Investival ShowcaseMonday, 17 November 2025 - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)

The biotech M&A landscape presents unique challenges and opportunities that differ significantly from other sectors. With extended development timelines, complex IP considerations, and specialized regulatory hurdles, biotech founders need tailored strategies to maximize value and ensure their innovations reach their full potential.

In this masterclass session we will delve into:

• Understanding the Biotech M&A Landscape
• Current trends in biotech acquisitions and valuations
• Valuation Methodologies for Biotech Companies
• Deal Structuring for Biotech Startups
• Due Diligence Preparation
• Negotiation Strategies and Tactics
• Post-Merger Integration for Scientific Teams

Unlock the secrets of successful pharma-biotech partnerships in this intensive masterclass designed specifically for life science entrepreneurs. Learn from industry experts who understand the complex dynamics of strategic alliances that can accelerate your innovation from lab to market. The pharma partnering masterclass will delve into;

• Proven strategies for identifying and securing the right pharmaceutical partners

• Discuss practical frameworks for structuring deals that maximize value while protecting your intellectual property

• Demonstrate how early-stage pharma collaborations can significantly enhance your startup's validation and success rates

• Provide guidance on valuation approaches and negotiation techniques specific to life science partnerships

• Equip you with tools to leverage partnerships for accessing critical resources, expertise, and market channels

• Include interactive sessions with industry experts who have successfully navigated partnerships from both sides of the table

This intensive masterclass equips biotech founders and executives with essential strategies to successfully navigate the complex world of technology licensing. Learn how to transform your scientific breakthroughs into valuable commercial agreements that accelerate development while maximizing returns.

This masterclass will:

• Provide proven frameworks for protecting and leveraging your intellectual property across different licensing models

• Deliver expert insights on structuring optimal licensing deals specific to various biotech assets and development stages

• Equip you with practical negotiation tactics to secure favourable terms when dealing with larger pharmaceutical companies

• Demonstrate effective valuation methodologies to ensure fair compensation for your platform technologies and therapeutic candidates

• Guide you through critical legal considerations that can make or break biotech licensing agreements

• Include interactive sessions with industry veterans who have successfully executed transformative licensing deals

• Status of the US IPO market in comparison to the EU/UK – current state of the US IPO market and outlook for the coming year
• Pre-IPO readiness check – what do you need in place to ensure you are in the best position for your IPO
• Understanding investor expectation and your equity story and why it is key to success – fireside chat
• What to expect from the IPO process – a summary view of the key elements of the active phase of the transaction
• Key lessons learned from previous transactions – highlighting the known unknowns
• Post-IPO and beyond – understanding your requirements as a listed company

This comprehensive masterclass equips life science entrepreneurs with essential strategies to build, protect, and leverage intellectual property assets that drive company valuation and create sustainable competitive advantages in the rapidly evolving healthcare innovation landscape.

This masterclass will:

• Provide practical frameworks for developing a strategic IP portfolio that aligns with your business objectives and therapeutic focus

• Deliver expert guidance on patent strategies specific to various life science modalities including biologics, gene therapies, and digital health

• Equip you with effective approaches to navigate freedom-to-operate challenges and competitive IP landscapes

• Demonstrate how to leverage IP assets in fundraising, partnerships, and exit strategies to maximize company valuation

• Guide you through critical decisions on global filing strategies and cost-effective IP management for resource-constrained startups

• Include interactive sessions with experienced IP attorneys and life science executives who have successfully built valuable IP portfolios

Topic to be confirmed

Recent years have seen a real terms decrease in VC investment into the life sciences sector. The pandemic bubble burst with returns not as fruitful as anticipated leading to a new wave of caution among investors. Here, we hear from real life examples of de-risking investment opportunities and strategies to best position your company for investment.

• The most common pitfalls in early-stage startups

• How to derisk your investment proposition

• Successful series A raising case studies

10-minute back-to-back showcase presentations from the most innovative start-ups looking for new partners right now.

15-minute back-to-back showcase presentations from companies looking for new partners right now.

Successfully raising series A financing is cause for celebration in the current investment climate. However, for successful companies this will be the first of many successes and milestones. The next step once series A funding has been secured is instrumental in the long-term strategy of the company, CEOs should consider further funding rounds, capital markets and deal making when evaluating what comes next.

• What different growth and scaling routes look like in practice

• Further funding rounds, IPO, or acquisition?

• How to know which route is best for you

15-minute back-to-back showcase presentations from companies looking for new partners right now.

15-minute back-to-back showcase presentations from companies looking for new partners right now.

Strategy and milestones are crucial factors for investors and stakeholders. These milestones and their timelines can often be affected by unforeseen circumstances, in such cases companies can seek bridge financing to extend their runway and increase chances of an exit. Our panel of investors share their thoughts on bridge financing, when it is needed and best practices for securing additional funding.

• Bridge financing, what is it and when should it be sought

• Pros and cons of bridge financing

• Investor opinion on funding to extend runways

15-minute back-to-back showcase presentations from companies looking for new partners right now.