Next Phase Newsletter

By Dennis Ford, Founder and CEO of Life Science Nation, Creator of the RESI Conference Series

Successful fundraising campaigns begin in 2022. Planning your 2023 capital investor and licensing roadshow needs to start with a full-on run at Digital RESI November. Life Science Nation (LSN) is offering a bundle package for Digital RESI November and RESI JPM San Francisco to get your best foot forward for funding in 2023. Digital RESI November is a two-day dedicated virtual partnering event featuring 250 investors and strategic partners, most of whom also showing up for RESI San JPM Francisco for in-person meetings. This affords startups the opportunity to sort their partner target list and set up for a fruitful JPM week, kicking off your global 2023 partnering. The combination of virtual and in-person meetings is compelling (one thing we got out of Covid) as you can save time and money on travel, while still securing the key meetings with strategic players that are a fit for your exact stage of development and product set.

LSN knows hybrid events work, as we have procured some interesting metrics at our RESI Boston event in September.  We saw 600 attendees show up to RESI Boston with an additional 300 for the virtual component. These numbers were evenly split by fundraising CEOs and scientist-entrepreneurs and capital investors and licensing partners. LSN also found that 250 of the sell-side attendees got a majority of the 2,000 meetings by making multiple requests and leveraging an appropriate follow-up process to the buy-side attendees. The numbers speak for themselves with an average of 8-12 meetings, with many having over 20 meetings. Securing a strategic partnership is a numbers game and sticking with a proven process to identify the right targets through our match-based partnering system and then going after meetings with these matched partners works.

LSN hosts five Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) events each year around the globe. Strategic partnering doesn’t work by attending one or two events. You need to generate some mojo and get yourself in front of the global players that are a fit. Virtually or in-person, it all starts with the initial dialogue that will develop into a relationship over multiple meetings, and eventually, a deal.

Check out the Digital RESI November and RESI San JPM Francisco bundle and and kick off your 2023 strategic partner roadshow in a few short weeks! RESI San JPM Francisco is one of the most compelling and dynamic meetings of the year with 1,200 attendees, and is usually sold out a week or so beforehand, so investing in the package now is a no-brainer!

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

The Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) San Francisco 2023 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) application is now open!

RESI Boston saw nearly 60 early-stage companies across therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics, digital health pitch in front of judging panels of investors and industry experts, accompanied by a full audience with standing room only. Each finalist company also prepares a posterboard to be showcased in the exhibit hall and competes for “RESI Cash” which attendees use to “invest” in their favorite presenters for the final prizes.

RESI JPM San Francisco is the biggest conference of the year, attracting nearly 1,200 attendees, and we are thrilled to return to an in-person format for the first time in three years. Participating in the IPC is a great way to boost your visibility and receive valuable feedback from investors and strategic partners. Do not miss out on the opportunity to pitch at one of the largest RESIs of the year, during the life science industry’s busiest week!

The deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 30, but we expect slots to fill very quickly and highly encourage early application submissions!

A firm based in the USA works with early stage startups using a variety of structures, including co-development, equity investments, licensing, and M&A. The firm works with startups that have a strategic alignment with their firm and/or fit their parameters for a venture investment. The firm is a multi-stage investor and is interested in new technologies worldwide.

The firm is interested in new technologies that are strategically related to the company’s existing robotics surgery systems. The firm is interested in instruments and accessories that can be attached or used with its robotic for use in minimally invasive surgical and endobronchial procedures, and in technologies that improve the dexterity, precision and safety of surgical robotics. Technologies that support the vision/scope abilities of the firm’s systems are an area of interest, including 3DHD technologies, imaging agents and devices that can be used in conjunction with robotics, and non-imaging tools such as AI that enhances surgical vision. Additionally, the firm is interested in devices and digital health technologies used by surgeons and hospitals, such as technologies to improve workflow for surgical suites or which provide surgeons with additional data. The firm is interested in any indication area in which robotics is applicable; cancer diagnosis and treatment is a core area of interest. The firm is interested in working with companies at any stage of development.

The firm Surgical is flexible regarding different types of partnership, and is focused on achieving strategic alignment with their partners. The firm typically works alongside the partner to achieve integration between their existing technology and the new technology. While the firm will consider very early stage opportunities, typically a working prototype or demo is required for assessment.

If you are interested in more information about this investor and other investors tracked by LSN, please email mandates@lifesciencenation.com.

By Rory McCann, Director of Marketing & Conference Producer, LSN

RESI JPM San Francisco, January 10-12, 2023 is Life Science Nation (LSN)’s next hybrid event, taking place during J.P. Morgan Healthcare week, taking advantage of the convergence of life science and healthcare leaders to San Francisco. RESI, as a powerful early-stage deal-making vehicle, is the perfect option for fundraising executives seeking connection with investors and licensing partners in 2023. One of the many meaningful methods RESI uses to connect entrepreneurs with potential partners is through investor panels discussing the latest industry trends, with valuable insights as to standing out to and communicating with potential partners.

A recent RESI Boston attendee praised the panels she attended, saying that by simply attending a panel, she was able to learn enough about an investor to touch base and book a meeting onsite that day. Don’t miss out on the countless opportunities RESI San JPM Francisco panels have to fast-track an introduction and lead to meaningful conversations. Check out the panel lineup below and sign up for Digital RESI November (virtual partnering only) with RESI San JPM Francisco and save $1,000 by tomorrow!

Tuesday, January 10, 8:00 – 8:50 AM PST

Angels and Family Offices
How Do Family Offices & Angels View Seed & Series A Rounds?

