Tag Archives: startups

Meet the Finalists: 14 Sessions of Cutting-Edge Innovation at the RESI Boston June Innovator’s Pitch Challenge 

28 May

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

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) returns to RESI Boston this June with a robust lineup of 14 pitch sessions featuring early-stage companies from across the life science spectrum. Finalists span core sectors including Medical Devices, R&D, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, and Digital Health. Several sessions will highlight technologies with a specific focus—such as surgical applications, oncology, gene therapy, and advanced delivery systems—providing a deeper look at high-impact areas of healthcare innovation.

These sessions offer RESI attendees the opportunity to explore a wide range of breakthrough solutions and meet the entrepreneurs behind them. Each company will present to a panel of active investors and strategic partners, engaging in live Q&A and receiving valuable feedback. Beyond the pitch stage, IPC finalists will also be featured in the RESI exhibition hall, where they will host tables to continue conversations and meet one-on-one with potential partners and investors.

IPC voting will take place online throughout the conference, with attendees selecting their top picks. The three companies with the highest number of votes will be recognized at the conclusion of the event and featured in Life Science Nation’s Next Phase newsletter. In addition to this recognition, winners will receive complimentary registration to future RESI conferences.

More than just a pitch event, the IPC is designed to help fundraising companies gain visibility, validate their approach, and connect with a global network of partners in the early-stage life science ecosystem.

See the full list of pitching companies:

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The Hero’s Journey: A CEO’s mission to find a cure to save his sons

28 May

Sougato-DasNick Sireau became a new father in 2000. However, the usual joys of parenthood were quickly cut short when Nick discovered his son had black bone disease, also known as alkaptonuria, a debilitating condition for which there was no treatment. Two years later a second son came into Nick’s life, similarly afflicted. Nick, a solar power entrepreneur, embarked on the journey of a lifetime to find a cure. Raising money any way he knew how, from half marathons to grants from the European Commission, Nick funded and led the research needed to repurpose a drug and get it approved for alkaptonuria. Click here to watch the incredible story of courage, resilience, and a refusal to give up that produced a near-perfect treatment for an ultra-rare disease that diminishes the lives of over 20,000 patients worldwide. Repurposed drugs for ultra-rare diseases rarely see the light of day due to lack of commercial incentive. Heroes like Nick, and rare disease patients everywhere, need policy-based help to provide the incentives for investors and pharmas to move more promising assets forward. At Life Science Nation, we are dedicated to connecting innovators with the capital they need to help patients. Join Nick and other heroes at Life Science Nation’s RESI conferences and become part of the solution.

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BioMetas and Life Science Nation Form Global Accelerator Alliance to Transform Early-Stage Therapeutics 

20 May

By Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation (LSN)

DF-News-09142022

BioMetas Group, a leading preclinical contract research organization (CRO), and Life Science Nation (LSN), a global leader in life science commercialization and capital formation, have joined forces to launch a strategic cross-border accelerator alliance. This partnership aims to reshape how early-stage therapeutic startups are sourced, developed, and scaled, combining scientific execution with commercialization readiness to build globally fundable companies.

The new alliance links BioMetas Innovator (Singapore) and LSN Labs (Boston) into a fully integrated platform. Together, they will select and support elite early-stage therapeutic assets from their shared networks in North America, APAC, and Europe.

At the heart of the partnership is a joint service-for-equity model designed to address one of the most persistent challenges in early-stage biotechs: the capital gap between scientific promise and commercial viability. By providing critical services in exchange for equity, both accelerators aim to empower promising startups that might otherwise stall due to limited funding.

“The early-stage ecosystem often fails not because of science, but because of timing, execution, and lack of access,” said Simon Hua, Founder of BioMetas. “By partnering with LSN, we combine rigorous preclinical testing with a global commercialization platform to help these companies reach key inflection points and engage the world.”

BioMetas will deliver milestone-based development and scientific validation through its CRO services. With a team of over 150 experienced scientists and deep experience across oncology, immunology, and other diseases, BioMetas provides a full suite of preclinical services, including in vivo / in vitro pharmacology, PK/PD modeling, biomarker discovery, protein science, and IND enabling package studies. These capabilities are offered under a service-for-equity structure, allowing startups to generate high-value, decision-driving data before raising their first institutional capital.

