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Day 1 – Tuesday, 16 September 2025 - ET (Eastern Time, GMT-05:00)
The biopharma industry is entering a transformative era, driven by groundbreaking advancements in science, technology, and global collaboration. From artificial intelligence revolutionising drug discovery to the rise of cell and gene therapies offering hope for previously untreatable diseases, innovation is reaching unprecedented heights. Navigating a complex and uncertain policy environment remains a challenge amidst the looming patent cliff, however new global opportunities such collaborating with emerging players like China offers new ground for new deals, new partnerships, and new pathways to meet patient’s needs. With financial recovery underway and dealmaking activity accelerating, the focus is shifting back to fundamentals—strong science, robust data, and patient-centric innovation. This panel will bring together leading experts to explore how biopharma can rise to these challenges, seize opportunities, and deliver life-changing solutions to patients around the world.
- Resurgence in dealmaking? Exploring the notable rise in deals as companies race to replenish pipelines amidst looming patent expirations
- The rise of Chinese biopharma innovation and the greater global opportunity for deals and partnerships
- Highlighting the transformative role of AI in accelerating drug discovery and clinical trials, alongside challenges in accessing high-quality data
- Advancements in Cell and Gene therapies, realising their potential to treat complex diseases, and the challenges of scaling access
Following a slow period for both M&A and IPO markets between 2022 and the first half of 2024 there has been a welcome uptick across both markets, bringing optimism and expectation to startups and investors alike. Our panel of medtech leaders and investors discuss the key factors in the return of medtech exits, what it means moving forward and strategies for companies effectively approaching exits.
- A review of the IPO and M&A markets over the past 12 months
- Expectations and trends for the next 18 months
- When and how companies should approach exit strategies
Amid a growing M&A market and better macroeconomic conditions, major strategics are deploying more capital and entering into more partnerships with smaller companies to drive growth. Hear from our mix of strategic business development and CVC executives to discuss best practice for engaging with these strategics as well as hearing their priorities and areas of focus over the next 12-18 months.
- The best time to approach strategics, and strategies for getting in front of decision makers
- Milestones strategic partners look for when considering partnership
- The areas major strategics are prioritising in the next 18 months
While the excitement and anticipation is huge, what is the actual way forward with AI? How are pharma companies using and leveraging AI to deliver commercial and patient benefits?
- How is pharma moving from AI hype to practical implementation?
- Highlighting examples of how pharma companies are currently leveraging AI to improve patient care and treatment efficacy
- Exploring how AI is being utilized to enhance commercial strategies, streamline processes, and drive revenue growth
- Discussing the critical factors pharma companies must address to ensure effective and sustainable AI adoption
Step into the future of pharma innovation. This open format discussion with industry leaders will illuminate the groundbreaking technologies poised to revolutionize the industry. But there’s a catch, we won’t be talking about AI! From the power of digital tech in drug discovery to the transformative potential of personalized medicine, we'll explore how emerging digital technologies are reshaping patient care, clinical trials, and the entire pharma landscape. Discover the cutting-edge advancements that will define the next era of pharmaceutical excellence.
Despite a complex funding landscape, VC’s remain bullish on the potential of biotech innovation. This panel of leading investors will explore the 2025 funding landscape so far, the outlook for the and beyond, diving into the forces shaping the industry and the cutting-edge therapies of tomorrow. Join us for a candid discussion on where capital is flowing, how companies are adapting, and what the future holds for biotech breakthroughs.
- Overview of the key biotech investment trends so far in 2025
- What are the most critical factors—economic, regulatory, technological—that will impact biotech over the next 12-24 months and beyond? How can companies prepare for these shifts?
- How are investors balancing investments in early-stage versus late-stage biotech companies?
Securing early-stage venture capital is crucial for biotech startups with groundbreaking ideas. This panel will provide invaluable insights into what investors look for in seed and series A rounds, offering practical advice on how to craft a compelling pitch, build strong relationships, and ultimately secure the funding you need to fuel your vision.
- Understanding what VCs prioritize in early-stage biotech, from team and technology to market opportunity
- How to create a concise and compelling pitch deck that captures investor attention and showcases your potential
- Strategies for networking effectively and building relationships with VCs before, during, and after the pitch
Partnerships are the cornerstone of the biotech industry, enabling companies to pool resources, share expertise, and accelerate the development of life-saving drugs and technologies. This panel will provide a broad overview of the different types of biotech partnerships, their benefits, and how companies can strategically leverage them to drive success.
