Locust Walk

News & Events

October 7, 2025

Click here for a full summary of the event. Locust Walk co-hosted the third annual Align Summit in Boston, an event organized by MassBio and co-hosted by McKinsey to spotlight emerging biotech innovation and foster meaningful connections across the ecosystem.

October 3, 2025

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Reuters: SUN.BO, Bloomberg: SUNP IN, NSE: SUNPHARMA, BSE: 524715 (together with its subsidiaries and/or associated companies, “Sun Pharma”)) and Checkpoint Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKPT) (“Checkpoint”) today announced that they have entered into an agreement by which Sun Pharma will acquire Checkpoint, an immunotherapy and targeted oncology company.

July 30, 2025

Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC), a global, diversified pharmaceutical company, and DURECT Corporation (NASDAQ: DRRX) today announced a definitive agreement under which Bausch Health will indirectly acquire DURECT Corporation, including a novel therapeutic molecule, larsucosterol, which can harness the power of epigenetic modulation.

July 18 , 2024

CytoReason, a leader in developing computational disease models for predictive insights, announced today it secured an aggregated $80 million from OurCrowd, NVIDIA (Nasdaq: NVDA), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), and Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO). CytoReason will use this investment to expand the application of its models into additional indications, grow its proprietary molecular and clinical data, and establish an office in Cambridge, Massachusetts later this year.

June 24, 2024

Ascentage Pharma (6855 HK), a global biopharmaceutical company engaged in developing novel therapies for cancer, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), and age-related diseases, announced today the signing of an option agreement with Takeda to enter into an exclusive license agreement for olverembatinib, an oral, potentially best-in-class third-generation BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), which is currently in development for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and other hematological cancers. If exercised, the option would allow Takeda to license exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize olverembatinib in all territories outside of among others, mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, China.

May 1, 2024

Garuda Therapeutics, a company creating off-the-shelf, durable blood stem cell therapies, launched today with an oversubscribed $72 million Series A financing led by Aisling Capital, Northpond Ventures and Orbimed, supported by Cormorant Asset Management, Ridgeback Capital Investments, Monashee Investment Management, Sectoral Asset Management, National Resilience, Inc. (Resilience), Mass General Brigham Ventures, among others. Garuda is developing the world’s first, off-the-shelf hematopoietic stem cell platform that will eliminate dependency on donor or patient cells.

May 1, 2024

Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LWAC) (“LWAC” or the “Company”), a special purpose acquisition company, announced today that the Company’s stockholders have approved all proposals related to the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) with eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (“eFFECTOR”) at a special meeting of stockholders held on August 24, 2021. Approximately 93.2% of the votes cast at the meeting on the Business Combination proposal, representing approximately 71.7% of LWAC’s outstanding shares, voted to approve the Business Combination. LWAC stockholders also voted overwhelmingly to approve the other proposals at the special meeting.

May 1, 2024

eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. (eFFECTOR), a biopharmaceutical company focused on pioneering the development of selective translation regulation inhibitors (STRIs) for the treatment of cancer, and Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: LWAC), a blank-check company formed for the purpose of acquiring or merging with one or more businesses, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Upon closing of the transaction, anticipated to occur in the third quarter of 2021, the combined company will be named eFFECTOR Therapeutics, Inc. and will be led by Steve Worland, Ph.D., president and CEO. The combined company’s common stock is expected to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “EFTR”.

May 1, 2024

Locust Walk Acquisition Corp. announced the completion of its initial public offering of 17,500,000 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, which includes 2,200,000 units issued pursuant to the exercise of the underwriters’ over-allotment option, for gross proceeds to the Company of $175,000,000. The Company’s units began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “LWACU” on January 8, 2021. Each unit issued in the offering consists of one share of the Company’s Class A common stock and one-third of one warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Once the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A common stock and warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols “LWAC” and “LWACW,” respectively. No fractional warrants will be issued upon separation of the units and only whole warrants will trade.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During Episode 31 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, explores Asia-Pacific biotech momentum across China, Japan, and Korea, as featured in our 2025 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During Episode 30 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2025 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report, covering capital markets, strategic deals, and regional trends.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During the Asia-focused Episode 29 of Biotalk, Geoff shares insights into key trends and developments shaping the biotech landscapes in Japan, China, Korea, Australia, and the broader Asia-Pacific region, as featured in our 2025 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During Episode 28 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2025 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report, covering capital markets, strategic deals, and regional trends.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During Episode 27 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, steps back to examine the macro forces shaping the biopharma landscape. After holding a bearish outlook since 2021, Geoff explains why he’s finally shifting his stance and what could signal a true turnaround for biotech.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During the Asia-focused Episode 26 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, shares fresh insights from Japan, China, and Korea, as featured in our 2025 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During Episode 25 of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2025 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report, covering capital markets, strategic deals, and regional trends.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, explores the evolving biotech landscapes in Japan and China, highlighting key trends and developments shaping the region as featured in our 2024 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2024 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Geoff dives into the insights from the comprehensive report and offers a forward-looking perspective on what 2025 may bring for the biotech industry.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO and Co-founder of Locust Walk, speaks with Sudhir Agrawal, Founder and President of ARNAY Sciences and a pioneer in RNA therapeutics. 

