Shikha Sharma

Interview with Shikha Sharma,Senior Director, at CLS California Life Sciences By Caitlin Dolegowski Marketing Manager, LSN

Caitlin Dolegowski

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Please introduce us to California Life Sciences. 

Shikha Sharma: California Life Sciences (CLS) is the state’s most impactful life sciences membership organization, advocating for the sector and its diverse innovation pipeline. For more than 30 years, CLS has served the community by supporting companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. As integral components of a healthy and collaborative ecosystem, CLS also works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners that promote this vibrant sector. On behalf of our more than 1,200 member organizations, CLS works to shape public policy, improve access to breakthrough technologies, educate lawmakers, and advance equity within our ecosystem by championing innovative solutions for some of the most pressing challenges of our times. In doing so, CLS fulfills its mission to protect and nurture California’s life sciences industry, empowering discoveries that lead to healthier lives around the world. 

 

CD: What type of companies do California Life Sciences consider for membership? 

 SS: CLS members represent companies of all sizes, from early-stage innovators and startups to established industry leaders in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology. As integral components of a healthy and collaborative ecosystem, CLS also works closely with universities, academic and research institutions, the investment community, and other critical partners that promote this vibrant sector. 

  

CD: What stage of fundraising is California Life Sciences looking to support?  

SS: The CLS Innovation & Entrepreneurship programs primarily support early-stage companies in fundraising stages from pre-seed to Series A. However, the broader CLS community encompasses members, companies, stakeholders, and pharma industry professionals with accessibility to later stage fundraising know-how and connections. Becoming part of CLS gives you access to a broad network that can directly and indirectly support companies in any stage of fundraising. 

  

CD: Clearly, California Life Sciences, is in California. Though, not all your members are located in California. What are your geographic qualifications?  

SS: We don’t have geographic qualifications, per se.  CLS welcomes any organization that is looking to access, expand and/or maintain a foothold in what I would consider the most robust life sciences ecosystem worldwide.  

 

CD: What works well for California Life Sciences in being a part of the RESI experience?  

SS: As part of our portfolio of entrepreneurship services, CLS seeks to establish partnerships with respected partnering and investor conferences to aid our members in the fundraising journeys. Importantly, opportunities like RESI connects them with Seed and Series B investors, channel and licensing partners.  

  

CD: What other information is important for companies to consider about California Life Sciences?  

 SS:  California Life Sciences’ innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives connect life science startups to the resources needed to help them effectively scale their ventures. Our programs create a platform for accessing business partners, investors, foundations and patient advocacy organizations, peers, and other industry leaders. 

 Designed to nurture and advocate for emerging and diverse innovators from throughout the state, CLS offers advisory services, positioning for capital tools, access to capital through strategic partnerships and events and US market access resources to help in the development and commercialization of their business. 

By Love Chung, Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Calling all actively investing in early-stage life sciences! At RESI, you will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse array of innovative entrepreneurs, promising startups, and seasoned industry leaders. This conference will provide an invaluable snapshot of the latest trends, breakthrough technologies, and investment opportunities that are reshaping the future of healthcare. Early-stage companies attending from the biotech, medtech, diagnostic and digital health sectors. Don’t miss out on this unparalleled platform to leverage your expertise and drive transformative advancements in life sciences investment.

Below are a few testimonials from investors who have attended RESI Boston this past June:

“It is our second year at RESI. In 3 days, I opened my schedule to global organizations and met efficiently online over 55 quality life sciences and medical device companies. Some are now part of our Keiretsu portfolio. I love collaborating with RESI and sourcing possible deals for our Investors’ chapters”

Daniela Tixi, Keiretsu Forum Canada

---

“I have been attending the RESI since 2018, and I find it very useful in that it allows me to meet with many startup companies that I would not be able to meet at partnering conferences such as BIO International. In fact, I often attend smaller partnering conferences as well as BIO International, but there are a few startup companies that we could only meet at RESI because we could not meet them at those partnering conferences, which is a true testament to the value of RESI. I also benefit from the information on cutting-edge drug discovery research and technology that we can gain from participating in RESI. In addition, it is very beneficial from a long-term perspective that RESI offers a chance for startup companies to join RESI so that they can build partnerships with pharmaceutical companies or VC firms and become our future collaboration partners. From this perspective, I hope that startup will continue to participate in RESI and deepen its collaboration with us and other pharmaceutical companies and VCs who are also participating in RESI to build the ecosystem.”

Hiroyuki Eda, EA Pharma

---

“We came to RESI as potential investors, and unexpectedly found many more companies representing significant early-stage opportunities for investment and partnership. The atmosphere was extremely collegial with a chance to meet multiple times within the venue. I participated as a judge on a cell and gene therapy pitch session panel, and also enjoyed giving feedback to the companies who pitched there, plus got to know some of the other judges after the panel event. This was another unexpected plus to attending the RESI meeting. I strongly recommend this meeting to others.”

Barri Blauvelt, Tamer Group

Hear from more investors and view confirmed investors at RESI!

---

By Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Global Tech Hubs, LSN

Incubators, accelerators, tech transfer offices, non-profits, and regional and government organizations all play a crucial role in fostering the growth and success of early-stage companies. In 2023 so far, Life Science Nation’s Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conference has received attendance from 200+ tech hub constituents across Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Digital Health, Medical Devices, and R&D Tools. Here are 2 reasons why tech hubs are important in this early-stage startup arena:

1. Startups can get access to resources and support to help them navigate the challenges of being a first time CEO and to make better decisions across product development, sales, marketing, and legal matters. This typically includes lab space, and access to a network of investors, experienced entrepreneurs, and potential partners and customers. An additional value is the networking aspect where founders can develop a community by collaborating with like-minded individuals and industry professionals.
2. We’ve found that most startup founders who attend RESI have dedicated their entire lives to perfect their craft in intense research and development, but still may lack the experience in building a successful business. Joining a tech hub allows the ability for founders to access educational courses on topics such as pitching to investors, solidifying their story, and how to leverage strategic and operational tactics to execute successful marketing and fundraising campaigns.

