Dialog Between Life-Science Companies and Investors

For life-science companies, searching for capital remains one of the greatest challenges. The financial crisis and the resulting reluctance among investors have made this situation worse. At the same time, many companies that are already established need follow-up financing. That is exactly where Finance Day, which celebrated a successful premiere in 2008 and is being held on the last day of analytica, comes in. Markus Hofelich, Managing Editor of the Special Biology Edition of "GoingPublic Magazin" at GoingPublic Media AG and organizer of Finance Day: "Finance Day at analytica is the right platform for anyone who wants to speak to today's financiers directly and better understand how they think. For an entire day, we will be introducing financing models to entrepreneurs and start-ups, giving them practical tips on the right way to address investors. We will also examine current market trends."

Something for everyone: Early-phase financing, Islamic investors, the elevator pitch
The program of events at Finance Day 2010 is oriented to the absolutely positive response to its premiere in 2008, which had more than 450 participants and surpassed the organizers' expectations. According to a survey of visitors that the market-research institute TNS Infratest conducted on behalf of Messe München, 100 percent of visitors gave Finance Day a rating of good to excellent—57 percent excellent, and 43 percent good. The lectures and panel discussions that are planned for 2010 will be extremely topical and relate closely to actual practice. For example, Dr. Peter Terhart, Chairman of the Board of BVK (German Private Equity and Venture Capital Association) and CEO of S-REFIT AG, will discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with early-phase financing for life-science start-ups. High-Tech-Gründerfonds, represented by its investment director and authorized signatory Marco Winzer, will join Prof. Horst Domdey, Managing Director of BioM Biotech Cluster Development GmbH, to discuss the effects that the economic crisis and early-phase financing models are having on one another.

There will also be a panel discussion on the topic of venture capital with representatives of well-known investment companies such as TVM Capital, MIG Verwaltungs AG and Global Life Sciences Ventures as well as Max Planck Innovation, the technology-transfer arm of the Max Planck Society.

This year's Finance Day also focuses on specific themes. For example, in a panel discussion on the topic of white biotechnology, the Chairman of "Cluster industrielle Biotechnologie" (CLIB), Dr. Manfred Kircher, the Managing Director of "BioM WB GmbH", Prof. Dr. Haralabos Zorbas, and other industry representatives will discuss the prospects for this key industry and the pioneering role that German companies and institutions play in this sector. Finance Day also has a portion of the agenda devoted to the relationship and prospects of life-science and biotech companies that are listed on the stock exchange. Experts see enormous potential here in the long term. According to Hofelich, biotech products will account for eight of the ten biggest selling medications that will be sold in 2010. Visitors can also expect practical utility from a presentation being given by Dr. Jörg Ritter, partner at Holme Roberts & Owen Germany LLP. He will examine the demands that Islamic investors from the MENA region (Middle East and North Africa) place on life-science investments.

Last but not least, Finance Day 2010 will also feature the elevator pitch, a format for courageous start-ups that gives them a chance to present their business ideas to participating investors directly at the fair in brief presentations just five minutes in length.

Finance Day is part of the extensive program of related events at analytica - and one that rounds out the exhibits with a range of information that addresses visitors. analytica 2010 is being held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from March 23-26, 2010.

For further information and registration, please visit:
http://www.analytica.de