Weekly roundup: Dealmaker’s insights, a new CEO, plus… the UK Government’s got a plan!

Jacob Falck Hansen appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Vesper Bio

Vesper Bio a clinical stage biotech developing an oral therapy for frontotemporal dementia, announces the appointment of Jacob Falck Hansen as Chief Executive Officer. Jacob brings more than 15 years of leadership experience from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. He is a Partner at Lundbeckfonden BioCapital, the largest shareholder in Vesper Bio, and currently serves as board director at Notify Therapeutics and Kvantify, and as a board observer at Cytoki Pharma and SNIPR Biome.

📺Optimum TV

The Optimum TV Dealmakers series continues with Christina Takke of V-Bio Ventures detailing her journey from lab to boardroom, why she and co-founder Willem Broekaert established the Belgium-based VC, which focuses mainly on early-stage life science companies, and how their mindset is of being “entrepreneurs supporting the innovators”. Watch the full episode below ⬇️

🔥Hot topic

In this week’s hot topic, Optimum’s Stephen Adams dives into the UK government’s recently published “Modern Industrial Strategy” and one of its aim – boosting the country’s vital life sciences industry. Read Stephen’s analysis here.

👥Industry events

ON Helix 2025

Yesterday the Optimum Team attended One Nucleus’ ON Helix 2025 and what a day it was! The conference addressed key bio-innovation trends, generating discussions around the progress and future of the Life Science industry.

Optimum’s 17th Annual Healthcare Conference 

Returning to The King’s Fund this autumn, this prestigious invitation-only event brings together investors and executives from across the life sciences sector, register your interest in attending today.

📍Thursday 9th October, London

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!