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BioCentury Publishes 8th Annual "Iceberg" Review Covering Performance of European Biotech

BioCentury's 8th Annual "European Iceberg" review of the financing needs for European biotech shows a record number of small biopharma companies in Europe have reached the clinic and beyond. It also shows that this expanding class of drug developers needs more money than ever recorded by the survey -- EUR3.5 billion ($4.8 billion) -- to finance their programs for the next three years.

Each year since 2003, BioCentury's "European Iceberg" survey has identified the underlying demand for finance by private and public European biotechnology companies that are in clinical trials or have reached the market with approved drugs. This year's report, "Performance Counts," showcases the very first set of private companies to be tracked in the survey -- the European Iceberg Class of 2003 -- and outlines what lessons they have for the Class of 2010.

"Performance Counts" reveals that the 54 companies comprising the Class of 2003 collectively have raised more than $5.5 billion since their founding. BioCentury's examination shows that 24 of these companies captured two-thirds of the funds from investors. "Our analysis of the Class of 2003 showed that money and performance were linked," noted David Flores, BioCentury's President and CEO, "with the most successful fundraisers taking nine products to market, advancing their programs in the clinic or providing the best returns on M&A transactions."

"Drilling deeper," said Dr. Karen Bernstein, BioCentury's Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, "our team found some surprising reasons for success. Companies that avoided risk to play it safe were not the hallmarks. The winners have been the European players that laid the groundwork to be globally best-in-class companies."

The "Performance Counts" report details how these "best-in-class" European companies succeeded as a result of partnering with strategic intent rather than concentrating on sheer survival. They also built on top of robust technology platforms and deep therapeutic expertise, focusing on the innovative, differentiated products demanded by today's healthcare marketplace.

The complete report, published this week in BioCentury, The Bernstein Report on BioBusiness™ includes the full 2010 Iceberg Survey of the financing needs of 266 public and private European biotechs that have reached the clinic or marketplace, accompanied by tables and figures generated from BioCentury's BCIQ: BioCentury Online Intelligence™ industry research database.

The 2010 Iceberg Survey was previewed at the recently completed BioEquity Europe 2010 in Zurich, the 11th annual collaborative gathering of the European investment and corporate communities organized by BioCentury, EBD Group and BIO. The survey anchored two days of workshops for the more than 500 delegates and faculty from the international finance and pharma communities.

In addition, BioEquity Europe 2010 featured presentations by 60 European investor-validated biopharma companies with unpartnered assets, late-stage clinical events, pending product approvals and important commercial milestones. The meeting also included 30 "Next Wave" companies offering fresh investment and partnering opportunities.

Dr. Denise Pollard-Knight, Managing Director of Nomura Phase4 Ventures, noted the "Performance Counts" theme of BioEquity Europe 2010 struck a timely chord. "Once again, the BioEquity program identified the forward-looking themes on which biopharma executives and their investors need to stay focused. Well managed companies delivering fundamental performance will be rewarded by investors and partners," she said.

One of Europe's top venture capitalists, Antoine Papiernik, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners, executed four life science company exits in the past 12 months. He said that "BioEquity's 'Performance Counts' theme resonated exceptionally well with our investing principles. This is the conference that shapes the investment and deal-making outlook for the European biopharma industry."

Get Your Complimentary Copy of BioCentury's "Performance Counts" Report, the 8th Annual Iceberg Review

Visit the BioEquity Europe 2010 website to review the Presenting Companies, Program and Faculty

About BioCentury
Now in its 18th year of service, BioCentury Publications, Inc. is internationally recognized as an essential provider of independent business intelligence and analysis for biopharma executives, scientists, regulators and investors. Headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., and with offices in Chicago; Chadds Ford, Pa; Washington, D.C. and Oxford, U.K., BioCentury's information platform includes business and translational science journals, conferences and online databases encompassing corporate strategy, partnering, emerging technology, product development, regulation, public policy and the financing markets. For more information: www.biocentury.com

About EBD Group
EBD Group is the leading partnering firm for the global life science industry. Since its inception in 1993, EBD Group's mission has been to facilitate the biotech-pharma partnerships that deliver tomorrow's healthcare treatments to patients worldwide. Biotech, pharma and medical device companies actively leverage EBD Group's partnering conferences, technology and services to identify new business opportunities and develop the strategic relationships essential to their future success. www.ebdgroup.com

About BIO
BIO is the world's largest biotechnology organization, providing advocacy, business development and communications services for more than 1,200 members worldwide. BIO members are involved in the research and development of innovative healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. Corporate members range from entrepreneurial companies developing a first product to Fortune 500 multinationals. BIO also represents state and regional biotech associations, service providers to the industry, and academic centers. www.bio.org