Day 2Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

Increasingly, smaller biotech companies are launching their new drugs themselves, rather than relying on large pharmaceutical companies to make this happen for them. How can they get it right the first time?

Managers of biotech companies with a drug in late-stage clinical development face a challenge: as their asset progresses well in clinical trials, they need to decide whether to license it out or market it themselves. In the European Union, the number of companies that market only a single pharmaceutical product has increased from four in 2014 to 33 in 2024. This panel will discuss the deciding factors for successfully marketing a product independently in Europe.

What are the pros and cons of launching a product oneself instead of licensing it out? Which products are better suited for out-licensing? How does the EMA support

biopharmaceutical companies that are applying for marketing authorization for a pharmaceutical product for the first time? What role does the harmonized HTA assessment procedure play in market access and reimbursement, and how can it be aligned with marketing authorization?

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

The biotech industry is rapidly evolving, with new therapeutic areas and innovative funding models emerging to drive advancements in healthcare. This panel explores the interdependent ecosystem of biotechs, research collaborators, and funding models, and how they are revolutionizing the business of biotech. We examine the latest trends in therapeutic areas, including gene therapy, immunotherapy, and precision medicine, and how they are transforming drug development. We also explore the role of research collaborators, such as CROs, in driving innovation and accelerating drug development. Finally, we discuss the latest funding models, including venture capital, public-private partnerships, and crowdfunding, and how they are changing the way biotechs raise capital and bring new therapies to market. By examining the interplay between these key elements, we provide insights into the future of the biotech industry and the potential for continued innovation in healthcare.

Location: Coral 3

Explore the advancing oncology landscape, with its multiple innovation areas and partnerships. Delve into the emerging therapies, latest breakthroughs in precision medicine and recent deals, along with addressing the shortcomings, enabling to redefine the future of cancer treatment.

Location: Coral 3

As Pharma reshapes its pipelines to keep pace with market needs and scientific breakthroughs, venture capitalists play a pivotal role in identifying the next wave of transformative therapies. Drawing inspiration from Milan's legacy of trendsetting in fashion and art, this panel explores how VCs forecast what Pharma will need in five years' time. What defines game-changing science, and how can investors distinguish the breakthroughs that will set the future stage? Panelists will share their strategies for search and evaluation, reveal what truly stands out to Pharma, and discuss how aligning innovation with Pharma's evolving priorities can create a lasting impact. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on how to set the stage for a future that defines the industry.

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

The European biotech sector stands at a pivotal moment, balancing groundbreaking innovation with persistent financing challenges. Despite thriving advancements in therapeutics, diagnostics, and platform technologies, securing capital—especially during the critical "valley of death" between early-stage R&D and commercialization—remains a significant hurdle. Recent discussions on global biotech financing trends have highlighted the cautious IPO market in Europe and the evolving priorities of venture capitalists and pharmaceutical companies. However, equity financing is not the only available option. Venture debt has emerged as a crucial non-dilutive funding mechanism, enabling biotech companies to extend cash runways, achieve key clinical milestones, and navigate funding gaps between equity rounds. As the sector seeks sustainable growth, strategic deployment of venture debt may prove essential in bridging financial shortfalls and accelerating innovation.

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

Discover how your organisation can benefit from partnering with Australia’s world-leading clinical trial ecosystem.

Sector leaders will discuss why Australia is the international home of high-quality, efficient, cost-effective clinical trials.

The panel will outline Australia’s efficient approvals process, IND-free regulatory framework, world-class clinical workforce and facilities, high-quality FDA and EMA recognised data outputs, genetically diverse participant recruitment pool, robust IP protections, and generous R&D tax incentives.

Location: Exhibit Hall Stage

An update on the progress of the working group for the internationalization of the biotech industry. The seminar will cover Italian programs and strategies to enhance the national Life Sciences and Biotech ecosystem globally, with a strong focus on attracting investments.