Tag Archives: education

Do RESI San Diego and BIO Overlap?

12 May

By Sougato Das, President and COO, LSN

Sougato-Das

The fourth week of June is one of the largest gatherings of life science business development and investment professionals on the calendar, second only to JPM. If you are an early-stage company raising anywhere from $250K to $75M, that week in San Diego is not optional. The question most founders are asking right now is whether attending RESI means missing BIO.

The short answer is no. Here is why.
RESI partnering starts early morning on June 22. BIO Convention partnering does not start until early afternoon. That means you can run a full morning of investor meetings at RESI before BIO gets going. The two venues are about 15 minutes apart, making it straightforward to move between them in the afternoon. RESI has virtual days both that week and the following week, so any meetings that do not fit in person can be held on Zoom with no schedule conflicts.

If you find yourself double booked across both events on Monday afternoon, the partnering systems give you real options. Move the Convention meeting to another day. Move the RESI meeting to the morning or to a virtual slot. Or simply decide which meeting matters more for your specific raise. Having choices is better than not having them.

Fundraising is a numbers game. Companies with tight budgets need to maximize every hour and dollar spent in San Diego each week. RESI is not a scheduling conflict. It is more meetings with investors and pharma external innovation teams that are specifically focused on early-stage deals. Add it to your agenda.

Bonus: Increase your networking ROI by attending the many side events and receptions during Convention week. Luckily we’ve assembled the most complete list for you! Click here.

Register for RESI San Diego

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Oncovita: A Novel Measles-Based Approach to Unlock Immunotherapy in Solid Tumors 

5 May

By Rahul Shetty, Project Management & BD Associate, LSN

Max-Braht-HeadshotIn oncology, one of the most persistent challenges is not a lack of therapeutic innovation, but a fundamental biological limitation: many tumors remain invisible to the immune system. While immunotherapies such as checkpoint inhibitors have transformed treatment paradigms, a significant proportion of cancers, often referred to as “cold” tumors, fail to respond because they simply are not recognized as threats.

Oncovita, a France-based biotechnology company, is addressing this challenge with a novel approach rooted in engineered measles virotherapy. By leveraging the natural biology of the measles vaccine virus, the company aims to expose tumors to immune attack, effectively converting immunologically silent cancers into targets the body can detect and destroy.

This approach is particularly relevant in pleural mesothelioma, one of the deadliest solid tumors, where survival is often measured in months and treatment options remain extremely limited. Its immunologically silent nature makes it largely invisible to immune surveillance and resistant to existing immunotherapies, leaving patients with few effective options.

At the core of Oncovita’s platform is MVdeltaC, an engineered measles vaccine virus designed for intratumoral administration. Many tumors, including mesothelioma, overexpress CD46 – the receptor used by the measles virus to enter cells, providing a natural mechanism for selective targeting. Once inside the tumor, MVdeltaC triggers immunogenic tumor cell death and immune activation by releasing danger signals and tumor antigens, ultimately priming T cells to recognize and attack cancer. In doing so, it converts “cold” tumors into “hot” ones, enabling both local and systemic immune responses.

The use of measles vaccine as a therapeutic backbone offers several advantages. The live attenuated vaccine has been administered to more than four billion people worldwide, establishing a strong safety profile. It replicates in the cytoplasm without integrating into host DNA and is known to stimulate both innate and adaptive immunity, making it well suited for cancer immunotherapy.

Evidence supporting this approach includes a documented remission in a patient with triple-negative breast cancer treated with a measles-based therapy, along with preclinical data showing complete tumor regressions, long-term survival, and systemic immune activation across multiple aggressive tumor models. MVdeltaC has also demonstrated strong potential in combination with checkpoint inhibitors, further expanding its therapeutic relevance.

Oncovita is advancing MVdeltaC with an initial focus on pleural mesothelioma, supported by FDA & EMA Orphan Drug Designation and a clear regulatory pathway. From there, the company plans to expand into triple-negative breast cancer and additional solid tumors, using a stepwise strategy that builds early clinical validation before scaling into larger markets. This stepwise approach allows the company to generate early clinical proof-of-concept in a high-need population before expanding into broader oncology indications. With approximately 9,000 eligible patients annually across the U.S., Europe, and Japan in its initial indications and a significantly larger addressable market across solid tumors, the long-term opportunity is substantial.

