RESI JPM 2025 IPC Finalists

December 3, 2024December 3, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

Life Science Nation announces the finalists for the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) at the upcoming RESI JPM 2025, which will take place at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco. These innovative startups will showcase their technology in the life sciences and healthcare technologies across the 4Ds—drugs, devices, diagnostics, and digital health.

The IPC provides a unique opportunity for emerging companies to pitch directly to a panel of active investors, including venture capital firms, family offices, corporate venture arms, and angel groups. Participants receive invaluable feedback on their pitch, enjoy the chance to network with investors, and compete for recognition among their peers.

The IPC Finalists will also showcase their technologies in the RESI Exhibition Hall, where they can connect with RESI attendees. This platform highlights the diversity and creativity driving innovation in life sciences.

About the RESI Innovator’s Pitch Challenge

The IPC is a core component of RESI conferences, setting them apart from other partnering events. Finalists pitch to a dedicated panel of investors who provide interactive feedback, and the competition is designed to foster valuable connections and constructive dialogue. IPC participants benefit from conference registrations with full access to partnering opportunities, exhibit space, and the potential to win complimentary registration to a future RESI conference.

Join Us at RESI JPM 2025

This 50th edition of RESI features an expanded schedule, including an in-person day on January 14 and three virtual partnering days on January 15, 16, and January 21. Registration is currently open. Don’t miss your chance to engage with innovators, investors, and industry leaders at this premier event.

Meet the RESI JPM 2025 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Finalists:

RFK Jr. as HHS Head: Biotech Investment Implications

December 3, 2024December 10, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

Editor’s note: The below article is a digest of published expert analyst commentary rather than original content.

According to analysts, RFK Jr’s nomination to head HHS may have introduced a level of uncertainty when it comes to the future of biotech and pharma investment, especially in the areas of vaccines and infectious disease. After his appointment, pharma stocks, especially those of vaccine makers, dropped. Regulatory uncertainty is generally not ideal for the industry. For example, Moderna tried to reassure investors by asserting that according to legislation, the secretary’s role is management, not policy. We may see an RFK who focuses on diet and obesity prevention and leaves regulatory matters for the FDA commissioner (Trump nominated Marty Makary, MD). On the other hand, if HHS, FDA, CDC (for which Trump nominated Dave Weldon, MD) and NIH (for which Trump nominated Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD) see a departure of resources with scientific expertise, the resulting uncertainty could have a dampening effect on investment, especially at the venture stages. However, reducing FDA funding may face hurdles due to nearly half the agency’s budget being funded by user fees rather than federal funds.

RFK Jr has expressed skepticism of the transparency of the safety data behind COVID vaccines as well as vaccines for measles and polio. However, his primary complaint has been mandates rather than regulatory process; He has also expressed sentiment toward GLP-1s, highlighting that these drugs address symptoms rather than food system issues. This has resulted in some industry analysts expressing concern about the confidence of investors who fund vaccines or infectious disease therapies.

NIH funding is also a concern to biotech investors. RFK Jr previously stated that he would reduce NIH staff by 600 – 20,000 employees on his first day on office, potentially shrinking an organization that spends $50B on research, either directly, through monetary grants or through partnerships. Watch our video with the NIH, where they explain funding and partnering options beyond SBIR. Given the reliance life science startups have on NIH funding and partnerships, an RFK Jr effect on startup investment dollars could be most influenced in the short term by potential changes at the NIH. RFK Jr also said that he wants the NIH to take an 8-year break from researching infectious disease, presumably to focus on chronic diseases. He has also stated in the Wall Street Journal that half of NIH’s budget should be dedicated to research on preventative, alternative and holisitic medicine. Notwithstanding the above, the first Trump administration recommended cuts in federal spending on research too, but the NIH saw its budget increase 30% between 2016 and 2020.

Finally, RFK Jr has indicated that he wants DTC pharmaceutical advertising to cease. Analysts have estimated returns on DTC advertising to be 100% to 500%, and some have indicated that such a ban would reduce pharmaceutical revenue.

All that said, many analysts and government experts have indicated that they do not believe RFK Jr. will end up making seismic shifts in the above areas, due to congressional oversight, industry pressure or precedent during the first Trump administration. Perhaps more important will be Makary’s moves as FDA commissioner and Bhattacharya’s actions as head of the NIH. The one thing we can be sure of is the first quarter of 2025 will certainly be carefully watched by the biotech investors.

