Briefing Room Virtual Salon Series
 Policy Pressure: Communicating at the Speed of Change
 
As policy shifts reshape the landscape of science and innovation, communications teams are under pressure to adapt—fast. From drug pricing reforms to changing regulatory expectations to rapidly evolving funding landscapes, the stakes for how biotech and pharma tell their stories have never been higher. This session of The Briefing Room brings together communications leaders and brand strategists to explore how policy turbulence is transforming messaging, positioning, and public trust in the life sciences.
 

Moderator:
Virginia Amann, Founder & CEO, ENTENTE

Speakers:
Annalee Armstrong, Senior Editor, BioSpace
Maria Ghazal, President & CEO, Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC)
Michael Heifetz, Managing Director, Alvarez & Marsal Public Sector Services

In this episode, we’re bringing you highlights from a virtual salon focused on one of the biggest challenges for biotech companies, telling your story in a way that attracts funders and partners. You’ll hear advice straight from investors, communication experts, and pharma BD leaders on what resonates and why.

This hour-long conversation also introduces BioFuture 2025 Spotlight Panels, a new format designed to maximize exposure for participating companies, elevate visibility, and spark meaningful dialogue through expertly moderated discussions with real-time audience interaction. Instead of the traditional pitch presentation, Spotlight Panels create richer, more memorable experiences for audiences eager to discover and connect with the next wave of transformative biotech companies and technologies.

Join us October 13–15 in New York City for BioFuture, where therapeutic innovators, policymakers, and investors come together to assess and shape the future of healthcare. This year’s program will feature candid, unfiltered discussions on the convergence of rapidly evolving fields, including biopharma, digital medicine, big data, TechBio, AI, and more, as well as the impact of regulatory changes on the healthcare ecosystem. Register and learn more at BioFuture.com.

Moderator: 
Dennis Purcell, Founder, Aisling Capital

Two industry titans explore the metamorphosis that is unfolding in health care, driven by innovation and demanded by consumers, that will profoundly transform this space as we know it.

Up to 85% of the human proteome is considered “undruggable,” with proteins that lack the pockets where traditional therapeutics can bind. But that barrier is beginning to shift.

A new wave of biotech companies is bringing forward breakthrough technologies designed to target the most elusive proteins—opening the door to therapies once thought impossible. In this episode, we explore the science, innovation, and opportunities behind cracking the code of the so-called “undruggable” proteome.

Alzheimer’s disease is a relentless and fatal illness, creating a profound health crisis for patients, families, and societies worldwide. Without meaningful progress, the societal costs will be staggering.

Global thought leaders have set an ambitious goal: to develop a treatment that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by 2025. While late-stage clinical successes have been elusive over the past decade, scientific understanding of the disease has advanced dramatically, particularly in the areas of early diagnosis and disease progression. This episode explores the evolving science of Alzheimer’s, the surge in drug development targeting patients in the earliest stages, and the promise that earlier intervention could deliver better outcomes for patients.

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Abernethy, Principal Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, for a candid conversation on disruption in healthcare.

We’ll explore how COVID has accelerated change across the system, and whether that disruption is ultimately driving positive transformation for patients, providers, and innovators.

Electricity has long been used as a therapeutic tool to restore heart rhythms, stimulate nerves and neurochemicals, and even support cellular regeneration. Today, innovation in this field is accelerating, with new medical devices and bioelectrical treatments emerging for conditions ranging from CNS diseases to cancer and diabetes.

In this episode, a panel of experts explores the latest research, the favorable regulatory environment, and the innovative business models fueling this electrifying wave of potential in bioelectrical therapeutics.

Fundraising has long been a challenge for European biopharma companies, particularly those moving programs into the clinic, due to the limitations of European public markets. But change may be on the horizon.

With the rise of virtual fundraising, European innovators are finding new opportunities to access ex-EU public and private capital. But is this trend sustainable? Where does non-dilutive funding fit? Is a NASDAQ listing the right path? And what other tools should CEOs and their teams be considering as they advance their assets? In this episode, industry leaders unpack these critical questions and explore the evolving landscape of European biopharma fundraising.

European commercialization may look daunting at first, 30 EEA countries plus the UK and Switzerland, a population of 370 million, multiple regulatory systems, diverse reimbursement environments, labor laws, and a rich mix of languages and cultures.

That’s why this session is essential for any CEO weighing Europe as a strategic option. While the challenges are real, the rewards of building a presence can be extraordinary—expanding patient access beyond the U.S. and significantly increasing market value. In this episode, senior biotech leaders share their current experiences and insights, covering critical decisions such as choosing a European HQ location, setting rollout timing and cadence, and, most importantly, avoiding the bear traps along the way.

