By Joey Wong, Director of Investor Research, Hong Kong BD, LSN
Hosted by Life Science Nation (LSN), co-moderated by Labiotech.eu, and sponsored by ShareVault, last Thursday’s Investor Fireside Chat brought together four active investors in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Each panelist shared insights from their unique investment focus and fund background, offering perspectives on key investment trends and the 2025 landscape.
A central theme that emerged was cautious optimism in early-stage life science and healthcare fundraising. While investors have remained highly conservative in recent years, there is still dry powder available, and some are considering deploying capital to generate returns. However, overall sentiment remains cautious, with investors seeking greater certainty about capital allocation. Panelists emphasized that companies should plan their runway carefully, as raising funds between seed and Series A may take longer than anticipated. Additionally, securing continued support from existing investors was highlighted as a critical factor in navigating the current fundraising environment.
When asked for advice, panelists underscored the importance of capital efficiency. They encouraged companies to focus on fundamentals, set clear milestones, be strategic about pipeline expansion, and extend their runway as much as possible. One panelist suggested planning for at least 12 to 30 months of runway. While high valuations are always appealing, the panelists advised founders to recognize today’s challenges and seize investment opportunities when available – after all, cash is king, and survival is key.
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