This month in Atlanta, SEBIO held their 16th annual conference and Southeast Investor & Partnering Forum. In addition to being a sponsor we were honored to have our own Todd Sherer, Executive Director, serve as conference co-chair. This year’s event at the beautiful W Hotel in midtown Atlanta had more than 300 attendees. The conference has a history of successfully showcasing promising companies and connecting them with investors and this year was no exception.
More than 25 companies presented during the early stage shootout, emerging company presentations, and the BIO/Plan competition. Emory was privileged to have five companies presenting: Cambium Medical Technologies and Metaclipse Therapeutics in the early stage shoot out, Accuitis Pharmaceuticals in the emerging companies, and NovAb in the BIO/Plan competition. Emory also had a special participant QUE Oncology who earned an opportunity to present at SEBIO by winning the Georgia BIO 2014 shark tank competition. Staying true to the character of the meeting, the startups were able to speak with venture capital firms and other potential investors.
Emory OTT had three staff in attendance and below are some of their thoughts and take aways from the event.
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According to the venture capital panel, technologies directed to increasing the efficiency of doctor/patient appointments and interactions remain fundable. Technologies that simultaneously increase the efficiency and decrease the cost of healthcare are needed.
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The technologies presented were developed throughout the south, indicating that the south continues to be a hotbed for healthcare technology.
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The presenters ranged in experience levels from current medical students and bioengineering graduate students to established healthcare providers with over 20 years of experience.
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Each company’s presentation included a discussion of the number of patents issued and pending applications covering the technology presented, emphasizing the continued need for a strong patent system.
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There seemed to be an even bigger buzz at this year’s conference due to the fact that the IPO market is still open.