From Molecules to Modulation: Building the Next Neurotherapeutic Stack
Neurotherapeutics are undergoing a fundamental shift. What were once distinct worlds of pharmaceuticals, implantable and noninvasive devices, and digital health are rapidly converging into integrated therapeutic stacks that combine biology, electronics, sensing, and data-driven intelligence. This session explores how that convergence is reshaping both what is possible in neuroscience and what it takes to translate innovation into real clinical impact
The session opens with a forward-looking view of how drugs and devices are increasingly co-designed to work together, enabling new treatment paradigms that move beyond single-modality interventions. It then examines how advances in sensing, big data, and AI are closing the loop between neural signals and therapy, transforming neurotechnologies into adaptive, learning systems. The session concludes with a grounded discussion of what it actually takes to bring these convergent therapies from concept to clinic, including the clinical, regulatory, and translational challenges that determine whether promising technologies ultimately reach patients.
Together, the talks offer a systems-level view of the next generation of neurotherapeutics, from scientific foundations to real-world deployment.
Session Chair:
- JoJo Platt, Platt & Associates
Speakers:
- "Convergence of Drug and Device: The New Therapeutic Stack"
Lisa Shafer, Biogen - "Signals, Sensors, and Stacks: How Data and AI Are Rewiring Neurotherapeutics"
Anahita Kyani, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine - "From Concept to Clinic: Translating Neurotherapies Into Real Care"
Erika Ross Ellison, Neuralink
Click on the drop downs below for additional information.
Presentation Details
Lisa Shafer, PhD
Head of CMC Development, Product Delivery Solutions
Biogen
"Convergence of Drug and Device: The New Therapeutic Stack"
This talk explores the growing convergence of pharmacological and device-based therapies in neurotechnology. As boundaries blur between chemical and electrical modulation, new opportunities are emerging for combination therapies, co-developed platforms, and hybrid treatment strategies. The presentation will highlight emerging research, future directions, and the implications of this convergence for how we design and think about neurotherapeutic interventions.
Bio: Lisa Shafer’s more than 25 years of technical leadership experience in R&D, strategy, and business development spans medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Dr. Shafer currently serves as Vice President of Product Delivery Solutions for Biogen, where she oversees device development and digital integration, packaging design and development, lifecycle management, and regulatory engagement and filings, while driving innovation and technology specific to drug delivery and continuously enhancing the overall patient experience. Prior to Biogen, Dr. Shafer served as Chief Scientific Officer of Cerebral Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical start-up that developed drug and device combination therapies for neurological disorders. Lisa has also served in R&D and business development leadership positions at public and private, mid-size, and large global pharmaceutical companies. In addition, she spent over 14 years in the global medical device industry. While at Medtronic, Dr. Shafer held several formative roles in drug-device combination product development, neuromodulation research, management, and business development. Dr. Shafer’s foundational research and leadership resulted in patents and seminal publications regarding mechanistic, proof of concept, and clinical evidence for a portfolio of translational and clinical research programs to advance neuromodulation and brain-targeted drug delivery. Dr. Shafer began her career at 3M in the Pharmaceutical and Drug Delivery Division and holds a B.S. in Genetics and Cell Biology and a Ph.D. in Neuroimmunology.
Anahita Kyani, PhD
Director Neuroscience, Data Science and Digital Health
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
"Signals, Sensors, and Stacks: How Data and AI Are Rewiring Neurotherapeutics"
Building on the convergence of drugs and devices, this talk focuses on the role of sensing, large-scale data, and artificial intelligence in modern neurotherapeutic systems. Advances in neural sensing and analytics are enabling therapies that adapt in real time, learn from patients, and personalize treatment at scale. The presentation will examine how closed-loop systems, multimodal data, and AI-driven models are reshaping both research and clinical care.
Bio: Dr. Anahita Kyani a recognized leader in digital health, data science, and medical innovation, with extensive experience across global healthcare organizations including Johnson & Johnson, ONWARD Medical, and Abbott. Her work focuses on bridging advanced technology with clinical science to accelerate evidence generation and bring patient-centered innovations to market, particularly in neuroscience and chronic disease.
