Lessons in Herding Cats: Strategic Opportunities for Life Science Companies

What are the ins and outs of making a partnership, from the perspective of a strategic investor?

The business development professional’s purpose is to optimize optionality and long term value at each stage of a company’s life. How do you determine the direction that will add the most value to your company? How do you avoid the constant pursuit of “shiny objects”? How do you know when it’s the right time for a strategic partnership?

In this workshop, you’ll hear from a dealmaking team at Johnson & Johnson Innovation and learn fundamental business development skills to help you successfully evaluate and manage strategic alliances and other potential growth opportunities.

Topics will include:

• Strategic alliance process management
• Concepts in valuation
• Technical diligence
• Communication and negotiation skills

This workshop is geared towards business development professionals and management teams of life science startups.

Psst! Looking for the medical device event in Worcester, MA? Click here.

Event Partner:
This event is produced in partnership with CURE: Connecticut’s Bioscience Innovation Network, and the UConn Technology Incubation Program.

Speakers:
Jim Tobin | VP of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Scientific Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Innovation read bio»
Erin Washington | Senior Manager, Transactions & Business Analytics, Johnson & Johnson Innovation read bio»

Agenda:
10:30 AM | Registration Opens and Networking
11:00 AM | Presentations
11:45 PM | Q&A
12:00 PM | Lunch and Networking
1:00 PM | Program Close

Fees:
$35 | General Public
FREE | Students, Faculty, & CURE Members
$45 | Onsite

Location:
UConn Farmington – Cell & Genome Sciences Building
Grossman Auditorium
400 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT 06032
Directions
Parking: Free, easy visitor parking is in front of the main entrance and, if full, use Area 3 parking in the lot just past and to the right of the building.

Speaker Biographies:

Jim Tobin, Ph.D. | Vice President of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Scientific Innovation, Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Jim is the Vice President of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Scientific Innovation at Johnson & Johnson Innovation, Boston. He has over 19 years of drug development experience in the areas of hemostasis, inflammation, muscle degenerative diseases, and diabetes. Most recently, Jim was an entrepreneur-in-residence at Atlas Venture and focused on company formation in the life science sector. Prior to joining Atlas, Jim held the position of Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer at Pfizer leading a research unit focused on the development of biologics for the treatment of metabolic diseases and hemophilia. Prior to that he held the role of Vice President of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and led the metabolic disease group with a focus on both small molecule and protein therapeutics in type 2 diabetes and muscle disease. Under Jim’s direction these groups advanced over 15 biologics and small molecules into clinical development. Jim began his career at Genetics Institute (GI) where he was part of the structure based drug discovery group and was involved in the research and development of a number of biopharmaceutical products in inflammation, transplantation and thrombocytopenia, including the marketed product Neumega. Jim obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Brandeis University and completed his NRSA postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University. He has authored 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals and is the inventor on 10 patents.
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Erin Washington | Senior Manager, Transactions & Business Analytics, Johnson & Johnson Innovation
Erin is responsible for developing and executing transactions with our diverse industry partners, including biotech companies, venture capital funds, non-profit organizations, governments, and academic institutions to access innovation across J&J’s areas of interest – our Pharmaceutical Therapeutic Areas, Consumer Need States, and Medical Device Businesses. She leads all aspects of the deal process, developing value-creating deal structures, managing term sheet and contract negotiations, and driving the business case development and approval process. Erin also provides business and commercial analytics capabilities to the Boston IC team. Prior to joining Johnson & Johnson, Erin was an Associate at Leerink Swann Consulting, where she advised on business development and corporate strategy for life sciences clients. Erin holds a BA in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University.
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