Biotech Showcase Conference Reveals Six Therapeutic Areas Receiving the Most Investment Attention in 2019

Biotech Showcase™, one of the largest biotech investor conferences in the world, announced on 11/27/18 this year’s conference agenda which highlights six therapeutic areas that are garnering investment interest in 2019. The event, held January 7-9, 2019 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, brings more than 3,600 decision makers from 2,200 biotech, financial, and pharma companies to network and share insights on industry trends through plenary sessions and panels. More than $330 billion in capital is expected to be represented by this year’s attendees.

More than 900 investors from around the world are expected to attend, drawn to the estimated 400 public and private company presentations from international biotech companies ranging from public mid- and small-cap to private venture and angel-backed life science companies.

“During biotech’s biggest week, Biotech Showcase has become a strategic event that sets the tone for investing and collaboration over the next year,” Anna Chrisman, Group Managing Director, EBD Group and KNect365 Life Sciences. “Life science leaders from across the globe gather at this event to hear from presenting companies and benefit from the workshops, insightful panels and plenary sessions, networking, and one-to-one meetings that facilitate impactful dealmaking activities.”

The six therapeutic areas are:

Alzheimer’s Disease – Reexamining Alzheimer’s: Is it a singular disease?
Panelists discuss what has been learned about Alzheimer’s and how this can inform better strategies for developing therapeutics going forward.

Cell and Gene Therapy – The financing surge
The overwhelming enthusiasm for this sector has resulted in historical levels of fundraising and an uptick in high-value early stage acquisitions. This panel will look at what opportunities remain and what investors need to understand about ensuring these therapies thrive.

Immuno-Oncology – Investing in next gen immunotherapies: Moving the checkpoint inhibitors to the next level
The promise of checkpoint inhibitors has been met with excitement and disappointment. Panelists will discuss what it will take to see more substantial advancements in this therapeutic area.

NASH – NASH MOAs - A highly competitive playing field
Development of therapeutics and diagnostics around this complicated disease is rapidly becoming one of the more competitive therapeutic areas. Panelists will discuss which mechanisms of action may hold the most potential for approvals in 2019.

Rare and Orphan Diseases – The biotech industry poised to make a dent in treatment and diagnosis
Regulatory benefits, new technologies, as well as market and pricing advantages have led to an increase in companies focusing on development of treatments or cures for rare diseases. This panel discusses attractive and exciting investment opportunities in this space.

RNA – The year of RNA and the start of a new era
With many of the initial hurdles in delivery and efficacy addressed, the biotech industry has propelled a variety of novel approaches into the clinic such as small activating RNAs, microRNAs, and patient specific therapeutics based on mRNAs. This panel will look at what is next for this expanding therapeutic area.