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. In this episode of BiotalkGeoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, is joined by Andy Meyerson, Managing Director, and Daniel Brog, Senior Vice President, for an insightful discussion on the implications of the 2024 U.S. election results for the biotech industry.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, sits down with David Harel, CEO and Co-founder of CytoReason. CytoReason uses AI-powered disease models to transform drug discovery and development, offering pharmaceutical companies insights that reduce both time and costs in bringing new therapies to market.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson,
CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2024 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Andy Meyerson welcomes Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Biotech, a company focused on licensing and developing high-potential marketed and development-stage drugs.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson,
CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our Q2 2024 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Stephen Sands, former Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Chairman of the Global Healthcare Group, and currently Senior Advisor at Lazard, a renowned name in global financial services.

April 25, 2024

Click here for a full summary of the event. Locust Walk proudly partnered with MassBio and McKinsey & Co. for the second annual Align Summit, transitioning from our previous virtual innovation conferences focused on RNA medicine and stem cell therapeutics to an in-person platform. The summit gathered 500 investors and pharma partners, featuring 50 biotech and AI presentations to uncover the next breakthroughs.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2024 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Esq., CEO and President of MassBio, the nation’s pioneering biotechnology trade association, which plays a pivotal role in representing and supporting the vibrant Massachusetts life sciences industry.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes with Soufiane Aboulhouda, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nucleate, a global non-profit dedicated to empowering future biotech leaders through education and fostering innovation in life sciences companies.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Daniel Brog welcomes with Shehnaaz Suliman, M.D., CEO of ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company using its selective organ targeting lipid nanoparticle platform to power the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics, to the podcast. Alloy is a trailblazing drug-discovery company, bringing collaborative platforms and services to the biotech world, making cutting-edge biologics accessible to everyone, from academia and small biotechs to major pharmaceutical companies.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Helen Ho, Chief Business Officer of Blueprint Medicines, to the podcast. Blueprint Medicines is a pioneering global precision therapy company committed to crafting life-altering medications for individuals with cancer and blood disorders.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Howard Federoff, MD PhD, Scientific Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Director of Ryne Biotechnology, to the podcast. Join us as we delve into Ryne Bio’s pioneering work centered on advancing off-the-shelf neuron replacement therapies, poised to revolutionize the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. 

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of BiotalkLocust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Jason Kelly, co-Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks to the podcast. During the episode, Jason delves into Ginkgo’s inception story, the distinctive contours of its business model, its unique role as a Contract Research Organization (CRO), and addresses the paramount challenges currently confronting the biotech industry. 

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of BiotalkLocust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Product Strategy & Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals to the podcast. During the episode, Onaiza discusses her journey into biotech, her tenure at Ionis and challenges overcome while shifting from an R&D focus to commercialization, and her perspective and outlook on the biotech market today. 

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.

May 9th, 2023

Click here for a full summary of the event. Locust Walk’s second annual Innovation Conference was a huge success with over 350 attendees. This year’s theme was focused on next generation RNA medicine in partnership with Dr. Frank Slack, Director of the Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Dr. Phil Zamore, Chair of the UMass Chan RNA Therapeutics Institute

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. This episode of Biotalk is focused on Locust Walk’s 2023 First Quarter Market Conditions Report, in which we apply the latest data to analyze current activities in the life sciences deal landscape. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk welcomes Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President, CEO, and board member of Gritstone Bio to the podcast. Prior to Gritstone, Dr. Allen co-founded Clovis Oncology and served as CMO. He was CMO at Pharmion Corporation and also served in clinical development leadership roles at Chiron Corporation and Abbott Laboratories and worked at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Allen discusses the founding of Gritstone bio, it’s evolution since 2015, and the two key aspects to the Gritstone platform.

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. Our first Biotalk podcast is focused on Locust Walk’s 2022 year-in-review market conditions, which was released the first day of JPMorgan and rapidly accumulated over 500 downloads. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity. We wanted to share some insights into the report and discuss key trends, opportunities and predictions for the industry in 2023. 

October 20th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma market has largely remained suppressed as we enter the final leg of what was a painful 2022.  Private financings are down 80% and IPOs down 95% in volume since Q3 2021, while the performance of the XBI has dropped ~40% over the last 12 months. With the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates and the looming impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, the macroeconomic headwinds at play bear uncertainty across the Biopharma sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on how to navigate this “narrow” depression and what companies can do to successfully make it to the other side.

July 26th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma sector remains full of uncertainty with peak negative sentiment heading into the halfway point of 2022. With the public markets closed for much of the second quarter, companies are seeing the ripple effect of a capital-constrained environment. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on navigating the current state of biopharma and positioning for a successful future.

April 27th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The seas have remained choppy for the biopharma industry in the early part of 2022. With a bearish capital-raising environment and unaligned valuations to keep deal makers treading water, how biotech’s will remain afloat has become the crux of the sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other leading experts in strategic dealmaking and finance discuss the current state of biopharma and what to expect as we settle into 2022.

