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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Meet Meki Durakovic: The Hospitality Force Behind Boston’s Culinary Hotspots

22 Apr

Interview with Meki Durakovic, a Visionary Restaurant Owner by Caitlin Dolegowski, Marketing Manager, LSN

Meki Durakovic CaitiCaitlin Dolegowski

For life science professionals attending RESI and Bio in June, Boston offers more than innovation—it offers unforgettable hospitality. One of the city’s driving forces behind that experience is Meki Durakovic, a restaurateur whose journey from Europe to Boston has transformed the local dining scene.

Meki got his start running his family’s restaurant at 19 and quickly became known for hosting community events and building customer loyalty. After gaining global experience in Germany, he moved to Boston in 1996, working his way through every level of the hospitality business—from the kitchen to management—ultimately joining the influential Lyons Group.

Today, Meki is the co-owner of some of Boston’s most dynamic venues: Fin Point Oyster Bar & Grille, Tradesman Coffee, Lily’s, Amber Road, Urban Wild, One Beacon, and more. His venues mix warm hospitality, locally sourced menus, and inviting atmospheres perfect for both after-hours business gatherings and casual networking.

As the life sciences world converges on Boston this June, Meki’s restaurants offer more than just meals—they offer a taste of the city’s spirit. Make sure to experience his take on Boston hospitality while you’re in town.

Caitlin Dolegowski (CD): Could you tell us about your Restaurant Group and the several standout restaurants in Boston? Can you describe each one and what makes it unique?

 Meki Durakovic (MD):

  • Tradesman – Best Coffee Shop in Boston with unique pastries & specialty croissants, fresh sandwiches and more. We have Tradesman locations on Broad Street and Federal Street in the financial district as well as in Charlestown. (50 Hood Park Dr. Charlestown, MA )
  • Amber Road – Our newest venue which boasts an open-kitchen, open air concept and patio and serves refined global-inspired New England cuisine, craft cocktails, and an extensive wine list. We recommend this space for elevated full private buyouts for events up to 180 guests. (100 Federal St, Boston, MA)
  • Fin Point – The first restaurant opened by our group that has become the place to be in Boston’s downtown Financial District. Here we host everything from corporate lunches and impressive cocktail receptions to weddings, full corporate buyouts for 200 guests and more. The sophisticated dining space features a raw bar and high-end seafood dishes with global influences. (89 Broad St, Boston, MA)
  • Urban Wild – Boston’s newest entertainment destination features high-tech bowling like you’ve never seen, indoor and outdoor patios with games, and a giant beer garden covered in custom artwork for a true experience. The venue holds up to 600 guests and is located in Charlestown’s quickly growing Hood Park Neighborhood. (100 Hood Park Dr, Boston, MA)

CD: For visitors coming to Boston for RESI and the Bio convention in June, which of your restaurants would you recommend for a great dining experience?

MD: All of the above!

CD: Could you tell me what guests should know about making reservations at your restaurants? Do you recommend booking in advance, and how far out should they plan?

MD: Reservations can be made online on Open Table or by calling directly. Reservations for bowling at Urban Wild can be made 7 days in advance on our website. For events, email our Director of Events, Katie Lofstrom, at events@mnmrestaurantgroup.com

CD: For those looking to take a meeting over a meal, which of your restaurants provides the best setting for a business lunch or dinner?

MD: Fin Point has a fully private dining room perfect for those more private, important meetings and occasions. The room seats up to 20.

CD: What would you advise for those seeking an event where they book a space for a networking event, or want to book the whole bar or restaurant? Please describe your menus, cuisines, and creative dishes. What are some must-try items for first-time guests?

MD: Any of our venues are perfect for hosting full private buyouts. We make the planning process easy!

CD: If RESI attendees seek a spot to gather with colleagues after the conference, do any of your restaurants have bar seating, lounge areas, or late-night options?

MD: All of our venues have bar & lounges, perfect for late-night or mingling after work or after dinner!

