Title:

Financing Companies / Building Companies – Two Sides of the Same Coin or Different Currencies?

Moderator:

Dr. Siegfried Bialojan, Industry Leader Health Sciences, Ernst & Young Germany

Speakers:

• Dr. Hubert Birner, General Partner, TVM Capital
• Dr. Friedrich von Bohlen und Halbach, Managing Partner, Dievini Hopp Biotech Holding
• Allan Marchington, Partner, Apposite Capital
• Dr. Karen Wagner, Venture Partner, Ysios Capital Partners

Abstract:

Due to long development times and inherent risks, financing has always been a key problem for the biotechnology industry.
 As stakeholders in their portfolio companies, most investors would argue that the best way to handle risk and secure a successful exit is “building strong enterprises”. However, how far have we got? Venture Capital investors – especially in Europe – struggle hard in fundraising and are forced to provide fast “financial returns”. Building strong companies for long-term financial success is therefore often sacrificed for the sake of establishing a short-term track record - despite the realization that strong enterprises are essential to a solid biotech industry in Europe and a sustained trust in the investment community.The panel will address these issues from various investor and entrepreneur perspectives – classic venture capitalists, private investors or public listed venture capital providers and entrepreneurs.

Monday, November 17,14:45-15:45

Title:

The Early Stage Company: Preparing for Success

Moderator:

Diane Romza-Kutz, Chair, Life Sciences Practice Group, Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg

Speakers:

• Steve Damon, Senior VP, Business Development, Altea Therapeutics
• Tim Edwards, CEO, Cellzome
• Dr. Joern-Peter Halle, Head, Early Stage Licensing, Merck Serono
• Dr. Peter Johann, Managing Partner, NGN Capital

Abstract:

Too often early stage companies with promising technologies fail to secure the right licensing deal or continued funding because of mistakes made in their strategic planning stage. Considering this, what needs to be done in young biotech companies in order to successfully attract potential partners and investors? This panel will provide insight on developing a sound business and legal strategy to make the company attractive in the future for international deals and investment. The panelists will discuss how companies can design, implement and fund growth strategies, and why the resources needed for this are the precursors to future success. 

Monday, November 17, 16:00-17:00

Title:

Early Stage Dealmaking – How to Build Value Instead of Giving it Away

Moderator:

Dr. Neill Moray Mackenzie, CEO, Roji

Speakers:

• Dr. Regina Hodits, Partner, Atlas Venture
• Sarah Holland, Global Head, CNS Partnering, Pharma Partnering, Roche Pharmaceuticals
• Guido Lanza, President and CEO, Numerate
• Louis J. Scotti, VP Marketing and Business Development, Arena Pharmaceuticals

Abstract:

In the current financial environment it is even more tempting for biotechs to strike deals earlier. Do early deals give away value or help to reduce risk? Is it different for platform players vs. therapeutic players? The panel will examine the pros and cons and the different strategic imperatives for biotech and pharma in this part of the value chain.

Monday, November 17, 17:15- 18:15

Title:

What Buyers Want: Understanding What Pharma Expects to See in Out-Licensing Documents

Moderator:

Ben Bonifant, VP, Business Development Practice, Campbell Alliance

Speakers:

• Lubor Gaal, Director, Licensing Europe, Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Dr. Andreas Grauer, Global Executive Medical Director, New Technology Development, Procter & Gamble Global Health Care
• Dr. Axel Maibuecher, Head of Search and Evaluation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Global Business Development and Licensing, Novartis Pharma
• Gwen Melincoff, Senior VP, Business Development, Shire Pharmaceuticals

Abstract:

While the number varies depending on the size of a given therapeutic area, business development professionals at most of the top 10 pharmaceutical and biotech companies review hundreds of non-confidential documents each year to evaluate compounds' in-licensing potential.  Out-licensors invest a significant amount of time and resources developing non-confidential documents to help elucidate their products’ attributes in the hope of landing that much-needed deal, but what are the key characteristics of a product or company that lead licensing reviewers to move to confidential discussions?

During this interactive roundtable, our panel of pharma licensing and business ”veterans” will:

• Share the results of a survey in which senior licensing executives at pharma and biotech companies were queried on what information they see- and expect to see - in out-licensing documents
• Provide a comprehensive cost/benefit analysis of how to gather and provide information that is essential to a compelling out-licensing document
• Share first-hand case examples during a moderated question-and-answer session regarding what they prefer to see in out-licensing documents

Title:

Demonstrating the Value of New Drugs

Moderator:

Mike Ward, Senior Editor, BioCentury Publications

Speakers:

• Wayne Critchley, Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson
• David Sykes, Partner, PRMA Consulting

Abstract:

One of the more difficult tasks for the biopharmaceutical industry is to explain the value of new drugs to the wide variety of constituencies with which it interacts, all of whom have a vested interest in minimizing the value of new drugs to the system. Successfully demonstrating value is critical if the industry is to obtain adequate reimbursement for its products, yet the environment where the industry operates continues to put up more hurdles: FDA is increasingly emphasizing safety in response to political pressures; there is growing emphasis on comparative efficacy and comparative effectiveness; and there is the potential of a new U.S. president less friendly to the industry. This panel will explore how companies can navigate these troubled waters.