LSN will provide its entrepreneurial education curriculum, global partnering and roadshow training, access to its proprietary investor and licensing partner database, BD Assist meeting scheduling, and the tools needed to prepare and execute global roadshow campaigns. Companies will also gain exposure by participating in the RESI global partnering conferences that connect startups with capital investors and business development teams annually at five international events.

Launching with a 20-company pilot cohort, the alliance will apply a shared diligence framework to evaluate scientific potential and commercial readiness. Participating startups will gain access to targeted development services, curated partner matching, and cross-border exposure to capital and licensing partners.

Too often, scientific founders are left to navigate commercialization alone. The new program provides a structured bridge from discovery to global market engagement, giving founders the tools, systems, and support to thrive.

“This alliance creates a new engine for global therapeutic innovation,” said Dennis Ford, Founder of Life Science Nation. “It’s not just about helping scientists become entrepreneurs — it’s about giving them the infrastructure, the partners, and the roadmap to succeed on a global stage.”

This initiative marks the first step in building a scalable venture-building infrastructure for early-stage therapeutics. As the platform expands, startups will gain access not only to services and education, but to a growing ecosystem of capital partners and strategic collaborators committed to advancing breakthrough innovation.

Media Contact:
info@lifesciencenation.com
www.lifesciencenation.com | www.biometasgroup.com

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Prep for BIO & RESI with the LSN Pharma BD Directory 

20 May

Sougato-DasThe two biggest biopharma licensing and investment events, BIO and RESI, respectively, will be in Boston mid-June. BIO will feature thousands of large pharma delegates seeking licensing candidates while RESI will have over 400 seed through series B investors and pharma external innovation scouts. If you’re targeting a pharma deal in the short or long term, you should know which pharmas are best fits for you, and you should be starting conversations with them already. This applies equally if you’re seeking funding or out-licensing. Earlier stage companies will want to court the early innovation scouts at RESI while later stage biotechs will want to target the BD&L scouts at BIO.

To help you determine which pharma partners are optimally aligned with your company and submit your non-confidential deck or proposal in advance of BIO and RESI, we’ve provided the LSN Pharma Directory. This guide lists the business development/licensing/partnering pages for the top pharmas and lets you instantly see their licensing goals. Get the conversation started (for follow-up at BIO and RESI) by leveraging the submission portals contained in the Directory. The hundreds of investors attending BIO will want to see that you have a solid exit plan and have a good sense of the competitive landscape. Check out the LSN Pharma Directory for free now!

Check Out the LSN Pharma Directory for Free now!

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Global Family Office BioForum at RESI Boston – Where Active Investors Connect, Collaborate, and Co-Invest

13 May

June 16, 2025 | Westin Copley Place | RESI Boston June

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

Life Science Nation (LSN) is pleased to announce the formal program for the Global Family Office BioForum (GFOB) and invites qualified family office investors to participate in this exclusive gathering.

Held during the Redefining Every-Stage Investments (RESI) Conference on Monday, June 16, at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, GFOB provides a private, curated environment for family offices to:

  • Exchange strategies across asset classes and investment themes
  • Share deal flow insights and emerging biotech opportunities
  • Explore co-investment partnerships in early-stage therapeutics and healthcare innovation

In addition to the private luncheon and networking session, GFOB will feature a Family Office Investors Panel open to all RESI attendees. The panel will spotlight perspectives from seasoned family office investors who are actively deploying capital in the life sciences and healthcare sectors.

GFOB Luncheon Program
Monday, June 16 | Westin Copley Place, Boston
12 PM Welcome / Opening Remarks
– Dennis Ford, Founder & CEO, Life Science Nation
12:05 PM Opening Discussion
– Chris Garabedian, Founder & CEO, Xontogeny | Portfolio Manager, Perceptive Xontogeny Venture Fund
– Rick Berenson, Executive Committee Member, Mass Medical Angels (MA2)
12:30 PM Private Networking Luncheon
Family Office Investors Panel (Open to All RESI Attendees)
1 PM – Michael Langer, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, T.Rx Capital
– Ethan Berg, Managing Partner, G4 Investments, LLC
– John Parker, Founder Springhood Ventures
– John Abeles, General Partner, Northlea Partners
– John Leader, Principal, Green Park & Golf (GPG) Ventures

