LSN Summer Reading Series Chapter 5: “Knowing Who and What You Are, and Where You Fit”

By Lucy Parkinson, Director of Research, LSN

In this latest edition of the summer reading series, we will be explaining the importance of understanding where your opportunity fits within the marketplace. Knowing who you are and how you compare with other companies in the space is crucial in determining the investors to whom you should be reaching out, what you should be highlighting in your marketing materials, and, in some cases, whether you need to “pivot,” or change, your commercialization plan.

Chapter 5 of The Life Science Executive’s Fundraising Manifesto, “Knowing Who and What You Are, and Where You Fit,” discusses how to define yourself and your market, as well as the importance of being able to pivot after receiving feedback and how to identify when it is strategically relevant to do so.

Click here to download/print the PDF.

We hope this text proves to be informative. Join us next week for Chapter 6: “Branding and Messaging”, for some tactical tips on how to build a brand for your company.

Enjoyed the preview? Buy now from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble

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Hot Investor Mandate 1: Private Wealth Fund Targets Preclinical Oncology Therapeutics

A specialist investor funded by private investors and which has operations in Europe and the USA exclusively focuses on investments in early-stage drug development companies targeting cancer therapies. The firm is most interested in companies from late seed stage to Series A. The investment size will vary, and it can range from a few hundred thousand dollars up to a couple of million dollars. The firm may make 3-4 investments in the next year, depending on the opportunity. The firm has no geographic restriction and is actively seeking new investment opportunities across the globe.

In the life sciences, the firm is currently seeking new investments targeting the development of oncology therapies, and is open to all types of therapies within the oncology space, including platform technology. The firm will not invest in medical devices or diagnostics. The firm typically invests in companies with solid preclinical proof-of-concept (late preclinical stage/pre-IND), and will fund the companies at least up to human proof-of-concept (clinical Phase Ib – Phase IIa). Historically, the firm was active in companies targeting immunotherapy and tumor cell metabolism within the oncology field, but does not restrict future investments to these strategies within oncology as the firm is open to new targets and approaches within the field.

The firm only invests in private companies with experienced management teams and breakthrough potential. The firm looks to be a lead investor and typically prefers a board seat upon investment. As a strategic investor, the firm will support portfolio companies with partnership management services, including filling management teams with experts in the field.

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

Hot Investor Mandate 2: Healthcare System Corporate VC Seeks Healthcare IT & Services with B2B Focus

The corporate venture capital arm of an integrated healthcare system is making investments out of a $150 million dollar fund. The firm can invest as little as $5 million but tends to allocate $7-$10 million initially, and $10-$15 million over the lifetime of an investment. The firm only invests in preferred equity rounds, and is comfortable leading life sciences deals, particularly in healthcare IT. The firm only invests in US-based and incorporated companies. The group is a strategic investor capable of forging relationships with the health system, but is also financially motivated. The firm is involved in approximately 4-5 new investments each year.

The firm is primarily interested in healthcare IT and healthcare services companies with a B2B focus. Physician-facing health IT technologies are also of interest, but given the inherent difficulties with adoption of such technologies, would need significant traction/users to be considered. Diagnostics, medical devices and drug delivery companies will be evaluated secondarily, pending and necessary FDA approval has been received. Companies that are able to benefit the healthcare system’s members are of particular interest. The firm is indication agnostic, however, and is not interested in investing into companies working with novel compounds or therapeutics. The firm is looking for mid to later-stage companies for investment.

The firm looks to invest in companies that have already received institutional funding from highly qualified investors where the investor syndicate has majority stake in the company. The firm will consider companies that are both pre and post-revenue, but is primarily interested in companies with early (single digit millions) commercial traction.

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

Hot Investor Mandate 3: VC Fund Invests in Medtech & Diagnostics in Midwest and Northeast US and Canada

An early-stage venture capital firm based in Toronto, Canada is making medtech investments out of its third fund. The firm generally looks to make investments in companies ranging from $1 – $5 million initially and up to $10 million over the life of the investment. The firm is focused on Canadian companies, but will work with companies in the Northeastern and Midwestern U.S. as well. The firm aims to make approximately 2-3 new investments per year.