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MOWOOT Wins RESI EUROPE 2025 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC)

22 Apr

Interview with Dr. Markus Wilhelms, CEO & Co-founder by Greg Mannix, VP, EMEA Business Development, LSN

Dr. Markus Wilhelms Greg Mannix

Following their first-place win at the RESI Europe 2025 Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, Dr. Markus Wilhelms, CEO and Co-founder of MOWOOT, discusses their technology, fundraising plans, and what lies ahead for the company.

Greg Mannix (GM): What inspired the development of MOWOOT’s technology, and what unmet need are you addressing?

Markus Wilhelms (MW): Bowel dysfunctions and intestinal transit disorders like chronic constipation affect up to a quarter of the population, often caused by faulty colonic movement patterns. Current treatments are pharmaceutical or invasive and focus on managing symptoms, not addressing the root cause. Our ‘Intermittent Colonic Exoperistalsis’ technology, developed in collaboration with one of Europe’s leading neurorehabilitation hospitals, provides a non-invasive, wearable solution. The MOWOOT device acts as a pacemaker for the large intestine, mobilizing the feces and stimulating proper colonic movement in just 20 minutes a day. This easy-to-use and non-threatening approach offers high clinical response rates and strong patient adherence, without the side effects of conventional treatments.

GM: What stage of fundraising are you currently in, and what types of investors are you hoping to connect with?

MW: Our device is already available in several EU markets, with private & public case-by-case reimbursement secured. We aim for broad public healthcare reimbursement in the UK and Germany by 2025 and are currently raising €10M to support our EU expansion and US market entry in 2026. We are open to discussions with all types of investors, including business angels, family offices, VCs, and strategic corporate investors, as long as we align on deal terms, ticket size and vision.

GM: How has RESI Europe contributed to your fundraising or networking efforts?

MW: RESI Europe provided valuable networking opportunities with investors globally. We had productive meetings during the event as well as on the online platform and are now following up to deepen these conversations.

GM: What was the most valuable aspect of participating in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge?

MW: Winning the IPC validated our investment opportunity and increased our visibility. It helped us reach investors who might have missed us due to packed schedules, creating additional endorsement and exposure.

GM: What kind of feedback did you receive from the judges or investors during the event?

MW: The feedback on our presentation was very positive, with the jury particularly highlighting the clarity of everything regarding technology, regulatory, and clinical evidence. Most of the questions focused on use of funds, market access strategy and details of reimbursement requirements across different regions, which we were able to address during the Q&A. Given the time constraints of the 6-minute pitch, the Q&A provided a valuable opportunity to fill in any gaps.

GM: How does your team plan to build on the momentum from RESI Europe?

MW: We are actively following up with all new contacts and continuing to receive investor inquiries, thanks to our IPC win. Our data room is prepared, and we expect to move into due diligence with several candidates soon.

GM: What’s next for MOWOOT in the coming 6–12 months?

MW: Over the next 6-12 months, our goal is to secure broad public healthcare reimbursement in the UK and Germany, and we anticipate that scaling in these markets will require robust marketing support. Additionally, we are preparing for a new clinical trial designed to meet the specific reimbursement requirements in France and the US, as confirmed in discussions with local authorities. It’s an exciting period ahead, marking the beginning of our scale-up phase!

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Hot Investor Mandate: Global Life Science Focused Fund Invests in Therapeutics, Medical Device, Diagnostics Companies Addressing Unmet Medical Need

15 Apr

A life sciences focused venture fund with global vision and reach is dedicated to advancing innovative medicines. It has raised multiple USD funds from renowned institutional funds as well as strategic investors and has investments in more than 30 private companies and several public companies, one third of which it has seeded or incubated. The firm’s highly experienced investment Partners have greater than 100 years of combined investing experience, and along with their Venture Partners and advisors have collective experience in emerging and established biotech, multinational pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions, and key regulatory agencies. The firm has a strong preference for leading investments and play an active role in their portfolio companies supporting their success. The firm’s global team resides in New York, Boston, Silicon Valley, Singapore, and Shanghai. 
 
