Elections, Medical Advancements, and Funding Accouncements.

As we enter the second quarter of the year, hear from some of our industry experts on what to expect in the Life Science industry.

The Toll of the Poll.

2024 is set to give us an unprecedented number of elections, over 60.

This will have an impact on the Life Science industry. These are not normal times and Investors, who have historically turned a blind eye, are acting differently. 49% of the world's population will have a chance to influence the outcome in uncertain times with two wars and higher interest rates impacting “big budgets”.

The bigger decisions are being pushed back as investors await the electoral conclusions, particularly state-side. Which parties, red or blue, will favour the life sciences landscape the most and flex their muscles with ambitious initiatives, rewards, and their outlook on global trade...?

It’s not all doom and gloom. 2024 Q1 was predicted to fall further down the rabbit hole and certainly, in early January, it felt accurate. Yet, the impressive resilience of the Life Science industry didn’t abide by that notion, and we exited the quarter with cautious optimism. Volume was up on predictions, perhaps a few digits short on the cheques, but that didn’t matter, we moved forward. Multi-billions raised, some spicy IPO’s and positive data with public companies saw some incremental rises.

In conclusion, the short term was good, and the long term (post elections) should give us hope, especially in Life Science. In the meantime, I believe companies will react and transition from their cost-cutting mentality to the next stage, rebuilding – what we are all waiting for.?

Scientists uncover key resistance mechanism to Wnt inhibitors in pancreatic and colorectal cancers, AI model can accurately assess PTSD in postpartum women, Newly found genetic variant defends against Alzheimer's disease, Landmark study involving babies in Ireland supports use of Cystic Fibrosis drug in infants from four weeks of age

?? Q1 VC Biotech Funding Roundup (above $30million)??

Overview ? 14% of all funding rounds included were for Cell or Gene therapies (only 2 out of 51 companies were Gene therapy/editing space!)

?? Therapeutic indication breakdown

- 43% Oncology/Haematology

- 6% Immunology

- 9% Neurology/CNS

- 6% Endocrinology

- Others were a mixture of rare diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders, opthalmology and gastroenterology.

?? Biggest funding raised -?Mirador Therapeutics?- $400 million (Series A)

? Top raisers ?

? Mirador Therapeutics - Series A - $400 million

? Alumis - Series C - $259 million

? Sionna Therapeutics - Series C - $182 million

? Capstan Therapeutics - Series B - $175 million

? BioAge Labs - Series D - $170 million

? Engrail Therapeutics - Series B - $157 million

??Funds raised for each round ??

Seed & Series A - 54%

Series B & C - 35%

Series D & on - 11%

You can read through Lewis's key takeaways in his full roundup on his Personal LinkedIn.

Thank you for reading this months' Scienta Life Science Insights! Keep an eye out for the next edition.