April 11th, 2022

Click here for a full event summary. We are excited to announce we held our first Locust Walk Stem Cell Tx Conference in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute! We put on what we believe is a first of its kind event that combines the best of an investment banking conference with investors, partnering conference with strategic partners, and academic conference where cutting-edge research is presented. 

January 27th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma public markets faced significant headwinds in 2021, as major indices in the sector underperformed dramatically relative to the broader market. What drove such a significant downturn? When and how will it bounce back?  What strategic shifts will we see innovators employ to recoup and reinforce their value? Locust Walk held a webinar with a few of the industry’s leading experts in corporate dealmaking and investing to discuss the present and future state of biopharma. 

January 27th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma public markets faced significant headwinds in 2021, as major indices in the sector underperformed dramatically relative to the broader market. What drove such a significant downturn? When and how will it bounce back?  What strategic shifts will we see innovators employ to recoup and reinforce their value? Locust Walk held a webinar with a few of the industry’s leading experts in corporate dealmaking and investing to discuss the present and future state of biopharma. 

November 16th, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest Quarterly Market Conditions Report, we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack the trends in the industry as Q3 ended.

September 30th, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest white paper “Bought Not Sold” we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack how M&A transactions evolve in the biopharma space.

August 11, 2021

Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, executives from across the biopharma sector will share their market forecasts for the second half of 2021.

May 20, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s white paper “Crossover Evolution: The Evolving Role of the Crossover Financing Round” join us for a live webinar discussion.

The Covid-19 pandemic was the biggest biopharma news of 2020. It may be hard to remember now, but in March of last year, biotech indices had quickly nose-dived. That was temporary. Biotech had a record-setting performance for the remainder of the year, when it led the bull market to record highs and unprecedented fundraising. Crossover financing rounds were a leading trend in that recovery.

April 2, 2021

Geoff Meyerson co-founded Locust Walk, a Boston-based life sciences consulting firm, on Sept. 15, 2008, the same day that Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy and Merrill Lynch sold itself to Bank of America. Meyerson said he “figured the world didn’t need another investment bank,” so he and his team found other ways to support biotech firms: advising on strategy, providing analytics, helping raise capital and preparing them for IPOs.

May 5, 2021

Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, we’ll be discussing the nuances of early-stage collaborations relative to recent dealflow.

December 3, 2020

Considering the financing landscape for biopharma companies continues to be robust, a big question remains, which is ‘how long can we trust this trend?’ While predicting the future isn’t realistic, we brought together a handful of panelists to discuss current biopharma financing trends and share things to consider while you’re mapping out your strategy for 2021 and beyond.

September 23, 2020

Though there’s no shortage of female-led biotech companies, women still make up less than 20% of biotech boards. Often times women are asked “have you been on a board before?” But how do women get that initial experience into the “club” when they continue to face roadblocks?

July 1, 2020

Please join Hayato Watanabe, SVP, Head of Asia at Locust Walk, Ken Araki, Corporate Officer, Head of Global Business Development at Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Sean Cao, Managing Director, CBC Group, and Wendy Pan, Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group, Goodwin.

June 11, 2020

Join Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Capital Markets & Sales, Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Gregg Beloff, Managing Director of Danforth Advisors, and William Hicks, Partner at Mintz Levin to talk about how biopharma companies can get access to capital in this time. You don’t want to miss this one!

May 7, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, Sara Solomon, Partner, Goodwin, and Malcolm Bates, Partner, Goodwin discuss strategies for maximizing strategic partnerships, especially in the time of COVID-19.

April 16, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, and Barbara Cooley, Partner, International Head of Life Science Practice at Cooley to hear their insights on Q1 2020 biopharma trends and get an insight into what’s ahead for 2020.

March 31, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Biopharma at Locust Walk, Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Financing and Sales, along with Tim Ehrlich, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer to discuss the strategic implications COVID-19 is having on biopharma companies and investors.

March 15, 2018

Locust Walk has prepared this webinar in collaboration with T1D Exchange, a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate new therapies and improve care for people affected by type 1 diabetes.  This webinar is for anyone who is seeking to raise a private financing round.

December 18, 2017

This half an hour webinar will provide valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.

October 17, 2017

The webinar will be a comprehensive overview of each section of a private financing term sheet. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who may be intimidated by and/or are interested in learning more about each of the sections of a term sheet and the purpose for its inclusion.  Potential pitfalls of key terms will also be discussed.

September 19, 2017

The webinar covers key issues surrounding how to best value a biopharma company. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who are interested in learning more about or improving their skills in valuation analysis. 

July 26, 2017

Webinar covers key issues surrounding the fundamentals of and insights into how best to finance private biotechnology companies in today’s competitive and evolving marketplace. The session will also include an update on recent trends in the private financing market.

June 13, 2017

The session includes insights & techniques that will be interesting not only to potential buyers, but also to those on the sell-side looking to gain a greater understanding of the buy-side mentality.

May 3, 2017

Webinar provides valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.


Biotalk Episode 18: A Conversation with Lindsay Rosenwald of Fortress Biotech

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Andy Meyerson welcomes Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Biotech, a company focused on licensing and developing high-potential marketed and development-stage drugs.