Oncovita’s progress is supported by a multidisciplinary team with expertise spanning virology, immunotherapy, and clinical oncology. The company collaborates with leading institutions and key opinion leaders, including experts from Institut Gustave Roussy and MD Anderson Cancer Center, reinforcing the scientific and clinical foundation of its program.

As immunotherapy continues to evolve, enabling the immune system to recognize cancer may be just as important as enhancing its response. Oncovita’s measles-based virotherapy represents a compelling approach to solving this challenge, offering the potential to expand immunotherapy to patients who currently have limited treatment options.

Learn More & Connect

To learn more about Oncovita, visit: https://www.oncovita.fr/

To connect directly with CEO Stephane Altaba, reach out here: stephane.altaba@oncovita.fr

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Convention Week: How to Get the Most Investor/Inlicensor Meetings & Exposure 

5 May

By Sougato Das, President and COO, LSN

Sougato-Das

Prep for the June mega-events in San Diego, BIO Convention and the neighboring RESI, starts now. We’re 7 weeks out and it’s getting warm. In another week, the Heat is On by Glen Frey. Three weeks or so after that, scheduling starts and it’s Hot Hot Hot by Buster Poindexter. Finally, when partnering starts on June 22, it’s the Heat of the Moment by Asia. 80s music references aside, here are the top things you need to do NOW to ensure your company succeeds:

  1. Register. Want to meet investors funding seed through series B and pharma external innovation? There will be over 300 at RESI. Click here to take advantage of RESI early bird rates.
  2. Consider registering to pitch, with many opportunities throughout Convention week. Pitching at RESI puts you in front of a panel of well-aligned investors who are obligated to be interactive and give you feedback.
  3. Log into the partnering system and find your ideal partners. Repeat this every week to account for new registrants. At RESI this is straightforward as the LSN staff populates investors profiles very granularly based on the LSN Investor Database. Investors are carefully vetted. Searching for investors interested in a given modality, disease, geography, stage, etc. is fast. Searching for well-aligned partners in the larger Convention ecosystem can require more oversight (e.g. is an in-licensor looking for early stage, late stage or on-market assets?) Join my webinar to learn the best way to do this!
  4. Open as much availability on your calendar/agenda as possible. Convention week is NOT the time to block the early morning time slots because you want to sleep in 😉
  5. Send customized meeting requests. Meetings are more likely to be accepted if you spend some effort customizing each meeting request to the interests of the receiving company. Join my webinar to learn the best way to do this!
  6. Minimize the number of people from your company who are required to attend the meeting. The fewer people in the meeting the more likely it is to get scheduled (if it’s accepted).
  7. Follow-up on unanswered meeting requests. As someone who’s been behind the scenes running partnering at dozens of partnering events, I can tell you there is a complex series of variables that determines if your meeting request gets accepted. Sometimes it’s as simple as the person who would accept your meeting request did not register until later, even though his/her colleagues registered earlier. That’s why it’s important not let unanswered meeting requests languish indefinitely. Join my webinar to learn the best way to do this!
  8. Cancel ‘dead’ unanswered meeting requests. When you determine you won’t get a response for a given meeting request, cancel it to increase your meeting request allotment. Join my webinar to learn the best way to do this!
  9. When scheduling starts, immediately reach out to the other party for meetings that cannot be scheduled due to lack of mutual availability. You can also try reaching out to the partnering system administrators to see if they can help.
  10. Practice your meeting presentation to ensure everything gets finished in the allotted time. For Convention, 25 minutes is a good guide, as meetings can be far apart from each other. For RESI, 30 minutes as meetings are physically close together. To get between RESI and Convention, plan at least 20 minutes.
  11. Take advantage of virtual partnering. RESI provides virtual partnering during Convention week and the following week. Extend your ROI by continuing the momentum of Convention week into the next week.
  12. Be prompt about your follow-up the week after Convention.

Whew! I’m So Tired (by the Beatles) just writing this, I can’t imagine how I feel after I go through the Convention Week + RESI gauntlet! For more details on how to succeed at Convention & RESI, join my webinar on May 20 for all the best tips and tricks!

