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Early Bird & Innovator’s Pitch Challenge Deadlines This Week for RESI Boston June 

6 May

Don’t miss your chance to pitch to investor panels and save—submit your application and register today 

By Max Braht, Director of Business Development, LSN

Max-Braht-Headshot

This week brings two important deadlines for life science companies looking to engage with investors at RESI Boston June, taking place Monday, June 16 at the Westin Copley Place (minutes from BIO), followed by three days of virtual partnering on June 17–18 and 23.

  1. Final Day to Apply for the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge – tomorrow, Wednesday, May 7

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) is a unique opportunity for startups to pitch in front of a panel of well-aligned investors who are actively sourcing deals. This is not just about winning a pitch—it’s about starting real conversations that can lead to partnerships and investment.

IPC participants receive:

  • A spot in a live, interactive pitch session with modality-specific investors
  • A full conference pass including partnering, panels and workshops
  • A table in the Exhibition Hall to showcase your technology throughout the in-person day
  • A chance to win complimentary RESI registration for a future conference

At RESI Boston last year, 56 companies pitched in the IPC, making it a central platform for startups to raise visibility and build investor relationships. If you’re a biotech, medtech, digital health, AI, R&D services or diagnostics founder, don’t miss this opportunity to get in front of aligned investors.
  1. Early Bird Registration Ends – Friday, May 9

RESI Boston June is Life Science Nation’s flagship partnering event, connecting entrepreneurs with a global network of investors across venture capital, pharma, family offices, angels, and strategic firms.

What’s included with registration:

  • One-on-one partnering across four days (June 16 in-person, June 17–18 and 23 virtual)
  • Access to all content: Investor Panels on topics including early-stage therapeutics, digital health, diagnostics, medical devices, family offices, and AI in healthcare, watching the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, sessions, and Fundraising Workshops from industry experts
  • Networking opportunities designed to support relationship-building at all stages of fundraising
  • Two investor-laden receptions, the evenings of June 15th and 16th

Early bird rates expire Friday, May 9, offering the best value for fundraising companies to participate in one of the leading global partnering events focused on life science innovation.

Register for RESI Boston June

Redefining Emergency Care: An Interview with Opportunity Health 

6 May

Third-place winner at the RESI Europe Innovator’s Pitch Challenge discusses their breakthrough anti-choking device and plans for market launch. 

Interview with Iñigo Almazán Tife, Industrial Design Engineer of Opportunity Health by Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Iñigo Almazán Tife CaitiCaitlin Dolegowski

We sat down with Iñigo Almazán Tife, from Opportunity Health to learn more about the inspiration behind their life-saving innovation, their experience at RESI Europe, and what lies ahead for the company. Opportunity Health recently took third place in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Europe, and their technology is generating attention for good reason. 

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Tell us about the origin of Opportunity Health and the innovation behind your solution. 

Iñigo Almazán Tife (IT): Opportunity Health began with a deeply personal event. Our CEO, Germán, was inspired to create this company after a frightening incident involving his brother, Txema. Txema began choking during a family dinner. Thankfully, their father had some knowledge of how to perform a life-saving intervention and managed to save him. But the family recognized it could have ended very differently—had Theo been alone, the outcome might have been fatal. That moment sparked the idea behind our solution. 

The result is Yarnasa, the first automatic, self-applicable anti-choking device. It’s designed for emergency situations and intended to be simple and intuitive—something that can be used in the moment, even by the person who is choking. 

CD: Can the device be used on both adults and children? 

IT: At this stage, our focus is on adults and individuals over the age of 12. This decision is driven by data: around 90% of fatal choking cases occur in individuals over the age of 65. Once we validate the product for adults, our plan is to begin trials to adapt and validate its use for children as well. 

CD: What stage of development and fundraising is Opportunity Health in now? 

IT: We’re currently patent pending and preparing for CE marking in the European market. Our aim is to launch commercially in Europe by mid-2027. The regulatory process for medical devices in Europe typically takes about two years, so we’re laying the groundwork now. 

In parallel, we’re looking ahead to securing FDA clearance for the U.S. market. However, we currently need additional resources to begin that process. One of our near-term goals is to secure funding to pursue FDA certification in parallel with our European regulatory strategy. 

CD: How does your device compare to existing solutions? 

IT: There are other anti-choking devices on the market, but ours is fundamentally different. Most existing options require prior knowledge or physical effort from another person. That becomes problematic if, for example, the person assisting is also elderly or not physically capable. 

Yarnasa is fully self-applicable and automatic. There’s no need for training or strength—just activate it, place it, and press a button. We’re offering a premium, highly innovative solution that redefines the category of anti-choking devices. 

