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We are pleased to announce that the 18th Annual European Life Sciences CEO Forum (#Sachs_ELSF) will take place on the 26th - 27th of February 2025 at the Hilton Zurich Airport Hotel. While the European HealthTech CEO Forum will not be held in 2025, the ELSF programme will include some HealthTech topics, such as AI, convergence, and diagnostics. You will also have the opportunity to register for the HealthTech Investment Forum during the Sachs Autumn Life Sciences Week later in the year. 

The success and longevity of the forum is built on the goodwill and repeat attendance of major corporate and financial investors, and pharma licensing executives and advisors, who are seeking to network with biotechs. The programme and presentations allow all to keep up with the latest industry developments and strategize for 2025. The physical programme will consist of the usual panels and keynotes, which will be available on demand from the 4th of March. Additionally, there will be pre-arranged in-person meetings, live and on-demand company showcases, and a reception. During the online week, virtual meetings will be available through the audio/video online meeting system. 

The main programme for the 18th Annual ELSF is spread over 2 days (26th - 27th of February) and will feature more than 12 hours of high-level keynotes and panel discussions. In addition, there will be a global company showcase of 50+ presentations by established public, private, emerging, and seed companies, offering innovative solutions and seeking investment and partnering opportunities. This will include a limited number of live presentations taking place in dedicated presentation tracks, alongside virtual company showcases, which will be available on demand during the virtual week. We anticipate 400+ delegates will register for the forum from all Life Sciences sectors, with the target audience being corporate and financial investors/partners, banks, and advisors with part of the audience participating virtually. 

The In-Person meetings will take place on the 26th - 27th of February, while virtual meetings will occur on the 4th - 6th of March. For the virtual meetings, the system will allow you to have a secure audio/video call, as well as the option to present slides using a screen share function and we will have a dedicated room for in-person meetings. We expect around 2000 meetings to be completed during the event.

The conference will be held in the Central European Time Zone and the programme will consist of: 

Day 1 (Wednesday, 26th of February)

• Industry Roundtable
• Investment Outlook for VC & PE in 2025 Panel
• Next-Gen Platforms Panel: Opportunities for Investors
• MedTech, Biotech, Digital, AI Panel: The Convergence
• New Modalities Panel: The Future of Gene Editing
• Advances in the Treatment of Neurological Disorders Panel  

Day 2 (Thursday, 27th of February)

• Pharma Dealmakers Panel 
• Greater China Biopharma Panel 
• Partnering in Oncology Panel 
• Cancer Progress Panel 
• Early-Stage Investment Panel 
• Rising Stars Session 
  

In-Person Meetings – 26th - 27th of February 
Virtual Meetings via Online Meeting System – 4th - 6th of March 
Networking Reception – 26th of February 
On-Demand Content – from 4th of March

Confirmed Keynote Speakers Include:

• “The Dragon’s Leap: How China’s Innovations Are Redefining the Future” by Darren Ji, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.
  

Confirmed Chairs & Speakers Include:

