2026 Executive Biopharma Workshop Highlights Global Strategy, Regulation, and Capital Market Readiness  

MSQ Ventures and Jones Day hosted the 2026 Executive Biopharma Workshop in San Francisco, bringing together biotech founders, senior executives, investors, and advisors for a focused morning of discussion on global growth, cross-border structuring, U.S. regulatory strategy, and capital markets communication. The workshop was supported by The BayHelix Group, American Healthcare Executive Association, BioCentury Inc., and KKH Advisors. 

The program featured four sessions that offered practical, experience-driven insights into how biotech companies can position themselves for long-term value creation amid volatile markets and evolving regulatory expectations. 

Session 1: Navigating Global Growth and M&A Insights from the Mirum–Bluejay Journey 

The opening session explored global growth and M&A through the lens of Bluejay Therapeutics’ journey from launch to global Phase 3 development. Dr. Keting Chu, Founder and CEO of Bluejay Therapeutics, shared how disciplined execution, early focus on CMC, and lean team design enabled rapid progress while preserving strategic flexibility. He emphasized that early fundraising relied heavily on credibility and scientific alignment, and that maintaining parallel strategic paths allowed the company to adapt as market conditions changed. Ultimately, differentiated clinical data, rather than an active sale process, drove acquisition interest. 

Session 2: NewCo Structures That Work for China Biotech Companies 

The second session examined how NewCo structures are being used by China biotech companies to access global capital and development pathways. Jones Day partners Robert Latta and David Lee discussed why NewCos have gained traction amid tighter public markets and cross-border regulatory complexity. They highlighted the flexibility of the structure, the importance of balancing equity participation with governance, and the need to treat license agreements as true third-party deals. Planning for IP ownership, data transfer, and termination scenarios was underscored as essential to building investor confidence. 

Session 3: Strategic Considerations for U.S. Markets Navigating Today’s FDA and Drug Pricing Dynamics 

The third session focused on strategic considerations for the U.S. market, covering FDA oversight and drug pricing dynamics. Jones Day partners Melissa Kim Mannion and Steve Forster described how policy priorities are shaping regulatory posture, inspection activity, and expectations around manufacturing readiness. The discussion emphasized that quality culture is increasingly viewed as an enterprise-level risk and differentiator. On the commercial side, the speakers highlighted the importance of early pricing and reimbursement planning, noting that programs such as the Inflation Reduction Act and 340B can materially affect long-term valuation if not modeled early. 

Session 4: Fireside Chat on Media, IR, and Capital Markets Communication 

The final fireside chat addressed media engagement, investor relations, and capital markets communication. Les Funtleyder, healthcare investor and board member of Applied Therapeutics, and Kimberly Ha, Founder and CEO of KKH Advisors, shared practical guidance on working with reporters, managing expectations, and delivering clear investment narratives. Key themes included understanding reporter incentives, timing announcements to improve coverage, and preparing the market for complex or mixed data readouts. From a capital markets perspective, the speakers stressed the value of warm investor introductions and advised companies to secure capital when funding windows are open. 

Across all sessions, a consistent message emerged: early alignment across strategy, execution, regulation, and communication is critical for navigating today’s biopharma environment. The workshop reinforced the importance of disciplined planning, realistic expectation-setting, and integrated decision-making as companies position themselves for growth and partnership opportunities in 2026 and beyond.