5th Annual Biotech Startup Symposium

WEBINAR

Join us at the 5th Annual Biotech Startup Symposium, a free, two-day event designed to help biotech startups accelerate their path to commercialization. Hear from industry experts as they dive into emerging technologies and the latest trends, offering insights and advice to help you unlock your molecule’s potential. 

Focus topics will include:

• CGT: Barriers to access, key trends, and cost modeling approaches 
• mRNA: Cost-modeling for informed decisions on production scale and plant sizing  
• Funding: Projections for 2024 & onwards 
• Building the right environment to succeed
• Panel discussion: Exploring the AAV Frontier with our company's Emerging Biotech Grant Winners 

Abstracts

Funding your European Life Science Start-Up - How EIT Health can support you   

Speaker: Oliver Wüseke, Investment Opportunity Manager at EIT Health

EIT Health is a public-private EU body representing the largest life science consortium in the world, dedicated to supporting the translation of innovation to market. Since 2015, EIT Health has supported over 2,500 start-ups thanks to its ecosystem of 120+ partners active across the research-education-business value chain triangle. EIT Health is present in 8 hubs across Europe, creating connections between local ecosystems and strategic EU initiatives. This session introduces EIT Healths Access 2 Finance programs that are designed to support Life Science start-ups in raising substantial private and public funding through EIT Health´s partner network. 

Cell and Gene Therapy: State of the Industry

Speaker: Stephen Majors, Vice President of Global Communications, Alliance for Regenerative Medicine 

In the last two years, cell and gene therapy approvals have accelerated with notable "firsts", including the first CRISPR gene-editing medicine and the first cell therapy for a solid tumor. The regulatory and policy are evolving, and the value of CGT is coming into focus. This session will explore the pipeline, barriers to access, and key trends driving the sector as 2025 approaches. 

Building a Team of Critical Advisors from Company Inception

Speaker: J. David Owens, Founding Partner, Bowman's Tower Venture Partners

The importance of building a team of critical advisors from company inception is a crucial aspect of establishing a solid foundation for the long-term success and growth of an emerging company. This holistic approach involves reaching out to external advisors who can provide invaluable support and expertise. The process of selecting advisors spans various categories, including legal, financial, and strategic considerations. From corporate law and patent attorneys to insurance and financial structure, each aspect plays a vital role in laying the groundwork for a successful enterprise. Additional considerations and importance of lab space, web presence, and funding sources in the initial stages of company development are critical. By strategically identifying and engaging with advisors in business, technology, and financial guidance, companies can set themselves on the right path to bring their vision to market and flourish in the long haul. We will discuss a pragmatic approach for initiating this objective. 

The State of Biopharma and Funding Innovation

Speaker: Arda Ural, Americas Life Sciences Sector Leader, Ernst & Young 

Emerging biotech companies had a challenging period in 2023 with almost 37% of the companies reportedly not having the cash to run their operations for more than one year. However, the companies that were acquired enjoyed a one-day post deal premium over 80%. Will the rest of 2024 offer a more predictable outlook for funding while the Fed’s rate cuts, and general elections are two macro factors to watch for the investor sentiment?