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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 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):

• BioPharma Industry Panel: Outlook for 2026
• Keynote Speech by Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President Emeritus, EPFL
• 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: 

• Prof. Patrick Aebischer, President Emeritus, EPFL
  

Already Confirmed Chairs & Speakers Include: 

• Andreas Jurgeit, Partner, Gimv
• Andreas Wallnoefer, Senior Expert, ClavystBio
• Andrew Cavey, CEO, ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE
• Ann Beliën, Founder & CEO, Rejuvenate Biomed NV
• Apollon Papadimitriou, CEO, IOmx Therapeutics AG
• Ari-Pekka Laitsaari, Senior Investment Officer, European Investment Bank
• Björn Cochlovius, CEO, eleva GmbH
• Bryan Kobel, CEO, TC BioPharm Limited
• Chandra Leo, Investment Advisor, HBM Partners AG
• Colette Lipp, Senior Director, Global BD Oncology & Immuno-Oncology, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
• David Bejker, CEO, Affibody AB
• 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, CMO, Granite Bio
• Duncan Young, Head of Search & Evaluation, Business Development, Oncology, AstraZeneca
• Edward van Wezel, Managing Partner, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV)
• Elena Startseva, Global Clinical Development Lead, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
• Erik van den Berg, CEO, Memo Therapeutics AG
• Esteban Pombo-Villar, CTO, TargImmune Therapeutics AG
• Esther Melo, Director BD&L, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG
• Evonne Sepsis, Managing Director, ESC Advisors
• Eyal Lifschitz, Co-Founder & General Managing Partner, Peregrine Ventures
• Fabian Buller, CBO, Neurimmune AG
• Hemant Sabherwal, Head of Corporate Solutions & EMEA Issuer Services, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX)
• Hogan Wan, CFO, SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals
• Hubert Birner, Managing Partner, TVM Capital Life Science
• Jeremy Griggs, Executive Director, Search & Evaluation, GSK
• Jonathan Tobin, Partner, Brandon Capital
• Katharina Kreymborg, SVP, Curie.Bio
• Katya Smirnyagina, Senior Partner, Oxford Science Enterprises
• Khatereh Ahmadi, Venture Partner, XGEN Venture SGR SPA
• Konstantin Petropoulos, CEO, Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG
• Laura Lane, VP of Lilly Ventures, Eli Lilly and Company
• Lena Afeyan, Head of UK Science Strategy and Innovation, Flagship Pioneering
• Lucy Singah, CFO, Resolution Therapeutics
• Marianne Uteng, Managing Director, Novartis Venture Fund
• Markus Kalousek, Venture Partner, BioGeneration Ventures (BGV)
• Markus Werner, BD&L Oncology, Novartis Pharma AG
• Melanie de Almeida, Associate, Forbion
• Michael Altorfer, CEO, Swiss Biotech Association
• Michael Bauer, Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
• Michael Hübner, Director Early Innovation Partnering, Johnson & Johnson Innovation LLC
• Neil Anderson, Senior Director, Science2Medicine iNNvest, Novo Nordisk A/S
• Nigel Sheail, Venture Partner, Versant Ventures
• Odile Rundquist, Partner, Bioqube Ventures
• Olivier Soula, Co-Founder & CEO, ADOCIA
• Patrick Aebischer, President Emeritus, EPFL, Senior Partner, +ND Capital, Chairman, Novartis Venture Fund
• Pieter Rottiers, CEO, Tanai Therapeutics
• Quin Wills, Co-Founder & CEO, Ochre Bio
• Rainer Strohmenger, Managing Partner, Wellington Partners
• Regina Hodits, Managing Director, Angelini Ventures S.p.A.
• Renée Aguiar-Lucander, CEO, Hansa Biopharma AB
• Richard Ward, Executive Director, Oncology Search & Evaluation, GSK
• Romana Gugenberger, CMSO, invIOs GmbH
• Sarah Holland, CBO, CDR-Life AG
• Søren Møller, Managing Partner, Novo Holdings A/S
• Steffen-Sebastian Bolz, Chief Scientific Officer, Aphaia Pharma AG
• Stephan Lensky, COO & CBO, EpimAb Biotherapeutics
• Stephanie Léouzon, Managing Director & Vice Chair, Stifel
• Tamas Schweighoffer, Partner, Forty51 Ventures
• Ted Fjällman, CEO, Flerie
• Thierry Laugel, Managing Partner, Kurma Partners
• Ulrich Wendt, Global Head Business Development Immunology & Inflammation, Sanofi
• Victoria Taylor, Principal, Medicxi
• 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 at the 18th ELSF in 2025 Included:

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 Sponsor:

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Supporters:

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Participating Pharmas in 2025 Included:

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Financial, Advisory & Investors in 2025 Included:

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