Biotalk Episode 17: Q2 2024 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson,
CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our Q2 2024 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter,
Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public
capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Biotalk Episode 16: A Conversation with Stephen Sands of Lazard

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Stephen Sands, former Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Chairman of the Global Healthcare Group, and currently Senior Advisor at Lazard, a renowned name in global financial services.

Align Summit  – April 25, 2024

Locust Walk proudly partnered with MassBio and McKinsey & Co. for the second annual Align Summit, transitioning from our previous virtual innovation conferences focused on RNA medicine and stem cell therapeutics to an in-person platform. The summit gathered 500 investors and pharma partners, featuring 50 biotech and AI presentations to uncover the next breakthroughs.

Biotalk Episode 15: 2024 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2024 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Biotalk Episode 14: A Conversation with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell of MassBio

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Esq., CEO and President of MassBio, the nation’s pioneering biotechnology trade association, which plays a pivotal role in representing and supporting the vibrant Massachusetts life sciences industry.

Biotalk Episode 13: 2023 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.

Biotalk Episode 12: A Conversation with Soufiane Aboulhouda of Nucleate

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes with Soufiane Aboulhouda, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nucleate, a global non-profit dedicated to empowering future biotech leaders through education and fostering innovation in life sciences companies.

Biotalk Episode 11: A Conversation with Shehnaaz Suliman of ReCode Therapeutics

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Daniel Brog welcomes with Shehnaaz Suliman, M.D., CEO of ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company using its selective organ targeting lipid nanoparticle platform to power the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics.

Biotalk Episode 10: A Conversation with Errik Anderson of Alloy Therapeutics

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics, to the podcast. Alloy is a trailblazing drug-discovery company, bringing collaborative platforms and services to the biotech world, making cutting-edge biologics accessible to everyone, from academia and small biotechs to major pharmaceutical companies.

Biotalk Episode 9: 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.

Biotalk Episode 8: A Conversation with Helen Ho of Blueprint Medicines

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Helen Ho, Chief Business Officer of Blueprint Medicines, to the podcast. Blueprint Medicines is a pioneering global precision therapy company committed to crafting life-altering medications for individuals with cancer and blood disorders.

Biotalk Episode 7: A Conversation with Howard Federoff of Ryne Biotechnology

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Howard Federoff, MD PhD, Scientific Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Director of Ryne Biotechnology, to the podcast. Join us as we delve into Ryne Bio’s pioneering work centered on advancing off-the-shelf neuron replacement therapies, poised to revolutionize the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. 

Biotalk Episode 6: A Conversation with Jason Kelly of Ginkgo Bioworks

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Jason Kelly, co-Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks to the podcast. During the episode, Jason delves into Ginkgo’s inception story, the distinctive contours of its business model, its unique role as a Contract Research Organization (CRO), and addresses the paramount challenges currently confronting the biotech industry. 

Biotalk Episode 5: A Conversation with Onaiza Cadoret-Manier of Ionis Pharmaceuticals 

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Product Strategy & Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals to the podcast. During the episode, Onaiza discusses her journey into biotech, her tenure at Ionis and challenges overcome while shifting from an R&D focus to commercialization, and her perspective and outlook on the biotech market today. 

Biotalk Episode 4: 2023 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.

Locust Walk RNA Innovation Conference  – May 9th, 2023

Locust Walk’s second annual Innovation Conference was a huge success with over 350 attendees. This year’s theme was focused on next generation RNA medicine in partnership with Dr. Frank Slack, Director of the Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Dr. Phil Zamore, Chair of the UMass Chan RNA Therapeutics Institute. We brought together private companies and full-time researchers on the cutting edge of RNA therapeutics to feature their work for investors, strategic partners, and other academics interested in the latest innovations in RNA as well as their translation to the clinic.

Biotalk Episode 3: 2023 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. This episode of Biotalk is focused on Locust Walk’s 2023 First Quarter Market Conditions Report, in which we apply the latest data to analyze current activities in the life sciences deal landscape. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity.

Biotalk Episode 2: A Conversation with Andrew Allen –  March 15th, 2023

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk welcomes Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President, CEO, and board member of Gritstone Bio to the podcast. Prior to Gritstone, Dr. Allen co-founded Clovis Oncology and served as CMO. He was CMO at Pharmion Corporation and also served in clinical development leadership roles at Chiron Corporation and Abbott Laboratories and worked at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Allen discusses the founding of Gritstone bio, it’s evolution since 2015, and the two key aspects to the Gritstone platform.

Biotalk: Expectations for 2023 Biotech Market – February 2nd, 2023

Click Here for a full summary of the episode. Our first Biotalk podcast is focused on Locust Walk’s 2022 year-in-review market conditions, which was released the first day of JPMorgan and rapidly accumulated over 500 downloads. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity. We wanted to share some insights into the report and discuss key trends, opportunities and predictions for the industry in 2023. 

Navigating the Biopharma Depression: More Pain or 2023 Gain? – October 20th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma market has largely remained suppressed as we enter the final leg of what was a painful 2022.  Private financings are down 80% and IPOs down 95% in volume since Q3 2021, while the performance of the XBI has dropped ~40% over the last 12 months. With the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates and the looming impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, the macroeconomic headwinds at play bear uncertainty across the Biopharma sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on how to navigate this “narrow” depression and what companies can do to successfully make it to the other side.