Title:

Biomarkers – Leading the Way for Personalized Medicine and Drug Development

Moderator:

Dr. Albine Martin, VP, Strategic Alliances and Licensing, Compugen USA

Speakers:

• Chu Chang, VP, Business Development, Genomic Health 
• Peter B. Kramer, Executive Director, External Science and Technology, Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Dr. Michael Lutz, Senior VP, Pharmacogenetic Partnerships, PGxHealth
• Dr. Michael L. Penn, Jr., Business Development, Genentech

Abstract:

Driven by the genomics and proteomics era, biomarkers continue to assume a diverse and important role for the development and delivery of new medicines. By nature these programs have been driven through partnering strategies across multiple sectors including the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and in vitro diagnostic industries as well as contract research organizations. However, the commercialization of biomarkers still faces challenges on several fronts including regulatory framework, IP ownership, value sharing and business models.
This panel will employ its experience with biomarkers from discovery to commercialization, discussing the associated challenges and solutions that drive the growth and integration of biomarkers into the discovery and delivery of new medicines.

Title:

Dealmaking with Japanese Companies

Moderator:

Dr. Richard Hammel, Partner, Richard J. Hammel, International Business Consultants

Speakers:

• Dr. Hardy Debuch, Director, Business Development, ONO PHARMA UK
• Dr. Yoshikazu Kambayashi, Manager, Business Development Department, Shionogi
• Martina Molsbergen, VP Business Development, Crucell Holland
• Dr. Jeffrey D. Wager, President and CEO, Artisan Pharma

Abstract:

Currently, like the rest of the pharmaceutical industry, Japanese pharmaceutical companies are faced with a critical situation as sales figures of many major products are about to drop dramatically. This creates a strong need to aggressively seek strategic relationships through licensing, co-marketing and/or M&A in the next few years before realizing the losses in profit of hundreds of millions of dollars, which in the end could affect their overall survival. The future appears to be uncertain unless certain deal making is undertaken rapidly to offset the inevitable. Hence, it is crucial for Japanese companies to seek licensing and M&A opportunities outside of Japan.
What type of deals are Japanese companies looking for? How will corporate culture affect your business with Japan? Business development professionals from Japan with experience in the Japanese market will discuss the current situation and recent deals with Japanese companies. Find out what to expect when partnering with Japanese companies and what Japanese companies will expect of you.

Title:

Transformative Trends in Oncology

Moderator:

Gardiner Smith, Managing Partner, SHI Link

Speakers:

• Dr. William Levine, CEO, Izun Pharmaceuticals
• Dr. William P. Peters, Chairman and CEO, Adherex Technologies
• Dr. Melinda Shockley, Senior Director, Business Development, Medarex

Abstract:

The complex pathogenesis of cancer and the limitations associated with and posed by current cancer management have led to the development of various novel approaches such as targeted immunotherapy, angiogenesis inhibitors, signal transduction inhibitors, novel cytotoxics, and gene therapy.
The primary objective of cancer management has been to cure the disease. Although this still remains an important goal, better understanding of the complexity of the disease and the challenges of current treatment modalities have necessitated the development of novel drugs to stabilize the disease rather than to cure it. Such a shift in treatment objectives has further sparked interest in the development of novel drugs aiming at stabilization of the disease. Moreover, physicians have also begun to incorporate complementary supportive care into treatment regimens, and to manage the side effects of cancer therapy drugs. The use of supportive care therapy has significantly influenced treatment outcome.
This session will discuss advances in supportive care therapy and novel therapeutic approaches to cancer, and also will aim to generate a stronger support for innovative therapeutic approaches to cancer. Furthermore, the speakers will discuss trends, regarding the size and type of licensing deals for oncology products and platforms.

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For more information and online registration please visit our conference website at : www.ebdgroup.com/bioeurope 

 or contact:

In the USA
Tom Voigt
EBD Group
T: +1 760 930 0500
tvoigt@ebdgroup.com

In Europe
Annika Rudat
EBD Group
T: +49 89 2388 7560
arudat@ebdgroup.com

Highlights of 2008 PAST BIO-Europe -

• 10,250 one-to-one meetings (18% up from 2007)
• 2,400 delegates
• Over 1,350 companies
. 186 company presentations
. 45 countries represented
. 83 international exhibitors