The Jackson Laboratory and BioCT convene Connecticut Rare Disease Forum

(Farmington, Conn. – March 17, 2026) — The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) and BioCT today convened the third annual Connecticut Rare Disease Forum at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, bringing together researchers, biotech executives, clinicians, and policymakers to examine the future of rare disease research and treatment.

Now in its third year, the Connecticut Rare Disease Forum has become the state’s premier gathering focused on rare disease innovation, providing a platform for collaboration across the research, healthcare, and life sciences ecosystem

The morning program featured a keynote address from Dr. Tim Yu, a neurologist and researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, whose work focuses on applying genomics and bioinformatics to understand and treat rare pediatric neurological diseases.

“The latest tools and models are accelerating progress in rare disease in ways we couldn’t imagine a decade ago,” said Lon Cardon, president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory. “But these advances only matter if they reach patients. Achieving that, at scale, requires scientists, policymakers, clinicians, industry, and families working together. This forum is about bringing those voices together.”

“The Connecticut Rare Disease Forum reflects the strength of our state’s life sciences ecosystem and the power of collaboration,” said Jodie Gillon, president and CEO of BioCT. “By bringing together researchers, industry leaders, clinicians, and policymakers, we are helping accelerate innovation and ensure that scientific advances translate into real impact for patients and families affected by rare diseases.”

The forum included two panel discussions examining both scientific and policy dimensions of rare disease advancement:

• Innovation in Therapeutic Development of Gene-Based Therapies, exploring how new technologies are reshaping treatment development
• Policy and Regulation: Shaping the Future of Research and Treatment, focused on how regulatory frameworks influence research, investment, and patient access

Panelists represented leading organizations across the biotechnology and research landscape, including Regeneron, Arvinas, MannKind, the National Institutes of Health, the Broad Institute, Alexion, and Deerfield Discovery.

Hosted at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, the event underscored Connecticut’s growing role as a hub for biomedical research and life sciences innovation.

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