Investors and biopharmaceutical executives from around the world gather in San Francisco each year for the J.P. Morgan Annual Healthcare Conference, widely known as the largest and most frenzied healthcare conference of the year. There are a growing number of associated “side” events held in the same week, such as the Biotech Showcase, an investor and partnering conference now in its 8^th year. All this activity makes San Francisco the place to be each January for those looking for investments and drug licensing or development deals. But how does it work? Is it worth going?

This Biobriefing event will explore investor relations approaches to partnering, licensing deals and explore investor sentiment and current trends, with a focus on the JP Morgan experience. The highly interactive session will provide a “field guide” to the event itself, how to get the most out of the JP Morgan week, including tips and advice for BioMelbourne members thinking of attending in future. The panel speakers will share stories of past experiences and provide examples of successful outcomes for Victorian biotechnology and healthcare technology companies.

About Nexia Australia:

Nexia Australia is one of Australia’s leading mid-tier accounting and advisory firms and is part of the Nexia International global affiliation. Their experienced teams work closely with you to develop solutions tailored to your needs. Priding themselves on their ability to understand the issues and drivers associated with the BioTechnology industry, they offer relevant and practical solutions over and above the traditional accounting services, including R&D compliance and strategies, transaction services, remuneration structures, grant strategies, capital and debt raising assistance, cash flow modelling and business valuations. Put simply, they help Build Better Businesses.

Dr Paul MacLeman
Managing Director, IDT Australia

Dr. Paul MacLeman joined IDT in April 2013 as Chief Executive Officer. With a career spanning veterinary practice, the pharmaceutical/biotechnology and investment banking sectors, he has experience in business development, research management, technology commercialisation, staff development and sales and marketing. He has also founded life sciences startups in the biologics area and worked in investment banking focusing on the analysis and financing of technology companies.

Ms Kyahn Williamson
Head of Investor Communication, Buchan Consulting

Kyahn is a specialist in financial and corporate communication and leads the investor communication practice at Buchan. Kyahn has strong networks in investment markets and media, and experience in managing complex stakeholder engagement and investor relations programs across a wide range of scenarios including mergers and acquisitions, initial public offers and regulatory issues. Kyahn has been with Buchan for ten years, and specialises in biotech, healthcare and technology. She has a BA Public Relations (RMIT).

Dr Bev Thomas
CEO, Nucleus Network

Bev has been CEO at Nucleus Network since 2013. Prior to this, Bev worked in Venture Capital and life science commercialisation and at local Australian start-up companies. Bev is a registered pharmacist, has a PhD from the University of Bath, post-doctoral experience at Monash University and a MBA in Technology Management. Bev is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has been a Board member for several local Australian start-up biotech companies. Bev is responsible for business development and ongoing liaison with clients.

Mr Damian Lismore
CFO, Nexvet Biopharma plc

Mr Lismore has over 20 years experience working with innovation companies, particularly in healthcare and is well versed in the challenges and issues of interacting with investors.

He has served as Nexvet’s CFO since November 2013 and was integral in the May 2014 financing of US$31.5m lead by top tier US funds. This financing followed meetings around the 2014 JP Morgan Healthcare Conference. Nexvet raised a further US$41.8m in a Nasdaq IPO in February 2015, a unique transition for a small Australian biotech.

Damian worked for over 8 years as CFO and Company Secretary of Biota, an ASX listed business that re-domiciled onto Nasdaq following the award of a US$230m contract from the US government. Other senior roles included Managing Director of MNT Innovations, the commercial arm of the Cooperative Research Centre for MicroTechnology, General Manager Australia of Analytica Limited, a listed company that needed a rescue transaction and General Manager of Buying and Finance at Sigma Company Limited, a vertically integrated pharmaceutical wholesaler and manufacturer.

Mr Lismore has worked for both Price Waterhouse and Deloitte, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has a Bachelor of Accountancy with Honours from University of Ulster.