- Comparing different types of partnerships: When to choose which model?
- Overcoming common challenges in biotech collaborations
- Building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships in the biotech ecosystem
Licensing agreements are a cornerstone of biotech partnerships, allowing smaller organisations or academic institutions to monetise intellectual property while enabling larger companies to expand their pipelines. Panellists will explore the nuances of exclusive vs non-exclusive licences, financial structures, and how to maximise value for both licensors and licensees.
- Exclusive vs non-exclusive licences: How to decide what’s best for your organisation
- Financial structures in licensing: Upfront payments, milestones, and royalties
- Leveraging licensing to build strategic relationships and expand IP potential
Transitioning from an R&D-focused company to a fully integrated biotech is a pivotal moment. This panel will examine the challenges and opportunities involved in creating a scalable, commercial-ready organisation. Panellists will share strategies for building infrastructure, developing cross-functional teams, and balancing short-term launch needs with long-term sustainability.
- How to scale operations without losing the innovative edge of a small biotech
- Balancing scientific priorities with commercial and organisational demands
- Identifying the right time to shift from R&D to commercial-stage readiness
AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a game-changer for drug discovery. But the real breakthroughs happen when cutting-edge AI meets deep biopharma expertise. From accelerating target identification to optimising clinical trials, strategic partnerships between biotech, pharma, and AI innovators are redefining the pace and precision of drug development. In this panel, industry leaders will dive into what makes these collaborations successful, how to navigate challenges, and what the future holds for AI-powered drug discovery.
- How partnerships are transforming R&D efficiency and success rates
- Key factors in choosing and structuring AI collaborations
- Real-world case studies on how AI is delivering tangible drug discovery breakthroughs
Women’s health has long been underserved in healthcare, in recent years the tide has turned with greater investment flowing into the sector. Now the companies at the forefront of women’s health are engaged in Series C and later funding rounds to truly scale and commercialize their technology. Our panel of women’s health executives discuss their experience and the investment landscape at greater scales.
- Challenges and trends within the women’s health space
- Women’s health investment landscape
- Market opportunities in women’s health
In an industry worth over $500B, and with near constant innovation, it is easy to lose sight of the macro trends within the sector. With general optimism returning to the space, some therapeutic areas could be poised for significant growth powered by an influx of funding. Hear from our panel of CEOs and medtech leaders on their priorities and challenges from operating in the hottest areas within the industry.
- Reviewing the “hottest” areas in medtech
- Focus areas for strategic investors and tier 1 BD teams
- The benefits and challenges of being an innovator in a competitive area
Get the inside scoop on how pharma giants are leveraging strategic acquisitions and integrations to fuel unprecedented growth. We'll dissect the latest trends, reveal the critical factors for evaluating potential partners, and provide actionable strategies for navigating the complex world of pharma business development.
- Overview of the current landscape of pharma digital tech acquisitions and integrations – where is Pharma’s appetite?
- Assessing potential partners, ensuring strategic alignment and maximizing ROI
- Strategies for overcoming the hurdles of integrating acquired technologies – Are we there yet?
- Leveraging tech acquisitions for accelerated growth and competitive advantage in the pharma industry
Dive into the dynamic world of pharma tech investment. This panel brings together leading corporate VC’s to dissect the latest trends, analyze ROI potential, and explore the unique opportunities and challenges of funding groundbreaking pharmaceutical technologies. Discover how smart money is fuelling the future of medicine and learn the strategies for navigating this rapidly evolving and high-stakes landscape.
- Exploring the investment trends in the pharma tech space – what is the ROI?
- Discussing the role of corporate venture capital in funding pharma tech innovation
- Analysing the opportunities and challenges for investors in the rapidly evolving pharma tech landscape
Securing Series A funding is a major milestone, but it's just the beginning. This panel discussion will guide biotech companies through the critical next steps, exploring the challenges and opportunities of navigating growth-stage funding and scaling operations to achieve long-term success. Join industry experts as they discuss strategies for maximizing your Series A investment and preparing for future funding rounds.
- How to effectively deploy Series A capital to achieve key milestones and build a sustainable company
- Preparing for Series B and Beyond: What investors look for in later-stage biotech funding and how to position your company for future rounds
- The importance of attracting and retaining top talent as your company scales.
