Insights from the 2024 Life Sciences Breakfast Seminar: M&A and Funding in Life Sciences
April 12th, 2024, Amsterdam
Pedersen & Partners and CMS Amsterdam co-hosted this week’s M&A and Funding in Life Sciences Breakfast Seminar. The event provided a lively and agile atmosphere for representatives of well-known and international life sciences companies and scale-ups to discuss, debate, and network.
The event gathered more than 60 decision-makers to ensure a range of perspectives. The panel discussions were led by: Erik van den Berg (CEO, Memo Therapeutics AG); Martijn Boot (Head of Legal, Brocacef); Dr. Jan Groen (CEO, Intravacc); Jos Lunenberg (CEO, Surfix Diagnostics); Koenraad Wiedhaup (CEO, Leyden Labs).
The panel discussion was co-chaired by Pieter van Duijvenvoorde (Partner, Corporate / M&A Practice, CMS Amsterdam); Ellen Gielen (Partner, Head of Lifesciences & Healthcare, CMS Amsterdam); and Lydia vdMeulen (Client Partner, Head of Life Sciences & Healthcare Practice Group at Pedersen & Partners).
The top takeaways from the event:
- M&A, investment and fundraising dynamics: the market has ‘normalised’ and last year proved difficult for fundraising, although there are funding opportunities to be found in the USA and Asia. In terms of deals, there is a noticeable shift to companies that are in a later stage of development.
- External factors: the Netherlands may lose its ability to build innovations by bringing together (international) talent, (international) scientists and capital.
- Regulatory constraints or threats affecting M&A and investments: the upcoming EU Pharma package will result in less access to new medicines for EU member states.
- Exit strategies & market climate: exit strategies should be clear at an early stage. The exit environment has improved and an increase in IPOs is expected in 2025-26.
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