Day Two - Western European Summer Time (WEST)
- Adam Griffiths - Portfolio Manager, LSX
The biopharmaceutical sector is experiencing a transformative market recalibration, creating unique windows of opportunity for agile industry players. Our distinguished panel brings together visionary leaders who are successfully navigating this evolution with innovative approaches and strategic foresight. As the market redefines value metrics, forward-thinking companies are pioneering creative capital strategies while investors discover promising alternative pathways to exceptional returns. Simultaneously, pharmaceutical companies are leveraging these dynamic conditions to forge groundbreaking partnerships and strategic acquisitions that promise to reshape the industry landscape. This energizing discussion showcases how today's market challenges are catalyzing innovation, strategic realignment, and the emergence of tomorrow's industry leaders poised for remarkable growth and success.
- How can biotech companies adjust their valuation expectations to attract investors in today’s market?
- What strategies are investors employing to navigate the lack of M&A and value-creating catalysts?
- How can large pharma leverage the current market conditions to identify undervalued assets or partnerships?
Where will the next biotech breakthrough emerge? This panel will explore the rise of global innovation hubs and their potential to reshape the industry. From regions offering competitive funding, access to top talent, and favourable regulatory environments to the role of international collaborations in accelerating academic research translation, the discussion will highlight the unique advantages these hotspots bring to early-stage biotechs. Panellists will also tackle the challenges of spinning out companies outside established biotech centers, sharing strategies for overcoming barriers and driving the future of biotech innovation.
- What regions offer the best funding, talent, or regulatory incentives for early-stage biotechs?
- How can academic researchers leverage international collaborations for translation?
- What are the challenges of spinning out companies outside traditional biotech hubs?
- Mathias Frederiksen - Principal, Novartis Venture Fund
How can academic discoveries become the foundation for successful biotech companies? This panel will delve into the essential steps for transforming groundbreaking research into viable ventures. From strategies to de-risk academic science and attract investors to navigating university tech transfer offices and overcoming IP challenges, the discussion will provide actionable insights for founders. Panellists will also explore the most effective funding mechanisms, such as grants and venture creation, to support early-stage translation and set the stage for long-term success in the biotech industry.
- What are the critical steps to de-risk academic science for investors?
- How can founders navigate university tech transfer offices and IP hurdles?
- What funding mechanisms (e.g., grants, venture creation) work best for early translation?
- Marta Lesko - VP, Head of Neurology & Immunology Business Development, Merck KGaA
The biotech investment landscape in 2026 is marked by heightened scrutiny and selectivity as sector-wide headwinds continue to challenge traditional funding strategies. Investors are increasingly focused on identifying high-potential opportunities while navigating a complex environment of risk and reward. This panel will delve into the strategies employed by leading venture capitalists and crossover funds to allocate capital effectively, shedding light on the therapeutic areas and modalities that are gaining traction versus those facing realignment.
- Which therapeutic areas and modalities are attracting capital vs. facing scepticism?
- How are investors balancing risk between early-stage vs. late-stage opportunities?
- What red flags are causing investors to pass on otherwise promising companies?
- Hakan Goker - Managing Director, M Ventures
- João Incio - General Partner, Biovance Capital
- Achim Plum - Managing Director, HTGF
Southern Europe is rapidly evolving into a fertile ground for biotech innovation, with dynamic ecosystems emerging in Portugal, Italy, Spain, and France. This panel explores the unique advantages of these hubs, from access to talent and supportive public funding to new private capital flows. Investors and ecosystem leaders will dissect what makes the region attractive, what challenges remain, and where the next breakout companies are likely to emerge.
- The evolution of biotech ecosystems in Southern Europe
- What makes Southern Europe attractive to international investors?
- Role of public-private partnerships in regional development
- Perspectives from VC firms active in the region
- Amanda Gett - Partner, Kurma Partners
- Ricardo Henriques - Managing Partner & Co-founder, Biovance Capital
How can early-stage biotechs build commercial value from the very beginning? This panel will explore the importance of embedding market insights into R&D decisions long before Phase 3, helping companies attract partners and investors. Panelists will discuss practical strategies for preclinical and Phase 1 companies to gather feedback from payers, physicians, and patients, as well as the most effective low-cost market research tools, such as KOL interviews and analog analyses. The conversation will also address when to hire the first commercial leader and what expertise and profile best complement an early-stage team, ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success.
- How can preclinical/Phase 1 companies start gathering payer, physician, and patient feedback?
- What low-cost market research tools (e.g., KOL interviews, analog analyses) are most effective?
- When should you hire your first commercial leader, and what profile fits an early-stage team?
- Matthias Hess - SVP Head of Europe, SpringWorks Therapeutics
Should early-stage innovation target rare diseases with streamlined regulatory pathways or broad indications with larger market potential? This panel will tackle the strategic decisions academic spinouts face when choosing their focus. From evaluating niche versus mass-market opportunities to exploring funding sources like patient advocacy groups and venture philanthropy for rare disease work, the discussion will provide critical insights for navigating this pivotal choice. Panelists will also examine the advantages of starting with rare diseases and later expanding to broader populations, offering guidance on how to balance impact, feasibility, and long-term growth.
- How can academic spinouts strategically choose between niche and mass-market opportunities?
- What funding sources (e.g., patient advocacy groups, venture philanthropy) support rare disease work?
- Are there advantages to starting with rare diseases and expanding to broader populations?
- Lori Badura - Head of Global Partnering Rare Disease & Neuroscience, IPSEN
What’s next in the evolution of drug development? This panel will explore the cutting-edge modalities that are redefining the biotech landscape. Panellists will debate which of these emerging platforms hold the most translational promise and which may be overhyped. The discussion will also address the technical and manufacturing hurdles that must be overcome to bring these innovations to market and provide strategies for early-stage companies to de-risk novel mechanisms, making them more attractive to investors and partners.
