For Biotech and Pharma Companies

About the event

As if a turbulent stockmarket were not enough, along comes a credit crunch. In the middle of this perfect storm, Biotech and Pharma companies are trying to carry on business as normal, with many needing additional funding to take the company forward. Some others want to take advantage of the undervaluation of biotech companies and go on the acquisition trail.

However, the lack of funding for Biotech and Pharma companies seems to be getting even more intense, with several funds now scaling back or even stopping investing in the UK. With funding drying up, where can Biotechs and smaller pharmaceutical companies now go and how can they demonstrate that theirs is one of the companies likely to make a profit?

Biotechnology and Pharma companies - characterised by their high risk and cash burn - are struggling more than most other companies due to challenging financing conditions, plunging share prices, dwindling cash reserves and investor scepticism. This networking evening will look at the different options available to them.

In particular, the following issues will be addressed:

• Raising capital with an under-valued share price
• Does the lack of additional funding mean that it is now in the best interest of stakeholders to sell up?
• Other alternatives: selling the company, slimming down or merging
• When (and if) will the financing tide turn and is it worth holding out until then?
• Getting investors on board who are there for the long-haul and have expectations in line with reality
• Why is there an ice-cold attitude of investors to biotech stocks in the UK and is there anything that can be done to counter this?
• Are there now companies which can be acquired cheaply?
• Will the IPO market dry up completely and are there any alternatives to it?
• An analysis of the different financing available - how much it has now shrunk and what is still available:
  • VC Funding
  • Mezzanine Finance
  • Business Angels
  • Banks
  • Other sources of finance
• Do companies' risk profiles need to be changed in the face of the Credit Crunch?

Networking evening

One of the main reasons to attend this event is the opportunity to meet other key players within the industry, whether they be CEOs, Finance Directors, other key Directors, Consultants, Lawyers etc.

Due to the nature of this event NSEP will be particularly targeting the investors, including venture capitalists, banks, fund managers and corporate financial advisors.

The cocktail party immediately following the event (it is almost worth coming for the famous Four Seasons canapés themselves!) is the ideal place to discuss matters in a less formal environment, whether this discussion is directly related to the event topic or not.
 

Who will attend?

Expected breakdown of job titles

 

Expected breakdown by audience sector

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