The State of Biopharma: Navigating a Stormy Climate – July 26th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma sector remains full of uncertainty with peak negative sentiment heading into the halfway point of 2022. With the public markets closed for much of the second quarter, companies are seeing the ripple effect of a capital-constrained environment. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on navigating the current state of biopharma and positioning for a successful future.

Biotech Is Down But Not Out: Developing A Game Plan In A Volatile Market – April 27th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The seas have remained choppy for the biopharma industry in the early part of 2022. With a bearish capital-raising environment and unaligned valuations to keep deal makers treading water, how biotech’s will remain afloat has become the crux of the sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other leading experts in strategic dealmaking and finance discuss the current state of biopharma and what to expect as we settle into 2022.

Locust Walk Stem Cell Tx Conference in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute – April 11th, 2022

We are excited to announce we held our first Locust Walk Stem Cell Tx Conference in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute! We put on what we believe is a first of its kind event that combines the best of an investment banking conference with investors, partnering conference with strategic partners, and academic conference where cutting-edge research is presented. After our experience co-founding Garuda Therapeutics last fall and launching with a $72M Series A, Locust Walk is all in on stem cell therapeutics companies. We believe that more attention needs to be paid to this important and growing field of research that has the potential to improve human health in almost every disease area.

2022 Biopharma Capital Outlook: Strategies to Navigate a Shifting Financing & Strategic Marketplace – January 27th, 2022

Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma public markets faced significant headwinds in 2021, as major indices in the sector underperformed dramatically relative to the broader market. What drove such a significant downturn? When and how will it bounce back?  What strategic shifts will we see innovators employ to recoup and reinforce their value? Locust Walk held a webinar with a few of the industry’s leading experts in corporate dealmaking and investing to discuss the present and future state of biopharma. 

Has Biotech Peaked? – November 16th, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest Quarterly Market Conditions Report, we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack the trends in the industry as Q3 ended.

Why So Many Biopharma M&A Transactions Start Out as Aspirational Licensing Deals – September 30th, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest white paper “Bought Not Sold” we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack how M&A transactions evolve in the biopharma space.

What Biopharma Should Expect From The Public Markets In 2H 2021​ – August 11, 2021

Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, executives from across the biopharma sector will share their market forecasts for the second half of 2021.

The Evolving Role of Crossover Financing​ – May 20, 2021

On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s white paper “Crossover Evolution: The Evolving Role of the Crossover Financing Round” join us for a live webinar discussion.

The Covid-19 pandemic was the biggest biopharma news of 2020. It may be hard to remember now, but in March of last year, biotech indices had quickly nose-dived. That was temporary. Biotech had a record-setting performance for the remainder of the year, when it led the bull market to record highs and unprecedented fundraising. Crossover financing rounds were a leading trend in that recovery.

Should Biotech Bother With Early-Stage Collaborations Given the Hot Financing Market? – May 5, 2021

Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, we’ll be discussing the nuances of early-stage collaborations relative to recent dealflow.

The Future of Biotech Financing: Continued Boom or Bust? – December 3, 2020

Considering the financing landscape for biopharma companies continues to be robust, a big question remains, which is ‘how long can we trust this trend?’ While predicting the future isn’t realistic, we brought together a handful of panelists to discuss current biopharma financing trends and share things to consider while you’re mapping out your strategy for 2021 and beyond.

Knocking At The Door: Challenges Women Face With Biopharma Boards – September 23, 2020

Though there’s no shortage of female-led biotech companies, women still make up less than 20% of biotech boards. Often times women are asked “have you been on a board before?” But how do women get that initial experience into the “club” when they continue to face roadblocks?

Brave New World: Challenges from the East, Asia Biopharma, and Response to COVID-19 – July 1, 2020

Please join Hayato Watanabe, SVP, Head of Asia at Locust Walk, Ken Araki, Corporate Officer, Head of Global Business Development at Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Sean Cao, Managing Director, CBC Group, and Wendy Pan, Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group, Goodwin.

Accessing Capital in the time of COVID: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices – June 11, 2020

Join Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Capital Markets & Sales, Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Gregg Beloff, Managing Director of Danforth Advisors, and William Hicks, Partner at Mintz Levin to talk about how biopharma companies can get access to capital in this time. You don’t want to miss this one!

Biopharma Deal Makers Approach to Maximizing Strategic Partnerships – May 7, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, Sara Solomon, Partner, Goodwin, and Malcolm Bates, Partner, Goodwin discuss strategies for maximizing strategic partnerships, especially in the time of COVID-19.

Q1 2020 Biopharma Market Conditions Report Live Panel – April 16, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, and Barbara Cooley, Partner, International Head of Life Science Practice at Cooley to hear their insights on Q1 2020 biopharma trends and get an insight into what’s ahead for 2020.

Strategic Implications of COVID-19 on Biopharma – March 31, 2020

Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Biopharma at Locust Walk, Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Financing and Sales, along with Tim Ehrlich, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer to discuss the strategic implications COVID-19 is having on biopharma companies and investors.

