02.12.2025 - 03.12.2025 | Strasbourg

BioFIT - fostering innovation & transfer

Veranstaltungsort: Strasbourg

Die folgenden Informationen liegen ausschließlich in englischer Sprache vor. 

With the highest attending rate of academics, TTOs and research institutions, BioFIT is the place where academia-industry collaborations get started. BioFIT has taken on a whole new dimension becoming the meeting point in Europe for tech transfer and for sourcing early-stage innovations stemming from public research institutions, academic spin-offs and emerging biotech companies. Together with big pharma, biotech and diagnostic companies, BioFIT operates as a platform to build partnerships for all public and private actors. BioFIT is also the European marketplace for pre-seed, seed and Series A investment in Life Sciences.

What BioFIT Features

 

BioRegio STERN will also be attending BioFIT as part of our STEP4NAMS project. Organizations from the BioRegio STERN network can benefit from a 25% discount on tickets – more information can be found below in the info box.

 

Steered by its prestigious committee, the BioFIT conference programme is shaped to correspond to the interests of every player in the sector and to meet the expectations of its stakeholders, whose sharp minds operate in the fast-paced Life Sciences sector. The 2025 programme is rooted in four custom-made tracks, addressing the right funding sources for early-stage innovation, best practices in academia-industry R&D collaborations, winning ways to nurture early-stage assets and animal health highlights.

KEYNOTE SESSION

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 9:15 AM 
  • 9:45 AM 

Winning an entrepreneurial Healthcare Industry

PLENARY SESSION

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 11:30 AM 
  • 12:30 PM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Hype vs real value: Discussing the reality of AI in Life sciences

The use of AI in life sciences is growing fast, but is it really delivering on its promises? From internal process optimisation to strategic partnerships with AI-driven solution providers, this session will explore how companies are integrating AI into their innovation pipelines, relying on concrete use cases where AI has delivered value across clinical trial design, data analysis, decision-making. Experts will share the lessons learned from the frontlines of AI adoption, including both breakthroughs and missteps. What distinguishes hype from real value? How do companies now envision collaborations with AI providers, rather than or in complement with internal development? What do investors expect from AI-driven innovation? With regulatory and cultural shifts underway, what should the sector prepare for next?

TRACK 1 – Best practices in academia-industry R&D collaborations

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 10:00 AM 
  • 11:00 AM 

Proof-of-concept and de-risking: Stories of impactful research partnerships

Bridging the gap between academic discoveries and industrial applications requires a solid proof of concept as well as tailored de-risking strategies. In this pivotal but complex step, partnerships can be an effective answer in helping to determine whether a research asset can pave the way for new technological advances. In this endeavour, close interaction and dialogue between different communities – such as research, market players and investors – is crucial to reduce technology and market risk. This session will explore examples of partnerships that have successfully transformed early-stage innovations into tangible opportunities and pre-commercial phases. Why choose a collaborative model to secure go/no go stages for innovation? What are the determinants for an effective partnership?

  • Gerald Law, Chief Executive, Innovation DB 
  • Peter Atkinson, Head of UK Academic & Industry Alliances, Eisai Europe
  • Oliver Boucher, Vice President, Business Development & Strategic Alliances, Zoetis 
  • 4:15 PM 
  • 5:00 PM 

A toolbox session is designed to provide practical skills, easy-to-follow guidelines and take-home tools which delegates can put into practice to deal with their current issues.

Toolbox session

Best practices to proactively connect academic assets to potential partners

It is no surprise that research led by academics is a breeding ground for new innovations and technologies, but finding the right industry partners remains a challenge, and successful connections rarely happen by chance. This session will provide concrete tips to enhance visibility, communicate value, and build lasting relationships with industry stakeholders. What are the most effective strategies to identify the right partners, and to connect to them? How to make your academic assets noticeable and valuable to stakeholders, depending on the type of partnership one is aiming for? From a scouting perspective, how is the evolution of TTO practices perceived? How could TTOs increase their efforts to promote cutting-edge research and target the right stakeholders?

  • Markus Lang, Managing Director, Dr Lang Consulting 
  • Prabhu Velusami, Senior Director Search and Evaluation, External Scientific Innovation, Johnson & Johnson

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

  • 11:30 AM 
  • 12:30 PM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Early-stage sourcing: How are investors approaching academia partnerships?

On the early-stage scene, investors and venture builders play a critical role in shaping the future of new academic assets, and the sourcing of great science and technology starts early on. How do these players appraise academic opportunities? What factors make an early-stage project attractive, or too risky? Where do investors and academia interests and values meet and how do they nurture the relationship? This discussion will explore experts’ perspectives on academia collaborations, what academics should know when engaging with potential funders and how the investments trends are evolving in that particular area.

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Cross-fertilisation: Deliverables and learnings in academia-pharma collaborations

Academia-pharma partnerships have long been a driving force for scientific innovation, and both sides bring distinct, complementary strengths to the table. Know how expertise, assets and platforms need to be leveraged and bridged across the collaborating partners to create additional value and translate towards tangible solutions. How is this best fostered? What concrete outcomes can cross-fertilisation deliver in these partnerships? How and what can the partners learn from one another? This session will explore how complementary strengths and expertise translate into measurable deliverables and long-term impact for both sectors, ultimately benefitting society and patients.

