Investival ShowcaseMonday, 16 November 2026 - GMT (Greenwich Mean Time, GMTZ)

This masterclass offers an inside look at the exceptional opportunities available through Bayer Co.Lab Berlin's cohort program. Discover how biotech's gain access to world-class facilities, cutting-edge resources, and direct mentorship from industry veterans at one of Europe's most dynamic innovation hubs. Learn what it takes to join this elite community, the application process, and how Co.Lab's unique ecosystem accelerates growth through strategic partnerships, funding opportunities, and collaborative networks. Whether you're developing breakthrough therapeutics or revolutionizing platform technologies, this session will show you how Bayer Co.Lab Berlin can propel your venture from concept to market leader. Don't miss this opportunity to explore how your biotech could be part of the next generation of innovation.

Raising your first significant capital is one of the most challenging milestones for early-stage biotech founders. The seed landscape has become increasingly competitive, with investors demanding more data, clearer paths to value inflection, and stronger teams before committing. This panel brings together leading seed-stage VCs to share what it takes to build a compelling story, which investors to target and when, and the common pitfalls that derail promising fundraises. Get direct insights from the investors making funding decisions in today's market

• Building a fundable story: What seed investors need to see in team, science, and strategy

• The data question: How much preclinical validation is enough to close your seed round

• Targeting the right investors and timing your outreach for maximum success

• Common fundraising mistakes that kill momentum and how to avoid them

This comprehensive masterclass equips life science entrepreneurs with essential strategies to build, protect, and leverage intellectual property assets that drive company valuation and create sustainable competitive advantages in the rapidly evolving healthcare innovation landscape.

This masterclass will:

• Provide practical frameworks for developing a strategic IP portfolio that aligns with your business objectives and therapeutic focus

• Deliver expert guidance on patent strategies specific to various life science modalities including biologics, gene therapies, and digital health

• Equip you with effective approaches to navigate freedom-to-operate challenges and competitive IP landscapes

• Demonstrate how to leverage IP assets in fundraising, partnerships, and exit strategies to maximize company valuation

• Guide you through critical decisions on global filing strategies and cost-effective IP management for resource-constrained startups

• Include interactive sessions with experienced IP attorneys and life science executives who have successfully built valuable IP portfolios

This masterclass delves into the shifting landscape of licensing and partnering within the biopharma sector, offering actionable strategies for deal structuring, negotiation, and commercialization amid evolving market forces, regulatory frameworks, and technological innovation. Key focus areas include:

• Strategic Deal Structuring
  Aligning licensing and partnering models with long-term commercial objectives
• Capital Constraints and Deal Evolution
  Adapting deal terms to navigate tighter funding environments
• Regulatory and Market Access Dynamics
  Responding to policy changes and their implications for partnership models
• Technology Disruption: AI and Beyond
  Exploring how emerging technologies are reshaping IP strategy and deal-making
• Innovative Commercialization Pathways
  Trends in co-commercialization, regional licensing, and revenue-sharing frameworks
• Negotiation Mastery
  Practical techniques for driving value and securing strategic outcomes

• Status of the US IPO market in comparison to the EU/UK – current state of the US IPO market and outlook for the coming year
• Pre-IPO readiness check – what do you need in place to ensure you are in the best position for your IPO
• Understanding investor expectation and your equity story and why it is key to success – fireside chat
• What to expect from the IPO process – a summary view of the key elements of the active phase of the transaction
• Key lessons learned from previous transactions – highlighting the known unknowns
• Post-IPO and beyond – understanding your requirements as a listed company

The session will discuss key considerations and potential issues to think about when preparing your biotech company for M&A, including:

· How to set your biotech company up for a successful transaction

· Types of purchasers and deal structures

· Due diligence preparation

· W&I insurance

· An overview of the key transaction documents

· How to maximise value on an exit, including current trends in biotech M&A and alternative deal structures

Master the art of biotech fundraising in today's challenging capital environment. This intensive masterclass brings together leading venture capitalists, seasoned biotech entrepreneurs, and financial advisors to share proven strategies for securing funding at every stage of your therapeutic company's journey.

Learn what investors are prioritizing in 2026, from seed-stage platform technologies to clinical-stage assets seeking Series B and beyond. Discover how to craft a compelling investment narrative that resonates with VCs, corporate venture arms, and strategic investors. Understand the critical elements of a winning pitch deck, how to position your therapeutic pipeline for maximum valuation, and the due diligence preparation that separates funded companies from those left behind.