Fundamentals and Recent Trends in Life Sciences Private Financing – March 15, 2018

Locust Walk has prepared this webinar in collaboration with T1D Exchange, a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate new therapies and improve care for people affected by type 1 diabetes.  This webinar is for anyone who is seeking to raise a private financing round.

BioPharma Partnering in Japan  – December 18, 2017

This half an hour webinar will provide valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.

Life Science Financing Term Sheet Review- October 17, 2017

The webinar will be a comprehensive overview of each section of a private financing term sheet. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who may be intimidated by and/or are interested in learning more about each of the sections of a term sheet and the purpose for its inclusion.  Potential pitfalls of key terms will also be discussed.

BioPharma Sell-Side Deal Process Keys to Success – May 3, 2017

Webinar provides valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.

BioPharma Buy-Side Deal Process Keys to Success- June 13, 2017

The session includes insights & techniques that will be interesting not only to potential buyers, but also to those on the sell-side looking to gain a greater understanding of the buy-side mentality.

Fundamentals and Key Trends in Life Sciences Private Financing- July 26, 2017

Webinar covers key issues surrounding the fundamentals of and insights into how best to finance private biotechnology companies in today’s competitive and evolving marketplace. The session will also include an update on recent trends in the private financing market.

BioPharma Valuation Analysis- September 19, 2017

The webinar covers key issues surrounding how to best value a biopharma company. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who are interested in learning more about or improving their skills in valuation analysis. 

 

