At this year’s BIO International Convention, the Basel Area Business & Innovation hosted a forward-looking panel titled “Beyond Venture Capital”, spotlighting how biotech companies can navigate today’s rapidly evolving funding landscape.
In a conversation moderated by Kirsten Detrick, delegate of Business Location Switzerland, KYBORA’s CEO, Alan Vanderborght, joined by fellow industry members, Jennifer Uren, Patrik Frei and Heather Onstott, discussed how biotech leaders can best navigate the difficult fundraising environment.
In the current biotech funding climate, companies are moving beyond traditional venture capital and embracing more creative and strategic financing models. These include royalty-backed deals, asset spinouts, region-specific licensing, and milestone-based investments.
These models are gaining traction among non-traditional investors, including family offices and pharma strategics, who are seeking structured returns, earlier monetization, and increased transparency.
Alan Vanderborght highlighted that success in this environment requires biotech companies to adapt their capital strategies to be more resilient and aligned with both long-term growth plans and geographic priorities. Alan noted: “For biotech companies to succeed, they must create compelling external narratives and create financing structures that support strategic flexibility across funding channels, maximize optionality, and resonate with a broader range of stakeholders”.
The goal is shifting from simply “raising capital” to building strategies that are adaptable, resilient, and closely aligned with both internal milestones and external market dynamics.