Through candid insights and real-world examples, our expert panel will reveal the insider perspective on term sheet negotiation, valuation benchmarks across therapeutic areas, and common fundraising mistakes that cost biotechs millions. Whether you're preparing for your first institutional round or planning a crossover financing ahead of IPO, this session delivers actionable frameworks for fundraising success in the current market.

Key Takeaways:

• What life science investors are looking for in therapeutic companies today
• How to build a compelling investment thesis and pitch deck that converts
• Valuation strategies and term sheet negotiation best practices
• Timing your raise: balancing runway, milestones, and market conditions
• Alternative funding strategies including non-dilutive capital and strategic investments

Signing a pharma partnership generates headlines and validates your science—but the hard work of making these collaborations truly successful often catches growth-stage biotechs off guard. The reality of joint governance, misaligned timelines, cultural clashes, and competing priorities can quickly turn a promising deal into a source of frustration and missed opportunities. This panel cuts through the celebration to deliver honest insights on what it actually takes to manage pharma partnerships effectively. Hear from biotech leaders who've navigated these relationships, pharma BD executives who've seen both sides, and investors who counsel companies through partnership challenges. Learn the practical strategies, governance frameworks, and communication approaches that separate high-performing collaborations from those that underdeliver

• Designing joint committees, decision rights, and escalation mechanisms that maintain speed and accountability without creating bottlenecks

• Managing the inevitable tensions between biotech agility and pharma processes while preserving your company's momentum

• Recognizing warning signs of partnership dysfunction, having difficult conversations constructively, and knowing when to renegotiate terms

• Leveraging the partnership for expanded opportunities, additional strategic support, and demonstrating progress that satisfies both pharma partners and your investors

In today's competitive life sciences funding environment, a compelling scientific hypothesis is no longer enough to secure growth-stage investment. Investors are increasingly scrutinizing clinical development strategies, demanding clear evidence of thoughtful trial design, realistic timelines, and capital-efficient pathways to value-creating milestones. This panel explores why a robust clinical strategy has become the critical differentiator between companies that successfully raise Series B+ rounds and those that stall out. Hear from seasoned experts on what constitutes a truly investor-ready clinical plan, common pitfalls that derail fundraising efforts, and how to position your clinical strategy as a competitive advantage in due diligence

• Exploring the essential elements of a clinical strategy that signals execution capability and de-risks investment at the growth stage

• Discussing how smart endpoint selection, patient population choices, and regulatory pathway planning directly impact valuation and fundability

• How to structure clinical programs to achieve meaningful inflection points within realistic budget constraints and timelines

• The red flags and missteps that cause investors to walk away, and how to proactively address them in your fundraising narrative

Technology transfer offices sit at the critical intersection between groundbreaking academic research and commercial biotech ventures. As the startup ecosystem evolves, leading TTOs are reimagining their role—moving beyond traditional licensing to become active partners in company formation, fundraising strategy, and early-stage development. Learn how TTOs are structuring deals to attract investors, supporting founders through the transition from academia to entrepreneurship, and building ecosystems that increase spinout success rates

• Modern deal structures that balance university interests with investor expectations

• How TTOs are supporting first-time academic founders through the commercialization journey

• Building competitive IP packages and data sets that attract early-stage investors

• Creating regional ecosystems and partnerships that accelerate spinout success

The Series A represents a critical inflection point where biotech companies must demonstrate meaningful progress beyond seed-stage promise. With larger check sizes and higher expectations, VCs are looking for validated biology, clear clinical or commercial pathways, and teams capable of scaling. This panel features Series A investors who will discuss what separates fundable companies from those that stall, how to position your data package for maximum impact, and what valuation and dilution dynamics founders should expect. Understand the Series A bar in today's funding environment and how to build toward it strategically

• Crossing the Series A threshold and demonstrating the data milestones and team capabilities investors expect

• Positioning your science by translating preclinical or early clinical results into a compelling investment case

• Valuation realities including market dynamics, dilution considerations, and term sheet negotiations

• Building momentum through competitive tension and strategic fundraising timeline management

The right leadership team and board composition can make or break a biotech company's path to commercialization. As startups transition from research-focused organizations to commercial entities, the expertise around the table must evolve accordingly. This panel features experienced executives, board members, and investors who will discuss how to identify and recruit commercial talent, when to make key leadership additions, and how to structure boards that provide strategic value beyond governance. Learn how to build leadership teams that can navigate regulatory approval, market access, launch preparation, and scaling operations.

• Timing commercial hires and building the right expertise at each stage

• Balancing scientific credibility with commercial and financial acumen on your board

• Attracting top executive talent in a competitive market

• Leveraging leadership for partnerships, customer access, and investor confidence