Axaitech: Africa's Edge in Harnessing Challenges as Catalysts for Global Biotech Innovation
Release Date: 08/24/2023
AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Legal Essentials for Biotech Startups
Africa Biotech Conversations
This session focuses on the essential legal and funding strategies for early-stage biotech startups, emphasizing the importance of intellectual property (IP) management, legal structures, and the role of due diligence in attracting investors. The panel discusses common pitfalls, the significance of contracts, and the challenges of commercializing university IP. They also explore the timing of freedom to operate studies and the evolving landscape of biotech investment. For this session, the featured guests were: Chyreene Truluck – Partner at Spoor & Fisher, specializing in intellectual...
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OneBio Innovation Center: A Pioneering Space for Biotech Startups in Africa
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this episode of the Africa Biotech Conversations Podcast, host Adrienne Leussa welcomes Erin Rencken, General Manager of the newly launched OneBio Innovation Center (OBIC) in Cape Town, South Africa. The special episode features a live recording from the launch event and a detailed discussion about OBIC's mission, offerings, and community-building efforts. Erin outlines the center's vision to provide biotech startups with essential lab space, equipment, and a collaborative environment. The conversation also highlights the support received from the Technology Innovation Agency...
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Proteinea: Pioneering the Development of the First Fully African-Originated Drug
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this episode of the "Africa Biotech Conversations" podcast, host Adrienne Leussa interviews Abdulaziz El Gamal, the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Proteinea. Proteinea, based in Cairo and Boston, is a tech-bio company focused on leveraging AI to develop next-generation biologics, particularly antibodies with enhanced efficacy, safety, and convenience. Key Points from the Episode: Company Background: Proteinea was founded in early 2020, right before the global pandemic, which influenced its strategic direction and provided a real-time showcase of biotech's potential in health...
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AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - The Art of Valuation for Early-Stage Biotech Startups
Africa Biotech Conversations
The LinkedIn Live session, part of the AMA series on "The Art of Valuation," focused on valuation strategies for biotech startups at early and post-Series A stages. Moderated by Dr. Adrienne Leussa, the discussion featured finance experts Olufemi Elegbe, CFA and Sewu-Steve Tawia. Key highlights included the importance of financial literacy for biotech entrepreneurs, methods for accurately valuing biotech startups, and strategies for enhancing valuation after Series A. The session also emphasized the need for tailored communication when presenting valuations to investors and included practical...
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AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Understanding the Investment Ecosystem (Pre-seed Focus)
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this insightful episode of the "Ask Me Anything" series on funding and investment, the focus was on early-stage biotech entrepreneurs in Africa. Adrienne was joined by Gian-Marco Melfi, a partner at OneBio Venture Studios, who shared his expertise on the unique challenges and strategies relevant to securing investment in the biotech sector. The discussion covered the intricacies of biotech investments, including the importance of understanding the investment landscape, targeting the right type of investors (such as angel investors, family offices, and venture capitalists), and...
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AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Building Investor Relations
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this comprehensive session of the ongoing dialogue with African biotech leaders, the focus was on building and maintaining investor relationships. Joining Adrienne were seasoned experts, including Dr. Vuyisile Phehane and Gian-Marco Melfi, who are regular contributors, along with first-time guests Natasha Drapeau and Frank Schwarz from Cohesion Bureau. The discussion covered best practices for engaging with investors, emphasising the importance of communication, the strategic presentation of business plans, and the need for biotech startups to clearly articulate their value...
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AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Common Pitfalls in Securing Funding
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this episode of the "Ask Me Anything" series under the Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders, experts Gian-Marco Melfi and Vuyisile Phehane discuss the nuances of funding for biotech startups. Focusing on the early stages of startup financing, the conversation explores the challenges startups face in securing funding, the importance of aligning with the right investors, and effective strategies for engaging potential backers. Gian-Marco Melfi, from One Bio Venture Studio, emphasises the significance of building strong, capable teams, while Vuyisile Phehane from the Technology Innovation...
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AMA Series on Investment Funding for Biotech - Where's the Money and How Do I Get It?
Africa Biotech Conversations
In this first episode of the "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) series focused on Investment Funding for biotech, held live on LinkedIn, we delved into the intricate world of funding for biotech startups. The session features profound insights from Dr. Vuyisile Phehane, the Executive: Bio-Economy at South Africa's National Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), and Mr. Gian-Marco Melfi, an investment principal at One BioVenture Studio. Together, they explore the diverse sources of funding available to biotech startups in Africa and provide practical advice on navigating the complex investment landscape....
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Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Your 2024 Biotech Growth Plan from Africa and Beyond
Africa Biotech Conversations
Welcome to another retrospective episode of the Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders. In this special session, titled "Going Global: Your 2024 Biotech Growth Plan from Africa and Beyond," we explore cutting-edge strategies for biotech leaders aiming for significant growth in the 2024. This episode is packed with insights from two distinguished speakers: Erica Sosnowski: Managing Partner at Sosna and Co, a leading business development firm in the life sciences industry, with a stellar track record of closing over $250 million in deals. Jennifer Andrews: CEO of Freshly Marketing, a seasoned...
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Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders: Navigating Funding and Investment
Africa Biotech Conversations
Welcome to another insightful episode of the Dialogue with African Biotech Leaders. In this episode, we focus on a critical aspect of biotechnology entrepreneurship—funding and investment. This episode was recorded as a live plenary session at BIO Africa 2023 in Durban, South Africa, and features in-depth discussions on funding challenges and opportunities in the African biotech landscape. Join our distinguished panelists: Dr. Allama Elmehdi: CEO of Prophamedis International from Mauritania, sharing insights on the funding landscape in West Africa, particularly Francophone Africa, and the...
info_outlineAfrica stands at a unique intersection, characterised by its challenges, which simultaneously present opportunities for innovation, especially in the biotech sector.
From energy to food security and healthcare, the continent's obstacles can be its biggest assets, positioning it as a key player in developing solutions that not only serve local needs but have the potential to revolutionise global industries.
Listen in to explore how, by building from within, Africa's innovations can seamlessly scale and integrate into global solutions.
Eugene Duvenage, CEO of Axaitech opens up about his transformative journey of bringing scientific innovation from the confines of the lab into the dynamic world of business. He touches upon the pivotal role of mentorship in his life and how seeking guidance from a successful figure outside the biotech sphere led him to an invaluable lesson: the essence of business is about focusing on people and not just passion for the product.
The conversation then steers towards the present and future of biotech, with a particular emphasis on the role of AI and machine learning. Eugene offers a fresh perspective, warning against the over-glorification of AI and predicting a future where the focus shifts from the tool (AI) to its innovative applications in biotech.
Eugene and the host, Dr Adrienne Leussa, ponder upon the road ahead for biotech in Africa and the rising concern of cancer in the continent. The role of both public and private sectors in supporting this journey is highlighted.
This episode paints a vivid picture of biotech in Africa, from the inspiring journey of a passionate entrepreneur to the broader narrative of a continent poised at the cusp of innovation, driven by its unique challenges and opportunities.
Next Episode Tease: Join us for another captivating episode as we continue to explore the multifaceted world of biotech in Africa, bringing stories of hope, innovation, and unwavering passion.
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