- Navigating the Regulatory & Clinical Landscape: Successfully managing clinical trials, regulatory approvals, and other key hurdles on the path to commercialization
Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) is playing an increasingly crucial role in the biotech ecosystem, providing not just funding but also strategic partnerships and industry expertise. This panel will bring together leading CVC investors to discuss their investment strategies, the benefits they offer biotech startups, and the evolving landscape of corporate venturing in the life sciences.
- How do CVCs align their investments with their parent company's strategic objectives? What are they looking for beyond just financial returns?
- Beyond Capital: What non-financial benefits do CVCs offer biotech startups? How do these partnerships foster innovation?
- Deal Structures & Collaboration: What are the typical deal structures for CVC investments in biotech? How do CVCs balance financial investment with collaborative partnerships?
- The Future of Biotech CVC: How is the biotech CVC landscape evolving?
Research collaborations are pivotal for early-stage biotech development, allowing companies to pool resources, share expertise, and accelerate innovation. By partnering with organisations with complementary skills, companies can validate technologies and advance drug candidates while minimising costs. However, challenges such as intellectual property disputes and timeline alignment require careful management.
- How to manage IP rights and ownership in research collaborations
- Strategies for aligning goals, timelines, and organisational structures between partners
- Examples of successful research collaborations and lessons learned from challenges
Co-development agreements allow companies to share the significant costs and risks associated with late-stage clinical development. These partnerships combine complementary expertise and resources, often leading to faster innovation. However, challenges like profit-sharing complexities and potential disagreements on direction must be carefully managed.
- Structuring co-development agreements: Defining responsibilities and profit-sharing
- Case studies: Lessons from successful co-development projects
- Managing potential conflicts and aligning development goals between partners
Access to the right talent and expertise is critical for a successful biotech/medtech launch and growth strategy. This panel will focus on securing the right talent for leadership roles, building new capabilities, and creating a nimble organisational structure that can adapt to the demands of the ever-changing biopharma sector.
- The importance of securing access to hiring experienced leaders early in the company biotech timeline
- Balancing the mix of full-time employees and fractional experts to accelerate innovation and capability building
- Building a cohesive team culture that bridges R&D and commercial priorities
Asia’s biopharma sector is undergoing a remarkable transformation, emerging as a key player in the global biopharma landscape. With substantial investments, innovative therapies, and an expanding focus on first-in-class drugs, Asia is shifting from being a manufacturing hub to a leader in biopharma innovation. This panel will explore the driving forces behind Asia’s rise, its impact on global collaborations, and the opportunities and challenges that come with this seismic shift in the industry. Attendees will gain insights into how Asia’s biopharma boom is shaping the future of healthcare.
- How Asia is moving from generics to cutting-edge therapies, supported by strong R&D and venture capital funding
- Opportunities and challenges in partnering with Asian biotech firms for clinical trials, licensing, and manufacturing
- Navigating policy hurdles and understanding the implications of Asia’s growing influence on the global biopharma ecosystem
As the boundaries between medtech and digital health blur, AI and Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) are at the forefront of the techmed revolution. But innovation alone isn’t enough, success in this space depends on verifiable quality training data sources, regulatory adaptation, and investor confidence. This panel brings together techmed innovators, regulatory experts, and investors to explore how AI and SaMD are reshaping healthcare and where the biggest opportunities lie.
- Investor perspectives, how trust, ethics and cybersecurity impact investment in AI, SaMD and techmed
- Characteristics and importance of a good AI training dataset
- The role of the FDA in keeping up with and ensuring safety of new technologies
Regulatory approval continues to be an essential milestone in the commercialization of medtech products, it constitutes a big step in the de-risking of a medtech investment and proves the safety of medical technologies. Our panel discusses the importance of efficient and effective strategies in streamlining and maximising the opportunity the FDA presents.
- How reform under the Trump administration may alter the FDA workflow
- The importance of looking ahead to reimbursement opportunities in approval strategy
- Common pitfalls and challenges faced in the approval process
The convergence of technology and biology is ushering in a new era of pharmaceutical innovation. This panel explores the dynamic partnership between TechBio startups and established pharma companies, examining how their combined expertise is revolutionizing drug discovery, development, and delivery. Discover the groundbreaking approaches that are shaping the next generation of therapeutics.
- Examining how AI, machine learning, and computational biology are accelerating target identification, drug design, and clinical trial optimization
- Exploring successful partnership and collaborative models for TechBio & Pharma
- Analysing the challenges and opportunities in translating cutting-edge discoveries into accessible and effective patient treatments
- Looking to the future – how can we use digital tech across the whole drug value chain?
