DyoDelta EUROPEAN LIFE SCIENCE INNOVATION 2009 AWARDS

The 9th Annual Biotech Investor Forum hosted the 2009 DyoDelta European Life Science Innovation Awards. The awards recognised the major investment and partnering deals in the industry and the event attracted over 250 guests.

The winners were: (also nominated)
• European Pharma Partner of the Year
  Roche • Lilly • Novartis • Sanofi-Aventis
• European Pharma Partnering Deal of the Year
    Actelion Almorexant / GSK • Asterand / Allergan • BTG / Onyx • Wilex / UCB (oncology)
• European Life Science Investor of the Year (joint winners)
    Abingworth (growth equity) • Ares Life Sciences • Celtic Pharma • Fountain Healthcare Partners • NGN Capital
• European Financing of the Year
    Genmab €104m • Molmed IPO €56m • Skyepharma €27m
  
This year’s panel of expert judges from the pharma industry and the financial world who voted for the winners included:

• Dr Connie Fogarty, Vice President, Strategic Planning & Business Development, AstraZeneca
• Lubor Gaal, Director, Executive Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Jose Maria Romero, Director Worldwide Business Development, GlaxoSmithKline
• Dr Margaret Beer, Director, Scientific Liaison, Licensing and External Research, Europe, Merck & Co
• Andrew Barber, Senior Licensing Manager, Merck Serono
• Dr Esteban Pombo Villar, Head of Strategic Alliance Management, Novartis
• Dr Alex Chanas, Senior Director, Worldwide Licensing and Business Development, Pfizer Inc.
• Michael Forer, Managing Director, Rosetta Capital
• Laurent Feniou, Director, Rothschild
• Dr Deborah Harland, General Partner, SR One
• Dr Ann Mills-Duggan, R&D Partnering & Business Development, UCB
• Christiane Verhaegen, CEO, Unibioscreen

The Biotech and Pharma industry has been hit hard after the collapse of the world economy, and companies are suffering as their financial stability is disrupted by a lack of funding most evident in small and early stage biotech companies.

Pharma deals have become more complex as decisions are dictated by the economy, and funding has decreased markedly as early stage investments are seen as too risky in the current economic climate, where there is little guarantee of a return on investment. Survival in this industry has only been possible through experience, knowledge, and by adopting a global perspective. Pharmaceutical Companies and Venture Capitalists have had to take innovative and new approaches in financing and partnering, being forced to adapt quickly to new business models and opportunities.

We believe the DyoDelta European Life Science Innovation Awards acknowledge such organisations for their hard work, performance and achievements through their competitive business strategies, innovation and market leadership. With companies like these, the biotech industry will remain a healthy and profitable sector.