Day 1Monday, 23 March 2026

Location: Room Porto

Location: Room Porto

Lisbon, once the launching point for history’s greatest voyages, now serves as the gateway to biotech’s next wave of global discovery. In an era where innovation emerges from unlikely corners -from stealth-mode startups to academic spinouts, and regional hubs—partnerships are the driving force shaping the future of life sciences.

This opening plenary brings together leaders who are redefining biotech’s rules of engagement. Whether scaling stealth ventures, pioneering next-generation platforms or advancing regional innovation, these voices will reflect on the art of partnering in biotech’s new frontier. Key topics include the evolving dynamics of strategic partnerships, the factors that make regions and founders investable, and the untapped opportunities shaping biotech’s future—from AI to global health equity.

Location: Room Porto

The biopharma investment landscape is constantly evolving—shaped by scientific breakthroughs, shifting capital flows, and global dynamics. After a period of contraction, where funding tightened and valuations recalibrated, investors and innovators are seeking the next wave of opportunity.

Join this session as experts share an insider's view how leading venture capital firms and strategic investors are positioning themselves for the future. Understand where the market is headed, what types of innovation are attracting the most attention, how both early- and late-stage companies can best align their strategies with investor priorities and how new deal structures, capital efficiency strategies, and ecosystem partnerships are benefitting biotech’s. The discussion will offer practical guidance for companies seeking to secure funding and navigate toward long-term success, in today’s waves of uncertainty.

Location: Room Porto

As the biotech and pharma sectors enter a pivotal year, dealmaking remains the steady anchor amid unpredictable market tides. In this session, analysts and experienced BD executives from pharma and biotech will explore the forces shaping partnering and M&A in 2026, including the financing climate, emerging therapeutic trends, and geopolitical factors influencing cross-border transactions. With early post-JPM signals on the horizon, the discussion will examine how companies can capture momentum, build resilience, and seize the next wave of opportunity. Discover how strategic collaboration and smart capital deployment can guide innovation towards sustainable growth in a shifting global landscape.

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

The EU Biotech Act represents a landmark piece of legislation aimed at positioning Europe as a global leader in biotech. Structured in two parts, the legislative program seeks to drive competitiveness across multiple sectors. Part I of the EU Biotech Act, published in December 2025, focuses on advancing health innovation. Key initiatives include accelerating clinical trials, extending intellectual property protections, launching a robust investment program, and introducing strategic projects designed to achieve critical mass in applied innovation. Part II, set to be unveiled in 2026, will shift the focus toward revitalizing biomanufacturing across industries, further strengthening Europe’s biotech ecosystem.

This feature session brings the European Commission to the forefront to present the details of Biotech Act Part I. In conversation with EuropaBio, attendees will gain insights into the Act’s transformative potential for Europe’s biotech landscape.