Tag Archives: startups

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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Introducing Haystack Corner – Insights from Juan Carlos López and Andrew Marshall of Haystack Science

29 Apr

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

DF-News-09142022Life Science Nation is excited to introduce a new feature in the Next Phase newsletter: Haystack Corner, highlighting insights from The Needle, the weekly publication by Juan Carlos López and Andrew Marshall at Haystack Science.

The Needle delivers sharp, actionable updates focused on the earliest stages of biotech commercialization. From translational breakthroughs to the business strategies shaping tomorrow’s therapeutics, The Needle offers a unique perspective for entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors working to move discoveries from the lab to the market.

About the Contributors

  • Juan Carlos López, Ph.D. — Former Chief Editor of Nature Medicine, with deep expertise in neuroscience, academic collaborations, venture philanthropy, rare diseases, and translational research.
  • Andrew Marshall, Ph.D. — Former Chief Editor of Nature Biotechnology, a recognized leader in biotech venture creation and scientific commercialization.
Juan-Carlos-Lopez
Juan Carlos Lopez		 Andy-Marshall
Andy Marshall

LSN is proud to bring Haystack Corner to Next Phase readers, starting with this issue. LSN encourages you to explore and share these curated insights with colleagues and peers who are passionate about advancing life science innovation.

The Needle. Issue #1

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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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Why Do So Many Investors Come To RESI? It’s Not Only To Meet Startups

30 Nov

By Cole Bunn, Senior Research Analyst, LSN

cole-wp

Life Science Nation (LSN) brought the Redefining Early Stage Investments (RESI) conference to life four years ago with the vision of creating a circuit of events focused on bringing together life science entrepreneurs and early-stage investors, from a wide variety of categories, based on mutual fit. One of the most prominent themes we’ve witnessed, after 15 RESI conferences in cities across North America, is the complexity and evolution of the early-stage healthcare ecosystem. The variety of capital sources, strategic partners and other critical stakeholders in the industry has created an environment where investment groups/firms find tremendous value in working together to finance, scale and exit companies.

Investors are primarily drawn to RESI by the large number of top tier startups that attend, but RESI has become much more than a place for investors to find startups and vice versa. While the bulk of the meetings that take place at RESI are between investors and entrepreneurs, RESI also provides a venue for investors to find the newest capital sources, complimentary co-investors and foster relationships with a range of otherwise strategic and exit partners.

We took a look at the partnering meeting data, and discovered that in terms of who meets with whom at RESI conferences, investor-to-investor partnering meetings represent the third largest category, after investor-to-startup meetings and startup-to-service provider meetings. Driven by the unique nature of the early-stage healthcare landscape, LSN’s dedication to bringing in a diverse pool of capital providers makes RESI a must-attend event for all investors and entrepreneurs alike.

We asked some regular attendees their thoughts on RESI’s capacity to help investors connect, and here’s what they said:

“RESI provides a dynamic and fast-paced setting for strategic investors, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to explore the latest innovations that will disrupt conventional healthcare and redefine the means by which we enable health and wellness in our communities.  As strategic investors, we are particularly interested in RESI to find opportunities to build more patient-centric care models, pilot scalable and efficient delivery models and identify business opportunities to successfully tackle the ‘big’ challenges in healthcare.”
– Eric Louie, CMO, Healthbox Global Partners

“I have attended multiple RESIs over the years in SF, NYC and Toronto.  Each has given me a unique perspective on the ecosystem of the area and allowed me to connect with like-minded co-investors and strategic partners.  I will definitely be at the RESI in SF this January.”
–Sam Ifergan, President & CEO, iGan Partners

“The RESI conference platform is a highly productive forum for me to engage with both early-stage entrepreneurs and investors. The 30-minute format allows for just enough time to gain a high level understanding of an opportunity or an investors profile. I attend several each year and recommend highly when speaking with both founders and co-investors.”
–Sean Kearney, Managing Director, Fosun Group

Qualified investment firms can receive up to two complimentary passes to attend the upcoming RESI conference in San Francisco on January 9, 2018. The previous RESI @ JPM event hit capacity two weeks prior to the date of the conference. Please reach out to research@lifesciencenation.com to request registration for the event and take advantage of the RESI partnering system to secure meetings and get the most out of your Tuesday during JPM week.

 

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RESI Innovation Challenge: LSN’s Scientific Review Team Selects 30 Top Life Science Startups

1 Jun

By Christine A. Wu, Senior Research Analyst, LSN

chrsitine

We are pleased to announce our thirty finalists to compete in the Innovation Challenge at Life Science Nation’s (LSN) first-ever RESI in San Diego. From a pool of approximately 100 applicants, the LSN Scientific Review Team has selected a diverse group of life science startups: three healthcare IT, three diagnostic, thirteen therapeutic, and eleven medical device companies.  These startups will showcase themselves in the exhibit hall display spaces at RESI on June 19th. The quality of these companies should not go unnoticed, as we have seen nearly 50% of Innovation Challenge finalists from previous RESI’s receive funding within one year of their debut.

From personalized cancer immunotherapies to digital pathology imaging, these companies cover a diverse range of life science technologies. Coming from all over the world, the companies will be competing based on scientific merit and investment potential, pitching to RESI attendees and showcasing their innovations. Be sure to catch them and make your “investments” at the RESI Exhibition Hall in just a couple weeks!

Therapeutic
 
Diagnostic
Medical Device
 
Healthcare IT
 

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