CD: You took third place in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Europe. What was your experience like? 

IT: RESI Europe exceeded our expectations. It was incredibly well organized and offered a strong platform for networking. We met potential investors and collaborators who provided feedback not only on the product but also on company strategy and market approaches. 

The only improvement we’d suggest is better alignment between registered investors and actual attendance. Some investors were only available virtually, which made coordination a bit challenging. But overall, it was a very positive experience. 

CD: How was your experience with the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge itself? 

IT: The Pitch Challenge gave us valuable exposure and feedback. Beyond the pitching session, being part of the exhibition hall allowed us to interact with a wide range of stakeholders. We had insightful conversations about go-to-market strategies across Europe and the U.S., which gave us a clearer roadmap for commercialization. We walked away with actionable insights and new connections. 

CD: Did RESI Europe help you take any steps forward in your fundraising efforts? 

IT: Yes, absolutely. We made new investor connections and followed up by sharing our deck. We’re now in active conversations. Fundraising is a long process, of course, but RESI helped us move things forward. 

CD: What are your goals for the next year or two? 

IT: In the coming months, we’re focused on finalizing our prototype for industrial production, targeting September of this year. After that, we plan to launch an investment round by the end of 2025 or early 2026. The goal of that round is to fund the company through the final development phase and launch the product in market. 

CD: What advice would you give other companies preparing to pitch at RESI? 

IT: I wouldn’t call myself an expert in pitching, but from our experience, I’d say preparation is key. Be clear about the main message you want to convey. And most of all, enjoy the event—be open to conversation. You never know who you’ll meet, and those connections could play a vital role in your company’s journey. 

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RESI Returns to London: December 4–6, 2025 

6 May

By Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

Life Science Nation is bringing RESI back to London in 2025, with an expanded conference designed to connect life science companies with the capital and strategic partners they need to grow. The in-person event takes place on 4 December at 11 Cavendish Square, followed by two days of virtual partnering on 5–6 December, extending access to investors and innovators across the globe. 

RESI London offers a robust agenda tailored to the life science ecosystem, featuring investor panels, workshops, one-on-one partnering, and the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, where selected startups present their technologies to active investors and receive live feedback. Companies raising seed to Series B rounds will find a strong pipeline of potential investors, licensing partners, and collaborators. 

Attendees can register for the three-day hybrid experience or join virtually for the partnering days, depending on their needs and availability. Additional offerings include access to full investor profiles and educational resources to help optimize outreach and meetings. 

RESI also welcomes service providers—including law firms, CROs, and consultants—seeking new business opportunities, and tech hubs and accelerators supporting portfolios of early-stage companies. Discounted packages are available for qualifying groups. 

Qualified investors and strategic partners attend at no cost, with opportunities to participate as speakers, judges, or meeting participants. Whether you’re fundraising, sourcing innovation, or building your network in the European market, RESI London provides a high-impact platform for early-stage partnering. 

Register now for RESI London 2025 and join us in reconnecting global life science stakeholders in the heart of London.

Register for RESI London

Learn Why Innovators Pitch at RESI Boston This June

29 Apr

Connect with top investors and hear how pitching at RESI Boston can move your company forward.

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

Each RESI conference, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) allows life science entrepreneurs to present their technologies to a panel of active investors and strategic partners. Companies pitch live to an audience of relevant investors, receive direct feedback, and make meaningful connections critical to their next stage of growth.

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) continues to demonstrate its impact as a key catalyst for fundraising and visibility. Success stories continue to emerge: at RESI JPM 2024, Convergence Medical, who won second place at the IPC and subsequently closed a $5 million Series A funding round led by Avicella Capital, a member of LSN’s Global Partnering Network.

Meet Some of Our Past Investor Judges
The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge is defined by the quality of its judging panel. Each session features active investors and strategic partners who bring deep expertise in early-stage life investment. Past IPC judges have included representatives from:

Brent-Ahrens
Brent Ahrens
Canaan Partners 		Jeroen-Blokhuis
Jeroen Blokhuis
General Inception  		Chris-Church
Christopher Church
AstraZeneca
Tom-Gibbs
Tom Gibbs
Debiopharm Innovation Fund 		Chris-Haskell
Christopher Haskell, Ph.D.
Johnson & Johnson Innovation		 Claire-Leurent
Claire Leurent
AbbVie Ventures 
Fiona-Mack
Fiona Mack
Bayer 		 Jeffrey-Moore
Jeffrey Moore
MP Healthcare Venture Management 		 Stephanie-Rusinkiewicz
Stephanie Rusinkiewicz
Medtronic
Joachim-Scholpp
Joachim Scholpp
Boehringer Ingelheim		 Christopher-Tan
Christopher Tan
Merck		 Tad-Weems
Tad Weems
Agilent Technologies 

These seasoned judges provide live, interactive feedback, offering startups not just visibility but a chance to start lasting conversations with global early-stage investors.

