Day TwoWednesday, March 11, 2026 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)

In the demanding and capital-intensive world of life sciences, securing early-stage funding is a critical challenge for startups. This panel will move beyond the traditional venture capital model to explore a diverse range of alternative financing options and effective strategies that can help life sciences companies get the capital they need to grow. Join us for a candid discussion with industry experts and successful founders as we uncover innovative approaches to securing funding, from non-dilutive sources to strategic partnerships, and learn how to position your company for success

• How to leverage non-dilutive financing sources
• Discussing the growing landscape of alternative debt financing
• Pitching to diverse investor groups (from angel investors, family offices to VC’s and beyond)

• Ethical considerations in AI, machine learning, and advanced imaging for accelerating neuroscience research and treatment development
• Leveraging genomics and biomarkers, and neurotech to create tailored approaches for neurological disorders
• Patient-centric innovation and prioritizing patient needs through real-world data, digital tools, and collaborative care models
• Taking neuroscience from complex to simple and straightforward to support collaborations with biopharma and digital health

• How to structure partnerships that deliver mutual value
• Identifying and approach the right corporate partners whose strategic objectives match your business focus
• Efficiently working with large corporates, from identifying decision-makers and champions to understanding approval processes and timelines that differ from startup environments
• Strategies for growing initial collaborations into deeper relationships that can lead to expanded commercial agreements, co-development opportunities, and potential acquisition paths when the timing is right

• Bridge financing, what is it and when should it be sought
• Pros and cons of bridge financing
• Investor opinion on funding to extend runways

While the promise of AI is vast, a closer look reveals a more nuanced reality. We'll examine where artificial intelligence has truly delivered on its potential, and where the hype may have outpaced the results. Our panellists will share a candid assessment of AI's actual impact, distinguishing between ground breaking advances and ambitious projects that have yet to bear fruit. This isn't a celebration of technology; it's a critical evaluation of how AI is genuinely helping to bring life-saving therapies to market and whether its application is truly a catalyst for change

• Key areas of AI’s effectiveness - A critical look
• Drug discovery - hype vs the reality
• Clinical trials: Are we truly faster and patient centric?
• Medical diagnostics - discussing the accuracy and reliability of AI-powered diagnostics in the real-world

Join us for a look back from today's perspective at the trends and predictions that have shaped our industry. We’ll critically examine the promises of a few years ago—from the revolutionary potential of AI to the rise of personalized medicine, advanced therapies and digital health. Our panellists will share their insights on what worked, what fell short, and what surprised us most. This discussion offers a unique chance to reflect on the past to better understand the present and prepare for what's still to come.

• In hindsight – what did we get right and what did we get wrong?
• Personalised medicine - how far have we come and what challenges remain?
• Advanced therapies – cell and gene therapies journey and current moment to shine?
• Digital health and wearables - have these technologies truly empowered patients and streamlined care?