Sign Up the Webinar

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Allosteric Bioscience: Advancing a First-in-Class Approach to Combat Muscle Degeneration 

28 Apr

By Max Braht, VP of Business Development, LSN

Max-Braht-Headshot

As the global population ages, sarcopenia and age-related muscle loss are emerging as major unmet medical challenges, impacting quality of life, independence, and long-term health outcomes for millions worldwide. With approximately 20% of the global population of 8.2 billion people over age 60, demand for therapies that preserve muscle mass and function is expected to rise significantly.

At the same time, the broader anti-aging market is projected to grow from $73 billion in 2024 to $140 billion by 2034, while the anti-obesity therapeutics market is expected to expand from $16 billion in 2024 to $105 billion by 2030, underscoring the growing commercial relevance of solutions targeting muscle preservation.

Allosteric Bioscience is positioning itself at the forefront of this space with a novel therapeutic strategy designed to preserve muscle mass and function.

Originating from groundbreaking research licensed from Johns Hopkins University, Allosteric Bioscience is developing a small molecule inhibitor of glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), an enzyme increasingly recognized as a key metabolic regulator in muscle degeneration. By targeting GCPII, the company aims to create a disease-modifying therapy capable of addressing sarcopenia at its biological source rather than simply managing symptoms.

Preclinical studies have demonstrated promising results, including preservation of muscle function, inhibition of muscle wasting, and approximately 20% improvement in survival in relevant disease models. These findings suggest potential applications not only for age-related sarcopenia but also for broader muscle-wasting conditions associated with obesity therapies, chronic disease, and other degenerative disorders.

Allosteric Bioscience’s lead candidates are currently progressing toward IND-enabling studies and advancement into first-in-human clinical development. The company’s broader platform also reflects an ambitious strategy focused on optimizing both lifespan and health-span through innovative aging-related therapeutics.

With leadership from Executive Chairman & Co-Founder, Bruce Meyers, and President & Co-Founder, Dr. Arthur Bollon, Allosteric Bioscience represents a compelling opportunity for investors, strategic partners, and stakeholders interested in next-generation therapeutics targeting one of healthcare’s most pressing aging-related challenges.

As longevity science and preventative therapeutics continue to attract growing investor attention, Allosteric Bioscience is working to redefine how the life sciences industry approaches muscle degeneration and healthy aging.

Learn More & Connect

To learn more about Allosteric Bioscience, visit: allostericbioscience.com

To connect directly with Executive Chairman & Co-Founder Bruce Meyers and President & Co-Founder Dr. Arthur Bollon, schedule a meeting here:

Schedule a Meeting with Allosteric Bioscience

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Reception & Event List for Convention Week in San Diego

21 Apr

By Sougato Das, President and COO, LSN

Sougato-DasConvention week in San Diego has become much more than a single conference. One of the major events taking place during the week is RESI San Diego 2026, hosted by Life Science Nation on June 22, followed by four virtual partnering days on June 23–24 and June 29–30. This is the best place to secure meetings with early stage investors.

Around RESI and the Convention, investors, founders, pharmas, service providers, and regional delegations host receptions, networking events, investor forums, pitch sessions, private meetings, and educational programs across the city.

For attendees, the week often becomes a full schedule of opportunities that extends well beyond the official conference agenda. A company may attend RESI or Convention during the day and continue conversations at networking receptions and evening events across San Diego.

That is why having a compiled list of convention week events can be so valuable. Life Science Nation has curated a list of convention week events taking place throughout San Diego to help attendees better navigate the week. Covering Sunday, June 21 through Friday, June 26, the list serves as a useful resource for attendees looking to plan their schedules and make the most of their time in San Diego.

The list includes events for a range of audiences and interests, from investor networking and startup showcases to regional receptions, educational panels, business development gatherings, and informal social events. Some events are designed specifically for early-stage companies looking to connect with investors, while others are focused on strategic partnerships, market trends, or geographic regions.

Convention week can also be an important opportunity for companies to make the most of their time in San Diego. Rather than relying on one conference alone, attendees often use the week to build a broader schedule of meetings and introductions.

Whether attendees are focused on fundraising, partnering, business development, or networking, convention week offers a wide range of ways to connect.

