In this special edition of the Biotech Pulse podcast, we feature a live panel discussion hosted in partnership with the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and Forbion. The event, titled Smart Capital, Leveraged Science: How VCs Unlock Biotech Potential, brings together prominent voices from across the biotech investment landscape to explore how venture capital can catalyze transformative science and drive scalable innovation in healthcare. Forbion’s strategic approach to company building, long-term relationships, and operational support serves as a central theme throughout the discussion.

The panel includes Sander Slootweg, Managing Partner at Forbion; Nektarios (Aris) Oraiopoulos, PhD, Professor of Operations & Technology Management at Cambridge Judge Business School; Mihriban Tuna, PhD, CEO of Immutin; and Carmine Circelli, PhD, Director of Direct Investments (Life Sciences) at the British Business Bank. Together, they explore how rigorous due diligence, the evolution of syndication models, and cross-functional collaboration between investors and entrepreneurs shape the future of biotech.

With case studies, real-world fundraising perspectives, and in-depth commentary on European ecosystem dynamics, this episode offers a timely and insightful conversation for biotech founders, investors, and policy stakeholders interested in how smart capital unlocks lasting scientific and commercial impact.

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In the seventh episode of The Biotech Pulse, Forbion General Partner Dmitrij Hristodorov, PhD is joined by Daniela Couto, General Partner at BioGeneration Ventures (BGV), and Professor Dr. Simon Clark, co-founder of Complement Therapeutics. Together, they explore the dynamics of building biotech companies from academia, using Complement Therapeutics as a case study. The discussion provides a unique, triangulated perspective, blending scientific discovery, early-stage investment, and the critical role of tech transfer offices in translating academic innovation into therapeutic reality.

Listeners will gain insight into how successful collaborations between academic founders and venture capital can enable transformative science to progress toward clinical application. The episode highlights the trust and mutual understanding required to navigate the challenges of company formation, licensing, team building, and fundraising. With practical advice for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs and stories from the founding journey of Complement Therapeutics, this episode offers both inspiration and strategic guidance for the next generation of biotech leaders.

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Biotech Pulse Episode 6: Breaking Barriers in Women’s Health Innovation

The sixth episode of Biotech Pulse features an in-depth look at the challenges and opportunities in women’s health innovation. The episode is introduced by our Senior Associate Vanessa Carle, PhD and focuses on the inaugural Forbion EU Impact Roundtable held on October 16, 2024.

The panel unpacked the insights shared by leading experts from academia, biotech, pharma, and venture capital and explored critical barriers hindering progress in women’s health, including a fragmented research ecosystem, limited commercial investment incentives, and regulatory challenges.

Tune in for a thought-provoking exploration of how to address inequities and foster advancements in this vital but underserved area of women's health.

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In Episode 5 of The Biotech Pulse, Silva Dezelan, Head of Impact and ESG at Forbion, introduces a fireside chat from our 2023 AGM. The discussion, moderated by Charis Grasser, includes Forbion General Partner Alexander Hoffmann, Forbion Advisor & former CEO DSM Feike Sijbesma, and CSO Mosa Meat Mark Post, all of whom explore biotech's role in sustainability. The panel focuses on innovations in agtech, environmental tech, and food tech, including cultivated meat and sustainable energy solutions. The discussion highlights Forbion’s Bioeconomy Fund, which aims to invest in biotech companies that develop sustainable alternatives to current products. The episode underscores the importance of embedding ESG and impact into investment processes.

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This episode showcases the role of biotech as the ‘discovery engine’ for pharma in high-risk areas of R&D. It features General Partner Dmitrij (Dima) Hristodorov as he interviews Felix Lansing, co-founder and CTO of Seamless Therapeutics, together with Albert Seymour, CEO of Seamless Therapeutics, on using recombinases to make gene editing more targeted and efficient. 

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Episode 3 of "The Biotech Pulse" features Geert-Jan Mulder, Managing Partner and one of the founders of Forbion, interviewing Mary Kerr, CEO of NeRRe Therapeutics. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in women's health, particularly in biotech. Mary shares insights into her career journey, emphasizing the need for more focus on women's health, addressing unmet needs in conditions like endometriosis and fibroids. They also touch on the recent success of KaNDy Therapeutics, a non-hormonal treatment for menopausal symptoms, and its acquisition by Bayer. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape and increasing interest in women's health within the biotech and venture capital sectors.

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In the second episode of "The Biotech Pulse" our General Partner, Nanna Lüneborg, PhD, MBA, engages in a discussion with François Ravenelle, PhD, the Chief Executive Officer of Inversago Pharma. The backdrop to this conversation is the noteworthy acquisition of Inversago by Novo Nordisk for over $1 billion in August 2023. Together, Nanna and François explore the intricate landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the biotech industry. The dialogue delves into the significance of showcasing market potential and fostering continuous business development with potential pharmaceutical partners.

The conversation unravels the essential steps biotechs must take to ensure preparedness for future licensing and collaboration opportunities with pharmaceutical giants. We dissect the criteria for gauging the 'readiness' of biotech assets for the pharmaceutical market and probe into the stress-testing processes adopted by pharma entities with an emphasis on the valuable guidance venture capitalists can provide to aid biotechs in achieving a successful exit. Join us as we navigate these critical aspects, shedding light on strategies for long-term success in the dynamic realm of mergers and acquisitions within the biotech sector.

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The first episode of The Biotech Pulse concentrates on the Manufacturing of Complex Bioligics. Forbion General Partner Rogier Rooswinkel speaks to Replimune CEO Philip Astley-Sparke. Philip Astley-Sparke is not only the company's Chief Executive Officer, but he is also its co-founder and has served as a member of its Board since its formation in 2015. Philip was previously the President and CEO of BioVex Inc that developed the first oncolytic therapy which was approved in the U.S. and Europe in 2015. Biovex was acquired by Amgen for up to $1bn in 2011. Tune in to listen to Philip's insight about Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations (CDMOs) and when to recognize how and when is the right time to go it alone.

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