• Alain Martelli, Director, External Science Lead, Europe, Pfizer, Inc.
• Albert Seymour, President & CEO, Seamless Therapeutics, Inc.
• Alexander Gebauer, Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, Galimedix Therapeutics, Inc.
• Andreas Pahl, CEO, Heidelberg Pharma AG
• Anne Grahl, Associate, Pureos Bioventures
• Astrid Maria Dahl, COO & Head of Europe, Innovent Biologics
• Avencia Sanchez-Mejias García, Co-Founder & CEO, Integra Therapeutics
• Boris Bogdan, Lead HCLS EMEA, Amazon Web Services
• Bryan Kobel, CEO, TC BioPharm Limited
• Cem Baydar, Independent Board Member, Strategic Advisor & Investment Officer, Independent
• Chandra Leo, Investment Advisor, HBM Partners AG
• Charlie Bailey, BD&L Transactions Head, Global Health, Novartis AG
• Darren Ji, Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO, Elpiscience Biopharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.
• David Venables, CEO, Laverock Therapeutics Ltd.
• Davor Kosanic, CEO, Reconnect Labs AG
• Diana Pignalosa, Head of Strategic Partnering, Search & Evaluation, Debiopharm International SA
• Esteban Pombo-Villar, CTO, TargImmune Therapeutics AG
• Esther Melo, Director BD&L, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• Evonne Sepsis, Managing Director, ESC Advisors
• George Tzircotis, Associate Director, BD, Cancer Research Horizons
• Georgia Frost, Senior Associate, Dementia Discovery Fund 2 L.P. (SV Health Investors)
• Gregor Macdonald, VP, Head of BD&L, Search & Assessment, H. Lundbeck A/S
• Gregory Rall, Deputy Head, Innovation & Technology, InvestHK
• Jenny Laird, VP, Search & Evaluation Neuroscience, Eli Lilly and Company
• Jeremy Griggs, Executive Director, Search & Evaluation, GSK
• Jesus Baena, BD&L Transactions Oncology Director, Novartis AG
• Joachim Vogt, Director Search & Evaluation International, AbbVie, Inc.
• Johannes Virkkunen, Head of Division - Equity Investments, European Investment Fund
• Karen Wagner, Managing Partner, Ysios Capital
• Katharina Kreymborg, SVP, Curie.Bio
• Katya Smirnyagina, Senior Partner, Oxford Science Enterprises
• Kelly Curtin, Managing Director, Stifel
• Konstantin Petropoulos, CEO, Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG
• Laura Lane, VP of Lilly Ventures, Eli Lilly and Company 
• Marc Martinell, Co-Founder & CEO, Minoryx Therapeutics
• Marc-Olivier Turgeon, Senior Associate, Forbion
• Michael Altorfer, CEO, Swiss Biotech Association
• Michael Hübner, Director Early Innovation Partnering, Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC
• Monika Paule, Co-Founder, CEO & Board Member, Caszyme, LLC
• Naveed Siddiqi, Senior Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
• Neil Torbett, CEO, PhoreMost Ltd.
• Nikolay Savchuk, Managing Partner, Torrey Pines Investment
• Olav Zilian, Senior Financial Analyst, Pictet & Cie SA
• Ole Mensching, Co-Founder & General Partner, Apollo Health Ventures
• Paolo Di Giorgio, Managing Director & CEO, Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
• Patrick Schwab, Senior Director, AI & Machine Learning, GSK
• Paul Hermant, Partner, Bird & Bird LLP
• Paul Vogel, Managing Director & VP of Research, AIRNA Corporation, Inc.
• Peter Llewellyn-Davies, CEO & CFO, invIOs GmbH
• Rainer Metzger, Head of Integrated Clinical Services, Medicover AB
• Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner, Wellington Partners
• Raj Airey, Founding Partner, Convergence Partners
• Reagan Jarvis, Co-Founder & CEO, Anocca AB
• Regina Hodits, Managing Partner, Wellington Partners
• Robert de Jonge, SVP, Head of Corporate Development, Mestag Therapeutics Ltd.
• Sarah Holland, President of Swiss Healthcare Licensing Group & CBO, CDR-Life AG
• Sean Kendall, Partner, ARCH Venture Partners
• Søren Møller, Managing Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
• Stephan Lensky, COO & CBO, EpimAb Biotherapeutics
• Stephanie Léouzon, Managing Director & Vice Chair of European Healthcare Investment Banking, Stifel
• Stephen Myatt, CEO, Macomics Ltd.
• Sylvie Ryckebusch, CBO, BioInvent International AB
• Tamas Schweighoffer, Co-Founding Partner, Forty51 Ventures AG
• Ted Fjällman, CEO, Flerie AB
• Thibaut Roulon, Senior Investment Director, Bpifrance
• Thierry Laugel, Managing Partner, Kurma Partners
• Thilo Schroeder, Managing Partner, Nextech Invest Ltd.
• Tim Lohoff, Senior Associate, Forbion
• Ulrich Wendt, Global Head Business Development Immunology & Inflammation, Sanofi
• Vanessa King, CEO, King Bioventures
• Victor Ma, Partner, Fontaine Capital
• Victoria English, Co-Founder & Editor of Evernow Publishing Ltd, publisher, MedNous
  

PARTICIPATION OPTIONS:

Complimentary passes are provided for qualified institutional (buy/sell-side), private equity and venture investors. The number of passes is limited, and priority is given to regular participants, however, the organiser has the discretion to reject registrations. Other participants may consider purchasing access, which includes in-person or virtual participation, with different options to showcase your company. 

NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES:

The Online Meeting System will open on the 12th of February for uploading profiles and sending meeting invites. The in-person meetings will take place on the 26th - 27th of February, while virtual meetings will take place on the 4th - 6th of March. For the virtual meetings, the system will allow you to have a secure audio/video call, as well as an option to present slides using a screen share function and we will have a dedicated room for in-person meetings. 

PRESENTING OPPORTUNITIES:

Presentations are a popular and useful way to gain additional exposure with potential investors and pharma partners, which make up over half the audience. We are pleased to announce that once again we will have 20-minute and 10-minute presentations taking place in person at the dedicated presenting tracks. Here you will be able to showcase your company in front of investors attending the physical event. The recording will be added to your company’s profile later, which will be available on demand for registered participants until the event portal closes. Start-up companies, which are looking for seed financing can apply for a Rising Stars – Seed Companies Session. 

