeS<\/a><\/strong> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transfertech.ca\/en\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.transfertech.ca\/en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>TransferTech Sherbrooke<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\ud83e\udd1d We look forward to welcoming you to Sherbrooke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This special edition will bring together over 100 researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore the latest advances transforming the development and use of radiopharmaceuticals.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":8356,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8355","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-events","category-our-news"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8355"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8435,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8355\/revisions\/8435"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8356"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8355"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8355"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cqdm.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}