Abstract:

A long-term independent business strategy through IPO is rarely pursued by biotech firms. Start-up biotechs are developing business plans with a focus on attracting early private equity investments driving toward early partnering, outlicensing or the ultimate “exit strategy” of acquisition.

Both parties are highly motivated.  Partnering and M&A activity are prevalent.  The opportunity for a good match exists.  Success depends on three factors:  

- Business opportunity – market opportunity  
- Novel science
- Chemistry between the partners  

Join us for an insider exploration of the industry trends and the opportunities for success.   

Biography:

Hansjoerg F. Duerr, Ph.D. is Vice President of Strategy & Portfolio Management for the global Hematology/Cardiology Business Unit at Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals.  He is responsible not only for strategic direction on existing assets in the hematology/cardiology product portfolio, but also for identifying inlicensing and partnership opportunities that enhance the franchise. 

After joining Bayer in 1992 in Corporate Research in Leverkusen, Germany, Hansjoerg has continued his career with roles of increasing responsibility.  His work in research continued as he led a new protein characterization group supporting biochemistry activities for divisions that eventually became part of Bayer HealthCare and Bayer CropScience.  From 1998 to 2002 he continued his work in research management at Research Triangle Park in North Carolina.  In 2002 he transferred back to Leverkusen holding various positions in Marketing, Sales and Strategic Planning for Bayer HealthCare before moving to Berkeley in 2005 to work in the company’s former Biological Products division. 

Hansjoerg studied at the University of California, San Diego and the University of Tuebingen, Germany, where he completed his PhD. in Chemistry in 1992.