View the Compiled List of Convention Week Events

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Best Practices for Cap Table Management: What Founders Need to Know Before Their Next Raise 

31 Mar

By Sougato Das, President and COO, LSN

Sougato-Das

Early-stage companies often focus heavily on product development, market traction, and investor outreach—but one of the most critical foundations of long-term success lies in how equity is structured from the very beginning. A well-managed cap table is not just an administrative tool; it is a strategic asset that can influence fundraising outcomes, talent acquisition, and overall company growth.

To help founders navigate this essential aspect of building a company, J.P. Morgan and Polsinelli are hosting an upcoming webinar, “Best Practices for Cap Table Management.” This practical, founder-focused session is designed to equip early-stage leaders with the knowledge needed to make informed equity decisions and avoid costly mistakes down the road.

Register for the Webinar

The session will cover key fundamentals every startup team should understand, beginning with how to approach founder equity splits. Establishing fair and strategic ownership early on can prevent misalignment and friction as the company scales. From there, the discussion will move into dilution—an inevitable part of fundraising—and how founders can plan for and manage it effectively.

Another critical topic is the use of SAFE notes, which have become increasingly common in early-stage financing. While they offer flexibility, they can also introduce complexity if not fully understood. This webinar will break down how SAFE notes work and how they impact future equity distribution.

Importantly, the session will also explore how cap table structure directly affects fundraising outcomes. Investors often scrutinize ownership distribution, and a poorly structured cap table can create hesitation or even derail a deal. In addition, speakers will highlight the importance of building a thoughtful stock option pool, an essential tool for attracting and retaining top talent in competitive markets.

This webinar is particularly relevant for founders, CEOs, and CFOs who are looking to strengthen their financial strategy, prepare for upcoming funding rounds, and build companies that scale responsibly.

The session will take place on April 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM ET and will feature insights from industry experts Vanessa Blanco (J.P. Morgan), Alan Gould (J.P. Morgan), Sara Dauber (J.P. Morgan), Jeremy Arak (Polsinelli), and Sougato Das (Life Science Nation).

Attendees should note that this webinar will not be recorded and will be available exclusively to live participants, making attendance especially valuable for those looking to gain actionable insights in real time.

Sign Up Webinar

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

RESI Europe and European VC Coalition Seek to Boost EU Biotech Investment 

24 Feb

By Sougato Das, President and COO, LSN

Sougato-Das

RESI Europe is one of the major pieces in the puzzle of how to stimulate biotech and life science investing in Europe. In addition to the largest investor partnering conference coming to Lisbon on March 23, the European Life Sciences Coalition (ELSC), a new alliance of major venture capital firms advocating for increased funding and policy support for Europe’s biotech sector, has launched. The coalition includes leading investors such as Novo Holdings, Sofinnova Partners, Forbion, and Omega Funds, representing a combined €24 billion in life sciences assets and involvement in more than 1,400 companies. It launched in association with Invest Europe, whose 650+ members manage 60% of European private equity and venture capital, totaling €1.25 trillion in assets. Alongside major initiatives like the European Innovation Council, whose funded companies enjoy 50% reimbursement for attending RESI Europe, the ELSC hopes to bring new energy to the entrepreneurial sector of life sciences. 

Despite Europe’s strong pharmaceutical presence—five of the world’s top 10 pharma companies by revenue are European—and the industry supporting 29 million EU jobs, the region struggles to scale and retain biotech and life science innovation. The coalition highlights several challenges: 

  • Fragmented capital markets 
  • Declining numbers of specialized VC firms 
  • Regulatory hurdles 
  • Limited access to growth capital 

Europe accounts for only 7% of global venture capital, compared to 63% for the U.S. and 14% for China. Fortunately, events like RESI Europe create a forum where nearly all of the firms representing the 7% are available for partnering, acting as a facilitator to stimulate European life science investment. The dire need for this is underscored by the fact that nearly all EU-based biotechs that went public last year chose to list outside the EU, highlighting concerns about capital flight. 

ELSC members joined the coalition to help reverse these trends, emphasizing the need for sustained funding from both public and private sources across all stages of life sciences development. Industry leaders argue that Europe must increase investment in innovative medicines and treatments, and create supportive policy frameworks and forums, like RESI Europe, or risk losing access to cutting-edge therapies. The ELSC aims to work with policymakers and leverage Invest Europe’s network to strengthen Europe’s ability to fund and scale biotech innovation domestically.

Register for RESI Europe

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

← Older Entries