Access to capital is a defining factor in whether world-class science translates into real-world health outcomes. As companies progress from discovery and translation, through development and commercial readiness, to scale and expansion, capital conversations are a constant. However, these conversations don’t always happen at the right time or with the right investors.
At AusBiotech, we want to ensure that every Australian life sciences company at every stage, knows it is ready to engage with the right capital, at the right time, and in the right way.
As part of this commitment, AusBiotech is establishing a new Investor Readiness Panel (IRP).
The IRP will support AusBiotech by providing stage-appropriate, non-binding guidance on a company’s readiness to engage with investors. It is designed to improve the quality and effectiveness of investor conversations across the sector (for founders and investors alike) and to help avoid the frustration that often arises from stage or timing mismatches.
Initially, the IRP will support companies seeking to be considered for participation in AusBiotech investment and international conference programs in 2026, with scope to expand its role over time as part of a broader investor readiness approach.
AusBiotech Head of Investment Kerri Lee Sinclair said: “We regularly hear challenges from both companies and investors, not because the science isn’t strong, but because capital conversations are happening too early, too late, or without the right context. The Investor Readiness Panel is about improving the quality of those conversations and giving companies clearer signals about how and when to engage.”
The IRP will support high-quality, stage-appropriate engagement across the life sciences ecosystem. It will not allocate capital, endorse companies, or make investment decisions.
AusBiotech is inviting Expressions of Interest from individuals with experience engaging life sciences companies across stages, including:
- Founders or CEOs of life sciences companies;
- Translational, clinical, or scientific experts;
- Commercialisation, licensing, or scale-up professionals; and,
- Investors (VC, CVC, family office, angel).
For more information on the IRP, and to register your interest, click here. (https://www.ausbiotech.org/news/expressions-of-interest-investor-readiness-panel)