30TWENTYFOURSEVENBIOPHARMA Issue 2 / June 2025 BIOTECH Pitchbook data both indicate a shift toward fewer, bigger investments, with phase 2 funding rising notably through 2024. Macroeconomic factors like high interest rates have influenced this trend, affecting venture capital groups’ ability to raise new funds. Analysts note increased selectivity from investors, who are currently leaning towards late-stage, derisked firms with defined commercialization paths. Despite economic challenges, investment continues in key areas. Excedr’s into 2025’s trends in biotech venture capital funding highlights “oncology, gene therapy, rare diseases, and AI-driven drug development” as key areas securing capital. VCs are now prioritising the potential for curative treatments in gene therapy and gene editing, particularly for rare and inherited disorders. In a similar vein, the efficiency and risk reduction AI promises in drug discovery represent a highly attractive investment proposition. Strategic partnerships are reshaping funding, as pharma companies team up with startups to share resources. In 2024, Eli Lilly partnered with HAYA Therapeutics, Genetic Leap, and insitro to target metabolic diseases and accelerate AIdriven genetic medicine. Novartis joined forces with Generate for protein therapeutics and Monte Rosa Therapeutics for molecular glue degraders. These alliances reflect a growing industry trend that unites innovation with the scale and resources of established pharmaceutical players. Key themes for Bio USA Convention Bio USA will spotlight trends shaping biotech’s future. Key themes include: AI & Digital Health: Planned sessions include its role in target identification, lead optimization, and predictive modelling for clinical trial success. Discussions will also address the ethical and regulatory challenges associated with AI-generated inventions and the need for robust frameworks to ensure data privacy and intellectual property. Advancing Cell & Gene Therapies: Discussions include next-gen CAR-T therapies, CRISPR, and the applications of mRNA technology beyond vaccines into oncology and personalized medicine. The convention will also address the challenges and opportunities in scaling manufacturing, improving delivery mechanisms, and ensuring global access to these life-saving treatments. Investment & Partnership Strategies: Sessions on funding trends, venture capital strategies, and alternative financing models will feature, with an emphasis on late-stage assets and de-risked opportunities. The importance of collaborations between big pharma and biotech, as well as academia will be highlighted as will the partnerships of 2024 that underline this growing trend. Precision Medicine & Personalized Healthcare: Discussions at Bio USA convention will include tailoring treatments to an individual’s genetics, disease profile, and real-time data. The integration of wearables, like glucose-monitoring represents ‘Small Data’ personalized diagnostics and analytics, will be explored as key enabling technologies Biomanufacturing Innovation & Supply Chain Resilience: Innovations in biomanufacturing, including the adoption of data science, digital twin technologies, and increased automation in analytical development, will be key discussion points. Ensuring a robust and global supply chain for these complex therapies will also be a critical area of focus. WILL CHU Editor 24/7 BIOPHARMA
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