Day 1 – Tuesday 10th October

08:50 Welcome Address

Josh Dance, SVP, LSX

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09:00 Live Opening Of The Nasdaq Nordic Markets & Nasdaq Welcome 

Carsten Borring, Head of Listing & Capital Markets, NASDAQ Copenhagen 

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09:10 Back Bay Welcome Address

Jonathan Gertler, CEO, BackBay Life Science Advisors 

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09:20 Unleashing The Global Potential Of The Nordic Life Science Markets Through Strategic Internationalization 

The Nordic region has long been recognized as a global leader in innovation, sustainability, and quality of life, and has also emerged as a hotbed for life science innovation and entrepreneurship with an increasing number of startups. The Nordic region shares a highly interconnected business environment that facilitates cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange, creating a unique ecosystem that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, attracting investors and partners from around the world. Despite these advantages, however, the Nordic life science markets face a number of challenges in their efforts to grow and internationalize. This keynote discussion will explore the current state of the Nordic life science markets, including their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss strategies for growing and globalizing the industry in the years ahead.

• What are the current challenges facing the Nordic life science markets, and how can we address them?
• What are the unique strengths of the Nordic life science industry that can be leveraged for international expansion?
• What strategies can Nordic life science companies adopt to successfully enter and compete in international markets?
• How can Nordic countries collaborate to build a stronger and more competitive life science ecosystem?
• What role can government policies and initiatives play in supporting the growth and internationalisation of the Nordic life science markets?

Keld Flintholm Jorgensen, EVP & CBO, Lundbeck 
Carsten Borring, Head of Listings & Capital Markets, NASDAQ Copenhagen 
Henrijette Richter, Managing Partner, Sofinnova Partners 
Nanna Lüneborg, General Partner, Forbion 
Jonathan Gertler, CEO, BackBay Life Science Advisors

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10:10 How Can Nordic Life Sciences Continue To Be A Global Leader? 

AstraZeneca has a bold aspiration to launch 15 new medicines over the coming years and become carbon-neutral. As a Swedish-British company with more than 84.000 employees globally, the company plays a leading role in the Nordics as well as global life sciences. With increased globalization and competition, what is needed if the Nordics should continue to be a leader within life sciences?

Christof Bischoff, Country Director, Denmark, AstraZeneca  

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10:30 Morning Break

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11:00 The Fundraising Ecosystem For Nordic Life Sciences And Raising Capital During Turbulent Times  

The Nordic region continues to be a beacon of innovation with private stage biotechs and startups continually raising capital, but in 2023 how are some of Europe’s leading investors viewing the field? This panel will discuss how investors are allocating their capital, hot trends to look out for, and how best private stage biotechs can utilise their capital efficiently as we head into 2024 and beyond. 

• How are investors viewing the field of the Nordic life sciences as an attractive region to invest in?
• What has got some of the leading investors in the space excited this year, and what are they going to be on the lookout in 2024?
• What have we learned in terms of navigating the private markets in 2023 and how can biotechs be best prepared for the future?

Moderator: Bill Hicks, Co-chair Securities and Capital Markets Practice Group, Mintz
Camilla Petrycer Hansen, Principal Seed Investments, Novo Holdings 
Charles Conn, Partner, Monograph Capital
Ingrid Teigland Akay, Managing Partner, Hadean Ventures 
Claudio Costa, Operating Partner, Jeito Capital 
Christina Takke, Managing Partner, V-Bio Ventures 

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11:50 Thinking Outside The Box: How Best To Prepare For Partnering And Investment   

Founders in the biotech industry are no strangers to challenges. Success is impossible to come by without substantial investment, time and technical expertise. Although life science startups managed to come out relatively unscathed last year, the enduring economic climate is turning fundraising and partnering into a never-ending marathon. Panellists discuss how best biotechs can continue to position themselves for both partnering and investment, innovating for the future, and ultimately coming out on top.

• How to reduce commercial risk while running your business  
• What are the expectations of pharma BD and investors on the commercial maturity/understanding at different development stages?  
• How to effectively build relationships with BD and investors 

Moderator: Stephanie Mattsson, Director, MSC Nordics 
Rasmus Just, Global Head BD&L, ALK 
Sebastian Brunemeier, General Partner, Healthspan Capital
Jacob Michlewicz, CFO, Anocca
Magnus Persson, Founding Partner, Eir Ventures  

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12:40 Lunch Break

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13:45 The Business Of Biotech: A Day In The Life Of A Public Biotech CEO. Advice And Lessons Learned 

• What's one leadership lesson you've learned in your career?
• As a leader, what has been the most significant barrier in your career
• How do you think about company growth?
• How are you currently navigating fundraising?
• What advice would you give to the next generation of leaders?

