Optimum Strategic Communications

Last but certainly not least, Optimum's Annual Healthcare Investor Conference closed with the highly anticipated investor panel, which explored the importance of accurate asset valuation, knowing what to ask for, how to ask for it and when to settle. Panelists Gil Bar-Nahum, PhD, Jefferies, Victoria Taylor, Medicxi, Naveed Siddiqi, Novo Holdings, Paul Major, and chair Susan Hill, Mestag Therapeutics joined Optimum's Stephen Adams to share their perspective on the risk environment and what to expect for the latter end of 2026.

Europe's scientific talent and innovation base is world-class, but why does it struggle to turn that into lasting commercial value? The fifth panel of the day at Optimum's 18th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference spoke about maximising the European opportunity. China may provide the best soil for affordable early-stage clinical trials but Europe could act as the stepping stone for later stage trials as companies look towards the US for commercialisation, while also providing its own investor pool with influential family offices and a sophisticated venture market. Hear the key takeaways from chair Kieran Murphy and our panelists Jane Rhodes, AstronauTx, Geraldine O'Keeffe, EQT Life Sciences, Werner Lanthaler, FairJourney Bio, Leopoldo Zambeletti.

Our penultimate panel of the day last Thursday was a fireside chat between Gareth Powell, Head of Healthcare at Polar Capital, and Eva Haas of Optimum. Gareth reflected on his career in life science investing and shared which areas he’s most excited about in the coming years. He also discussed his concerns for biotech investment, particularly in light of global political unrest and the potential for US inflation driven by a rapidly growing economy. Watch his key takeaways here on Optimum TV: https://lnkd.in/e7zDiXHu

The third panel of the day was entitled 'Public markets, what's the point?' watch Optimum TV for the panelists top takeaways. The recurring message was readiness: a strong team, a credible catalyst calendar and an equity story tested with investors well before any listing. And a reminder that an IPO is one step in a long journey, not the destination. And for many smaller companies, staying private a little longer may be the smartest strategy. Thank you to Gilmartin Group LLC for sponsoring this panel and thank you to the panelists for such honest, practical insights - Mary Clark, Optimum Strategic Communications, Lynn Pieper Lewis, Gilmartin Group LLC, Premal Pajwani, PRP Advisory, David Ebsworth, Opterion Health AG

Watch the panelists top takeaways from the Optimum conference panel on AI’s role in shaping biotech investment narratives. AI is becoming the first stop in biotech investor diligence, scanning markets, surfacing companies and shaping perceptions before a founder ever enters the room. But our panel landed on a powerful conclusion: speed is not conviction. As information becomes commoditised, the true competitive edge is shifting to trusted data, scientific judgement, founder quality and human connection. AI can identify outliers, stress-test pitch decks and accelerate analysis, but it cannot replace the nuance behind a non-consensus investment decision. The winners will be those who use AI to cut through the noise, to spend more time on meaningful conversations, and make better decisions. Listen to the key takeaways here: https://lnkd.in/dSQik5vg And read BioWorld’s panel summary by Nuala Moran here: https://lnkd.in/eNUWJw8k Thank you to our panelists: Tashy Rodgers, F-Prime, Philip Brainin, MD PhD MBA, Isomab, Lucie Ellis-Taitt, Norstella, Nicholas Bastin, Optimum Strategic Communications, Edward Kliphuis, Sofinnova Partners.

In our latest episode of Optimum TV, Nicholas Bastin sat down with Martin Zuegel, Acting CEO of AC Immune, to discuss the company's recently announced week-100 results from Part 1 of the Phase 2 VacSYn trial of ACI-7104 in early Parkinson's disease. The data showed that all primary endpoints were met, with ACI-7104 demonstrating a favourable safety profile, strong immunogenicity and a 100% antibody response rate after three immunisations. The study also showed robust antibody penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid and early signals consistent with target engagement. During our conversation, Martin shares: ✅ What the week-100 results mean for AC Immune and the ACI-7104 programme ✅ Why active immunotherapy could play an important role in Parkinson's disease ✅ The significance of the immunogenicity and CSF penetration data ✅ The planned path towards an expanded Part 2 study and discussions with the FDA in 2027 It's an insightful discussion on one of the most closely watched neurodegeneration programmes in development and the broader opportunity to tackle diseases driven by misfolded proteins. 📺 Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eZxQ2mdc #OptimumTV #ACImmune #ParkinsonsDisease #Biotech #Neuroscience #ClinicalTrials #DrugDevelopment #LifeSciences