Navigating Early-Stage Funding in Life Sciences

December 3, 2024December 10, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Momo Yamamoto, Senior Investor Research Analyst, LSN

Securing early-stage funding is a pivotal challenge for life sciences startups aiming to bring innovative technologies to the market. Investors are increasingly drawn to biotechnology and life sciences opportunities, motivated by the potential for significant impact.

Co-moderated with Labiotech.eu, Europe’s leading biotech platform, this webinar offers exclusive insights into investor strategies, emerging trends, and what it takes to capture attention in today’s funding landscape.

Watch the full discussion here:

Confirmed Investors at RESI London and RESI JPM

November 19, 2024November 19, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

Life Science Nation (LSN) is proud to host two pivotal RESI conferences to close out 2024 and kick off 2025: RESI London and RESI JPM. Each event combines in-person networking with virtual partnering to provide unparalleled opportunities for startups, service providers, and investors.

RESI London: December 4-6, 2024

Co-located with Genesis 2024, RESI London takes place in person on Wednesday, December 4, at 11 Cavendish Square, with two days of virtual partnering on December 5-6. This conference will bring together European and global investors, including VCs, angel groups, family offices, and others, with cutting-edge companies across the life sciences sector. Attendees can expect insightful investor panels, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC), and direct access to investors through the partnering platform.

RESI London 2024 Confirmed Investors

RESI JPM: January 14-21, 2025

As part of JP Morgan Healthcare Week, RESI JPM will take place in person on Tuesday, January 14, at the Marriot Marquis in San Francisco, followed by virtual partnering on January 15-16 and an additional virtual day on January 21. This extended virtual component, introduced based on attendee feedback, ensures even greater connectivity with investors worldwide.

RESI JPM will feature expert-led investor panels, engaging workshops, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC), and one-on-one partnering meetings. Marking the 50th RESI conference, the event will host over 600 investors, including representatives from big pharma, medtech, CVCs, venture capital funds, and family offices.

RESI JPM 2025 Confirmed Investors

What Makes RESI Unique?

LSN’s investor research team carefully curates a pool of investors actively seeking opportunities in the life sciences sector. This meticulous vetting ensures high-quality connections through the RESI partnering platform, enabling attendees to focus their efforts on investors that match their goals.

Whether you are seeking to showcase your technology, connect with industry leaders, or identify promising investments, the upcoming RESI London and RESI JPM conferences are unmissable opportunities to expand your network and build meaningful partnerships.

RESI JPM Expands Virtual Partnering to Meet Attendee Needs

November 19, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

RESI JPM 2025, the first conference of the year and the 50th RESI event, introduces an additional day of virtual partnering on January 21, 2025. Based on feedback from attendee surveys, this enhancement provides participants with more opportunities to continue building relationships even after JPM Healthcare Week concludes.

This milestone conference kicks off 2025 with an in-person day on January 14 at the Marriott Marquis in San Francisco, followed by two days of virtual partnering on January 15-16. The added virtual day on January 21 allows attendees to follow up and maximize the value of their networking.

Don’t miss the chance to join this expanded event! Save $300 on your RESI JPM registration until Friday, November 22. Secure your spot to connect with global investors, participate in engaging panels, and take part in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge.

Be part of the connections and conversations that set the stage for innovation and investment in 2025.

Dennis Ford, the CEO of Life Science Nation on Global Fundraising

November 19, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

In an interview with Wendy Pease on the Rapport International podcast, Dennis Ford, CEO of Life Science Nation and author of The Life Science Executive’s Fundraising Manifesto, shares his perspective on the evolution of life science fundraising.

Dennis emphasizes the necessity of a global strategy, noting that startups often need to target 600-800 investors to run a successful 9–18-month campaign. With life science innovation centered in Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America, staying local limits opportunities. He also highlights the importance of persistence, storytelling, and diverse regional partnerships for success.

Listen now to gain actionable insights into life sciences fundraising and the importance of thinking globally.

RESI London Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Finalists

November 13, 2024November 13, 2024 ~ Next Phase Admin ~ Leave a comment

By Claire Jeong, Chief Conference Officer, Vice President of Investor Research, Asia BD, LSN

Experience the innovation at RESI London 2024! The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) will spotlight 20 pioneering companies presenting their breakthrough technologies across 5 dynamic sessions. Each finalist will pitch their unique solutions to panels of relevant investors and industry experts, receiving valuable feedback and building connections with potential partners.

Participating in the IPC provides actively fundraising startups with an unmatched opportunity to boost their visibility and engage with a wider network of global investors and strategic partners.

Below are the participating companies – if you’re attending RESI, don’t miss the chance to meet them. To watch these pitches and join one-on-one partnering sessions, register here!

Meet the RESI London Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Finalists: