Industry Leaders, Academics, and Advocates Unite to Explore Rare Disease Challenges
(PRUnderground) March 10th, 2025
March in collaboration with the UC Berkeley Blum Center for Developing Economies, will host an event at UC Berkeley bringing together experts, researchers, students, advocates, and patients to explore the potential of generative AI for accelerating solutions to rare disease challenges.
Event Overview
Rare diseases affect over 300 million people worldwide, yet fewer than 5% have FDA-approved treatments. The hybrid event, comprising a collaborative hackathon and expert panel discussion, will be held at Blum Hall and accessible both in person and virtually. It will focus on fostering innovation through hands-on problem-solving and insights from leading experts in AI and rare disease research.
Key Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 19th, 10:00 AM – 7:30 PM PT
Location: Blum Hall, Berkeley, CA (virtual participation is also available)
Highlights:
Hackathon: Teams will explore solutions under the guidance of mentors from academia and industry.
Expert Panel: Leaders in AI, healthcare, and patient advocacy will discuss ethical, technical, and collaborative opportunities.
Networking & Awards: Awards will recognize top innovative ideas, alongside networking opportunities.
Who Should Participate
Students, researchers, healthcare professionals, AI developers, patients, and patient advocates are invited to join. No technical expertise is required. Only a commitment to driving change. Journalists are also invited to cover the hackathon and panel discussion.
Event Schedule
10:00 AM: Opening remarks on Gen AI’s role in healthcare.
10:30 AM – 3:30 PM: Hackathon with mentorship from faculty and industry experts.
4:30 PM: Team presentations and judging.
5:30 PM: Panel discussion on AI’s potential in helping patients.
6:30 PM: Networking reception and awards ceremony.
Registration & Media Access
Free registration is open to in-person and virtual attendees at https://connect.march.ai/ai-for-rare-disease
About March Global Inc
March is a pioneering health platform dedicated to empowering individuals to lead healthier, longer lives through trustworthy health information, community-driven insights, and innovative AI-assisted tools. Committed to bridging the gap between medical research and patient care, March accelerates access to cutting-edge treatments, promotes patient-driven research participation, and fosters genuine connections within vibrant health communities. Grounded in transparency, data privacy, and scientific integrity, March advocates for a human-first approach, ensuring that individuals are never alone on their health journey. By transforming patient support into collective action, March is redefining health empowerment and catalyzing a revolution in personalized care.
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Original Press Release.
