¨BACK TO DEALMAKING!¨

Basel, May 30^th, 2024. The Swiss Healthcare Licensing Group (Swiss HLG), a non-profit association of Business Development and Licensing professionals, held its annual flagship conference in a beautiful setting in Montreux. 

Over two and a half days, nearly 100 delegates from Switzerland, Europe, the UK, the US and Asia gathered by Lake Geneva to explore and discuss the topic ¨Back to Dealmaking!¨

The conference opened with a Key Note speech from Avaleigh Milne, the Global head of Business Development Strategy & Practice at Roche, who shared her thoughts on how venture capital, biotech and pharma are all essential players in the biopharma ecosystem, helping to sustain a continued flow of innovation for patients. 

The second Key Note speech from Ed Saltzman, Senior Strategic Advisor at Lumanity, asked whether it is time to rethink biopharma dealmaking. Ed is well known for his provocative and insightful talks and this was certainly no exception. He provided a sobering analysis of the large number of biotechs seeking partnerships for late stage clinical assets, and pointed out that their chance of obtaining reulatory approval is actually far higher than of securing a pharma deal. The conclusion was that companies need to start planning early for what is needed to successfully commercialise themselves – and doing this work may well actually increase their chance of finding a partner. The link to Ed’s presentation is given below.

Over the following two days, leading experts from the healthcare industry presented on three main themes and gave very interesting perspectives for the future.

The first session explored whether dealmaking should be strategic or more opportunistic. We learned from three fascinating and different case studies. Organon was spun out of Merck & Co with no development pipeline in women’s health, so business development was essential to build the franchise. We heard how this was achieved through a thoughtful, deliberate strategy, while still leaving space for some opportunism. We then heard from Endogena Therapeutics about the very different approach of building a portfolio organically based on a propietary platform technology and how fundraising and partnering evolves as each technology proof point is delivered. The session finished with valuable insights into the unique Roivant business model and learned some of the secrets behind its tremendous success.

The lens then shifted to the funding environment. Speakers shared perspectives on the dealmaking landscape in Switzerland and a more global view on how biopharmas structured and funded recent notable M&A transactions. The afternoon finished with a lively panel with a range of venture capital firms sharing perspectives on current and future opportunities and challenges when raising capital.

In the final session delegates heard how artificial intelligence is impacting our industry. The first talk focused specifically on how the Swiss HLG community can leverage artifical intelligence to take their dealmaking to the next level. We then heard from Insilico Medicines and Exscientia about how they are accelerating and improving the actual process of drug discovery with tools such as machine learning, robotics and automation – including robots that can dance! 

The conference wrapped up with an insightful Key Note from Thomas Devenyns from McKinsey on whether AI is finally delivering on its promise to improve pharma industry productivity. Thomas emphasised the critical importance of structuring data and fully embedding AI into day to day processes. While there are already quick wins in areas such as document writing, the biggest opportunity is to increase the successful translation of science into new medicines.

The stimulating conference gave participants the opportunity to take full advantage of networking in person while enjoying a beautiful panoramic view of Lake Geneva.

The Swiss HLG Board thanks all presenters as well as the participants for the lively discussions and interactions. Please find below some images from the conference.

We thank our sponsors for their crucial and valued support.

Click here to view photos from the conference 2024

We are delighted to share our final line-up of speakers and panellists who will share their insights and expertise on our conference topic “Back to deal making!”

The Swiss HLG flagship annual conference will once again be held at the historic Belle Epoque Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic in the beautiful scenic location of Montreux, Switzerland on 26th - 28th May 2024.

The inspiring conference speakers will discuss important industry trends, including a move towards new therapy areas, the VC funding environment and the impact of AI on our industry and on dealmaking in particular.  

We are very honoured to have Avaleigh Milne, Head of Business Development for Pharma Research and Early Development at Roche and Ed Saltzman, Senior Strategic Advisor at Lumanity opening our conference on the Sunday evening. Ed's Key Note talks have historically changed the focus of dealmaking in our industry, so we eagerly await his latest insights - which are being shared with us first!

Over these two and a half days, you will have the opportunity to learn, celebrate, establish and foster new business relationships in this wonderful setting. 

