For years, Nordic biotech has been framed by tight valuations, tough partnering markets, and Big Pharma holding the leverage. This panel aims to challenge that view.With the impending patent cliff approaching in the late 2020s, Big Pharma is under immense pressure to replenish pipelines. But high-quality assets areq scarce, and the competition to acquire them is fierce. It is no longer enough for Pharma to simply sit back and evaluate; they must actively pitch their culture, speed, and scientific capabilities to win over the best innovators. We debate what truly differentiates a winning bid in today’s market. Is it just about the highest valuation, or are factors like agility, geopolitics, and creative deal structures becoming deciding factors for biotechs choosing their future partner?

Panelists includes:

Anne Vroon, Vice President BD, Genmab
Åsa Sjöholm Timén, Director BD, AstraZeneca
Ton Berkien, CBO, Cantargia
All moderated by: Anna Gran, Principal, Sound Bioventures

The women’s health sector is rapidly evolving beyond its traditional focus, presenting a massive growth market for forward-thinking investors. Despite historical underfunding, innovations that address a broader range of female-specific conditions are now unlocking lucrative commercial opportunities. This panel will explore strategies to navigate this expanding landscape and capitalise on the most promising advancements.

Patric Stenberg, CEO, Gesynta Pharma
Sara Al-Dafaee, CEO, Nordic Women’s Health Hub
Nicolas Bouchet, Investment Manager, Health Tech Hub Copenhagen
Malin Frithiofsson, CEO, Daya Ventures

All moderated by: Christina Östberg-Lloyd, Chair, VILDA

Europe produces world-class science and creates innovative start-ups at a record pace. Yet, when companies reach the critical expansion phase, the funding trail often leads across the Atlantic. As late-stage rounds grow larger and more infrequent, European VCs are struggling to compete with the deep pockets of US investors.

We debate the structural changes needed to keep our most promising scale-ups on European soil. Do we need mega-funds, government intervention, or a fundamental shift in risk appetite? This panel explores if European VC has the muscle to support companies all the way to commercialization, or if we are destined to remain a seed-stage market.

Panelists include:

Pablo Prieto, Managing Director, CG Ventures
Andreas Lindblom, Managing Partner, Sciety
Johan Kördel, Managing Partner, Sound Bioventures
Johanna Asklin, General Partner, FSG
Lao Saal, Founder, SAGA Diagnostics

All moderated by: Søren Lemonius, Sunstone Life Science Ventures

There’s a certain mystique surrounding family offices – often more talked about than truly understood. Compared to venture capital, the family office model remains less visible, less defined, and frequently misunderstood.

This panel aims to break that code and demystify what family offices really are, how they operate, and how they invest. Going beyond surface-level comparisons with VC, the discussion will unpack how mandates are actually shaped, how capital is deployed, and how deals are sourced, diligenced, and syndicated.

What drives conviction? How patient is “patient capital”? And what truly differentiates a founder who gets funded from one who doesn’t?

Bringing together active family office investors, this session offers candid insight into how trust, alignment, and long-term thinking shape real investment decisions – and what it genuinely takes to build enduring partnerships in this space.

Jan Erik Smith, Partner, GOBIA Enterprises
Anders Fridlund, Barncancerfonden Impact Invest
Maria Nyåkern, Managing Partner, Nyakern Nexus Investments

All moderated by: Laurent Pacheco, Managing Partner, IFOAH & Partner, Solas BioVentures

In this panel, leading digital health investors dissect the paradox: why has the sector never looked more necessary, yet never been harder to fund? We explore whether current business models are fundamentally flawed, if AI-powered products can restore investor confidence, and what it will take for Europe and the Nordics to build digital health companies that scale beyond pilot projects and fragmented health systems.

Ann-Charlotte Beckman, Co-Founder, LSI
Erik Frick, CEO, Paindrainer
Zoe Zhu, Director, EQT Group (virtually)

All moderated by: Nicoulas Bouchet, Investment Manager, Health Tech Hub Copenhagen