Life Science Innovation Northwest 2023

SVB, XBI, interest rates, valuations, IPO market: what hasn’t changed? The funding landscape for life science companies has transformed dramatically over the past 24 months. We have gone from one of the strongest environments to one of the more challenging.  Come hear from a seasoned panel of investors across the spectrum who will discuss their thoughts on the landscape going forward.

Rapid genomic testing, single cell spatial resolution, and our ability to harvest results from massive data sets utilizing machine learning has converged in recent years to create opportunities in drug discovery and personalized medicine that have never been achieved before. This panel explores the next generation of research tools that sit at the intersection of these trends.

Washington is a global leader in software and data sciences as well as next generation life science fields such as cell therapy, protein engineering, and antibody therapeutics. The convergence of life and data sciences promises to dramatically accelerate the pace of innovation and drug development. Washington is emerging as a leader in combining these fields to address some of the most challenging problems in biotech. Hear from leaders building the next generation of companies at the intersection of AI/ML, computational biology, and life sciences.

New modalities are coming of age with exciting efficacy data for Antibody-drug conjugates, cell and gene therapies, DNA and RNA therapies, and bispecific antibodies. Hear from leading experts about how they are steering such innovative, first-of-their-kind therapies through clinical development and the lessons they have learned.

Move over Shark Tank! Twelve life science early-stage companies compete for a $5,000 judges-pick prize. Judges Ari Nowacek with Arch Ventures, Michelle Booden from Merck, Eric Larsen from Alliance of Angels, and Meghana Rao with J&J Innovation will decide which 60 second pitch drives the best business opportunity. Past winners include current rising stars Mesintel Therapeutics, Axolotl, Tasso, A-Alpha Bio, and Nanodropper.

Cirrus Ballroom at the Sheraton Grand Hotel

Seagen, formally known as Seattle Genetics, has been a pioneering force in Washington state’s biotech industry since its inception 25 years ago. In celebration of this milestone and a planned $43B acquisition by Pfizer, we have convened a group of life science luminaries spanning the last 25 years for a historic conversation, moderated by Karen Tkach Tuzman, Head of Discovery and Preclinical Research at BioCentury.

The panel will discuss, among other topics:

• How the ecosystem has evolved over the last 25 years
• How Washington state has grown into one of the country’s top life science clusters
• Seagen’s contribution to the growth
• Our region’s leadership in developing next generation cancer therapies

Clinical development costs have ballooned so rapidly they now threaten the biotech industry’s financial viability, but changes unleashed by the recent pandemic and technological advances make possible a revolutionary change in clinical development costs.

With the advent of novel mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, there has been an increasing interest in next generation vaccine technology. Delivery continues to be a challenge, particularly in the mRNA field, and this panel discussion will address obstacles and opportunities as they pertain to mRNA based vaccines and potential therapeutics. Panelist will also provide their insights and perspectives on new disruptive technologies that could be impactful in this field.

Launching a life science company requires thousands of “make it or break it” decisions around developing the science, building the team, and financing the business. This panel of seasoned investors will discuss best practices and critical errors companies make in building a capital stack from founding through acquisition as well as how those decisions influence an investor’s interest in investing at each stage and the impact on the company’s valuation.