ABOUT 19th_ELSF
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> ABOUT LAST YEAR​

We are pleased to announce that the 19th Annual European Life Sciences CEO Forum (#Sachs_ELSF) will take place on the 4th - 5th of March 2026 at the Hilton Zurich Airport Hotel. The event will be part of the Sachs Spring Life Sciences Week (#SSLSW), which will also incorporate the 1st Annual European Neuroscience Innovation Forum (#Sachs_ENIF). It will be held on the 3rd of March 2026, the day before ELSF, allowing relevant attendees to register for both events.

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 strategies for 2026. The physical programme will consist of the usual panels and keynotes, which will be available on demand by the 12th 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 19th Annual ELSF is spread over 2 days (4th - 5th of March) and will feature more than 12 hours of high-level keynotes and panel discussions. In addition, there will be a global company showcase of up to 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 4th - 5th of March, while virtual meetings will occur on the 10th - 12th 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, 4th of March):

• Introduction Speech
• BioPharma Industry Panel: Outlook for 2026
• Keynote Speech: "Longevity & Healthy Life Span"
• Venture & Private Equity Investor Roundtable
• Platforms & Novel Therapeutics Panel: Emerging Opportunities
• Autoimmune & Inflammatory Diseases Panel: New Approaches
• Obesity & Cardiometabolic Disorders Panel: Innovation & Latest Trends
• Radiopharmaceuticals in Oncology Panel: Next-Gen Therapies & Opportunities

Day 2 (Thursday, 5th of March):

• BioPharma Dealmakers Roundtable: Challenges & Opportunities
• Greater China Biopharma Panel: Driving Cross-Border Dealmaking
• Partnering in Oncology Panel: Latest Developments in BD&L
• Oncology Innovation Panel: Latest Advances in Therapeutics
• Early-Stage Innovation & Investment Panel: Addressing the Funding Gap
• Rising Stars – Biotech Seed Companies Session
  
  

In-Person Meetings – 4th - 5th of March
Virtual Meetings via Online Meeting System – 10th - 12th of March
Main Networking Reception – 4th of March
Farewell Reception – 5th of March
On-Demand Content – by 12th of March

Already Confirmed Keynote Speakers Include: 

• Helen Chen, Global Sector Co-Head, Healthcare & Life Sciences | Greater China Managing Partner, L.E.K. Consulting
• Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President Emeritus, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Already Confirmed Chairs & Speakers Include: 

• Andreas Wallnoefer, Managing Director, ClavystBio
• Andrew Cavey, CEO, ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE
• Anja König, Global Head, Novartis Venture Fund
• Ann Beliën, Founder & CEO, Rejuvenate Biomed NV
• Apollon Papadimitriou, CEO, IOmx Therapeutics AG
• Ari-Pekka Laitsaari, Senior Advisor, European Investment Bank
• Björn Cochlovius, CEO, eleva GmbH
• Butrint Aliu, Associate, Pureos Bioventures
• Colette Lipp, Senior Director, Global BD Oncology & Immuno-Oncology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
• Daniel Marshall, Senior Director, Search & Evaluation, Oncology R&D, BD, AstraZeneca
• David G. Benathan, VP, Head BD&L Transactions Oncology & RLT, Novartis Pharma AG
• David Venables, CEO, Laverock Therapeutics Ltd.
• Diana Saraceni, Co-Founder & General Partner, Panakès Partners SGR SpA
• Dominik Hartl, Chief Medical Officer, Granite Bio
• Edward van Wezel, Managing Partner, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV)
• Elena Startseva, Global Clinical Development Lead, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Eric Halioua, Executive Chairman, Ervimmune
• Erik van den Berg, CEO, Memo Therapeutics AG
• Esteban Pombo-Villar, Board Member, TargImmune Therapeutics AG
• Esther Melo, Director BD&L, F. Hoffmann-La Roche
• Evonne Sepsis, Managing Director, ESC Advisors
• Fabian Buller, CBO, Neurimmune AG
• Fabrizio Calisti, Medical Director, Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
• Gábor Gyülvészi, Principal/Seed-Stage Investor, Novo Holdings A/S
• Gregory Rall, Deputy Head, Innovation & Technology, InvestHK
• Hemant Sabherwal, Head of Corporate Solutions & EMEA Issuer Services, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
• Henning Steinhagen, Venture Partner, Epidarex Capital
• Jan Poth, Managing Director & CEO, SciRhom GmbH
• Jeremy Griggs, Executive Director, Search & Evaluation, GSK
• Josua Jordi, Chief Scientific Officer, Tanai Therapeutics
• Katharina Kreymborg, SVP, Curie.Bio
• Khatereh Ahmadi, Venture Partner, XGEN Venture SGR SPA
• Konstantin Petropoulos, CEO, Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG
• Laura Lane, VP Lilly Ventures  - Head of Europe, Eli Lilly and Company
• Leila Jaafar-Thiel, Founder & CEO, Nuclidium
• Lena Afeyan, Head of UK Science Strategy & Innovation, Flagship Pioneering
• Luca Cassetta, Founder & VP Immunology, Macomics Ltd.
• Lucy Singah, CFO, Resolution Therapeutics
• Madiha Derouazi, CEO, Switchkine SA
• Markus Kalousek, Venture Partner, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV)
• Markus Werner, Head Search & Evaluation Oncology, Novartis Pharma AG
• Melanie de Almeida, Senior Associate, Forbion
• Michael Altorfer, CEO, Swiss Biotech Association
• Michael Bauer, Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
• Michael Wacker, Managing Partner, BioMedVC AG
• Michio Painter, Head, UMZH Translational Medicine Accelerator
• Nigel Sheail, Partner, Versant Ventures
• Odile Rundquist, Partner, Bioqube Ventures
• Olivier Soula, Co-Founder & CEO, ADOCIA
• Paul Hermant, Partner, Bird & Bird (Belgium) LLP
• ​Quin Wills, Founder & CEO, Ochre Bio Ltd.
• Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner, Wellington Partners
• Regina Hodits, Managing Director, Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
• Richard Ward, Executive Director, Oncology Search & Evaluation, GSK
• Robert Augustin, Director Strategic Partnering Cardiorenalmetabolism, Global BD&L, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Romana Gugenberger, Chief Medical & Scientific Officer, invIOs GmbH ​
• Sarah Holland, CBO, CDR-Life AG
• Steffen-Sebastian Bolz, Chief Scientific Officer, Aphaia Pharma AG
• Stella Gu, Managing Director, Tigermed
• Stephan Lensky, COO & CBO, EpimAb Biotherapeutics
• Stephanie Léouzon, Managing Director & Vice Chair of European Healthcare Investment Banking, Stifel
• Tamas Schweighoffer, Co-Founding Partner, Forty51 Ventures AG
• Ted Fjällman, CEO, Flerie Invest AB
• Thierry Laugel, Managing Partner, Kurma Partners
• Victoria English, Co-Founder & Editor, Evernow Publishing Ltd, publisher of MedNous
• Victoria Taylor, Principal, Medicxi
• Ximing Ding, Principal, Pureos Bioventures
• More TBA...