Biotalk Episode 18: A Conversation with Lindsay Rosenwald of Fortress Biotech
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Andy Meyerson welcomes Dr. Lindsay Rosenwald, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fortress Biotech, a company focused on licensing and developing high-potential marketed and development-stage drugs.
Biotalk Episode 17: Q2 2024 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our Q2 2024 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.
Biotalk Episode 16: A Conversation with Stephen Sands of Lazard
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Stephen Sands, former Vice Chairman of Investment Banking and Chairman of the Global Healthcare Group, and currently Senior Advisor at Lazard, a renowned name in global financial services.
Align Summit  – April 25, 2024
Locust Walk proudly partnered with MassBio and McKinsey & Co. for the second annual Align Summit, transitioning from our previous virtual innovation conferences focused on RNA medicine and stem cell therapeutics to an in-person platform. The summit gathered 500 investors and pharma partners, featuring 50 biotech and AI presentations to uncover the next breakthroughs.
Biotalk Episode 15: 2024 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2024 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.
Biotalk Episode 14: A Conversation with Kendalle Burlin O’Connell of MassBio
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk’s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Kendalle Burlin O’Connell, Esq., CEO and President of MassBio, the nation’s pioneering biotechnology trade association, which plays a pivotal role in representing and supporting the vibrant Massachusetts life sciences industry.
Biotalk Episode 13: 2023 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Year-In-Review Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing the current state of global private and public capital markets, strategic partnerships, and M&A in the biopharma sector.
Biotalk Episode 12: A Conversation with Soufiane Aboulhouda of Nucleate
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes with Soufiane Aboulhouda, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of Nucleate, a global non-profit dedicated to empowering future biotech leaders through education and fostering innovation in life sciences companies.
Biotalk Episode 11: A Conversation with Shehnaaz Suliman of ReCode Therapeutics
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Daniel Brog welcomes with Shehnaaz Suliman, M.D., CEO of ReCode Therapeutics, a clinical-stage genetic medicines company using its selective organ targeting lipid nanoparticle platform to power the next wave of mRNA and gene correction therapeutics.
Biotalk Episode 10: A Conversation with Errik Anderson of Alloy Therapeutics
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Errik Anderson, CEO and Founder of Alloy Therapeutics, to the podcast. Alloy is a trailblazing drug-discovery company, bringing collaborative platforms and services to the biotech world, making cutting-edge biologics accessible to everyone, from academia and small biotechs to major pharmaceutical companies.
Biotalk Episode 9: 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q3 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.
Biotalk Episode 8: A Conversation with Helen Ho of Blueprint Medicines
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Helen Ho, Chief Business Officer of Blueprint Medicines, to the podcast. Blueprint Medicines is a pioneering global precision therapy company committed to crafting life-altering medications for individuals with cancer and blood disorders.
Biotalk Episode 7: A Conversation with Howard Federoff of Ryne Biotechnology
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Howard Federoff, MD PhD, Scientific Co-Founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Director of Ryne Biotechnology, to the podcast. Join us as we delve into Ryne Bio’s pioneering work centered on advancing off-the-shelf neuron replacement therapies, poised to revolutionize the treatment landscape for neurological disorders. 
Biotalk Episode 6: A Conversation with Jason Kelly of Ginkgo Bioworks
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Andy Meyerson welcomes Jason Kelly, co-Founder and CEO of Ginkgo Bioworks to the podcast. During the episode, Jason delves into Ginkgo’s inception story, the distinctive contours of its business model, its unique role as a Contract Research Organization (CRO), and addresses the paramount challenges currently confronting the biotech industry. 
Biotalk Episode 5: A Conversation with Onaiza Cadoret-Manier of Ionis Pharmaceuticals 
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk‘s Geoff Meyerson welcomes Onaiza Cadoret-Manier, Executive Vice President, Chief Global Product Strategy & Operations Officer at Ionis Pharmaceuticals to the podcast. During the episode, Onaiza discusses her journey into biotech, her tenure at Ionis and challenges overcome while shifting from an R&D focus to commercialization, and her perspective and outlook on the biotech market today. 
Biotalk Episode 4: 2023 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. During this episode of Biotalk, Geoff Meyerson, CEO of Locust Walk, unpacks our 2023 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions Report. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets, strategic partnering, and M&A.
Locust Walk RNA Innovation Conference  – May 9th, 2023
Locust Walk’s second annual Innovation Conference was a huge success with over 350 attendees. This year’s theme was focused on next generation RNA medicine in partnership with Dr. Frank Slack, Director of the Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, and Dr. Phil Zamore, Chair of the UMass Chan RNA Therapeutics Institute. We brought together private companies and full-time researchers on the cutting edge of RNA therapeutics to feature their work for investors, strategic partners, and other academics interested in the latest innovations in RNA as well as their translation to the clinic.
Biotalk Episode 3: 2023 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. This episode of Biotalk is focused on Locust Walk’s 2023 First Quarter Market Conditions Report, in which we apply the latest data to analyze current activities in the life sciences deal landscape. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity.
Biotalk Episode 2: A Conversation with Andrew Allen –  March 15th, 2023
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. On this episode of Biotalk, Locust Walk welcomes Andrew Allen, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder, President, CEO, and board member of Gritstone Bio to the podcast. Prior to Gritstone, Dr. Allen co-founded Clovis Oncology and served as CMO. He was CMO at Pharmion Corporation and also served in clinical development leadership roles at Chiron Corporation and Abbott Laboratories and worked at McKinsey & Company. Dr. Allen discusses the founding of Gritstone bio, it’s evolution since 2015, and the two key aspects to the Gritstone platform.
Biotalk: Expectations for 2023 Biotech Market – February 2nd, 2023
Click Here for a full summary of the episode. Our first Biotalk podcast is focused on Locust Walk’s 2022 year-in-review market conditions, which was released the first day of JPMorgan and rapidly accumulated over 500 downloads. Each quarter, Locust Walk’s deal team compiles key statistics and trends showcasing what is happening in the global private and public capital markets and strategic partnering and M&A activity. We wanted to share some insights into the report and discuss key trends, opportunities and predictions for the industry in 2023. 
Navigating the Biopharma Depression: More Pain or 2023 Gain? – October 20th, 2022
Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma market has largely remained suppressed as we enter the final leg of what was a painful 2022.  Private financings are down 80% and IPOs down 95% in volume since Q3 2021, while the performance of the XBI has dropped ~40% over the last 12 months. With the Federal Reserve continuing to raise interest rates and the looming impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, the macroeconomic headwinds at play bear uncertainty across the Biopharma sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on how to navigate this “narrow” depression and what companies can do to successfully make it to the other side.
The State of Biopharma: Navigating a Stormy Climate – July 26th, 2022
Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma sector remains full of uncertainty with peak negative sentiment heading into the halfway point of 2022. With the public markets closed for much of the second quarter, companies are seeing the ripple effect of a capital-constrained environment. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other industry leaders exchanged their views on navigating the current state of biopharma and positioning for a successful future.