The firm invests in disease areas of high unmet need and invests across the sub-sectors of life sciences, across geography and development stage. The firm leverages a unique cross-functional talent base to create value from company formation all the way to public market investing. 
 
The firm is an active lead investor, and the firm has a board seat in most of its investments. It deploys its unique cross functional experts and assists portfolio companies with capital markets strategies, business development, clinical development, regulatory and commercial strategies. Outside of the board requirement, the firm seeks to back management teams with passion and capability in advancing the company’s technology. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: International Asset Management Firm Invests Up to $50M in Therapeutics, Devices, and Healthtech Companies With US and China Market Potential 

15 Apr

Headquartered in Hong Kong, with offices in the US, an international asset management hub is actively investing in technology and healthcare. The firm focuses on early-stage and expansion opportunities, and can invest in both equity and debt. It typically participates in Series A to Series B rounds, with check sizes ranging from $1M to $50M. The firm primarily focuses on the US and Europe and is particularly interested in companies aiming to expand into Asian markets. The firm has partnerships with manufacturing, CRO, and distribution channels in China and is open to leveraging these resources for its portfolio companies. The firm is open to both leading and co-investing. 
 
The firm primarily considers opportunities in therapeutics, medical devices, and healthtech. For therapeutics, the firm prefers companies/assets in the post-IND phase or those generating clinical data. For medical devices, the firm is open to all classes: for Class I devices, the firm prefers products that have already received approval; for Class II and Class III devices, it prefers mid to late-stage products with CE/FDA approval. For healthtech companies, the firm prefers those already generating revenue. The firm focuses on indications with large market potential, particularly in the US and China. 
 
The firm does not have specific requirements for a company’s founding team. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: Life Science Focused VC Firm Invests in Early-Stage, USA-Based Life Science Companies Across All Sectors and Indications

15 Apr

A life-sciences focused venture capital firm is currently making investments into US-based companies. The firm primarily makes equity investment into seed and early stage rounds ranging from $250,000 to $1 million initially and up to $2 million over the lifetime of the investment.  The firm could make as many as 3 new investments over the next 6-9 months. 
 
The firm is looking for U.S. companies in sectors of Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Medical Devices, Life Science Tools and digital health. The firm is agnostic in terms of subsectors and indications within these areas and is also interested in orphan indications and wireless medical devices. The firm looks to invest in early-stage companies including pre-clinical stage companies with some supporting in-animal data, although it is not a requirement. 
 
The firm is looking for privately held companies with experienced management teams. The firm looks to play an active role as an investor and generally looks to take a board or board observer seat following investment. 

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

Hot Investor Mandate: USA-Based Investment Firm Seeks Early and Growth Stage Companies in Medical Devices, Diagnostics, and Digital Health in Underserved Regions

15 Apr

An investment firm that manages innovative venture capital funds and is based in San Diego, California. The firm invests in early, growth, and expansion-stage technology and life science companies. The firm principally invests in early and growth-stage investments in Series A, B, and C preferred equity rounds with other top-tier institutional and corporate investors. The investment size is variable and dependent on the company’s capitalization plan and future capital requirements. The firm currently focuses its investment activities in parts of the western USA that are under-served by venture capital. The firm is actively seeking institutional investment limited partners and new investment opportunities. 
 
In the Life Sciences area, the firm seeks to invest in medical device, product, diagnostics, specialty pharma, and healthcare IT.  The firm is opportunistic in terms of sub-sectors and indications.  The firm generally seeks clinical stage therapeutics that are at least Phase II, and diagnostics and medical devices that are very close to or with FDA approval. 
 
The firm is led by a seasoned VC with a track record of investing.  The firm generally co-invests with other top-tier institutional and corporate investors, and will work with companies to help them organize an investment syndicate. The firm seeks investment opportunities in rapidly growing companies with world-class products and solutions that address major market needs; along with talented leadership, management teams, and boards with deep industry experience and track records of success. 

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

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