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 17th of February for uploading profiles and sending meeting invites. The in-person meetings will take place on the 4th - 5th of March, while virtual meetings will take place on the 10th - 12th 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. 

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. 

Bronze Sponsor:

Contributing Sponsors:

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Supporters:

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Participating Pharmas Include:

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Financial, Advisory & Investors Attending:

+ND Capital
3B Future Health Ventures
9vc
ABG Sundal Collier
Afendis Capital Management
AFK & Partners Asset Management LLC
Ampleia
Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
ARCHIMED
Asahi Kasei Ventures
Ascension Ventures
ATHOS KG
AurorA Science Srl
Bergmann zur Hausen & Cie. GmbH
BioGeneration Ventures (BGV)
BiomedVC AG
Bioqube Ventures
BIOSTART Consulting GmbH
Biovision Ventures
BlackRock
Bootstrap Europe
Brandon Capital
Breslin AG
Business Angels Switzerland
Capital Grand Est
Claris Ventures SGR SpA
ClavystBio
CMS Medical Venture Investment Ltd.
Coho VC
Corinthian financial management Ltd
Curie.Bio
DeBere Capital Partners
Dementia Discovery Fund, an SV Health Investors, LLC Fund
Digital Networks PLC
DNB Carnegie
Eight Bridges
Elaia Partners
EQT Life Sciences
ESC Advisors
European Investment Bank
Ferghana Partners, Inc.
Flagship Pioneering
Flerie
Forbion
Fortlane Partners Corporate Finance GmbH
Forty51 Ventures
Forty51 Ventures AG
Generation Fund Life Sciences Fund IV
GIBF
Gilde Healthcare Partners BV
Gimv
GOLDTRACK Ventures GmbH
GordonMD Global Investments LP
Hadean Ventures
HBM Partners AG
Hevolution
High-Tech Gründerfonds Management GmbH
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
Innovestor Life Science Ltd.
IPF Partners
ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE
JFG Life Sciences Stiftung der Universität Basel
KHAN Technology Transfer Fund
Kurma Partners
Landmark BioVentures
M2care Venture Studio
Medicines Discovery Ventures
Medicxi
Mid Atlantic Bio Angels
Mirabaud & Cie SA
Modi VC
NLC Health Ventures
Novartis Venture Fund
Novo Holdings A/S
Novo Holdings US Inc.
NRW.Venture
NxR Biotechnologies GmbH
Oxford Science Enterprises
Peregrine Ventures
Pureos Bioventures
Redalpine Venture Partners AG
RV Invest
Sensosan Società Benefit Srl
Seroba Life Sciences
Stifel
Swiss Biotech Association
Taiho Ventures, LLC
The Fulford Group Ltd.
TheraVenture GmbH
Turos Capital
TVM Capital Life Science
UCEA Family Office
Valor Management
Versant Ventures
Verve Ventures
Vesna Deeptech VC
VI Partners AG
Viopas Venture Consulting GmbH
Wellington Partners
XEIA Venture Partners
XGen Venture SGR S.p.A.
XGEN Venture SGR SPA
Xontogeny
XOventure GmbH
YAYA Capital
Ysios Capital
Zinc VC