Confirmed Family Office and FO-Backed Venture Participants at RESI Boston June 2025
Meet these investors through partnering or attend the Family Office BioForum:

AAA-Family-Office BERNINA-BioInvest G4-Investments
Junson-Capital LAFANA Northlea-Partners
Springhood-Impact-Ventures Tiny-Orange-Capital T.Rx-Capital
If you are a Family Office and would like to attend the Family Office BioForum Luncheon
RSVP for GFOB Here

Only active family office investors will be accepted.

Register for RESI Boston June 2025
Secure your ticket and access over 400 investors across family offices, venture capital, pharma, and strategic partners.

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Case Study: Brisbane’s Accelerator Model That’s Raising Capital and Elevating MedTech 

13 May

Over the past decade, Brisbane has transformed into one of Asia-Pacific’s most dynamic centers for MedTech innovation and commercialization. This remarkable evolution is the result of a deliberate strategy led by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), which has positioned the city as a launchpad for global health technologies through sustained investment, visionary leadership, and a collaborative approach that unites government, academia, and industry.

BEDA: Orchestrating Growth and Global Connections 
BEDA’s mission to drive sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation and attracting investment is at the heart of Brisbane’s MedTech ascent. BEDA’s holistic approach aligns the city’s world-class research institutions, hospitals, and universities with a vibrant start-up culture and robust infrastructure. The result is an integrated ecosystem that supports MedTech startups from ideation to international expansion.

Brisbane’s strategic location in Queensland—the world’s 12th-largest economy—provides seamless access to a $90 trillion innovation corridor. With 17 Free Trade Agreements and globally competitive business incentives, the city offers MedTech companies a cost-effective base for scaling into Asian and global markets. The city also boasts the largest healthcare precinct in the Southern Hemisphere and a health sector projected to grow by 36% by 2031, supported by more than 140 innovation hubs and a steady pipeline of skilled graduates from the University of Queensland and other leading institutions.

The BEDA-LSN Partnership: Bridging Brisbane and the World 
One facet of BEDA’s strategy is its partnership with Life Science Nation (LSN), a Boston-based commercialization platform renowned for connecting life science companies with global investors and licensing partners. Over three years, BEDA and LSN have launched a bespoke global accelerator program that provides Brisbane startups access to LSN’s proprietary investor database, entrepreneurial education, and participation in RESI Global Partnering Events.

This collaboration has established an actual two-way innovation bridge. Through the accelerator, Brisbane companies embark on 12- to 18-month global roadshows, pitching their technologies to international capital investors and licensing partners at premier events like J.P. Morgan Healthcare Week in San Francisco, where LSN has been hosting its RESI JPM partnering event for the past 13 years. In return, global capital, strategic partners, and Pharma seeking licensing deals flow back into Brisbane, amplifying its reputation and strengthening its local ecosystem.

Tangible Impact: Success Stories and Economic Growth 
The impact of the BEDA/LSN global accelerator is evident in the success of its alumni. Within just 24 months, 90% of participating companies have collectively raised over $110 million, with many securing new partnerships, investments, or clients within a year of graduation. Brisbane startups have also consistently earned global recognition on the RESI Innovation Challenge stage, winning top honors in LSN’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) across multiple years. Podium finishes include:

  • Field Orthopaedics – Gold, RESI JPM 2023
  • Max Kelsen – Silver, RESI JPM 2023
  • Clinials – Silver, RESI BIO Boston 2023
  • Convergence Medical – Silver, RESI JPM 2024
  • Gelomics – Bronze, RESI JPM 2024
  • Kimaritec – Gold, RESI JPM 2025

Notably, Convergence Medical, a Brisbane-based company, developed a world-first arthroscopic surgical robot, securing a $5 million investment from U.S.-based Avicella Capital due to meeting up at LSN’s RESI JP Morgan event in 2024 and closing the deal a year later at RESI JPM in 2025. Convergence was also accepted into the FDA Breakthrough Devices Program thanks to connections made through the accelerator. Other alumni, including Microbio and De Motu Cordis, have achieved regulatory milestones and expanded into new markets.