Angel investors are a mainstay in the earliest financing rounds, and many consider Family Offices as the holy grail of investors. These groups share many similarities, and can work in synergy to help their portfolio companies advance. This panel will cover topics such as:

• What are the similarities and differences between Angels and Family Offices?
• What are the benefits of working with each group?
• How does investing personal money change the way Angels and Family Offices act from the traditional VC?

A startup looks to many different kinds of investors when fundraising, and understanding the fundamental differences between groups can improve the success of their approach. Angels and Family Offices frequently invest early on, and can shape the way a company develops. Panelists will discuss how best to approach them and engage their interest.

Tuesday, January 10, 9:00 – 9:50 AM PST

Big Pharma
Strategies for Preclinical & Early Clinical Assets

In recent years, big pharma companies have begun looking outwards for innovative new therapeutics to add to their pipelines. This panel brings together speakers from various big pharma companies to discuss topics such as:

• How big pharma sources assets
• The evaluation and investment process
• Key factors of interest
• How early-stage big pharma is willing to look

These panelists will shed light on the process that big pharma goes through when sourcing early-stage assets and advise startups on how they can best make a case for themselves. Panelists will also explore various trends within the therapeutics marketplace, what assets are of interest to their company, and what they think will be big in the future.

Tuesday, January 10, 10:00 – 10:50 AM PST

Pitching Your AI to Investors
Strategies for Standing Out

AI is embedded in the tech of many life science startups, but are they utilizing it to stand out to investors? Hear from life science and tech investors on how early-stage founders can pitch their AI technology effectively. The right connection can start with a strong first impression, so learn how to bring your tech from pitch to partnership.

Tuesday, January 10, 11:00 – 11:50 AM PST

Pediatrics
Advancing Treatments for Pediatric Patients

Since 2015, the US regulatory, public/private payor, and clinical research environments have implemented sweeping changes to the policies and requirements governing healthcare innovation targeting the pediatric patient population. Despite these changes, funding for pediatric innovation remains exponentially lower relative to the nature of the commitments being made to adult indications, especially troubling in light of nearly 40% of the world’s population will be under the age of 21, yet less

than 15% of all healthcare investment is targeting pediatric indications. This panel will explore several topics including:

• What are the specific gaps in pediatric patient engagement?
• How and why are current novel treatments under development superior to historic care options?
• What are the challenges that impact the efficiency, effectiveness, and successful commercialization of scientific innovations targeting the pediatric patient population?
• What changes need to be made to incentivize and motivate global healthcare manufacturers to increase their pediatric healthcare R&D budgets respectively?

Panelists will discuss topics relevant to all areas of pediatric care and the importance of addressing an underserved population, and how improvements to pediatric care can save long-term costs for the healthcare industry long after these patients reach adulthood.

Tuesday, January 10, 1:00 – 1:50 PM PST

Asia Cross Border
Building Global Partnerships

These days, seeking capital from Asia-headquartered investors, pharmaceuticals, and other strategic partners may seem like nothing new. Many groups continue to expand into geographies outside of Asia to set up new offices, establishing open innovation departments, etc. However, companies based in the USA, Europe, and other parts of the world without any proper connection to Asia still find themselves struggling to engage with the right groups. This panel will discuss the following topics and more:

• How are Asian markets and regulatory hurdles different from those of the USA/Europe?
• What do cross-border investors seek in companies outside of Asia? How are they similar or different to their viewpoint on domestic companies?
• How has COVID positively or negatively impacted the decision making process?
• Aside from the effects of COVID on the industry, will cross-border investment activities continue to increase?
• What are some common mistakes investors see from entrepreneurs, and how can they be avoided?

Panelists will discuss how they have been evaluating opportunities in the midst of the COVID pandemic and what the future holds for cross-border activities in the industry. Panelists will also uncover general topics such as navigating the Asian market and the regulatory challenges associated with market entry, how to approach Asian investors and strategic groups, and more.

Tuesday, January 10, 2:00 – 2:50 PM PST

Longevity Investment
Aging Innovation for a Better Future

This panel will feature investors that focus on longevity. Learn about their investment preferences and how they evaluate and manage their relationships with their early-stage portfolio and prospects in this specific market. Hear from active age-tech experts on their predictions for the future of this sector.

Tuesday, January 10, 3:00 – 3:50 PM PST

Medtech Strategics
Large Corporations Seeking External Innovation in the MedTech Space

In the medical technology sector, major corporations are increasingly looking to external startups and inventors for innovative new technologies. In addition to traditional M&A, these major strategic players are exploring innovative strategies to partner with early stage startups, and our speakers will explore topics such as:

• How do major corporations find new device technologies that are a fit for their pipelines?
• What can an early stage startup do to find the right partner?
• How do partnerships work, and what conditions might a major partner have?
• What kind of technical and commercial validation will be required to secure a partnership?
• The panelists will explore these topics with reference to the technology areas that they are looking at for their future pipelines.
  

  ---

Tuesday, January 10, 4:00 – 4:50 PM PST

Corporate VC
The Changing Landscape & New Opportunities

Corporate venture capital firms are an important source of capital for early-stage companies. Many major pharmaceuticals and large corporations have set up a corporate investment arm to identify early-stage companies. Strategically and financially driven in varying degrees, the implications of working with CVCs are huge, as the resources, network, and guidance provided by the CVC and the associated parent company are incredibly valuable to an entrepreneur who is actively growing their business.

This panel will discuss the following topics and more:

• How are CVCs different from traditional VCs?
• How strategically vs. financially are CVCs driven, and how does this affect their decision-making process?
• How closely does the CVC communicate with the parent company?
• What does working with a CVC entail?

Panelists will discuss each of their investment mandates and how they relate to corporate interests, and how they have been sourcing opportunities during COVID. Panelists may also explore current trending areas of interest, and what they see as emerging fields in the near future.