Why your search for an investor has to be about more than just money
Success in the world of biotechnology and life sciences requires a level of patience that is foreign to most types of businesses and industries.
On average it takes 10 to 12 years and over $1 billion in capital to get a new drug from the laboratory to the market to be sold to consumers, says Rob Lake, senior vice president and head of Life Sciences at Bridge Bank.
With such great effort needed to get your product out the door, you want partners you’ll be comfortable working with for extended periods of time. When you face challenges, as most growing businesses do at some point, the relationship you have with your financial partner can go a long way toward determining your future.
“Some lenders tend to over steer,” Lake says. “So on top of whatever is already going on at your company, a relationship with an inexperienced lender can make it that much more difficult to manage your business.
“That can be very stressful for a management team and an investor group trying to position your company to work through the issues and get back on track.”
Smart Business spoke with Lake about the real value of selecting a lender or bank that truly understands the challenges your business faces.
What should you consider when looking to raise capital in the life science industry?
You need a lender who understands your business. A standard bank that does commercial and industrial lending is likely to underappreciate the peaks and valleys of a life sciences company, such as navigating through regulatory agencies or the uncertainties of clinical trials.
There is such a thing as ‘greener capital.’ A knowledgeable lender knows how to react to bad news, and how to chart the best course of action to keep things on track. It’s like piloting a small plane. If there is turbulence, you’re not going to want to over steer in one direction or the other to try to stabilize the aircraft.
You want to keep it as steady as you can and it will stabilize once you get through the bad weather. The same applies to working with a lender that clearly understands the issues life sciences companies face and will work through occasional challenges along the way to help the company achieve its goals.
What are some key things to know before you meet with a lender?
You need to think about what you would do if things with your business don’t go according to plan and compare it with the underwriting rationale of the lender. Lenders will typically underwrite to a downside case to explore that scenario.
What if you do not get approval on an expected date and it takes another year to get that approval? How would such a delay affect your company financially? How much more money would you need to raise? What will it take to get there? Do you have the resources to get there?
The base case is a little more optimistic scenario and the downside case is if the wheels completely fall off. The more likely case is a third option in which the wheels don’t totally fall off, but maybe you have a flat tire. How do you fix it and get through that scenario?
It’s helpful to hear the lender’s mentality as they go through the downside process. There are lenders in the space that offer more favorable terms (i.e., more capital or lower cost); however, it could cost more money in the long run (fees and legal expenses) if they haven’t thought through what the downside looks like.
What are lenders looking for in a borrower profile?
Lenders like business models that are diverse and have novel intellectual property supported by an underlying ‘platform technology.’ Multiple shots on goal help the lender mitigate risk.
They also want to understand the value proposition and see that it makes sense from a commercial viability standpoint. Ultimately, does the product and or service you’re developing address an unmet need? Improve patients’ lives or clinical outcomes? Save the health care system money?
Validation is another important attribute lenders like to see. This could come from many sources including the quality and reputation of your investors, strategic partners, a positive reimbursement decision or revenue traction.
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TwitterOur Technology Banking Group recently provided a venture debt facility and working capital line of credit to Step. To learn more, read their recent press release. step.com/press/step-sur… - 2 days #bridgebank #step #fintech pic.twitter.com/MzAtQGOTu9We are pleased to announce that we have launched Bridge Bank Gateway, a new digital paying agent platform that simplifies and accelerates complex M&A transactions. Read our recent press release to learn more. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - 3 daysWe would like to welcome Alex Tsarnas to the Bridge Bank team. Alex will be leading our newly established banking group, Business Escrow Services. 