We are delighted to reveal that the IPLS, the umbrella organisation for all PLG/HLG groups across Europe and Canada, is launching a new IPLS Community Platform, to replace the previous IPLS database.
This is a unique resource that will enable Swiss HLG members to reach out to fellow members, as well as members of other IPLS national groups such as the UK PLG. It is a completely private platform with exciting modern functionality, including a newsfeed and discussion forums. Access to the platform is a significant benefit of Swiss HLG membership. Together with the UK PLG, we are pioneers in adopting the new system and other groups will come on board over the summer. The official launch will be at the IPLS conference on September 16-18 in Malaga.
Swiss HLG President chairing panel 'AI Transforming BioPharma Panel: Beyond the Hype', September 25th, 2024
Discover the Real Impact of AI in Biopharma! Join us for the 'AI Transforming BioPharma Panel: Beyond the Hype' at the hashtag#Sachs_BEF on September 25th, 2024, at the Mövenpick Hotel Basel. Explore the genuine advancements and practical applications of artificial intelligence that are revolutionizing biopharmaceuticals.
This panel will cut through the noise to examine how AI technologies are truly transforming drug discovery, development, and market strategies. Engage with industry experts as they discuss overcoming challenges, achieving breakthroughs, and forecasting the future of AI in biopharma.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain in-depth insights and network with pioneers in the field. Secure your spot today at www.sachsforum.com/24bef and join us, both hashtag#InPerson & hashtag#Online, during the Sachs Autumn Life Sciences Week.
Swiss HLG President chairing panel 'Latest Trends in Dealmaking for Bio-Pharma Panel' - September 26th, 2024, SACHS_BEF
Panellists: Alessandra Polara, Senior Director, Global BD, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG Berthold Hinzen, Global Head BD&L Transactions Immunology, Novartis AG Jeremy Griggs, Executive Director, Business Development, GSK Richard Ward, Executive Director, Search & Evaluation, AstraZeneca
This panel offers a deep dive into the evolving landscape of dealmaking in the biopharma industry. Learn from top executives and dealmakers as they explore the latest trends, strategies, and challenges in mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships. Gain insights into how these dynamics are shaping the industry and what it means for future innovation and growth.
Don’t miss this chance to enhance your strategic decision-making and networking capabilities. Secure your spot today at www.sachsforum.com/24bef and join us, both hashtag#inperson & hashtag#online, during the Sachs Autumn Life Sciences Week.
Swiss HLG Romandie Networking Event
Swiss HLG Romandie Networking Event
We have some exciting news: Join is for our annual after work networking event in Swiss Romandie in collaboration with Biopôle Lausanne and BioAlps - Swiss Health Valley on October 3rd at Biopôle in Lausanne.
There will be a panel presentation on Negotiations: Aligning stakeholders for success and a discussion with representatives from start-up, academia, pharma and venture capital followed by a networking apero.
Speakers:
Raluca Flükiger, Licensing officer at University of Geneva/Unitec
Vincent Ossipow, Partner at Omega Funds
Sergio Capancioni, Ph.D., Director Search & Evaluation International, AbbVie
Madiha Derouazi, CSO AC immune/Biotech entrepreneur
The Swiss HLG 23rd annual conference will be held on 25th - 27th May 2025 once again at the historic Belle Epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in the beautiful scenic location of Montreux, Switzerland.
Swiss HLG Start-Up Initiative workshop on June 12
We held the second Swiss HLG Start-Up Initiative workshop on June 12, kindly hosted by Johnson & Johnson at their new campus in Allschwil.
This initiative is a collaboration between Swiss HLG, BaseLaunch and Johnson & Johnson and aims to help 30 great biotech start-ups get Fit for Partnering through a series of four linked workshops.
It was a fantastic event with a great atmosphere and we are keenly looking forward to the next workshop in September, which will dive into partnering and term sheet negotiations.
Great honour to have Christian Mauriand, speaking at our recent conference
It was a great honour to have Christian Mauriand, MBA, Global Head of Development at Roivant Sciences speaking at our recent conference in Montreux on ¨How to build a multi-billion dollar biotech through partnering, an introduction to Roivant Sciences¨.
Christian described how Roivant was built entirely through dealmaking into a commercial stage company with over $8bio market cap, 900 employees, 6 late stage studies ongoing and which has delivered 6 FDA approvals and 10 consecutive positive Phase 3 studies. Wow!
Some of the key principles behind this very impressive track record include that smaller, therapy area focused organisations (¨vants¨) are best, it's helpful to align incentives (e.g. giving executives equity in ¨vants¨), a rigorous focus on value, recruiting top talent from within and beyond biopharma, and deploying data and technology in all business areas.
Christian described how Roivant was able to achieve rapid operational acceleration and to share infrastructure and learnings as well as data and tech to deliver successful Phase 3 studies faster and at lower cost than rivals. Having a stable majority shareholder investing through the balance sheet also helped.
Roivant is therapy area agnostic and very independent in its thinking, looking the other way to the pack. Dealmaking involves rigorous scrutiny and always includes a thesis on why not to do a deal as well as on why to do it. Roivant takes a proactive interest in specific fields and targets and watches certain programs - always a sign of excellent dealmaking.
In particular, Roivant had liked the TL1A target for some time and Pfizer's program in particular, but it always seemed core to their pipeline. When Pfizer acquired Arena with another program in a similar area, Roivant quickly realised that the whole context for outlicensing had changed and swooped in with a creative solution. Impressed by how quickly Roivant could move the program vs the competition in inflammatory bowel diseases, Roche then acquired Telavant for $7bio. A perfect example of how consummate dealmaking can unlock the potential of stalled assets for the benefit of patients.
We are very grateful to Christian for sharing such valuable insights on Roivant's inspiring and amazing journey. If you sadly missed his talk at our conference, he will give a reprise at the International Partnering in Lifescience Society (IPLS) conference in Malaga on September 16th-18th.
Please save the date for our 2025 conference - May 25th-27th back in beautiful Montreux!
Inspiring to have Matthias Steger, speaking at our recent conference in Montreux
It was very inspiring to have Matthias Steger PhD, MBA, CEO of Endogena Therapeutics, Inc. speaking at our recent conference in Montreux on ¨Endogena Therapeutics – a novel drug discovery & development paradigm¨.
Mats described how starting in 2016 he built a unique phenotypic drug discovery platform from scratch, focused on using AI and machine learning to find novel small molecules that restore stem cell function. Over 7 years later, Endogena now has two clinical programs in opthalmology and Mats argues that a phenotypic approach can deliver higher translational success. Agents can also offer wider applicability than therapies targeting specific genetic deficits.
Mats faced a lot of scepticism and had to address every proof point sequentially. Initially peopole did not believe that retinal stem cells were present, then that they could be activated, and then that they would migrate to where they were needed. Careful diligent experiments dismantled each of the objections in turn, gradually unlocking further funding and partnering interest. All of this has resulted in groundbreaking publications.
It was very moving to hear how Mats was motivated on his journey by a friend facing blindness from retinitis pigmentosa. We wish Mats every success in this amazing journey. https://endogena.com/
Please look out for the ¨save the date¨ announcement for our 2025 conference!