Within the life science space, the firm is looking for medical device and diagnostics companies that have a clear path to FDA approval, and will look at any devices/diagnostics, pre-FDA approval including 510(k) and PMA pathways. In addition to medtech, the firm is also interested in health IT with the focus being on B2B software-centric companies. The firm is looking for companies that have managed to demonstrate market interest in their product prior to investment.

The firm looks to be a very active investor in chosen companies and always pursues a board seat. The firm looks for strong experienced management teams and looks to bring their own entrepreneurial experience to aid in the growth and expansion of companies.

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

Hot Investor Mandate 4: China Joint Venture Seeks Drug and Device Deals in USA

A Shanghai-based private equity fund formed through a partnership between two Chinese healthcare firms is focusing on pharmaceuticals, medical device & diagnostics, and medical services. The firm typically makes equity investments of US$5-10 million per deal over a 5-6 year exit horizon. The firm is open to leading or co-investing. The firm is currently seeking opportunities from China and the U.S.

The firm has a clearly defined investment focus primarily on three healthcare subsectors: Pharmaceuticals, Medical Device & Diagnostic, and Medical Service. Within pharmaceuticals, the firm considers chemical drugs in Oncology, Cardiovascular, Gastrointestinal, second generation drugs, brand generics, OTC, drug delivery platforms, CRO/CMO; biotech products in Biosimilar, Vaccines, blood product, etc.; and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Within Medical Device and Diagnostics, the firm is interested in High-end devices, Consumables, Implantable Devices and Interventional Devices with high-technical barriers, Molecular Diagnostics, Immunological Diagnostics, and Genetic Diagnostics. In addition, the firm is seeking R&D services that support cell therapy, stem cell, and new therapies. For first-in-class products, the firm prefers products in Phase 2 trials or later. For 505b2 drugs or medical devices, the firm considers from preclinical to pre-IND stages.

The firm is looking for experienced management teams with sector expertise. Within China, the firm prefers company with approved products and sales track record. Within the U.S., the firm can consider earlier stage companies depending on the business model and exit strategy. The firm’s GP has strong network in China and can offer assistance in distribution and registration.

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

RESI on MaRS Program Guide Announced

By Nono Hu, Director of Marketing, LSN

With RESI on MaRS coming up next week, the LSN team are getting ready to head to Canada’s hub of healthcare innovation, Toronto!  With over 300 healthcare companies supported by MaRS Discovery District, we’re looking forward to hosting RESI in this rising biomedical innovation scene.

LSN would like to present the RESI on MaRS Program Guide.  If you’re planning your day in Toronto and want to see full lists of the speakers, RESI Innovation Challenge participants, exhibitors and sponsors you could meet, look no further!

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RESI on MaRS Panel Announcement: Early Stage Digital Health

By Cole Bunn, Senior Research Analyst, LSN

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As tech continues its foray into healthcare, we are seeing a variety of different digital solutions for just about every segment of the healthcare industry. The relatively nascent nature of this sector has entrepreneurs and investors still working to figure out the most effective ways to work their way into large healthcare systems or efficiently reach consumers and add value.

Moderated by Dennis Giokas, Chief Technology Officer, Canada Health Infoway this session will feature:

  • Tom Hawes, Managing Director, Sandbox Industries
  • Shurjeel Choudhri, Senior VP & Head, Medical & Scientific Affairs, Bayer Healthcare
  • Jean-Francois Pariseau, Partner, Healthcare Fund, BDC
  • Dennis Depenbusch, Director, New Ventures Initiative, BCBSKS

This panel will provide a unique perspective on the digital health investment landscape with a varied lineup of organizations who are putting money to work in this burgeoning area of healthcare, including pharma, payers and a government VC arm.

By registering for RESI on MaRS, you’ll be able to listen to the early digital health panel live in person, interact with the investors and experience numerous opportunities to expand your network in the life sciences.