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Read more about it here: westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - 3 weeks 3 days ago #assetbasedlending #bridgebankOur Life Sciences Group recently provided a Term Loan to Bolder Surgical, a medical device company focused on commercializing mini-laparoscopic surgical devices aimed at improving and enabling laparoscopic procedures for pediatric patients. #lifesciences #medicaldevices pic.twitter.com/hKgRzmVhaZ“Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service… You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love.” ~ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In observance of MLK Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Mon. 1/18. #MLK pic.twitter.com/rBAo4INJXBOur Technology Banking group recently provided a growth capital term loan to Funraise, a software company that provides a state-of-the-art fundraising platform, saving nonprofit organizations time and resources spent on data management. pic.twitter.com/StETyssfLeOur #Technology Banking group recently provided a credit facility to @DrinkHealthAde, an organic beverage company. To learn more details, read our press release. westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 3 months 6 days ago pic.twitter.com/0eWWI16N08Our Technology Banking Group at Bridge Bank recently provided a credit facility to CloudBolt Software, an enterprise leader in cloud management and integration solutions. Visit westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 3 months 2 weeks ago to learn more details. pic.twitter.com/8fzjGbAL6BWe honor all of the veterans who have served our country. Thank you. #HappyVeteransDay REMINDER: In observance of Veterans Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Wednesday, November 11. pic.twitter.com/IfoGP8ecCAWe would like to welcome Jon Berry to the Bridge Bank team! Jon supports our Technology Banking group and will be based in Austin. 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REMINDER: In observance of Independence Day, all Bridge Bank offices will be closed on Friday, July 3.” pic.twitter.com/EFLG0KJ3u5Our Technology Banking Group is pleased to announce that they have recently provided a credit facility to aPriori Technologies, a leading provider of design for manufacturability and cost (#DFM/DTC) solutions. #computersoftware #technology #banking pic.twitter.com/PuTYcnKMttLast chance to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg & SJ Deputy City Manager, Kim Walesh Register now! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 9 months 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/sqxWOiCvsZThis Memorial Day, we honor and remember those who lost their lives while serving our country. REMINDER: In observance of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 25. pic.twitter.com/Ae97NsXsDaThere’s still time to join us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 9 months 2 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/TWo0MiGjijJoin us for what is sure to be one of the most interesting economic discussions in the history of this long-standing event, featuring keynote speaker and noted economist, Dr. Christopher Thornberg. Register today! #sjsueconsummit event.on24.com/wcc/r/2316585/… - about 9 months 3 weeks ago pic.twitter.com/pdtYAF2XrDBridge Bank’s #LifeSciences Group is proud to partner with iCAD, a global #medical #technology leader providing #innovative cancer detection and therapy solutions. bridgebank.com/lifesciences - about 10 months 3 days ago pic.twitter.com/oPIrnYlOTjWe’re proud to sponsor Venture Summit | Virtual Connect May 5th - 7th! #startups #venturecapitalCongratulations, @ArcturusRx on your big announcement and the accomplishments you and your team are achieving as you work on a vaccine for COVID-19. #COVID19 #coronavirus #vaccines #LifeSciences ir.arcturusrx.com/news-releases/… - about 10 months 3 weeks agoOur #LifeSciences team is proud to provide Valencell, a company that transforms the science of wearable #biometrics to enable impactful #health outcomes, with the creative #bankingsolutions they needed. pic.twitter.com/XCmNJpaVuvOrganizations of any size are at risk of data breaches or other types of #cybercrime, but you can defend yourself against #fraud by knowing the dangers and implementing best practices whether you’re #WFH or the office. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 11 months 4 days ago pic.twitter.com/bzKAaLYRGPLearn more about the several key initiatives we’re focused on right now. #WeAreInThisTogether #covid19 #CoronaVirus westernalliancebancorporation.com/~/media/pdfs/b… - about 11 months 7 days ago pic.twitter.com/ssOjI7DGnXCybercriminals are using concerns about COVID-19 to perpetrate scams – learn how to defend your organization against these scams and best practices to keep your business safe. #fraudawareness #cybersecurity #fraud #cybercrime #fraudprevention #WFH westernalliancebancorporation.com/bridge-bank-ho… - about 11 months 1 week ago pic.twitter.com/kZo07GPhVvBridge Bank is a proud sponsor of #FVCC2020, Florida’s largest statewide #VentureCapital Conference. pic.twitter.com/9l2lOPceVROur #LifeSciences Group helped @alluriontech create a customized #financialsolution to support their rapid growth. Allurion Technologies is a #medicaldevice company and creator of the Elipse™ Balloon, a breakthrough product in weight-loss technology. pic.twitter.com/OS96djwOA8Our Life Sciences Group welcomes Derek Scalf. 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Thank you. #VeteransDay pic.twitter.com/EpGp17Q39kThankfully #technology works its magic on our electronic devices. We wish you the best of luck changing the clock on your microwave! #daylightsavings pic.twitter.com/9VVKbEyeYgOur Technology Banking Group is proud to announce their most recent deal with Zipari, a growth-stage #technologycompany that offers the first and only consumer experience platform built specifically for #healthinsurance. pic.twitter.com/ImSLIn2TW5