Weekly roundup: A conference crawl from London to Prague to Copenhagen

With the Anglonordic Life Science Conference last week, BioEquity next week, ASGCT Annual meeting and LSX Nordic Congress around the corner, it is a good time to practice your pitching. Funds are open and now is the time to foster those new and old connections.

Read on to discover what has happened this week and where to be in the weeks to come.

Novo Nordisk Foundation announces four new themes for 2027 Challenge Programme

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme announced four new themes for 2027 that are now open for applications from interdisciplinary research teams across Europe:

• Advancing Next Generation AMR Diagnostics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
• Heat and hypertension – understanding the mechanisms of interaction
• Unravelling electron transfer mechanisms in hybrid bio-electrocatalysis
• Harnessing novel Earth-abundant materials for sustainable technologies

With a total budget of up to €80 million (DKK 600 million), the Challenge Programme aims to strengthen fundamental research and accelerate solutions that benefit both human and planetary health. Find out more here.

Poolbeg Pharma announced results for the year ended 31 December 2025

Poolbeg Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company with a core focus on transforming the cancer immunotherapy field, announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2025.

Asgard Therapeutics to present at ASGCT 2026, showcasing advanced preclinical data on AT-108

Asgard Therapeutics, a privately held biotech company pioneering in vivo direct cell reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy, announced it will present advanced preclinical data on its lead asset AT-108, a first-in-class, off-the-shelf cancer immunotherapy, in an oral presentation at the ASGCT Annual Meeting, held from 11-15 May, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts, US.

📢 Hot topic

Publishing details of scientific advances in academic journals is one of the best ways biotechs can tell others about their technology, and spur investment interest. But the benefits of publishing now have to be weighed against the risk that others will take that detailed information and use it to leapfrog them. What can biotechs do in the face of this threat? Find out in this week’s Hot Topic.

👥Industry events

Anglonordic Life Sciences Conference XXII – London | 23^rd Apr 2026

Read the post-conference news piece written by Anglonordic’s chosen Charity of the Year, Bart’s Charity. As East London’s oldest healthcare charity, Barts Charity has been at the forefront of advancing healthcare for hundreds of years, bringing brilliant ideas, ground-breaking research and transformational healthcare to life.

For the full article, including a word from Optimum CEO, Mary Clark, read here.

Bio€quity Europe Conference – Prague | 4-6^th May 2026

On Monday, Bio€quity Europe will take centre stage in Prague, bringing together global leaders, investors and innovators to network, forge partnerships and debate the critical issues facing the biotech industry. With insightful panel discussions, company presentations and one-to-one partnering meetings, the event focuses on emerging science, investment trends and the forces shaping the future of biotech.

Mary Clark, CEO, and Zoe Bolt, Associate Director, will be attending and look forward to catching up with clients and making new connections. To schedule a meeting, please reach out via LinkedIn or at healthcare@optimumcomms.com.

LSX Nordic Congress – Copenhagen | 19-20^th May 2026

From formal partnering sessions to spontaneous coffee station conversations, this is where authentic, face-to-face connections happen. Whether you’re an innovator, investor, or strategic partner, the LSX Nordic Congress is your gateway to meaningful collaborations.

Reach out to use Optimum’s exclusive F&F discount!

ON Helix – Cambridge | 9^th Jul 2026

Just three months until One Nucleus presents ON Helix – Disrupting Bio Innovation.

A one-day conference in Cambridge spotlighting and discussing breakthrough technologies, policies and business models that are shaping the drug discovery and development landscape.

An excellent opportunity to connect with the pioneers leading this next wave of disruptive innovation and ensure you stay ahead in a rapidly evolving space.

Optimum is a proud supporter of One Nucleus events and is happy to share an exclusive 10% F&F discount. Please get in touch if you would like to use this or connect with the team there!

Optimum’s 18^th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference – London | 8^th Oct 2026

Save the date – Thursday the 8th of October 2026!

The date is set for Optimum’s 18th Annual Healthcare Investor Conference, which returns to the King’s Fund, London this October.

Join us for a day of invaluable insights from the thought leaders of the life sciences industry! The conference is free but invitation only, so please register your interest to attend here: https://www.optimumcomms.com/irconference2026/

That’s all folks!  To stay in the know – subscribe to Optimum’s weekly wrap-up today!