Moderator: Deborah Sterling, Director, Sterne Kessler 
Renée Aguiar-Lucander, CEO, Calliditas Therapeutics 
Johan Wäborg, CEO, Iconovo 
Søren Tulstrup, CEO, Hansa Biopharma 
Hans Schambye, CEO, Galecto 

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14:40 Beyond The Double Helix: Boldly Advancing The Future Of Cell And Gene Therapies

Successful clinical trials have shown industry stakeholders the value cell and gene therapy offers patients now and as the path of future medicine. Despite the clinical benefits, CGT has not yet achieved significant market penetration. In addition to struggling with production roadblocks, companies also face pricing issues and a global healthcare system unprepared for CGT roll out. With the aim to bring CGT’s to as many patients as possible, this session will explore the latest trends and advancements in cell and gene therapy, and how they are shaping the future of life science industry. 

• What do you see as the major head and tailwinds in CGT? 
• CGT in the Nordics – is there an ecosystem? What could be done to strengthen it? 
• What would you point to as the major success story over the past year in GCT? 
• Areas with growth potential for future CGT pipelines 
• Consideration of applying sciences across therapeutic areas 

Moderator: Josef Christensen, Chief Business Development Officer, StemMedical 
Johan Liwing, CEO, XNK therapeutics 
Kristian Tryggvason, CEO, Alder Therapeutics 
Juha Yrjänheikki, CEO, Aurealis Therapeutics 
Thomas Tan, Principal, Sound Bioventures 

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15:30 Afternoon Break

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16:00 Building A Strong Ecosystem For SMEs: Resources In The Nordics To Help Biotechs Grow 

• Building a strong ecosystem for life science innovation
• How can the Nordics continue to foster a strong ecosystem for SMEs in the biotech industry?
• Examples of alternative resources for biotechs
• Openness for collaboration and dare to share 

Yorick Kamlag, Executive Director, BD, BioVentureHub AstraZeneca 
Anu Meerwaldt, Development Manager, SPARK Finland 
Anna Bergstrand, Programme Manager, Vinnova 
Farzad Abdi-Dezfuli, Partner, Sarsia Management 

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16:50 Biopharma S&E And Dealmaking In 2023 And Beyond: What’s Next? 

New innovations are needed and new ideas fuel growth, but what new innovations and technologies does the world currently need?
This panel gathers top dealmakers at some of the world’s leading big pharma companies, discussing S&E, innovations, and adapting to a constantly shifting environment. 

• Large pharma – what’s the new strategic perspective in terms of S&E?
• How are some of the top deal makers at large pharma currently viewing the field in terms of innovation? Where are the gaps?
• How can biotechs adapt to this ever-changing environment?

Moderator: Ahmed Mousa, CEO, Vicore Pharma  
Jennifer Laird, VP, Search & Evaluation, Eli Lilly 
Nathalie ter Wengel, European Lead Worldwide Business Development, Pfizer 
Zaki Salanti, Senior Director Head of S&E, Novo Nordisk
Bradley Hardiman,  Senior Director, Ventures and Scouting & Transactions – Business Development, Astellas Pharma  

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17:30 Drinks Reception 

 

Day 2 – Wednesday 11th October

 

09:00 Welcome Address

Adam Griffiths, Senior Conference Director, LSX

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09:10 Keynote Panel: Paving The Way For Future Founders: Transitioning From Academic Leadership To Biotech Entrepreneurship 

Moving from academia to industry is a significant change for a scientist, but if you are doing it for the right reasons, have a clear path in mind and fully understand the road you are embarking on, it is a decision that can reap huge rewards. Becoming a biotech leader of tomorrow requires a specialized skillset to ensure efficient and stellar development from pre-clinical studies through to market approval.
This panel will discuss how academic founders can set themselves up for success by knowing the key milestones to prepare for, the importance of biotech company culture, and ultimately how to become a strong life science leader.