Hear From Past IPC Winners
Past IPC participants have shared how the experience helped move their ventures forward:

Diana Caldwell, CEO and Co-Founder of Amplified Sciences, shared,
“Participating in the IPC was a pivotal moment for our company. The opportunity to present our technology to a room full of engaged investors and receive immediate feedback was invaluable. It not only validated our approach but also opened doors to partnerships we had not anticipated.”

John Qiao, Founder and CEO of RadioClash, said,
“RESI’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge provided a rare chance to engage directly with investors in a dynamic setting. The interactive feedback helped sharpen our fundraising strategy, and the conference environment led to meaningful follow-up meetings.”

Michael Yu, Founder and CEO of EYWA Biotech, noted,
“The IPC experience was energizing and highly beneficial. It forced us to hone our pitch to its essentials, and the conversations we had during and after the event helped expand our investor network in ways that continue to pay off.”

Beyond the pitch session, IPC participants receive a dedicated exhibit space in the RESI Exhibition Hall, full access to one-on-one partnering, and the chance to win complimentary registration to a future RESI conference.

If you are an early-stage entrepreneur working in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, or digital health, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Boston is your opportunity to stand out.

Apply today to pitch at RESI Boston, taking place June 16, 2025, and move your fundraising forward. Space in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge is limited, and competition for spots is high. Now is the time to apply and secure your chance to be part of RESI Boston this June.

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Seed Funding Hits Lows, Investor Pull Back, Sentiment Down — But Opportunities Remain for the Savvy

29 Apr

Sougato-DasAmid one of the toughest biotech markets in years, seed funding for young companies has fallen to its lowest level in a decade. According to Atlas Venture’s Bruce Booth, only about 55 biotech startups in the U.S. raised initial funding in the first quarter of 2025 — a nearly 70% drop compared to the peak in early 2021.

“It is getting tougher. When there’s no IPO market, there’s no B rounds, and then there’s no A rounds, and there’s no seed rounds. It all trickles down,” said Søren Møller, managing partner of seed investments at Novo Holdings. Søren also conveyed that due to the market confusion caused by tariffs and the shifting positions thereof, his $160B fund would slow investment until there is more certainty. With regards to IPOs, the CEO of the same fund advised that now is “probably” not a good time to IPO, unless you have to do so, due to the view on interest rates being unclear. Søren’s sentiments were echoed by both Roche and Merck & Co. on the deal-making front.

To add insult to injury, BioCentury’s biotech risk sentiment survey found “Biotech is reeling, fearful and furious about the fallout of tariffs, FDA and NIH policies.” BioCentury reported that the perfect storm, including market downturn, regulatory uncertainty, negative perception of scientific research, and the possible loss of the US as the leader in global biomedical innovation, could signal one of the worst times for the industry “in decades.”

But not everyone sees this contraction as a negative. As Booth wrote in his blog on biotech venture creation, “it’s a great time to start new biotech companies” precisely because of the scarcity. With fewer startups competing for capital, talent, and patients, the few companies that do form today could become tomorrow’s market leaders.

The “supply-demand” dynamics favor the brave: when new company creation slows, venture firms creating startups have a clearer runway. As Booth put it, “With scarce startup supply, when investor demand returns — which it will — founding and early equity holders will be rewarded.” He pointed to past examples like Alnylam (founded in 2002) and Nimbus (founded during the 2009 downturn) as proof that tough times can seed future giants.

Beyond the U.S., global funding opportunities could offer a lifeline for biotech founders. As domestic venture firms tighten their wallets, international investors — including Asian corporates, and Middle Eastern sovereign wealth groups — are increasingly active in scouting early-stage innovation. Seeking funding globally not only diversifies a startup’s investor base but also opens doors to broader partnership and commercialization strategies.

As Booth reminds early-stage entrepreneurs, “big doses of discipline are important medicine” — with startups needing to sharpen plans, tighten budgets, and be open to strategic partnerships. But for those who endure, today’s brutal market could create the “emerging stars of the 2030s.” At Life Science Nation, we’ve tracked hundreds of companies that have attended RESI, used our investor database, and attended our entrepreneurial education courses, and know one thing for sure: It is ultimately a numbers game. The more investors you meet, the higher your chances of getting funded or additional funding are. That’s why the RESI conferences feature hundreds of investors funding pre-seed to B rounds – to help life science companies in times like these fast-track their fundraise.

