In 2011, the Milken Institute hosted its first Innovation Retreat, an intense three-day meeting at Lake Tahoe that galvanized a commitment to overcome obstacles that encumber the biomedical research system and to create a movement towards a long-term renaissance of innovation. The discussion identified several recommendations for accelerating innovation, including enhancing medical research policy, revamping the R&D process, and creating new environments where innovation can thrive. In 2012, the conversation continues at the Celebration of Science, bringing together the Advisory Committee for Biomedical Innovation and other invited guests to discuss a medical research policy platform and corresponding action plan for catalyzing policy change.