For those who are not able to present in person, but are still interested in showcasing their company, there is an option to purchase either a 20 or 10 minute presentation, which will be pre-recorded in advance and available to all registered attendees on the event portal. Start-up companies may also purchase a 5-minute pre-recorded showcase instead. 

The Sachs Team can assist with the pre-recording of the presentation, or you can upload a video you already have. Interested viewers will be able to message or request a meeting with you using the Online Meeting System.

Confirmed Presenters Include:

EXHIBITING OPPORTUNITIES: 

Make connections, engage in conversation, and exchange knowledge with key decision-makers eager to learn how your company can help them meet their goals and achieve their mission. Exhibiting at ELSF is an effective way to gain leads, introduce new products and services, expand sales, and build relationships. 

If you are attending the physical event, we have a limited number of tabletop exhibitions available at the venue, restricted to three companies. These exhibitions will be located in the 'Zurich A&B' room, where the registration, breaks, and the highest attendee traffic are concentrated. 

For those who are not able to join the event or exhibit in person, you could choose the virtual exhibition package, which includes a dedicated virtual page, where we can: upload your branded company’s profile and list ways to reach you; share video or images about services you provide and have files ready for download, if you wish to share any additional information with potential clients.

If interested in learning more about exhibition options, please fill in the registration form.

SPONSORING OPPORTUNITIES: 

There are a limited number of sponsorship opportunities for the forum, which include speaking, advertising, and branding options. Sponsors typically include investment banks and funds, large pharma, technology companies, and service providers, including Stock Exchanges, IR companies, CROs, international lawyers, and consulting companies. Tailored packages are available upon request. You can view the latest event’s sponsors here.

To learn more about presenting, exhibition or sponsorship opportunities, please fill in the registration form or contact us at [email protected] or by phone + 44 (0)203 463 4890. 

Silver Sponsor:

Bronze Sponsor:

Contributing Sponsors:

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Supporters:

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Participating Pharmas:

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Financial, Advisory & Investors Attending:

3B Future Health Ventures
AFK & Partners Asset Management LLC
Ampleia
Amplitude Ventures
AMR Action Fund GP GmbH
Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
Apollo Health Ventures
ARCH Venture Partners
ARCHIMED
Asahi Kasei Ventures
Ascension Ventures
Atheneos Ventures LLC
AurorA Science Srl
Bergmann zur Hausen & Cie. GmbH
BERNINA BioInvest
BGV
BioMatch LLC
BioMedPartners AG
BiomedVC AG
Bioqube Ventures 
Bioscience Equity Partners
Biovision Ventures
BlackRock
BOHE Angel Fund
Bootstrap Europe
Bpifrance
BROTHERS & Partners Europe
Business Angels Switzerland
CARMA FUND Management GmbH
Convergence Partners
Cukierman & Co. Life Sciences
Curie.Bio
Debiopharm
Delin Ventures Ltd.
Dementia Discovery Fund 2 L.P. (SV Health Investors)
Digital Networks PLC
Eight Roads Ventures
Eliraz Ventures
EQT Life Sciences
ESC Advisors
European Investment Fund
Flerie AB
Fontaine Capital
Forbion
Forty51 Ventures AG
Fraser Partners
Generation Fund Life Sciences Fund I
GIBF
Gimv
GOLDTRACK Ventures GmbH
H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC
HBM Partners AG
Health Care Advisory
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Innovestor Life Science
IPF Partners
Italian Angels for Growth (IAG)
JFG Life Sciences Foundation
Kerna Ventures
King Bioventures
Kurma Partners
Landmark Angels/Family Ofiice
Landmark BioVentures
LifeCare Partners GmbH
Lumira Ventures
M Ventures
M&G Advisors GmbH
M2Care
MEDKAP Investor Association
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
MIG Capital
Mirabaud & Cie SA
Momentum Biotech LLC
MSQ Ventures
NEOM
Nextech Invest Ltd.
NG Bio
Novartis Venture Fund
Novo Holdings A/S
NRW.Venture
NxR Biotechnologies
Octopus Ventures
Omega Funds
Oncode Accelerator
Oxford Science Enterprises
Peppermint Venture Partners GmbH
Pictet & Cie SA
Pureos Bioventures
Redalpine Venture Partners AG
Rosetta Capital Ltd.
Roy Consulting
RV Invest
Seventure Partners
Sound Bioventures
Staatz Business Development & Strategy
Stifel
Taiho Ventures, LLC
The Fulford Group Ltd.
Torrey Pines Investment
Turenne Capital
Versant Ventures
VI Partners AG
Viopas Venture Consulting
Vogel BioC
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