Successful format for innovation and growth in life sciences - a look back at Finance Day 2024 in Leipzig

Leipzig as a location for innovation financing and life sciences

With its lively start-up scene and growing innovation landscape, Leipzig proved to be the ideal venue for this year's Finance Day. „The enthusiasm and the exchange here have shown that Leipzig has great potential as a location for life sciences and financial innovations,“ emphasised André Hofmann, Managing Director of biosaxony Management GmbH. Leipzig is „a place where ideas grow and partnerships are formed to finance these ideas.“

Exciting content and inspiring keynotes

The event started with an inspiring keynote speech by Noah Molinski from the Von Ardenne Institut für Angewandte Medizinische Forschung GmbH, who shed light on the development of the life sciences sector in Saxony and the region's drive for innovation. This was followed by panel discussions, elevator pitches and targeted networking opportunities, which enabled participants to make valuable contacts and exchange information on the latest developments in the field of financing for life sciences.

Panel discussions focussing on venture capital and innovation financing

A central highlight of the day was the panel discussion on the topic of „venture capital and innovation financing“. Moderated by Prof. Dr Andreas Zaby from SPRIND, the Federal Agency for Disruptive Innovation, the panel with experts Dr Christian Kannemeier (High-Tech Gründerfonds), Cornelia Jahnel (GOLDTRACK Ventures), Dr Heiko Frank (Deal Advisory, WTS Advisory) and Kevin Reeder
(bm-t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen GmbH) highlighted key topics and challenges in the field of innovation financing. „Targeted investments and strong partnerships are essential in order to strengthen the innovative power of the life sciences sector,

said Jahnel, who is setting up the first international life science VC fund based in Saxony with
GOLDTRACK Ventures.

Special attention was paid to the financing options in the „Valley of Death“, the critical phase for start-ups between founding and growth. Here, the experts provided important insights into how access to capital can be improved in order to close this gap and strengthen Germany as a centre of innovation.

Innovative financing models and the path to an initial public offering (IPO)

Another exciting panel was dedicated to the topic of IPOs and the challenges of an IPO. Dr Stefan Schneider (KPMG Dresden), Håkan Sjögren (Nasdaq) and Dr Andreas Eckert (Pentixapharm), among others, discussed with other industry insiders how an IPO influences corporate culture and which strategic considerations are decisive for companies on this path. The presentation of innovative financing instruments for the Saxony region and the strong local drive for innovation were also discussed. Prof. Dr Ulrike Köhl (SaxoCell @ Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology) presented practical examples from the cluster, which focuses on pioneering cell and gene therapies and builds bridges to other innovation centres in Germany.

Start-up pitches and networking for fresh ideas and partnerships

Young companies and start-ups took the opportunity to present their projects and visions in the elevator pitches, attracting the interest of numerous investors. „It is inspiring to see how many innovative ideas come from the region“, commented Dr Viola Bronsema from BIO Deutschland e.V., who moderated the panel of successful German
companies. The participants had the chance to share valuable experiences with these „locals and lighthouses“ and gain insights into the stories of successful entrepreneurs such as Dr Marc Struhalla (c-LEcta GmbH) and Dr Anne-Kristin Heninger (Seamless Therapeutics GmbH).

Finale with dinner and keynote speech on open source AI for medicine

At the end of the day, an exclusive dinner offered participants the opportunity to engage in in-depth discussions in a relaxed atmosphere. Another highlight of the evening was Bart De Witte's presentation on the possibilities of open source technologies and artificial intelligence in healthcare. industry in the long term,The partnership between GoingPublic Media AG and biosaxony as well as the support of local stakeholders such as the Department of Economic Affairs, Labour and Digital Affairs of the City of Leipzig contributed significantly to the success of the event. „The participants were impressed by the variety of topics and the quality of the discussions. Leipzig has once again proven itself as a dynamic location for the life sciences and finance sector,

said Karin Hofelich from Plattform Life Sciences.

Outlook for future events

The response and lively participation in Finance Day Leipzig 2024 have shown that there is a high demand for such a format. Due to the positive feedback and the broad interest shown by investors, entrepreneurs and innovation enthusiasts, a continuation of the Finance Day in Leipzig is already being considered. Leipzig could thus play a
significant role in the promotion and financing of the life sciences sector in the DACH region.

&About the Finance Day Leipzig