On June 15th, the ACCESS CHINA BD Forum @ BIO, proudly hosted by YAFO Capital and supported by Ideals, concluded successfully in Boston. The forum brought together over 100 distinguished professionals representing pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and venture capital institutions from across the globe. With an agenda that included keynote speeches, in-depth panel discussions, targeted elevator pitches, and a dynamic networking dinner, the event served as a premier platform for knowledge exchange and partnership exploration. Attendees actively engaged in discussions on emerging global trends in pharma and biotech, shared strategic insights, and explored new avenues for collaboration and innovation.
The day opened with warm welcome remarks from Sean Jiang, CFA, CEO of YAFO Capital; John Yuan, Global VP of East Asia at Ideals; and Kun Tao, CFA, Head of US Business at YAFO Capital. They set the tone by emphasizing the importance of cross-border cooperation and the value of sustained dialogue in driving innovation in life sciences.
To view more photos of John Yuan, please visit this shared Google Drive link: https://shorturl.at/fWHBq
Victor Ye, Head of the China Division at YAFO Capital, delivered the opening keynote titled “China Out-licensing Momentum and Experience Sharing” In his presentation, he outlined recent case studies and deal structures that have proven successful for Chinese biotech companies seeking global partners. He also shared key lessons learned from licensing negotiations, highlighting cultural differences in dealmaking and offering actionable advice for companies aiming to bring their innovative therapies to international markets.
This was followed by a thought-provoking presentation from Birgit Reitmaier, Head of BD Asia Pacific, at EMD Serono. Her talk, “EMD Serono’s Partnering Approach” provided a detailed look into EMD Serono’s approach to BD across Asia. She highlighted recent successful collaborations and offered insights into how the company evaluates opportunities and builds long-term value through strategic alliances.
To view more photos of Birgit Reitmaier, please visit this shared Google Drive link: https://shorturl.at/Qjbho
The event then transitioned into the first panel discussion, themed “Global Trends in Transactions: Market Opportunities of Tomorrow.” Cynthia Wang, Director of Global Business Development at Servier, skillfully moderated the conversation. The panelists—Birgit Reitmaier (EMD Serono), Jenna Hebert (RA Capital), Weiwen Ying (Ranok Therapeutics), Jane Wang (Salubris), and Victor Ye (YAFO Capital)—explored shifts in investment priorities, the impact of geopolitical dynamics on deal flow, and emerging therapeutic areas attracting the most attention from global pharmas or investors. The discussion emphasized the need for agility, data-driven decision-making, and a patient-centric focus in business development.
To view more photos of this panel discussion, please visit this shared Google Drive link: https://shorturl.at/ivqcL
After a short networking break, the program resumed with a compelling keynote by Dr. Victoria Balannik, Head of Global External Innovation and BD&L at Menarini Stemline. Her presentation, also titled “Menarini-Unlocking Oncology Innovation,” focused on identifying innovation hot spots worldwide and the criteria Menarini uses when evaluating early-stage partnerships. She stressed the importance of scientific rigor, alignment in vision, and strong leadership teams in establishing successful collaborations.
The spotlight then turned to the Company Elevator Pitch session, which showcased cutting-edge innovations from a range of promising biotech companies:
- Starpharma presented advancements in dendrimer-based drug delivery systems.
- Ranok Therapeutics introduced their novel targeted protein degradation platform.
- Chengdu DIAO Pharmaceutical outlined their oncology pipeline and licensing needs.
- GeneCradle highlighted breakthroughs in gene therapy manufacturing.
- Shenzhen Salubris Pharmaceuticals and Salubris Bio (US) presented cardiovascular and oncology-focused assets.
- Sungen Biomedical, HanchorBio, and Virion Therapeutics each shared clinical and preclinical updates on immunotherapies, antibody-drug conjugates, and therapeutic vaccines, respectively.
This session offered valuable exposure to potential investors and collaborators and enabled efficient one-on-one follow-ups after the forum.
To view more photos of the speakers from the Company Elevator Pitch session, please visit this shared Google Drive link: https://shorturl.at/fiM4w
Harm-Jan Borgeld, Head of Asia Pacific BD of Roche, capped off the speaking segment with a keynote titled “Roche Partnering Strategy and Experience Sharing” Drawing from Roche’s extensive experience in cross-border partnerships, he shared perspectives on deal structures that drive long-term success, highlighted recent collaborations in Asia, and offered forward-looking views on how Roche is adapting its partnering strategies in the face of rapid industry evolution.
To view more photos of Harm-Jan Borgeld, please visit this shared Google Drive link: https://shorturl.at/g5IZg
The evening concluded with a networking dinner reception that provided an informal yet vibrant environment for further discussions. Guests connected over shared goals and interests, strengthening existing relationships and sowing the seeds for future collaboration. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were a testament to the shared commitment to innovation and partnership.
Overall, the ACCESS CHINA BD Forum @ BIO delivered immense value to its participants. It facilitated meaningful dialogue between global stakeholders, provided a stage for cutting-edge innovation, and enabled participants to identify new business opportunities. As the biopharmaceutical landscape continues to evolve, the connections and insights forged during the forum are expected to contribute significantly to future collaborations and industry growth. We eagerly look forward to seeing these engagements mature into impactful partnerships that drive global healthcare innovation forward.
About our upcoming event for ACCESS CHINA Partnering Forum @ JPM 2026
‘ACCESS CHINA Partnering Forum @ JPM 2026 is scheduled to be held in January 2026, at JP Morgan. This ACCESS CHINA Partnering Forum @ JPM 2026 will convene 80 distinguished guests for an afternoon of strategic networking, business development, and thought leadership, with a special emphasis on China’s dynamic biotechnology landscape and global collaboration opportunities.
Conference Name: ACCESS CHINA Partnering Forum @ JPM 2026
Date: January 2026
Participants: Pharma/Biotech senior management and BD’s
View more information at https://biotochina.org/
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact us:
To register ACCESS CHINA online, please visit: https://jsj.top/f/AqkB9m
For more information, please contact:
Wendi Xiang
Wxiang@yafocapital.com
BioToChina.org 