NextGen VC Forum Boston

Mid-level VC associates expanding skills and expertise and growing networks

Program

Curated by Wilson Sonsini’s Michael Hostetler and Dan Koeppen, LaunchBio’s NextGen VC Forum is the premiere event for venture capital associates to expand their skills and expertise while growing their network. The half-day forum includes a networking breakfast, three one-hour sessions and lunch. Attendance at NextGen VC Forum is by invitation only.

Join Michael, Dan, and LaunchBio for a half-day program VC associates won’t want to miss!

event

AGENDA

9:00 am – Arrival/Check-in/light breakfast and networking

9:45 am – Welcome and introduction by hosts Dan Koeppen and Mike Hostetler

10:00 am – On Your Terms – Negotiating Term Sheets Part 1 with Jennifer Fang and Amanda Creedon

10:45 am – Break

11:00 am – Understanding and Leveraging IP & Licensing Diligence in Investment Decisions with Lou Lieto and Farah Gerdes

12:00 pm – Break

12:15 pm – Board Governance with Amy Simmerman

1:15 pm – Lunch/Networking

2:00 pm – Roundtable Mock BOD Meeting with Ignite Golden Ticket winners

3:00 pm – Close

PANEL 1 • On Your Terms – Negotiating Term Sheets Part 1

Life science venture capitalists must be familiar with the key terms and provisions in term sheets when negotiating with startups. They should also have a solid understanding of the negotiation process and be able to effectively negotiate and protect their interests while also ensuring that the startup is able to successfully reach its goals. In this session, participants will gain clarity and depth in understanding term sheets and the negotiation process.

PANEL 2 • Assessing the Risk – Leveraging IP Diligence

To make informed investment decisions and assess the risks and opportunities effectively, life science venture capitalists must understand the importance of conducting thorough IP diligence when evaluating potential investment opportunities in this space. We’ll cover IP due diligence, patents, freedom-to-operate, IP licensing and IP litigation so venture capitalists can confidently know their assets.

PANEL 3 • All Aboard! – Understanding Board Governance

To represent their interests, protect their investments, and ensure the company is being managed effectively, life science venture capitalists should be well versed in board governance. In this panel, we’ll dive into representation, oversight, alignment, board dynamics, compliance and more. Life science venture capitalists will be able to immediately apply new knowledge and skills for better governance, ultimately maximizing their investments

Speakers

Michael Hostetler, PhD, partner, Wilson Sonsini
Mike’s expertise includes patent strategy, patent prosecution, and patent diligence (both buy and sell side) for venture financings, public offerings, and mergers and acquisitions. He has provided patent counseling in support of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in all stages of development, from proof of concept to regulatory approval to product launch. Mike has also counseled well over 100 venture capital firms in their investments in biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
Dan Koeppen, Partner, Wilson Sonsini
Dan is a “company-building” corporate attorney that has extensive experience representing public and private life science companies in a wide range of sectors, including biotechnology, consumer products, medical device, pharmaceutical, and therapeutics. He specializes in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, public offerings, PIPE financings, securities matters, strategic transactions and venture capital financings, and guides companies through all stages of their growth.
Jennifer Fang, Partner, Wilson Sonsini
Jen helps innovative startups grow into successful enterprises by providing counsel to the founders, management teams and boards and by handling the legal and strategic business issues and transactions that arise at each stage. She also counsels venture capital, growth capital, and strategic investors with respect to their investment transactions and their existing portfolio companies. She is a member of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) General Counsel Advisory Board and is a frequent speaker.
Amanda Creedon, Associate, Wilson Sonsini
Amanda represents life sciences and technology companies throughout their business life cycle, advising clients on a range of matters including formation, corporate governance, securities laws, venture financings, debt financings, strategic collaborations and joint ventures, and mergers and acquisitions. She also counsels venture capital investors with respect to their investment transactions and their existing portfolio companies.
Dr. Louis D. Lieto
Lou advises biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies on strategic patent counseling, global patent portfolio development and management, and IP counseling for M&A and capital markets in complex life science fields. Lou received his Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky, where he focused on characterizing the molecular and genetic basis of hereditary disease. Prior to joining Wilson Sonsini, Lou was a patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office where he examined applications for inventions encompassing proteins, DNA vectors, nucleic acid vaccines, immune cell therapy, stem cell therapy, transgenic animals, and gene therapy
Farah B. Gerdes, Partner Technology Transactions, Wilson Sonsini
Farah advises numerous domestic and international, public and private life sciences companies on business transactions related to the discovery, development, supply, and commercialization of life sciences products and technologies. She counsels her clients with respect to the structuring and negotiation of a wide range of agreements, including strategic alliances, joint ventures, incubator structures, options, and build-to-buy arrangements, each designed to maximize the value of their assets.
Amy Simmerman, Partner, Wilson Sonsini
Amy is a leader of the firm’s Delaware office and governance practice, and she serves on the firm’s board of directors. Her practice focuses on providing advice on all aspects of Delaware corporate law and related corporate governance issues, including fiduciary duties, mergers and acquisitions, stockholder activism, corporate formation, stock issuances, preferred stock investments, and various statutory matters. Amy regularly represents special committees of boards of directors in mergers and acquisitions, internal investigations, and other matters, and she provides corporate advice in the context of governance litigation.