- Which emerging modalities are overhyped vs. undervalued?
- What are the key technical and manufacturing challenges for these platforms?
- How can early-stage companies derisk novel mechanisms to attract funding?
- Nuno Alves - Associate Director, Business Development, Astellas
- Christopher Church - Head of Technology Search & Evaluation, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca
The biotech financing landscape is experiencing a notable shift, with private funding showing resilience while public markets continue to face challenges. This panel will explore the contrasting dynamics between private and public financing, focusing on why venture capitalists and crossover investors are increasingly favoring private rounds over public market exits. It will also provide insights into how early-stage biotechs can strategically position themselves to attract private capital in a competitive environment. Additionally, the discussion will address the long-term implications of the private market’s dominance on biotech innovation, exit strategies, and the broader industry ecosystem.
- Why are VCs and crossovers favouring private rounds over public market exits?
- How can early-stage biotechs position themselves to attract private capital in a competitive landscape?
- What are the long-term implications of the private market’s dominance for biotech innovation and exits?
- Søren Lemonius - Managing General Partner, Sunstone Life Science Ventures
With the biotech investment landscape has becoming increasingly selective, and tightened criteria reshaping how venture capitalists evaluate opportunities, this panel will provide a rare glimpse into the minds of leading investors, exploring how due diligence processes have evolved in response to market challenges. Attendees will gain insights into the key metrics that matter most in Series A and B pitches, from scientific innovation to market potential. The discussion will also uncover the top three factors that drive investors to say "yes" in 2026, offering actionable advice for biotech companies seeking to secure funding in a competitive and rapidly changing environment.
- How has due diligence changed in the current environment?
- What metrics matter most in Series A/B pitches today?
- The 3 things that make investors say "yes" in 2026
- Claire Brown - Partner, Oxford Science Enterprises
- Max Klement - Partner, Venture Investments, Novo Holdings
As oncology continues to evolve, where do the next big opportunities lie in this ever-growing market? This panel will examine the future of cancer treatment beyond checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on next-generation immuno-oncology therapies, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and personalized approaches. Panelists will discuss novel mechanisms like T-cell engagers, cancer vaccines, and dual-targeting ADCs with blockbuster potential, highlighting the innovations that could shape the next era of oncology therapeutics.
- What novel mechanisms (e.g., T-cell engagers, cancer vaccines, dual-targeting ADCs) have blockbuster potential?
- How can smaller biotechs compete in a space increasingly dominated by big pharma?
- What pricing and market-access challenges will emerging oncology therapies face?
- Markus Dangl - EVP, Head of Oncology, Evotec
- Paul-Peter Tak - President & CEO, Candel Therapeutics
Navigating pricing and market access for novel modalities like cell and gene therapies or RNA-based drugs requires strategic foresight. This panel will explore how early-stage companies can design clinical trials with endpoints that align with payer expectations, ensuring smoother reimbursement pathways. Panelists will address common misconceptions about pricing for one-time versus chronic therapies and discuss the importance of engaging with health technology assessment (HTA) bodies well before Phase 3. Attendees will gain actionable insights into overcoming the unique challenges these groundbreaking therapies face in achieving commercial success.
- How can early-stage companies design trials with endpoints that payers will accept?
- What are the biggest misconceptions about pricing for one-time vs. chronic therapies?
- How should you engage with HTAs before Phase 3?
- Francis Pang - SVP, Global Market Access & International Geographic Expansion, Orchard Therapeutics
- Ulf Staginnus - VP International Market Access & Pricing, Blueprint Medicines
- René Schüler - VP, Head of Market Access Europe, SpringWorks Therapeutics
The biotech industry stands at an exciting crossroads, where scientific innovation—from gene editing to AI-driven drug discovery—is advancing at an unprecedented pace. While the funding landscape has evolved following the pandemic-driven biotech boom of 2020-2021, this shift presents a unique opportunity to rethink and refine traditional funding models. Investors are increasingly focused on de-risked assets with clear clinical and commercial pathways, creating a fertile environment for companies to differentiate themselves and explore new avenues for growth. This panel will bring together visionary leaders to discuss how the biotech ecosystem can adapt and thrive in this dynamic environment. By embracing strategic innovation and collaboration, the industry has the potential to unlock sustainable funding mechanisms that will propel breakthrough technologies forward and ensure long-term success.
- How can early-stage biotechs stand out in a competitive landscape and attract capital?
- Should companies consider staying private longer, or are public markets still a viable option for growth?
- What innovative funding and collaboration models—such as venture creation or corporate spinouts—can drive the next wave of biotech success?
- Roel Bulthuis - Managing Partner, Head of Investments, Syncona
- Arno de Wilde - Managing Director, EQT Life Sciences
M&A has long been a cornerstone of growth and innovation in the biopharma industry, serving as a vital mechanism for recycling capital, fostering collaboration, and accelerating the development of transformative therapies. As the sector continues to evolve, strategic M&A has the potential to act as a powerful catalyst for revitalizing the biopharma ecosystem, driving growth, and boosting investor confidence. This panel will explore how both large pharma and biotech companies can leverage M&A to unlock new opportunities, scale breakthrough innovations, and create momentum that propels the industry forward.
- What barriers are preventing large pharma from engaging in more M&A, and how can they be addressed?
- How can biotech companies make themselves more attractive acquisition targets in a selective market?
- What types of deals are most likely to drive sector momentum?
- Juergen Eckhardt - Global Head of Business Development & Licensing, Bayer
- Matthias Müllenbeck - SVP, Head Global Business Development & Alliance Management, Merck KGaA