Making connections and getting noticed as a biotech start-up

A thriving start-up ecosystem is essential to the health of the modern life sciences industry, as it provides an incubator for innovative ideas that might be too high-risk for larger, more established companies. But that doesn't mean it's easy to be a biotech start-up. With so many small companies chasing the biotech dream, getting a foot in the door with big pharma or venture capitalists isn't as easy as just having a great idea or product. 

Enter innovation hubs, where likeminded start-ups can band together, get support on their journeys, and just maybe increase their chances of getting that all-important meeting. To discuss this rich topic on today's podcast, brought to you by Kadans Science Partners, host Jonah Comstock is joined by Bradley Hardiman, Astellas Pharma’s Senior Director of Business Development; Mike Murray, Head of Murray International Partners Ltd; and Mairi Dillon, Kadans' Ecosystem Manager for UK & Ireland.

In this hour-long confab, Bradley, Mike, and Mairi swap tips for getting on the radar of potential investors and acquirers and discuss the value of being in the right place at the right time, as well as the benefits of “clustering” with other like-minded start-ups.

They also talk about the Cambridge, England start-up ecosystem and, in particular, what makes it an ideal spot to be doing this work in. Finally, stay tuned for rapid-fire advice from all three panellists about how it takes more than great science to succeed in today’s start-up world.

You can listen to episode 111 of the pharmaphorum podcast in the player below, download the episode to your computer or find it – and subscribe to the rest of the series in iTunes, Spotify, acast, Stitcher, and Podbean.