Weekly roundup: Industry events, gender and GLP-1s, highlighting Rare Disease Day
Novo Nordisk Foundation announced it had awarded DKK 11.8 billion (€1.6 billion) during 2025 to support more than 2,200 projects aimed at improving people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet.
The projects cover the full range of the Foundation’s grant-giving areas, including key topics such as cardiometabolic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, the development of more resilient and climate-friendly food systems, and harnessing the potential of new technologies.
Hansa Biopharma to present at TD Cowen’s 46th Annual Health Care Conference
Hansa Biopharma announced that CEO Renée Aguiar-Lucander, will be presenting at TD Cowen’s 46th Annual Health Care Conference in Boston, at 11:10-11:40 AM EST on Monday 2 March 2026. Hansa Biopharma CFO Evan Ballantyne, and COO and President U.S. Maria Törnsén, will also be attending the event.
Link Biologics appoints drug discovery expert Dr Niall Martin to its Board
Link Biologics, the biotech company developing first-in-class TSG-6-based therapies, that have a unique combination of anti-inflammatory, tissue-protective and tissue-reparative properties, announced the appointment of Dr Niall Martin to its Board of Directors. This strategic appointment marks a key step for Link Biologics as it accelerates its TSG-6-based therapeutic pipeline towards the clinic.
Oncoinvent ASA: Second half 2025 results announced
Oncoinvent, a biotech company developing a receptor-independent alpha radiopharmaceutical to eradicate cancer cells in the abdominal cavity after surgery with a single, targeted dose, announced its H2 2025 results. A recording of the H2 2025 results webcast presentation can be viewed here.
Synklino published in American Journal of Transplantation, highlighting SYN002 proof-of-concept in eliminating CMV in human kidneys
Synklino, a Danish biotechnology company pioneering transformative therapies to improve kidney transplantation outcomes through better CMV prevention, announced the publication of a preclinical study in the American Journal of Transplantation. The study titled Inhibition of cytomegalovirus reactivation by ex vivo treatment of human kidneys with the SYN002 immunotoxin is available on open access here.
🎙️Optimum Perspectives Podcast
Ahead of Rare Disease Day, we released a brand-new podcast featuring Hans Schambye, CEO of BOOST Pharma, Jean-Marie Cuillerot, CMO of Kainova Therapeutics, and Josep Prous, Co‑founder & CSO of CONNECTA Therapeutics.
This episode delves into the critical gaps in therapeutic options for the more than 300 million people living with rare diseases worldwide and explores why this field is rapidly gaining attention from both researchers and investors.
Tune in to the full episode here.
🔥Hot topic
In the UK, four times as many women are taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro privately than men, a recent study found. Could this disparity lead to widening life expectancy between the sexes?
Read this week’s hot topic below.
Prefer to catch the highlights? Watch Stephen Adams explain the top line ⬇️
👥Industry events
LSX World Congress Europe
From 24th – 26th March, LSX World Congress Europe arrives in Lisbon. A leading life science fundraising and investment event, bringing early-stage innovators and investors together through strategic 1:1 meetings and targeted networking.
Be sure to connect with Optimum’s CEO Mary Clark, as she will be taking to the stage to present ‘The Art of the Pitch: Communicating Commercial Potential to Investors’.
When booking your partnering pass to LSX Europe, you are eligible to an exclusive 50% discount on your BIO-Europe Spring ticket as part of Spring Innovation Week. Combine this with Optimum’s 15% F&F discount for LSX Europe events, reach out to the team for more information, or register today at informaconnect.com/lsx-world-congress/register
Anglonordic Life Sciences Conference XXII
Are you an early-stage Life Science company looking for investment? Do you want to meet with Europe’s leading life science investors?
If the answer is YES, then the Anglonordic Life Science Conference is a must attend event for your diary! Sponsorship & exhibition opportunities are still available. Anglonordic is the ideal platform to promote your services, engage others with your brand and grow your network.
Register today at anglonordiclifescience.com/page/registration
🧩Sector moves
Keep up to date with the latest industry moves here.
That’s all folks! To stay in the know – subscribe to Optimum’s weekly wrap-up today!
