Seal the Deal: Mastering Investor Pitches for CGT Start-Ups

ABOUT THE WEBINAR

Crafting and delivering a compelling pitch to investors is essential for both first-time founders and seasoned professionals in the cell and gene therapy field. In this webinar, we’ll break down the anatomy of a successful pitch and dive into key strategies for tailoring your message to different investor types. We’ll also cover the crucial “dos and don’ts” that can make or break your presentation. Learn how to handle the next steps after a pitch, whether it’s a success or a setback. Additionally, we’ll explore the distinct approaches when you are seeking seed/early-stage versus later-stage financing, helping you navigate each with confidence. While touching on some basics, our focus will be on delivering practical, real-world advice and actionable examples from successful pitches. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your pitching skills and increase your chances of securing funding. 

KEY LEARNING OBJECTIVES

  • Outline the key components of a compelling pitch and how to structure it effectively for investors
  • Summarize the essential dos and don’ts of investor presentations to avoid common pitfalls and maximize your chances of success
  • Develop strategies to customize your message for various investor profiles, from seed/early-stage to later-stage

 WEBINAR CHAIR

Ingrid Gafanhão, MSc
Healthcare Analyst
Redwheel Life Changing Treatments Fund
United Kingdom

Ingrid is a Healthcare Analyst at Redwheel Life Changing Treatments Fund. The fund invests in publicly listed healthcare companies seeking to provide life changing solutions to patients, believing that what truly matters to patients has greater potential for long-term commercial success. Before joining Redwheel, Ingrid was a Biotech Equity Research Analyst at Bryan Garnier and Kempen, where she focused on the European biotech sector and its leading innovators in therapeutic development. Ingrid holds a Master’s degree in Science-Based Business from Leiden University and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Universidade Estadual de Campinas.

 WEBINAR SPEAKERS

Bryan Poltilove, MBA
Advisor, Consultant, and Independent Board Director
United States

Mr. Poltilove serves as an advisor. consultant. and independent Board Director, helping companies with fund-raising, commercialization, and inorganic growth strategies. Previously, as Operating Partner with BroadOak Capital Partners, Mr. Poltilove led the firm's investment strategy and Cell and Gene Therapy, Bioproduction, and Cell Biology. Mr. Poltilove joined BroadOak after 12 years with Thermo Fisher Scientific where he served as Vice President and General Manager. Mr. Poltilove started up and led long-range strategy and day-to-day operations for the company's cell and gene therapy business. He built a team that delivered 50%+ annual growth and championed the acquisition of Brammer Bio. Prior to Thermo Fisher, Mr. Poltilove served as Director of Revenue Strategy & Operations at the Corporate Executive Board and also held several commercial strategy roles with Johnson & Johnson. He holds Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg, School of Management at Northwestern University.

Stefanos Theoharis, PhD
CEO
OneChain Immunotherapeutics
Spain

Stefanos, PhD, is CEO of OneChain Immunotherapeutics, based in Barcelona, Spain, developing autologous and allogeneic a CAR-T products for haematological malignancies and solid tumours. With more than 20 years of broad experience in the cell and gene therapy space, BD, program management, manufacturing and basic research, brings a deep knowledge CGT sector. Former CBO of Bone Therapeutics, Belgium-based company, developing specialized cell therapies for orthopaedic disorders, Senior Vice-President at Cell Medica, and CBO at apceth GmbH. He also held the position of Director Business Development at Roche, focused on partnering activities in emerging science and technologies. Stefanos also worked at Lazard, the global investment bank, advising to a variety of life sciences firms on M&As and financing transactions.

Jonathan Yeh, PhD, MBA
Managing Partner 
Saisei Ventures
United States

Jonathan is a co-founder and general partner of Saisei Ventures, a leading healthcare focused venture capital firm with operations in the United States and Japan. Jonathan is an early-stage investor focusing on biotechnology and advanced therapies, with particular expertise in the development of cell-based therapies and gene-modified cells. Jonathan’s diverse background spans early-stage venture company creation and investment, strategic business partnering, and fund management. He has co-founded several biotechnology companies and served in various board roles. Previously, Jonathan was a CIHR Post-doctoral Fellow at the IRIC and received his PhD from the Department of Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. 

Vered Gigi, PhD
Principal
aMoon Velocity
Israel

Vered Gigi is a Principal with aMoon Velocity, where she drives due diligence on early-stage companies, with a focus on pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Prior to joining aMoon, Vered served as Chief Scientific Officer at Cure Pharmaceutical, a drug delivery company in the pharmaceutical & wellness space, and before that as a project leader at BCG Management Consulting in their healthcare practice. Her experience spans strategy, business development, R&D, and operations in both corporate and startup settings.

Vered’s passion is in translating exciting science into therapies in a practical and sustainable fashion. Her experience taught her that not all discoveries are made equal and there is a time and a place for each.

Vered completed her PhD in Immunology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she investigated nucleases and DNA repair mechanisms in the immune system and their contribution to cancer. She holds a BSc and MSc in Biomedical Sciences from Tel Aviv University.