Biotech Is Down But Not Out: Developing A Game Plan In A Volatile Market – April 27th, 2022
Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The seas have remained choppy for the biopharma industry in the early part of 2022. With a bearish capital-raising environment and unaligned valuations to keep deal makers treading water, how biotech’s will remain afloat has become the crux of the sector. In this webinar, Locust Walk and other leading experts in strategic dealmaking and finance discuss the current state of biopharma and what to expect as we settle into 2022.
Locust Walk Stem Cell Tx Conference in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute – April 11th, 2022
We are excited to announce we held our first Locust Walk Stem Cell Tx Conference in partnership with Harvard Stem Cell Institute! We put on what we believe is a first of its kind event that combines the best of an investment banking conference with investors, partnering conference with strategic partners, and academic conference where cutting-edge research is presented. After our experience co-founding Garuda Therapeutics last fall and launching with a $72M Series A, Locust Walk is all in on stem cell therapeutics companies. We believe that more attention needs to be paid to this important and growing field of research that has the potential to improve human health in almost every disease area.
2022 Biopharma Capital Outlook: Strategies to Navigate a Shifting Financing & Strategic Marketplace – January 27th, 2022
Click Here for a full summary of the webinar. The biopharma public markets faced significant headwinds in 2021, as major indices in the sector underperformed dramatically relative to the broader market. What drove such a significant downturn? When and how will it bounce back?  What strategic shifts will we see innovators employ to recoup and reinforce their value? Locust Walk held a webinar with a few of the industry’s leading experts in corporate dealmaking and investing to discuss the present and future state of biopharma. 
Has Biotech Peaked? – November 16th, 2021
On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest Quarterly Market Conditions Report, we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack the trends in the industry as Q3 ended.
Why So Many Biopharma M&A Transactions Start Out as Aspirational Licensing Deals – September 30th, 2021
On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s latest white paper “Bought Not Sold” we are joined by a great panel of experts to help us unpack how M&A transactions evolve in the biopharma space.
What Biopharma Should Expect From The Public Markets In 2H 2021​ – August 11, 2021
Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q2 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, executives from across the biopharma sector will share their market forecasts for the second half of 2021.
The Evolving Role of Crossover Financing​ – May 20, 2021
On the heels of the publication of Locust Walk’s white paper “Crossover Evolution: The Evolving Role of the Crossover Financing Round” join us for a live webinar discussion. The Covid-19 pandemic was the biggest biopharma news of 2020. It may be hard to remember now, but in March of last year, biotech indices had quickly nose-dived. That was temporary. Biotech had a record-setting performance for the remainder of the year, when it led the bull market to record highs and unprecedented fundraising. Crossover financing rounds were a leading trend in that recovery.
Should Biotech Bother With Early-Stage Collaborations Given the Hot Financing Market? – May 5, 2021
Each quarter our team at Locust Walk compiles key statistics and trends on strategic transactions and financings. Our 2021 Q1 Report: Global Trends in Biopharma Transactions applies the latest data to analyze current activities in the life science deal landscape. For this quarter’s webinar, we’ll be discussing the nuances of early-stage collaborations relative to recent dealflow.
The Future of Biotech Financing: Continued Boom or Bust? – December 3, 2020
Considering the financing landscape for biopharma companies continues to be robust, a big question remains, which is ‘how long can we trust this trend?’ While predicting the future isn’t realistic, we brought together a handful of panelists to discuss current biopharma financing trends and share things to consider while you’re mapping out your strategy for 2021 and beyond.
Knocking At The Door: Challenges Women Face With Biopharma Boards – September 23, 2020
Though there’s no shortage of female-led biotech companies, women still make up less than 20% of biotech boards. Often times women are asked “have you been on a board before?” But how do women get that initial experience into the “club” when they continue to face roadblocks?
Brave New World: Challenges from the East, Asia Biopharma, and Response to COVID-19 – July 1, 2020
Please join Hayato Watanabe, SVP, Head of Asia at Locust Walk, Ken Araki, Corporate Officer, Head of Global Business Development at Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Sean Cao, Managing Director, CBC Group, and Wendy Pan, Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group, Goodwin.
Accessing Capital in the time of COVID: Challenges, Opportunities, and Best Practices – June 11, 2020
Join Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Capital Markets & Sales, Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Gregg Beloff, Managing Director of Danforth Advisors, and William Hicks, Partner at Mintz Levin to talk about how biopharma companies can get access to capital in this time. You don’t want to miss this one!
Biopharma Deal Makers Approach to Maximizing Strategic Partnerships – May 7, 2020
Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, Sara Solomon, Partner, Goodwin, and Malcolm Bates, Partner, Goodwin discuss strategies for maximizing strategic partnerships, especially in the time of COVID-19.
Q1 2020 Biopharma Market Conditions Report Live Panel – April 16, 2020
Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Strategic Partnerships at Locust Walk, and Barbara Cooley, Partner, International Head of Life Science Practice at Cooley to hear their insights on Q1 2020 biopharma trends and get an insight into what’s ahead for 2020.
Strategic Implications of COVID-19 on Biopharma – March 31, 2020
Join Geoff Meyerson, CEO & Co-Founder of Locust Walk, Chris Ehrlich, Senior Managing Director, Global Head of Biopharma at Locust Walk, Brian Coleman, Managing Director, Global Head of Financing and Sales, along with Tim Ehrlich, Partner at Gunderson Dettmer to discuss the strategic implications COVID-19 is having on biopharma companies and investors.
Fundamentals and Recent Trends in Life Sciences Private Financing – March 15, 2018
Locust Walk has prepared this webinar in collaboration with T1D Exchange, a nonprofit whose mission is to accelerate new therapies and improve care for people affected by type 1 diabetes.  This webinar is for anyone who is seeking to raise a private financing round.
BioPharma Partnering in Japan  – December 18, 2017
This half an hour webinar will provide valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.
Life Science Financing Term Sheet Review- October 17, 2017
The webinar will be a comprehensive overview of each section of a private financing term sheet. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who may be intimidated by and/or are interested in learning more about each of the sections of a term sheet and the purpose for its inclusion.  Potential pitfalls of key terms will also be discussed.
BioPharma Sell-Side Deal Process Keys to Success – May 3, 2017
Webinar provides valuable education and insights into the best practices of life science deal-making based on Locust Walk’s transaction advisory experience.
BioPharma Buy-Side Deal Process Keys to Success- June 13, 2017
The session includes insights & techniques that will be interesting not only to potential buyers, but also to those on the sell-side looking to gain a greater understanding of the buy-side mentality.
Fundamentals and Key Trends in Life Sciences Private Financing- July 26, 2017
Webinar covers key issues surrounding the fundamentals of and insights into how best to finance private biotechnology companies in today’s competitive and evolving marketplace. The session will also include an update on recent trends in the private financing market.
BioPharma Valuation Analysis- September 19, 2017
The webinar covers key issues surrounding how to best value a biopharma company. The content is geared towards life science senior executives and business development professionals who are interested in learning more about or improving their skills in valuation analysis.   
Scroll to Top