Bay Area Life Sciences Roundtable

Industry leaders, investors, and leading regulatory and transactional counsel joined together for an exclusive program examining the forces reshaping the life sciences industry in 2026. Through dynamic panel discussions, attendees explored evolving cross-border dealmaking in Asia, the financing and investment landscape at the time, and the shifting regulatory and policy environment impacting product development and commercialization. Attendees gained practical insights into emerging transaction trends, capital markets, and pre-launch strategies needed to navigate uncertainty and capitalize on new opportunities in a rapidly changing market.

AGENDA

1:00 p.m. Registration
1:30 p.m. Program
4:30 p.m. Reception

Who may be interested in attending: Executives, Directors, Investors, and In-House Counsel

FEATURED PANELS

New Essentials for Pre-Launch Strategy and Advocacy

With seismic proposals for federal drug pricing policy, across-the-board leadership changes at FDA, and continuing shifts in FDA policy on many important approval-related policies, life science companies are continuously faced with the need to digest new regulatory developments, respond strategically, and find new ways to advance their development programs. This discussion unpacked not just the emerging regulatory and policy shifts affecting development today, but also the new tools companies and investors need to plan for and execute successful development and launch.

SPEAKERS
Torrey Cope, Partner, Food, Drug and Medical Device, Sidley
Meena Datta, Partner, Global Co-leader, Healthcare, Sidley

The State of Life Sciences Financing and Exit Opportunities: Investment Trends and Transaction Strategies in 2026

As the life sciences sector adapts to shifting market dynamics, companies and investors are reevaluating approaches to fundraising, growth, and dealmaking. This discussion examined the current financing landscape, emerging transaction trends, investor priorities, and the opportunities and challenges facing life sciences companies seeking capital and exit opportunities in today's market.

SPEAKERS
Sonia Gupta, Partner and Co-Head, Biopharma Investment Banking, Goldman Sachs
Andrea van Elsas, Ph.D., Partner, Third Rock Ventures
Carlton Fleming, Partner, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital, Sidley
Frank Rahmani, Partner, Emerging Companies and Venture Capital, Sidley

China’s New Deal Playbook: Licensing, NewCos, and the Race for Assets

From blockbuster licensing agreements to innovative NewCo structures, the rules of global biopharma dealmaking are evolving fast. Industry and legal leaders joined for a discussion on the opportunities and challenges emerging from China and the broader Asia market, including transaction strategy, regulatory hurdles, IP protection, financing trends, and the future of cross-border collaboration in life sciences.

SPEAKERS
Jeff Cranmer, Executive Editor and Head of Daily Global Intelligence, BioCentury
Ran Geng, Principal, OrbiMed
Lila Hope, Partner, Technology and Life Sciences Transactions, Sidley
Sally Wagner Partin, Partner, M&A, Sidley