Nearly 80% of new biopharmaceutical projects are now originating from academia and small-to mid-sized companies. These emerging players face significant challenges as they work to advance promising new therapies. Whether the goal is to out-license, commercialize, or position for acquisition, success often hinges on early investment, from fully integrated pharma companies or venture capital firms. Securing that investment can be the key to bringing new treatments to patients who need them most.

In this episode, a panel of experts from Parexel Biotech, Health Advances, Johnson & Johnson Innovation, and others explore how biotech companies can plan their early development strategies to both attract investors and align with regulatory needs. Hear what investors are looking for and how biotechs can get ahead from the very start.

Part 3 takes on the evolving market access landscape in the dynamic U.S. healthcare system.

With value delivery at the forefront, this discussion examines how companies can measure and demonstrate value, the critical interplay between FDA and CMS on value propositions, and practical strategies for engaging payers.

In Part 2, we build on the foundations from our first series with a series of real-world hypotheticals that highlight why and how developers can create a market access strategy early in clinical development.

This conversation explores strategies around clinical trial design, anticipating investor questions, and strengthening competitive positioning, all critical elements for shaping long-term success.

In our first series, we set the stage with a deep look at the government and commercial payer landscape, covering coverage, reimbursement, and pricing, and how these factors can shape commercialization strategy in real time. While many business considerations around commercialization are well understood, this discussion shines a light on the legal and policy dimensions—critical factors that are often less familiar to biotechs at the earlier stages of drug development.

Join us for an episode featuring a distinguished panel of experts as they dive into pricing and deal valuation dynamics for multi-indication products. The conversation explores the key questions commercialization partners, acquirers, and capital providers ask when evaluating both multi-indication and platform products for deal valuation.

Hear firsthand insights from CEOs, business development executives, market access leaders, country managers, and royalty investors representing leading companies such as Alexion, DRI Capital, Genentech, Genzyme, GSK, and Pfizer.

In this dynamic and insightful episode, we bring together a diverse group of industry leaders to explore the art and science of successful presentations at Biotech Showcase. As one of the largest and most influential healthcare investor conferences, Biotech Showcase takes place during Healthcare week in San Francisco and offers unparalleled opportunities for biotech, TechBio, and MedTech companies to gain visibility, attract investment, and forge strategic partnerships. This conversation is designed to equip presenting companies with the tools and strategies needed to maximize their impact and stand out in a competitive landscape.

Drawing on the wealth of experience from both sides of the presentation podium, our expert speakers will provide a 360-degree view of what makes a company presentation truly compelling. From crafting your narrative to leveraging the latest digital tools, this session will cover all aspects of a successful Biotech Showcase appearance.

Tune in for an insightful webinar featuring a panel of TechBio CEOs, venture investors, and industry experts as they discuss the latest trends and innovations shaping the future of human health during Biotech Showcase and Healthcare Week in San Francisco. This episode will provide valuable updates on what to expect from the TechBio sector, including emerging technologies and investment opportunities that are set to redefine patient care, drug discovery, tools, manufacturing and digital therapeutics. Don’t miss this chance to gain expert insights and discover how the convergence of technology and biology is transforming the healthcare landscape.

Join us for an insightful conversation, featuring Tim Opler, as we explore the evolving landscape of the biotech financial markets in 2025. As we enter a new era characterized by growth, complexity, and opportunity, the sector faces a myriad of challenges and advancements. With a new government in place, rapid technological innovations, shifting regulatory frameworks, and changing investor sentiments, understanding the future of biotech finance demands both expertise and strategic foresight.

This discussion will provide a comprehensive outlook on the biotech financial markets, offering valuable insights for investors, executives, and industry professionals. Listeneres will gain a deeper understanding of the key factors shaping the market and learn how to navigate effectively in 2025 and beyond.

The rapidly growing “Femtech” market is expected to grow to $50B by 2025. Hear from this group of leading private company CEOs, who are heading up innovative advances in technology, that could change the way women's health is treated. The panelists will share perspectives on high-potential investment areas within the space. Learn how these CEOs secured their initial capital and scaled, and hear them discuss how to build better research, policy, data, and care delivery capabilities to achieve venture-level exits and personalized healthcare for half of the global population.

Runway extension in these turbulent times does not only apply to start ups but also to long established companies. What strategies can you employ to extend your company’s cash runway? What revenue streams should you pursue, IPOs, Private Equity, Venture, Debt, SPACs, PIPEs, partnering? How can you prevent overspending or running out of capital entirely? Listen to this panel of experts discuss options and strategies from the perspective of board members and pharma partnering.