Strategies and Lessons for Establishing a Presence in the US Market

BioExec Ventures, LLC
BioExec Ventures is a unique partnership of seasoned executives focused exclusively on the biotechnology sector. We assist foreign-based biotechnology firms to engage in US-based transactions, and our services include: business development (e.g. in/out-licensing, M&A, partnering), obtaining financing, establishing operations in the US, recruiting, regulatory consultation, and more.

Confirmed Speakers

Rolf Mathies, Managing Partner, Healthcare, Earlybird GmbH & Co.
A co-founder of Earlybird, Rolf Mathies has more than 10 years entrepreneurial experience as co-founder of ConAction AG, a management holding company involved in the wholesale and publishing business. Rolf has deal-making experience, as well as, strong entrepreneurial and management experience, particularly in helping companies cope with the rapid growth and ramp up of their business. He is a successful investor in healthcare for more than 5 years. Previously, he worked for the leading strategy consultancy, Bain & Company, where he focused on merger & acquisition strategy. Rolf also initiated and implemented the acquisition of LIBRI, Germany's leading book wholesaler, for Bain Capital. He holds a Dipl.-Kfm. degree (MBA equivalent) specializing in information science from the University of Hamburg. Rolf serves on the following boards: amaxa GmbH, Hemoteq GmbH, EUROPROTEOME AG, Alantos Pharmaceuticals AG.

Bernard Gilly, Partner Life Sciences, Sofinnova Partners
Bernard Gilly is a partner and invests in life sciences. He joined Sofinnova Partners in December 2000. Bernard is a graduate of Ecole Nationale d'Agronomie and has a Ph.D. in biology and bio-economics from Université de Rennes I and University of Rhode-Island. He has an MBA from INSEAD (France). He began his career as scientist at the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA). For four years, he worked as a consultant for the FAO and the IMF. In 1988, he joined Institut Mérieux, the world leader in human vaccines and from 1990 to 1994 was Vice-President R&D of Pasteur Mérieux Connaught (PMsv). In 1992, Bernard was named President and CEO of Transgene, a French biotechnology company. He successfully grew the company to its IPO in April 1998 on the NASDAQ and the Nouveau Marché. Bernard has invested in Carex, Faust Pharmaceuticals, Cellzome and Saegis Pharmaceuticals. He sits on the boards of the Institut National de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), the Centre National de la Recherche Médicale (CNRS) and the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS Lyon).

Joel Besse, Senior Partner, Life Sciences, Atlas Venture, London
Joël Besse is a Senior Partner in the life sciences sector, and joined Atlas Venture in 1995. After serving as an auditor at Arthur Andersen and at Crédit Lyonnais in Paris, he began his career in venture capital in 1991 with SED Ventures, a firm specializing in international life sciences investments. At Atlas Venture, he was a founding investor in Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (SWX: ATLN), and Novuspharma S.p.A. (acquired by Cell Therapeutics in 2003). He sat on the board of both companies from their first rounds of financings until 2004. In addition to his current board seats (see below), Joël has served on the boards of Axovan A.G. (acquired by Actelion Pharmaceuticals in 2003), Entomed S.A., Immuno-Designed Molecules S.A., Neurotech S.A., Laboratoires Effik S.A. (listed on Euronext in 1999 and acquired by Italfarmaco and Liconsa in 2003) and Modex Thérapeutiques S.A. (now Isotis S.A., SWX: ISO). Joël holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Toulouse and graduated from Ecole Nationale Supérieure de I'Aéronautique et de l'Espace. Board participation includes: Arrow Therapeutics Ltd, Micromet AG, Newron Pharmaceuticals S.p.A, Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, U3 Pharma AG, and Xytis.

Hoda Abou-Jamra, CEO & Managing Partner, BioExec Ventures, LLC
Before founding BioExec Ventures, LLC, Hoda was in business development at Acumen Sciences, a research firm for the biotechnology and pharma industries. Prior to Acumen, she held a business development position at Incyte Genomics and was involved with Pure Tech Ventures, which creates and develops companies based on innovative life science technologies that often represent the convergence of several areas of research and development. Her past bio/pharma experience includes a successful Sales, Marketing and Business Development position at Boiron Laboratories and Bayer Corporation. Previously, Hoda led NPC Inc., a private consulting firm specializing in business, marketing, and fundraising. In addition to her career pursuits, she has also served on several finance and fundraising committees, including Senator John Kerry's campaign finance committee and service as a board member for the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus. She is a member of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacists, American Pharmaceutical Association, the Fenway Community Health Center and BIO Business Forum Committee and the International Subcommittee. Hoda graduated from the Bouve College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University with a degree in Pharmacy.

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