BEDA’s efforts have also attracted significant international players. Stryker, a U.S. MedTech giant, opened its first R&D lab in Brisbane’s Herston Health Precinct, citing the city’s collaborative ecosystem and access to top scientific talent as key reasons for their investment.

A Blueprint for the Future 
Brisbane’s MedTech success is not an overnight phenomenon. It is the product of sustained investment, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to collaboration. As the city prepares to host the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, billions of dollars in new health infrastructure projects are underway, further enhancing Brisbane’s global profile and capacity for innovation.

For MedTech pioneers, Brisbane now offers more than just a supportive environment—it provides a proven pathway to global markets. Through the combined efforts of BEDA, LSN, and an engaged network of local and international partners, Brisbane has become a beacon for health innovation, investment, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

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Learn Why Innovators Pitch at RESI Boston This June

29 Apr

Connect with top investors and hear how pitching at RESI Boston can move your company forward.

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

Each RESI conference, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) allows life science entrepreneurs to present their technologies to a panel of active investors and strategic partners. Companies pitch live to an audience of relevant investors, receive direct feedback, and make meaningful connections critical to their next stage of growth.

The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge (IPC) continues to demonstrate its impact as a key catalyst for fundraising and visibility. Success stories continue to emerge: at RESI JPM 2024, Convergence Medical, who won second place at the IPC and subsequently closed a $5 million Series A funding round led by Avicella Capital, a member of LSN’s Global Partnering Network.

Meet Some of Our Past Investor Judges
The Innovator’s Pitch Challenge is defined by the quality of its judging panel. Each session features active investors and strategic partners who bring deep expertise in early-stage life investment. Past IPC judges have included representatives from:

Brent-Ahrens
Brent Ahrens
Canaan Partners 		Jeroen-Blokhuis
Jeroen Blokhuis
General Inception  		Chris-Church
Christopher Church
AstraZeneca
Tom-Gibbs
Tom Gibbs
Debiopharm Innovation Fund 		Chris-Haskell
Christopher Haskell, Ph.D.
Johnson & Johnson Innovation		 Claire-Leurent
Claire Leurent
AbbVie Ventures 
Fiona-Mack
Fiona Mack
Bayer 		 Jeffrey-Moore
Jeffrey Moore
MP Healthcare Venture Management 		 Stephanie-Rusinkiewicz
Stephanie Rusinkiewicz
Medtronic
Joachim-Scholpp
Joachim Scholpp
Boehringer Ingelheim		 Christopher-Tan
Christopher Tan
Merck		 Tad-Weems
Tad Weems
Agilent Technologies 

These seasoned judges provide live, interactive feedback, offering startups not just visibility but a chance to start lasting conversations with global early-stage investors.

Hear From Past IPC Winners
Past IPC participants have shared how the experience helped move their ventures forward:

Diana Caldwell, CEO and Co-Founder of Amplified Sciences, shared,
“Participating in the IPC was a pivotal moment for our company. The opportunity to present our technology to a room full of engaged investors and receive immediate feedback was invaluable. It not only validated our approach but also opened doors to partnerships we had not anticipated.”

John Qiao, Founder and CEO of RadioClash, said,
“RESI’s Innovator’s Pitch Challenge provided a rare chance to engage directly with investors in a dynamic setting. The interactive feedback helped sharpen our fundraising strategy, and the conference environment led to meaningful follow-up meetings.”

Michael Yu, Founder and CEO of EYWA Biotech, noted,
“The IPC experience was energizing and highly beneficial. It forced us to hone our pitch to its essentials, and the conversations we had during and after the event helped expand our investor network in ways that continue to pay off.”

Beyond the pitch session, IPC participants receive a dedicated exhibit space in the RESI Exhibition Hall, full access to one-on-one partnering, and the chance to win complimentary registration to a future RESI conference.

If you are an early-stage entrepreneur working in therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, or digital health, the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge at RESI Boston is your opportunity to stand out.

Apply today to pitch at RESI Boston, taking place June 16, 2025, and move your fundraising forward. Space in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge is limited, and competition for spots is high. Now is the time to apply and secure your chance to be part of RESI Boston this June.

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