1. Mistake: Ignoring Regulatory Dynamics
Lack of regulatory awareness can stall even the most promising healthcare innovations. Colby Kash, CEO & Co-Founder of Camelot BioCapital, notes, “It takes an average of 17 years for a drug to move from discovery to approval. Now, there's serious discussion about eliminating phase three trials altogether.” Startups that stay informed and adapt to evolving regulations can gain a crucial edge.
2. Mistake: Relying on Flawed Data for AI
AI has great potential in healthcare, but its effectiveness depends on the quality of its training data. Lisa Morris, Managing Director at AKS Family Partners LP, warns, “If the initial dataset is flawed and there’s minimal human oversight, the results become unreliable, no matter how sophisticated the model is.” Startups must use clean, diverse data and ensure transparency to avoid bias and build trustworthy solutions.
3. Mistake: Misunderstanding Investor Types
Assuming all investors operate the same way is a common error. “Founders need to do their homework,” says Laurent Pacheco, Partner at Solas Bioventures. “Not every investor, or family office, operates the same way.” A mismatch between a startup’s needs and an investor’s mandate can lead to misaligned expectations. Understanding the structure, strategy and risk tolerance of different investor types is essential for building lasting partnerships.
4. Mistake: Misaligning Capital Timelines
Healthcare innovation requires timeframes that don’t fit into the typical venture capital model. “Alzheimer’s research is a 15-year game,” explains Daniel J. Arbess, Founder & CEO of Xerion Investments. “Venture funds, with their shorter time horizons, just aren’t built for that.” For long-horizon projects, seek capital partners, such as family offices, who can support the full journey.
The 222nd PIFW, “Pioneering Healthcare Investment Strategies for 2025,” held on May 15, 2025, brought together top investors and healthcare innovators to explore the sector’s evolving investment landscape. The forum highlighted emerging biotech trends, advances in technology transfer and the growing importance of aligning innovation with patient welfare and long-term value.
A special thanks to our speakers for sharing their invaluable insights at the forum.
We extend our gratitude to the presenters for presenting their investment opportunities at the event:
Jeff Liter, CEO of OX2 Therapeutics, US, with novel checkpoint inhibitors in clinical development.
Armen Solakhyan, CEO of Bio Access Platforms, US, with an AI tool for forecasting pharmaceutical demand.
Ofir Aharon, CEO of Patternox, Israel, with imaging technology for detecting skin and lesion deformities.
Become part of our investment community by registering for the upcoming 225th G.I.L.C. Summit.
