VIATEC AI Meetup: Technology Track
2026-01-21 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver) | 777 Fort St Victoria BC V8W 1H2
Join us as thought leaders & innovators gather to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.Doors open at 11:30 and presentations start promptly at Noon.Are you curious about how AI can transform your business and career? Join us at the VIATEC AI Meetup, where local thought leaders and innovators come together to explore the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and its practical applications.Join us for this fun and engaging session where Sid Srinivasan will present on:AI Advancements in Antibody-Based Drug Development: From Target to Clinical CandidateThink creating new drugs takes a decade and costs billions? You're right but AI is changing that game fast. Wondering why we can create a drug for Covid19 in a year, but not for cancer? This talk will take you on a whirlwind tour of antibody-based drug development, from "we need a drug for this disease" to "here's a molecule ready for human trials". We'll cover the whole pipeline - target hunting, antibody discovery, optimization, and animal testing but from a technology enthusiasts point of view. More importantly, we'll explore how ML tools like AlphaFold and generative models are optimizing each stage, complementing traditional lab-based experiments and in-silico computational tools. No biology degree needed, just curiosity about how machines are learning to create molecules that could save lives.Whether you're wondering how protein folding predictions actually work in practice, curious why your ML skills might be perfect for biotech, or just want to understand what "humanizing an antibody" means (spoiler: it's not teaching it to appreciate art), this presentation breaks down one of healthcare's most exciting AI frontiers. Bring your questions about algorithms, antibodies, or why drug development is so maddeningly hard and leave understanding how computational biology might just be the coolest application of AI you haven't explored yet.Coffee and Tea will be served.Feel free to grab a lunch at the Fort Cafe, located on site.
About the Presenter:Sid Srinivasan is a senior technical product leader and ML pragmatist, with deep experience building ML‑driven platforms and leading engineering teams in the life sciences and biotech space. He has held pivotal roles across the industry, most recently serving as a Senior Technical Product Manager at AbCellera Inc. and BenchSci, where he shaped product strategy for machine learning platforms used by scientists and drug discovery teams. His work in these roles centered on translating complex ML capabilities into intuitive, high‑impact tools that accelerate research workflows and improve scientific decision‑making.Before his product leadership roles, Sid served as the Director of Software Development and Informatics at Zymeworks, where he led cross‑functional engineering teams responsible for building computational biology tools, data analytics infrastructure, and internal platforms supporting antibody engineering and therapeutic design.Across all of his roles, Sid brings a rare blend of machine learning literacy, technical product management expertise, and hands‑on engineering leadership. He excels at guiding teams through ambiguity, aligning technical strategy with scientific and business goals, and building products that make advanced computational methods accessible to real users. His work reflects a consistent focus on human‑centered AI, practical ML adoption, and the thoughtful integration of technology into scientific workflows.About the Organizers:This event is organized by Steve Harris, founder of AI4Enterprise and Rob Cooper, Founder of PlusROI Online Marketing, along with the generous support of VIATEC.This is your chance to connect, learn, and lead in the world of AI innovation.Spots are limited RSVP today and be part of Victoria's AI-powered future!
RSVP At Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/viatec-ai-meetup-technology-track-tickets-1978846814090?aff=oddtdtcreator