Please register here to attend our ? Swiss HLG conference  

We look forward to seeing you again in May!

We have an exciting pre-conference workshop at our upcoming annual conference in beautiful Montreux on May 26-28 led by Nathalie Rowell, CEO & Founder at VirdisGroup:

A board, really? A Board, indeed!
Insights on the role of the board for biotech start-ups and on key attributes of board members

Start-ups and small independent companies often ask why a Board is necessary, sensing that a Board takes time and energy, requires extensive communication, and might be perceived as a hindrance to the business. What is a Board of Directors for?  In our workshop, we’ll analyse the overall purpose, remit, and goals of a Board. We will go through several examples of companies with and without Boards. Then, we will have a case study around the appropriate/inappropriate set of rules for a Board and define the proper functions that a Board should have to advise a company. Finally, we will discuss what it takes for an industry veteran to be a reliable Board member.

Nathalie brings over 20 years of experience and credibility in hiring international talent for the life science industry. She continues to advise senior executives in many different cultures on how to shape their careers and their organizations. A solid track record of international success has given Nathalie a deep understanding of the life-sciences and a strong empathy with clients. Her extensive industry knowledge and specialist insight is valued highly, enabling VirdisGroup clients to benchmark realistically, evaluate carefully, and find exactly the right individuals to lead and develop their organisations. 

Nathalie created VirdisGroup in 2007 and, since then, has built both a strong team and a broad network of skilled people around the world. Her understanding of life science organisations and her extensive experience make her a credible and well-recognized recruitment partner. 

Nathalie read Law at Paris Assas University and worked as lawyer in the field of intellectual property before becoming an entrepreneur and moving to international executive search.

To learn more about our conference and register click here

Meet an impressive Key Note speaker at our annual conference on May 26-28 in beautiful Montreux. We are particularly proud to have secured Ed Saltzman as Key Note speaker.

It is no exaggeration to say that Ed's analysis and outlook for the pharma and biotech business development over the past two decades have had a truly significant impact on dealmaking strategies in our industry. We are very excited that Ed is honouring us with the inaugural presentation of his latest insights, entitled ¨Biopharma dealmaking: Time for a Rethink?¨ 

Ed is a Senior Strategic Advisor for Lumanity. He is the founder of Defined Health, one of the premier strategy advisories in biopharma and one of the earliest to focus their efforts on the emerging biotech sector. After having led the sale of Defined Health to Cello Health in 2017, Ed took on the role of Executive Chairman of Cello’s biotech business unit. Ed possesses a vast knowledge of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry accumulated over Defined Health’s 25+ years of consultancy to pharma, biotech, specialty pharma and investors.

Please register here to attend our conference and meet and hear from Ed:

Have you registered yet for Swiss HLG’s annual flagship conference 2024, being held at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux, on 26th – 28th May 2024? Don't forget that Swiss HLG members benefit from a reduced conference fee and can conveniently renew their membership at the same time.  

We are delighted to share our exciting line-up of speakers and panelists who will be sharing their insights and expertise on our conference topic “Back to deal making!” As access to capital became more challenging in recent times, biotechs turned to partnering as a key source of funding and the pace of dealmaking picked up. During the conference we will explore interesting new trends such as a focus on new therapy areas and AI.We are particularly proud to have secured Ed Saltzman, Senior Strategic Advisor at Lumanity as our opening Key Note speaker. It is no exaggeration to say that Ed's once-in-a-decade analyses have had a truly significant impact on dealmaking strategies in our industry, and so we are very excited that Ed is honouring us with the inaugural presentation of his latest insights.In addition, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking and building new relationships with colleagues from around the world.

To register

Have you registered yet for Swiss HLG’s annual flagship conference 2024, being held at Grand Hotel Suisse Majestic, Montreux, on 26th – 28th May 2024? 

We are delighted to share our exciting line-up of speakers and panelists who will be sharing their insights and expertise on conference topic “Back to deal making!” As access to capital became more challenging in recent times, biotechs turned to partnering as a key source of funding and the pace of dealmaking picked up. During the conference we will explore interesting new trends such as a focus on new therapy areas and AI.

In addition, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking and building new relationships with colleagues from around the world.