• Surrounding yourself with key information – navigating the market, funding sources, regulatory requirements, and team management
• Necessary resources to turn ideas into successful ventures
• Building a strong team and creating an inspiring company culture
• Calculated risks and pivoting when necessary

Moderator: Nina Haldipur, Director, Therapeutics Business Development, BioInnovation Institute 
Mette Kirstine Agger, Senior Advisor, Esrum Biotech 
Claus Andersson, General Partner, Sunstone Ventures 
John Haurum, Advisor and Nonexecutive Director, Multiple Biotechs 
Henrik Stage, Co-founder & CEO, Fuse Vectors 

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09:50 The Danish Enterprise Foundation Model: Investing In The Future For Long-term Success 

Some of Denmark’s largest pharma companies are all partly owned by independent foundations with dual philanthropic and commercial activities. This model ensures great stability to companies, allowing organizations to be set-up for long-term success and funds channelled into both academia and biotech start-ups. As a rapidly and ever-developing biotech hub, what are the direct and indirect benefits of this model, and what could other countries learn from Denmark? 

• How is this model supporting and growing the biotech sector? 
• What are the direct benefits and challenges? 
• What could others learn from this model to continue to grow and internationalize the Nordic region? 

Moderator: Christian Elling, Managing Partner, Lundbeckfonden BioCapital  
Marianne Philip, Attorney, Kromann Reumert 
Trine Bartholdy, Chief Innovation Officer, BioInnovation Institute 
Jens Kann Rasmussen, Chair, Velux Foundations 
Mikkel Skovborg, SVP Innovation, Novo Nordisk Fonden 
Jakob Riis, CEO, Falck 
Mark Ørberg, Assistant Professor, CBS 

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11:00 Effective Talent Acquisition And Retention Strategies For Life Sciences In The Nordics   

• What are the best practices for Nordic companies to increase recruitment of non-Nordic employees?
• What strategies can companies employ to thrive in a competitive market and achieve growth?
• How can organizations address talent-related issues and optimize their global talent and team structure to attract and retain top talent?
• How can we continue to showcase the Nordic life sciences as a top environment for new career opportunities and development

Moderator: Nanna Soni, Client Partner, Coulter Partners
Jeroen Bakker, Principal Seed Investment, Novo Holdings 
Annette Säfholm, CEO, Geada Biotech  
Christina Herder, Member of the Board, Elicera Therapeutics & Beactica AB

Moderator: Louise Jonshammar, Partner, AWA
Vanela Bushi, Co-founder & Partner,  H Tree Capital
Ivan Burkov, Junior Partner, INKEF 
Nico Straub, Partner, Bioventure 
Giovanni Rizzo, Partner, Indaco Venture Partners 

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12:40 Lunch Break

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14:00 How Artificial Intelligence Is Shaping The Future Of Drug Discovery, Design, And Development

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly utilising artificial intelligence (AI) to bring novel treatments to market more rapidly and at a reduced cost. AI and machine learning (ML) have already transformed the way research and drug development are carried out, and these technologies are opening up many new possibilities for innovation in drug development. ML algorithms capable of providing insight and predictions can assist healthcare practitioners, delivering risk factors, diagnoses and treatments for patients earlier on in their care pathway and disease progression.

• The opportunity for AI-enabled drug discovery and development
• Can too much data be a bad thing?
• Are we using all of our data and are we using it in the right way?
• What are the challenges ahead for the use of AI in drug development?

Moderator: Marko Kuisma, Partner, Innovester 
Andreas Holm Mattsson, Founder, Chief AI & Culture Officer, Evaxion Biotech 
Alex Zhavoronkov, CEO, Insilico Medicine 

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14:50 Revolutionizing Oncology Drug Discovery: Novel Approaches And Technologies Shaping The Future Of Cancer Treatment 

In 2023, oncology, remains the focus of the majority of life sciences companies, comprising roughly 38% of all products currently with an active research programme, and has grown at 10.5% CAGR over the last five years. With an increased interest in platforms such as cancer vaccines, oncolytic viruses, and targeted protein degradation, what are the latest trends and developments in oncology, and how will this affect future partnering opportunities?

• Oncology drug discovery in 2023 – what’s the current playing field?
• Early detection – what’s needed to get us where we need to be?
• Strengthening partnerships between patient advocates and scientists
• Hot up and coming trends within oncology drug discovery – what’s on the horizon?
• Oncology drug discovery in 2024 – how will next year’s field compare to this one?
  

Francois Martelet, CEO, Scandion Oncology 
Søren Bregenholt, CEO, Alligator Bioscience
Lars Gredsted, Senior Principal, Lundbeckfonden BioCapital

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15:30 Close of LSX Nordic Congress 2023