Dr. Kyani has led and contributed to enterprise-level digital transformation initiatives spanning R&D, clinical development, regulatory strategy, and post-market evidence. She specializes in leveraging advanced analytics, connected health technologies, AI-enabled platforms, and real-world data to optimize clinical trials, strengthen regulatory engagement, and enable scalable, data-driven care models.
At Abbott, she played a pivotal role in integrating digital health solutions with medical devices and clinical workflows, advancing connected ecosystems that support personalized therapy management and improved patient outcomes. Her work emphasized translating data into actionable clinical insight while ensuring alignment with regulatory and quality standards.
Previously at Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Kyani collaborated across multidisciplinary teams in research, clinical, and innovation functions to translate scientific discovery into real-world implementation within complex global healthcare systems. She has partnered with industry leaders, academic institutions, and clinical investigators to advance the responsible adoption of emerging technologies in medicine.
In addition to her industry leadership, Dr. Kyani serves as the Women in Engineering (WIE) Chair for Biomedical Engineering within IEEE, where she champions diversity, mentorship, and the advancement of women in healthcare technology. She is widely recognized for her strategic vision, cross-functional leadership, and ability to connect innovation with execution—driving measurable impact at the intersection of data, devices, drugs and patient care.
Erika Ross Ellison, PhD
Head of Clinical
Neuralink
Founder & Principal Advisor
Ross Ellison Consulting, LLC
"From Concept to Clinic: Translating Neurotherapies Into Real Care"
The final talk addresses the translational reality of convergent neurotherapies. As therapeutic stacks become more complex, integrating drugs, devices, software, and data, the path to clinical adoption becomes equally challenging. This presentation will cover key considerations in clinical development, regulatory strategy, and real-world implementation, with an emphasis on how to move innovative neurotechnologies from promising concepts to approved, adopted, and reimbursed therapies.
Bio: Erika is a neuroscientist and clinical research executive focused on advancing neurotechnology from breakthrough concept to real-world patient impact. She earned her PhD in neuroscience from Mayo Clinic and has built her career at the intersection of neuromodulation, brain–computer interfaces, and clinical translation.
She currently serves as Head of Clinical at Neuralink and President of IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Previously, she held senior clinical and regulatory leadership roles at ONWARD Medical and Abbott, and earlier in her career served as an Assistant Professor at Mayo Clinic. She began her industry career at Cala Health and has advised a range of emerging neurotechnology companies on clinical strategy and evidence development.
Across these roles, Erika has led first-in-human studies, built global clinical programs, and navigated complex regulatory pathways to bring innovative neurotechnologies to patients. She is particularly focused on ensuring that next-generation devices are not only technically groundbreaking, but also clinically meaningful, scalable, and accessible.
JoJo Platt (Session Chair)
President
Platt & Associates, Inc.
Bio: JoJo Platt is a recognized leader in the neurotechnology and medtech ecosystems, known for her ability to bridge the gap between research, commercialization, and investment. With years of experience facilitating collaborations between scientists, engineers, and investors, she has played a pivotal role in advancing innovative technologies from concept to market. Her expertise spans neuromodulation, bioelectronic medicine, and early-stage startup strategy, making her an invaluable resource for companies seeking guidance in funding, partnerships, and market positioning. JoJo has worked alongside some of the foremost pioneers in neurotech, advocating for scientific rigor, industry growth, and patient-centric innovation
Startups looking to navigate the complexities of fundraising, product development, and regulatory landscapes benefit from JoJo’s deep understanding of the medtech ecosystem. Her extensive network includes venture capitalists, angel investors, and key opinion leaders who help shape the future of healthcare innovation. As a frequent speaker and panel moderator at global conferences, she brings fresh insights into how emerging technologies can successfully transition from academic research to real-world impact. Whether it’s developing commercialization strategies, refining investor pitches, or fostering meaningful collaborations, JoJo’s strategic acumen makes her a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs looking to transform bold ideas into tangible solutions.