By Alexander Vassallo, Manager of Business Development West Coast (US), Entrepreneurial Education Lead, LSN

Brisbane, Australia has a long and successful history leading world-class innovations, including the world’s first cancer vaccine – Gardasil. Now, Life Science Nation (LSN) is partnering with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) to deliver a new accelerator program to help ten promising MedTech companies connect with early-stage investors from around the world. The entrepreneurial education program will include a three-day immersion course, industry mentorship, and content delivered virtually over an eight-week period, concluding with a final in-person pitch event in San Francisco during JP Morgan Healthcare Week.

The syllabus includes:

• Telling your company story in a compelling way
• Developing powerful marketing collateral for partnering
• Myths and realities around fundraising
• Input from industry leaders
• A “Shark Tank” style rehearsal and participation in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI JPM

This course will equip them with the skills and tools needed to take their fundraising campaigns and partnering initiatives to the global competitive landscape.

The program builds on LSN’s continued partnership with Life Sciences Queensland to help up-and-coming startups connect with our community of investors. We’re excited to grow our cross-border collaboration with this booming region in Australia.

By Joey Wong, Investor Research Analyst, Hong Kong BD, LSN

Life Science Nation (LSN) has successfully concluded a two, half-day education workshop in collaboration with the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) PI Centre. This has been the debut of a newly developed entrepreneurial education program. With over 75 participants signed up for the event, the diverse audience group included students, researchers, entrepreneurs, and delegates from other incubators and tech hubs.

This two-day workshop provides aspiring scientist-entrepreneurs the tools and tips needed to successfully launch a life science company and begin interacting with target partners. The first day was led by LSN CEO Dennis Ford, covering fundamental entrepreneurial concepts and a list of tactical to-dos when launching a startup. During the discussion, Dennis emphasized the importance of cross-border partnerships and understanding cultural differences in business, as well as the key to success in a highly competitive global realm being both knowledge and adaptation.

On day two, we discussed the practical side of business development. Lectures covered executing a global partnering campaign, developing effective branding and messaging, and debunking common myths about fundraising. Many insightful questions and comments were posted during the sessions, most commonly on startup valuations, estimating financial needs, timeline for fundraising, and the negotiation process with investors. The presentations offered insight, but the audience participation and questions made the content come alive with real-world problems and practical solutions.

Many thanks to the CUHK team for promoting the event, hosting the gathering, and ensuring the delivery of the workshop, despite local severe weather conditions. We anticipate that participants will use the experience to enhance their future endeavors in the global life science and healthcare arena. We look forward to working with more Asian and Hong Kong-based organizations, bringing LSN’s unique network and expertise to the local life science and healthcare startup ecosystem.

For any inquiries, please contact Joey Wong, Investor Research Analyst, HK Business Development at j.wong@lifesciencenation.com.

By Antoinette Lowre, Manager of Business Development, LSN

Eli Lilly joins RESI Boston, September 21-23, providing insight from the large pharma to the RESI community of early-stage players. Eli Lilly is committed to creating high-quality medicines through every aspect of business and the people they serve, stating that “Lilly unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world.” This is central to Life Science Nation (LSN)’s mission of connecting early-stage life science with capital and channel partners to see healthcare advance. We are thrilled to bring Eli Lilly to RESI to add value to the community and provide new opportunities for investors and founders to gain more exposure to early-stage life science players.

In addition to a Title Sponsorship, Eli Lilly will send a team to source assets within the following sectors and indications:

1. Genetic Medicine – RNA, Gene-editing, and Gene therapy, including associated delivery technology (e.g. next-gen AAV capsids and non-viral approaches)
2. Neuroscience, including technology and tools to achieve CNS delivery of therapeutics.
3. Obesity/Diabetes, including approaches to broaden therapeutic administration routes.

If your product and technology align with these sectors, reach out to us to connect with Eli Lilly at RESI Boston.  Partnering opens soon, so sign up today!

To explore the full breath of Lilly’s interests please visit https://www.lilly.com/partners.