LaunchBio’s NextGen VC Forum is the premiere event for mid-level venture capital associates to expand their skills and expertise while growing their network. Attendees benefit from curated education sessions from industry leaders to supplement existing expertise. Networking is essential in sourcing deals and one of the primary roles for associates, we’ve built it into the program for participants to be able to walk away with new life science and biotech contacts. The half-day forum created with Wilson Sonsini includes a networking lunch, three one-hour sessions, and a happy hour.

AGENDA

• 12:00 pm – Arrival and check-in with light lunch and networking
• 1:00 pm – Welcome and Introduction by Jennifer Fang, Partner, Wilson Sonsini and Karen Deschaine, Partner, Wilson Sonsini
• 1:15 pm – Session 1: Biotech, AI and the Law: Today’s Legal Considerations – Alex Key & Rob Parr
• 2:15 pm – Session 2: Biotech Companies and Investors Face a Growing National Security Regulatory Thicket – Josh Gruenspecht & Alicia Umpierre
• 3:15 pm – Break
• 3:30 pm – Session 3: Executive Compensation in Biotech: Topics, Tricks & Trends – Megan Schilling & Jody Thelander
• 4:30 pm – Happy Hour and networking hosted by Wilson Sonsini
• 6:00 pm – Event Close

Session 1: Biotech, AI, and the Law: Today’s Legal Considerations

AI is reshaping the biotech landscape, from speeding up drug discovery to improving diagnostics. However, this rapid innovation brings new legal challenges. This session will examine the evolving legal framework for AI-driven biotech companies, covering key topics such as intellectual property, data privacy, regulatory compliance, liability risks, and more. Industry experts will offer practical guidance on managing legal risks, navigating regulatory hurdles, attracting investment, and aligning AI solutions with biotech standards. Gain the insights you need to protect your AI investments.

Topics include:

• Intellectual Property (IP) Challenges: Understand how AI-generated innovations are protected under current IP laws and learn best practices for safeguarding proprietary algorithms and data.
• Data Privacy & Security: Explore the implications of data privacy regulations (like GDPR and HIPAA) on biotech AI solutions and how to mitigate cyber risks and ensure compliance.
• Liability Risks: Examine the evolving landscape of liability risks, including algorithmic bias and accountability for AI-driven decisions in healthcare.
• Investor Readiness: Learn how legal preparedness in areas like IP, compliance, and risk management can enhance investor confidence and attract funding.
• Ethical AI & Transparency: Discuss the importance of aligning AI innovations with emerging AI and biotech standards for transparency, fairness, and ethical deployment.

Speakers

• Alex Key, Partner, Technology Transactions, Wilson Sonsini
• Rob Parr, Partner, Technology Transactions, Wilson Sonsini

Session 2: Biotech Companies and Investors Face a Growing National Security Regulatory Thicket

As biotech innovation accelerates and global markets evolve, investors face growing challenges from an increasingly complex national security regulatory landscape. Regulatory scrutiny around foreign investment, data privacy, export controls, and intellectual property is intensifying, creating new risks that can significantly impact biotech deals. This session will provide an overview of the key regulations shaping the biotech investment landscape and offer practical guidance on how to navigate these challenges.

Topics include:

• Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS)
• Outbound investment restrictions
• Data access rules
• Exports/sanctions, old/new congressional efforts
• Patent considerations for investors performing IP due diligence on start-ups

Speakers

• Josh Gruenspecht, Partner, National Security and Trade, Wilson Sonsini
• Alicia Umpierre, Associate, Patents and Innovations, Wilson Sonsini

Session 3: Executive Compensation in Biotech: Topics, Tricks & Trends

This interactive session will review real-time compensation data and trends for venture capital firms across all asset classes and locations. Jody Thelander, Founder & CEO, of the namesake firm, will share exclusive insights and analysis on the various compensation levers, how to utilize them, what filters make a difference in customizing compensation data and what you need to know as you move up the ranks. Also included, the latest insights and analysis into compensation for privately held life science and tech companies. Drawing on real-time data from the Private Company Compensation Survey, we’ll hear valuable insights and analysis to prepare you to be on a portfolio company board.

Topics include:

• Benchmarking by Stage & Sector: Key differences in comp across seed to growth stages, biotechs.
• Cash vs. Equity: Current trends in structuring comp packages and equity refresh grants.
• Geographic Differences: How location and remote work impact salary and equity.
• Role-Based Compensation: C-suite trends: how comp varies by title and function.
• Creative Compensation Levers: Bonuses, milestone equity, retention pools, what boards can use.
• Using Filters to Customize Data: What factors (stage, size, region) drive meaningful comp differences.
• Board Member Insights: What to look for in comp data when serving on a portfolio company board.
• Founder vs. Executive Comp: How equity and salary differ between founding teams and hired execs.
• 2026 Compensation Forecast: What’s ahead, based on Thelander’s latest real-time survey data.

Speakers

• Megan Schilling, Partner, Employee Benefits and Compensation, Wilson Sonsini
• Jody Thelander, Founder & CEO, J.Thelander Consulting

*Registration for this event will be handled by a third party that will collect and manage your registration data.

Attendance at NextGen VC Forum is by invitation only; if interested, please contact the firm’s lead partners.