In 2020, the global pandemic has created unprecedented disruption for the global health and development community. It has affected how we work, how we socialize, and how we approach healthcare. This year, Onelin partnered up with Life Science Nation to host a virtual Redefining Early Stage Investment (RESI) conference on Sep 14 -16 to talk about how global investors think about healthcare and investments during this unprecedented time we are in.  700+ global attendees joined us at this event. Onelin connected with 150+ industry leaders, investors, and scientists for further collaboration. 

During the conference, we hosted a Global Investments panel to talk about early stage investment on the global stage during and post Covid-19. We also hosted a pitching session, Online Pitchbuzz, to showcase the latest  innovative life science companies. These initiatives reached close to 35,000 contacts in the life sciences industry around the globe.

Key Highlights of the Event

Global Investment and Partnerships Panel Discussion

We hosted a panel with our General Manager, Judy Lee, as the moderator. We were honored to have four industry experts joining us from different fields, including: Dr. Weiyong Sun - Senior Director of Specialty Medicine Search & Evaluation at Daiichi Sankyo, Yao Li Ho - Senior Director of Business Development at LYFE Capital, Haolin Sung - Managing Partner of Chaperone Investment and Haruhiko Sugino - Director of Global Business Development at Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.

Below are some key takeaways from the discussions:

Investment Trends

  • COVID-19 may have changed what we look at, but now how we look at investments. It is important to point out that the pandemic has not changed anyone’s investment thesis and focus, especially in the pharmaceutical industry. Much of what they believe in and the long term thesis has not changed just that the ecosystem has evolved to be more tech eccentric on healthcare and  faster pace than it has before. Telemedicine and remote monitoring has been a big focus for investors and pharmaceutical companies are seeking AI drug discovery to collaborate with.

  • Pharma industry is in focus. Pharmercutical companies have social responsibility to develop the vaccine for COVID and they are seeing more startups focusing on solutions to address COVID-19.

  • Valuation has recovered. Valuations have largely recovered since earlier this year as investors get more comfortable with how to handle and evaluate the current environment we are in. 

  • Due diligence has become harder. Due diligence has become harder with social distancing and unable to see and evaluate companies face-to face. harder Thus, there is a big trend with investors getting closer together in order to de-risk the deals.

Suggestions for entrepreneurs

  • Due diligence is taking longer. Be patient.

  • Attending more virtual conference and use database to optimize networking and search

  • Be open-minded and understand the ecosystem, marketplace and new requirements

  • Ask referrals and contacts from closer network in the same industry

  • Work with a local partner, potentially a big player in the industry through co-development, licensing deals to penetrate the new market

  • Have at least 12 months of cash runway

  • Focus on next milestone and have enough cash runway to at least get through that

  • Prepare ahead for the next round of fundraising by speaking to investors 1-1.5 years ahead