Tech hub, BioMed SA, attended RESI Boston in June and Member & Program Manager, Jared Stein, shared, “My experience at RESI was wonderful.  I enjoyed meeting all the other exhibitors and attendees throughout the day, thought the exhibit table was in a great location, and I gained several strong new leads from the event.”

Through RESI partnership, tech hub constituents gain access to resources beyond 1-1 partnering, such as discounted prices to the Life Science Nation (LSN)’s Investor Database and the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC).

Here’s how tech hubs and their constituents can get involved at Hybrid RESI, September 18-20th:

1. Register for a 1-1 partnering ticket at the tech hub rate. Contact Erika Wu to set up a unique discount code.
2. Apply to pitch at the onsite Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) and receive a free registration for a startup’s second attendee. Applications are due Wednesday, August 9th. Apply to Pitch Here. No special code required.
3. Tech hubs can save 50% off all RESI sponsorship levels. Offer applicable until end of 2023. See sponsorship brochure.

For any inquires, contact Erika Wu, Business Development Manager, Global Tech Hub at Life Science Nation.

Marta New, Ph.D., MBA

Interview with Marta New, founder and CEO of Radyus Research By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Caitlin Dolegowski

Caiti Dolegowski (CD): Introduce us to Radyus Research.

Marta New (MN): Radyus Research is a fully integrated, one-stop, preclinical drug-development CRO for small molecules, peptides, and antibodies. We created Radyus after seeing a need for a different approach to drug development that is more custom and personal to each client’s needs.

We work with biotech companies, academic startups, and venture capital firms developing preclinical assets ranging from drug discovery and lead candidate selection to lead optimization and IND-enabling studies.

Our business is designed to function in a way that views a holistic picture of our client’s needs, creating long-term partnerships instead of one-off projects. This kind of working design has allowed us to build an incredibly skilled and diverse team to help our clients reach their goals and even help create their next goal.

CD: Radyus Research has over 150 years of work experience in the development of therapeutics. Tell us about your team and their fields.

MN: First, I am very proud of our team and how we built it. We have taken special care to form a team of industry experts that can offer something unique to the world of drug development. Our team members come from big pharma, venture capital, CROs, and consulting. With such a diverse group, we can identify issues and opportunities that others may not. We have found that the unique combination of experience and expertise we have in place makes it easier for our clients to rely on us to help take their drug to IND because we know what buyers are looking for.

That 150 years of combined experience you mentioned comes from our team developing therapeutics in the fields of oncology, immunology, neuro/CNS, respiratory, metabolic, and infectious diseases. We provide scientific expertise, strategic guidance, and even operational implementation.

But it is not just the expertise of our team members that makes us a one-stop shop for preclinical drug development; it is also our philosophy of partnership and problem-solving. The diverse capabilities of our team allow us to work as a true extension of our clients, discovering new pathways forward they might not uncover on their own.

We’re also beginning team spotlight posts exclusively on LinkedIn that will introduce our amazing team members to the drug-development community. I encourage everyone to follow our LinkedIn page to learn more about our team.

CD: What type of client is your ideal fit?

MN: We work with smaller venture-backed biotech companies that typically have a relatively small employee count and are in the early stages of development, and mid-sized venture-backed biotech companies with a moderate employee base and strong financial resources. We also work with Venture Capital Funds doing new company formation.

CD: Radyus Research is a sponsor at RESI, and we’re excited to have you as a part of our RESI community. Radyus hosted a workshop at RESI Boston June, Maximizing Preclinical Development Success for VC-Backed Startups Through CRO Partnerships. What did RESI attendees learn during this workshop?

MN: We are certainly excited to partner with RESI and put on this workshop. In the workshop, we discussed the value of strategic planning, efficient collaboration, and effective project management in drug development and what should be expected from each.

We also discussed a few of the steps needed to maximize success, like how to define clear objectives, selecting the right CRO partner, developing a comprehensive project and management plan, how to ensure quality and compliance during the project, and the best way to evaluate project performance and learn. We talked through some ways to manage resources and how to foster a collaborative relationship to increase the chances of maximizing preclinical development success.

CD: I joined the panelist planning call for your workshop and noticed a theme of personalized service. Why is that important to Radyus Research and what does it mean for your clients?

MN: Personalized service is the game-changer. We have learned that having a truly tailored approach requires more than defined actions only. It is a mindset that must permeate the entire team. Each drug development project is unique, with specific goals, timelines, and requirements. Viewing each client as a unique relationship allows us to customize our support to fit the specific needs of the VC-backed biotech companies we work with. Here are three reasons our focus is always on developing a partnership first:

1. Ability to adapt: A tailored approach allows for unique flexibility and agility when adapting to the evolving needs of each client’s preclinical development project. We can quickly adjust to new strategies, resources, or timelines to address challenges.
2. A Higher level of support: Because we work as an extension of our client’s team, there is a direct line of communication and collaboration. This allows for more efficient knowledge transfer, timely guidance, and proactive problem-solving. We are more familiar with specific goals, approaches, and strategic priorities because, in many cases, we work with our clients to set each of these from the start.
3. Attention to Detail: The level of client integration we practice emphasizes attention to detail and a focus on quality, reducing the risk of errors or oversights that could compromise success. Our clients will always work with our “A-team,” who will be engaged and know the project from start to finish to creation of next steps.