  • Yao Cheng, Associate Director, External Research Collaborations, Novartis
  • Julie Edwards, Director, Alliance Management, Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Paola Vella, Technology Transfer Officer, Humanitas Research Hospital
  • Emmanuel Poteaux, CEO, SATT Connectus

TRACK 2 – Nurturing and licensing early-stage assets

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 3:00 PM 
  • 3:45 PM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Pharma: What room for early-stage deals?

Large pharmaceutical companies are constantly working on strategic shifts, balancing in-house innovation with external collaborations to maintain a competitive drug development pipeline while minimising risks. The data suggests that, in 2024, in-licensing conducted by Big Pharma moved to earlier-stage assets. Where do these assets fit into the equation a year later? What is considered early-stage in licensing discussions? Is there a framework of deals that pharma companies are prioritising? How can biotech and academia position themselves to secure meaningful partnerships? This session will explore how pharma approaches deals and the integration of early-stage projects into their pipelines.

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

  • 9:15 AM 
  • 10:00 AM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Licensing or spinning out? Choosing the right course for an academic asset

Bringing an academic innovation to market requires a strategic decision: should it be licensed to an existing company or spun out into a new venture? What factors should guide this choice? How do funding, market potential, and team capabilities influence the decision? What support mechanisms exist to ensure the chosen path leads to the successful maturing of an asset?

TRACK 3 – From pre-seed to Series A: Accessing early-stage investment

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 3:30 PM 
  • 4:15 PM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Assessing 2025 early-stage investments and expectations for 2026

The European life sciences investment landscape continues to shift in 2025, under the uncertain macroeconomic context. While stakeholders seem to grow more demanding and selective for young companies, innovation in life sciences remains a main appeal for investors and partners. What are the key takeaways for early-stage financing in 2025? How have investor priorities evolved, and what lessons can be learned for the year ahead? This session will provide an in-depth outlook at where capital is flowing, which types of ventures are attracting attention, and what tendencies investors are forecasting for 2026.

DAY 2 – Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025

  • 10:15 AM 
  • 11:00 AM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Raising capital in uncertain times: CEOs share their successful strategies

Fundraising is a critical step in the growth of any emerging company, but the path to securing investment is rarely straightforward. CEOs will share their firsthand experiences of raising funds: what strategies proved effective, what challenges they encountered, what they would do differently. How did they engage with investors? What role did strategic partnerships play? And what key lessons can other entrepreneurs take away from their journeys?

A toolbox session is designed to provide practical skills, easy-to-follow guidelines and take-home tools which delegates can put into practice to deal with their current issues.

Toolbox session

Academia taking equity in start-ups: What are the key considerations?

As universities and research institutions become more engaged in commercialisation, many are choosing to take equity in start-ups. What are the implications of this approach? How does it impact governance, long-term involvement, and potential conflicts of interest? This session will provide a practical guide to the opportunities and risks associated with equity-based engagement, helping academia navigate the complexities of this model.

TRACK 4 – Animal Health Highlight

DAY 1 – Tuesday, December 2nd, 2025

  • 2:00 PM 
  • 2:45 PM 

Moderated roundtable discussion consisting in an exchange of ideas and perspectives by international experts to delve into the latest challenges of the sector.

Panel discussion

Discussing exit strategies for Animal Health start-ups

As innovation continues to shape the Animal Health sector, start-ups are gaining visibility and momentum. This session will explore the various exit strategies for Animal Health start-ups and the growing collaborations with the veterinary pharmaceutical industry. The experts on the panel will discuss how to best prepare for a successful exit, what big players are looking for, and how timing, positioning, and business models impact valuation and deal opportunities. What are the common pitfalls to avoid? How can start-ups align with broader industry trends to maximise their exit potential?

Adivo Founder to speak on how a human health discovery technology created significant additional value in animal health

Interested to learn more about how human drug discovery technologies can be adapted to realise early value in animal health? Come and listen to the story behind MorphoSys’ animal health spin-out, adivo, and its successful sale to Zoetis, the largest animal health company. Dr. Kathrin Ladetzki-Baehs began her career at MorphoSys, where she served in multiple roles within the R&D organization and ultimately as Director in Alliance Management, shepherding partnerships, and therapeutic projects in collaboration with international pharma partners. In 2018, she co-founded adivo GmbH, a MorphoSys spinout, alongside Dr. Markus Waldhuber, securing seed financing from High-Tech Gründerfonds, Occident and MorphoSys to develop CEASAR and FELIX, the first phage-display antibody libraries tailored for dogs and cats. After growing the team to around 25 scientists and establishing a promising pipeline in oncology and inflammatory diseases, adivo was acquired by Zoetis in September 2023, with its Puchheim labs becoming one of Zoetis’ innovation hubs for veterinary antibody discovery. Dr Ladetzki-Baehs will speak on the strategic thinking which led to the (initially human) phage display platform at MorphoSys being thought of as relevant to animal health and thence to adivo’s creation.

Weitere Informationen

Organisationen aus der BioRegion STERN erhalten mit einem Discount Code einen 25 % Preisnachlass auf folgende Teilnahmeoptionen:

Discount code: NAMS_25Discount