Regulatory changes, especially those focused on emerging technologies, are increasingly impacting business models and compliance. This panel brings together experts to explore how companies can navigate this complex landscape. We'll delve into flexible approaches to policy development, such as regulatory sandboxes, outcome-based regulation, and adaptive regulation, and discuss strategies for managing the challenges of regulatory uncertainty and ensuring continued innovation.
- Strategies for managing the reduced speed of technology adoption, potential loss of investments, and increased compliance costs due to complex regulations
- Exploring how companies use technology to make sure they're following the rules, especially with data privacy
- How to proactively adapt to regulatory changes to avoid competitive disadvantages and capitalize on new opportunities
What does a truly diverse and equitable biopharma industry look like in 2025? Industry leaders will share insights on the importance of cultivating a workplace that values different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives while ensuring fair access to opportunities for growth and leadership. This discussion will highlight the business and ethical advantages of fostering a workforce that reflects the broad talent pool available. Panelists will explore practical strategies for breaking down barriers, supporting career advancement, and creating an environment where all employees can thrive.
- The business case for broadening representation and advancing equity in biopharma
- Strategies for creating an environment where talent is recognized and rewarded equitably
- Effective programs and best practices for expanding access to opportunities
- The role of leadership in driving meaningful change and fostering a dynamic workforce
The start of 2025 saw the biopharma M&A landscape marked by both optimism and uncertainty. After a slow-down in 2024, driven by a mix of economic pressures, regulatory scrutiny, and shifting market dynamics, the industry is poised for a potential recovery. However, with continuing looming patent cliffs, increasing innovation from emerging biotech, and a more cautious regulatory environment, M&A activity is expected to remain measured. Join us as we explore the factors shaping pharma’s M&A strategies, the impact of global geopolitical tensions, and where the biggest opportunities lie for dealmakers this year.
- M&A fundamentals in 2025: the balance between a strong deal capacity and a cautious regulatory environment
- Patent cliff pressures and the hunt for innovation - how big pharma is navigating its revenue replenishment strategy
- Early-stage vs. commercial-stage deals: what trends will dominate and where are the opportunities?
- Geopolitical risks, health policy changes, and their influence on cross-border deals and the pharma market
Despite the current tough fundraising landscape, venture capital remains the dominant source of investment in medtech and digital health. However, shifting dynamics are leading these companies to ask, “are VCs the only option for fundraising?” Our panel of investors and CEOs discuss emerging sources of funding from private equity and venture debt to government initiatives and strategic partnerships.
- Changes in funding models in recent years
- Expectations and milestones different sources of funding hold for their investments
- How companies in different stages of development can benefit from different funding sources
Funding is critical for medtech and digital health growth and commercialization, it is therefore essential for such companies to have a good understanding of investor expectations and a clear fundraising strategy when approaching investment opportunities. Our panel of investors discuss key milestones and qualities they look for from potential investments, and strategies for effectively communicating value in investor meetings.
- Priorities for investors in different stages of development
- How to build an effective investment strategy
- Strategies for successful investor communication
Imagine a future where clinical trials are seamlessly integrated into patients' lives, powered by intelligent technologies designed with human needs at their core. This session explores that future. We'll delve into the landscape of AI-powered, yet human-centred trials, examining how we rigorously validate these technologies before deployment. Join us as we explore AI's impact across all trial stages, address the critical need for unbiased algorithms, and discuss how AI can democratize access to trials for underserved communities. Discover how technology is reshaping clinical research to be more accessible, efficient, and patient-friendly
- What does the future of AI-powered but human centred clinical trials look like?
- How do we validate technologies before they get introduced into clinical trials?
- Exploring the use of AI in the various clinical trial stages
- How can we ensure that algorithms are unbiased and fair?
- Can AI help to improve access to clinical trials for underserved populations?
Precision medicine holds the promise of tailored treatments, driven by the power of AI and data. This panel explores the immense opportunities and significant challenges in realizing this vision. We'll delve into how AI and data analytics are transforming healthcare, while also addressing the critical barriers to widespread adoption and discussing strategies to overcome them.
- How can we effectively combine diverse data sources (genomic, clinical, lifestyle) to create comprehensive patient profiles for AI-driven precision medicine?
- What are the risks of bias in AI algorithms, and how can we ensure fairness, transparency, and patient trust in personalized medicine?
- Exploring how we bridge the gap between AI-generated insights and clinical implementation, ensuring that personalized treatments are accessible and effective for all patients?