Sources:

  • Biotech seed rounds sink to lowest level in years as industry slump drags on by Kyle LaHucik, Endpoints News
  • Biotech Venture Creation: The Benefits of Scarcity by Bruce Booth, LifeSciVC blog
  • Biotech sees a new, hard era ahead, survey finds: BioCentury’s Risk Sentiment survey, BioCentury
  • Novo Holdings dials back investment as Trump stymies economic forecasters, Bloomberg, as reported by Fierce Biotech

Introducing Haystack Corner – Insights from Juan Carlos López and Andrew Marshall of Haystack Science

29 Apr

By Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

DF-News-09142022Life Science Nation is excited to introduce a new feature in the Next Phase newsletter: Haystack Corner, highlighting insights from The Needle, the weekly publication by Juan Carlos López and Andrew Marshall at Haystack Science.

The Needle delivers sharp, actionable updates focused on the earliest stages of biotech commercialization. From translational breakthroughs to the business strategies shaping tomorrow’s therapeutics, The Needle offers a unique perspective for entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors working to move discoveries from the lab to the market.

About the Contributors

  • Juan Carlos López, Ph.D. — Former Chief Editor of Nature Medicine, with deep expertise in neuroscience, academic collaborations, venture philanthropy, rare diseases, and translational research.
  • Andrew Marshall, Ph.D. — Former Chief Editor of Nature Biotechnology, a recognized leader in biotech venture creation and scientific commercialization.
Juan-Carlos-Lopez
Juan Carlos Lopez		 Andy-Marshall
Andy Marshall

LSN is proud to bring Haystack Corner to Next Phase readers, starting with this issue. LSN encourages you to explore and share these curated insights with colleagues and peers who are passionate about advancing life science innovation.

The Needle. Issue #1

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Why Do 90% of Life Science Startups Fail? Because the Science Never Gets Out of the Way 

22 Apr

By Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

DF-News-09142022The Core Challenge: Science Without Commercialization Fails

Despite strong science, most life science startups struggle to scale because their founders lack the commercial expertise and support to navigate the investor landscape. Traditional accelerators often fall short, offering generic mentorship rather than hands-on, market-facing guidance.

Life Science Nation (LSN) addresses this gap by preparing startups to succeed on the global stage. From seed to Series B, LSN equips companies with the narrative, materials, and investor access needed to execute targeted global roadshows. Startups don’t just get introductions—they get a playbook for matching with the right partners, at the right stage, for the right reasons.

A Two-Way Innovation Bridge

LSN’s platform operates in both directions. It helps startups leave their region to reach global capital and commercial partners and connects international investors and licensing firms with often overlooked emerging markets. LSN is the connective tissue linking regional science to global dealmaking from LATAM to China to Europe and North America.

Regions that succeed in commercialization align government, academia, and industry. LSN brings the final piece: a global engine that sources, vets, and connects startups with the right capital and channels to commercialize.

Most Regions Have Science. Few Have a Commercialization Engine.

Virtually every country boasts scientific talent and academic excellence, but most lack the infrastructure, regulatory flexibility, and partner networks to commercialize innovations globally. LSN fills that gap by preparing startups for the global market and helping international players tap into new regional pipelines. The result: cross-border dealmaking, accelerated product development, and a more connected global life sciences sector.

RESI & LSN Labs: Global Success Starts Here

LSN’s commercialization platform is anchored by RESI (Redefining Early Stage Investments), a global conference series that connects startups and investors through curated, stage-specific matchmaking. With over $5 billion raised by RESI alumni, the event has become a trusted launchpad for early-stage fundraising.

Startups also gain access to the Global Partnering Campaign (GPC) and LSN Labs—a standardized, education-driven accelerator that teaches narrative development, market fit mapping, and investor targeting. It’s a proven system that replaces chance with structure.

The Missing Capital Layer: Early-Stage Therapeutics Fund

To close the early-stage funding gap, LSN is co-launching a $50 million venture fund in partnership with a few strategic stakeholders (unannounced). The fund provides micro-investments, fractional executive support, milestone-based coaching, and access to a global CRO network, offering a de-risked, high-support runway from discovery to Series B. Fully integrated with LSN’s ecosystem, the fund provides capital, coaching, and commercialization support in one unified package, creating a new template for therapeutics’ sourcing, shaping, and scaling.

A Blueprint for the Future of Biotech Commercialization

LSN is rewriting the life science commercialization playbook. By integrating structured education, curated global networks, and early-stage capital, LSN is helping science finally get out of its own way. In doing so, it’s reducing the failure rate of life science startups and ensuring more breakthroughs reach patients worldwide. This is the new commercialization model—where science and business move forward, together.

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