Day 2 - April 8, 2027Thursday, 8 April 2027 - Western European Summer Time (WEST)

The US market represents the world's largest opportunity for life science companies, yet successfully crossing the Atlantic requires more than ambition—it demands strategic insight, cultural fluency, and an understanding of a fundamentally different business landscape. This panel brings together European company leaders who have navigated the transatlantic journey alongside investors who specialize in guiding their portfolio companies into America. Hear both sides of the story as they share hard-won lessons about market entry, fundraising, regulatory pathways, and building US operations. Whether you're planning your first steps or scaling your American presence, discover what it really takes to succeed across the pond.

• Uncovering the cultural, regulatory and business differences that catch European companies off guard, and how the right partners can help bridge the gap

• What American investors really demand from transatlantic ventures, told from both company and investor perspectives

• Real experiences with market entry strategies and guidance on when to establish US operations

• Lessons from successful transatlantic scale-ups and how the right partners made the difference

While European biotech companies have traditionally looked west to the US, a dynamic opportunity is emerging in the East. The APAC region, with its rapidly growing markets, world-class manufacturing capabilities, and increasingly sophisticated investor base presents compelling pathways for European innovators seeking growth, partnerships, and commercialization. This panel explores the untapped potential of Asia-Pacific markets, featuring experts who understand both the European biotech landscape and the nuances of doing business across diverse APAC countries. Discover where the real opportunities lie and what it takes to successfully expand your European biotech into this transformative region.

• Understanding the distinct opportunities across APAC and emerging markets, and where European biotech's fit best

• How APAC's manufacturing prowess, clinical trial infrastructure, and distribution networks can accelerate European biotech development and commercialization

• Real stories of regulatory pathways, cultural considerations, and business practices that differ dramatically from market to market

• Accessing APAC capital, forming strategic alliances, and building relationships in regions where trust and networks matter more than pitch decks

Moving from proof-of-concept to a translation-ready biotech requires more than validated science—it demands strategic planning, operational rigor, and the ability to bridge the gap between discovery and clinical application. This panel examines the critical steps needed to transform early-stage research into a program that attracts investors, partners, and regulatory confidence. Join experienced founders, translational scientists, and investors as they discuss how to build translation-ready assets, navigate the development pathway, and position your biotech for clinical and commercial success.

• Defining "translation-ready" and understanding the data packages, regulatory strategies, and development plans that investors and partners expect to see

• Selecting the right preclinical models, biomarkers, and endpoints that will support clinical hypothesis testing and regulatory acceptance

• Assembling the essential team and capabilities—from regulatory and clinical expertise to manufacturing partners and quality systems

• Structuring funding milestones and capital strategy to support the journey from proof-of-concept through IND-enabling studies

The platform versus asset debate has defined biotech strategy for years, but the answer is rarely binary. While platforms promise scalability and multiple shots on goal, investors often favor de-risked, clinical-stage assets with clear paths to value. This panel explores how next-generation biotechs are navigating this tension—leveraging platform capabilities while advancing lead programs that attract capital and partnerships. Hear from founders, investors, and business development leaders on how to strike the right balance, communicate your value proposition, and build a sustainable model that satisfies both scientific ambition and commercial reality.

• Evaluating the strategic trade-offs between platform and asset-focused models, including risk, timelines, capital efficiency, and market positioning

• Advancing a lead asset while building platform credibility and demonstrating proof-of-concept across multiple applications without diluting focus

• Communicating your business model effectively and knowing when to lead with the platform story versus your most advanced clinical candidate

• Structuring partnerships and financing to support both asset development and platform expansion while balancing near-term milestones with long-term optionality

The decision to go public represents a pivotal moment for any biotech company, but the path to IPO looks dramatically different depending on whether you're heading to NASDAQ, NYSE, Shanghai/Shenzhen Stock Exchanges or the Hong Kong exchange. This panel brings together experts with experience of both US and Greater Chinese public markets to explore the opportunities, challenges, and strategic considerations of each route. From valuation expectations and investor appetites to regulatory requirements and post-IPO realities, discover what it really takes to successfully list in these two powerhouse markets and how to determine which path is right for your company.

• Comparing market conditions, investor expectations, and valuation dynamics between US, Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese stock exchanges

• Navigating the distinct regulatory frameworks, listing requirements, and timeline considerations for each market

• Understanding what types of biotech companies and development stages resonate best with American versus Greater Chinese public investors

• Life after the IPO: managing investor relations, maintaining momentum, and accessing follow-on capital in each market

When capital markets tighten and investor enthusiasm cools, the rules of fundraising fundamentally change. What worked in boom times no longer applies, and biotech companies must adapt their strategies, messaging, and expectations to survive—and even thrive—in challenging conditions. This panel brings together seasoned investors and company leaders who have successfully navigated multiple market cycles to share their hard-earned wisdom. Learn what it really takes to secure funding when the market is against you, which mistakes to avoid, and how to position your company for success regardless of external conditions.

• How investor priorities and deal terms shift dramatically in down markets, and what companies must do differently to remain attractive

• The critical importance of runway management, realistic milestones, and demonstrating capital efficiency when funding is scarce

• Alternative financing strategies beyond traditional VC rounds, including strategic partnerships, non-dilutive funding, and creative deal structures

• Building and maintaining investor relationships during tough times that will pay dividends when markets recover

The next generation of European biopharma and venture capital leaders is already making its mark—driving innovation, closing deals, and reshaping how the industry operates. This panel spotlights the rising stars who are building tomorrow's breakthrough companies and investment portfolios today. Hear directly from emerging leaders about their fresh perspectives on drug development, investment strategies, and what needs to change in European biotech. Their energy, insights, and willingness to challenge convention offer a glimpse into where the industry is headed and the opportunities that lie ahead for those bold enough to seize them.

• Fresh perspectives on what makes European biotech distinctive and how the next generation is building on—or breaking from—established models

• The evolving investment thesis: what rising VCs are looking for in companies and how their approach differs from previous generations

• Navigating early career challenges in biopharma and VC, from building credibility to earning a seat at the table in a traditionally hierarchical industry

• What needs to change in European biotech to unlock its full potential, and how this generation plans to drive that transformation