Build Your Biotech in 90 Minutes

Build Your Biotech in 90 Minutes

Workshop 1 of the BioLabs at Wellcome Genome Campus Ecosystem Development Program

What does it take to turn a promising technology into a company? In this hands-on workshop, you'll find out by doing it.

Join us for an interactive afternoon exploring the essential steps involved in building a biotech company, featuring practical insights from experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts.

Special Highlight: Fireside Chat with Dr. Andy Richards, CBE

What does it really take to build a biotech company, and why is entrepreneurship a journey worth pursuing?

Kick off the workshop with an engaging fireside chat featuring Dr. Andy Richards, CBE, a distinguished biotech entrepreneur, investor, and longstanding contributor to the Cambridge life sciences ecosystem.

Having founded, invested in, and helped scale more than 25 innovative ventures, Dr. Richards will share his perspectives on turning scientific discoveries into successful companies, navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the opportunities and rewards of building a business.

With his extensive experience and longstanding involvement with the Wellcome Genome Campus, Dr. Richards brings a unique perspective on the region's innovation ecosystem and what it takes to build and grow a successful biotech venture.

Open Coffee Hour | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Everyone on the Wellcome Genome Campus is welcome to stop by for coffee and explore BioLabs' temporary campus space, our home until our permanent site opens at The Sequence in early 2028.

No workshop registration needed. Just drop in, say hello, and have a look around.

The Workshop

Following the fireside chat, participants will hear from experienced speakers in law and business development before putting their knowledge into practice through an interactive, team-based case study.

Teams will be given a fictional technology and challenged to build a biotech company around it, working through five key decisions every founder faces:

Indication: Which disease or unmet need to target

Business model: How the company creates and captures value

Funding strategy: How and from whom to raise capital

IP approach: How to protect the technology

Go-to-market plan: How the product reaches patients and customers

The workshop is designed to be informal, collaborative, and practical, encouraging open discussion, questions, and the exchange of ideas throughout the afternoon.

Lunch and light refreshments will be provided, with attendees welcome to enjoy food and drinks throughout the sessions.

Featured Fireside Chat Speaker

Dr. Andy Richards, CBE | Biotech Entrepreneur & Investor

Dr. Richards is a prominent UK biotech entrepreneur and investor with an established track record of founding, investing in, and scaling more than 25 innovative life sciences ventures. He has held leadership roles across numerous biotech and healthtech companies, including Arecor, Congenica, and Owlstone Medical, and has advised investment funds such as Cambridge Innovation Capital and Albion Capital.

A founder member of Cambridge Angels, Dr. Richards was awarded a CBE in 2015 for his contributions to life sciences investment.

Workshop Speakers

James Barrett, Partner, Goodwin

Tim Worden, Partner, Goodwin

Miho Kaneko, Senior Associate, Goodwin

Garima Bhardwaj-Ohlendorf, Director of Business Development, BioLabs

Agenda

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Open Coffee Hour (All Campus Welcome)

12:00 – 12:15 PM | Workshop Arrival & Lunch

12:15 – 12:45 PM | Featured Fireside Chat with Dr. Andy Richards, CBE – What It Takes to Build a Biotech Company

12:45 – 1:45 PM | Part 1: Educational Presentations – Foundations of Building a Biotech Company

1:45 – 3:00 PM | Part 2: Interactive Case Study & Group Discussion

Lunch and refreshments will be available throughout the workshop.

Who Should Attend

Founders, scientists, and team members from Wellcome Genome Campus companies. No prior business experience needed. Just bring your curiosity!