Your go-to guide for making every meeting count – developed by QNova Life Sciences
For more than 12 years, QNova LifeSciences has been at the center of one of the most important weeks in global biotech: JPM Week. Long before partnering meetings became the strategic engine of the event, QNova was building the infrastructure, relationships, and expertise that now power thousands of the introductions dealmakers rely on.
Each January, QNova hosts its signature Partnering Forum – Jan 12-14 at Hilton Union Square, a curated environment where early-stage innovators, investors, and strategic partners connect with purpose. Their team doesn’t just run a platform—they actively help attendees meet the right people, and create the beginnings of relationships that often evolve into financings, partnerships, and long-term collaborations. With more than a decade of experience facilitating these high-stakes exchanges, QNova understands exactly what separates a productive JPM week from one that gets lost in the noise.
And the biggest insight they’ve learned?
Success at JPM isn’t about showing up—it’s about being prepared.
The organizations that walk away with real momentum aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest teams or the flashiest science. They’re the ones who communicate clearly, follow up strategically, and present their story in a way that resonates in a fast-moving, high-pressure environment.
That’s why QNova created this Partnering Survival Guide: to give attendees a practical, proven blueprint for maximizing every touchpoint. Whether you’re meeting investors, scouting licensing opportunities, or building new commercial relationships, these steps help you stay focused, confident, and ready to make the most of your time in San Francisco.
Below, we’ve distilled QNova’s best practices into five essential steps every company should follow before stepping into a JPM partnering room.
1. Build a Comprehensive Partnering Profile
Your Partnering Profile functions as your digital “business card” for the partnering event — and your first impression matters.
- Craft a clear Business Profile (4–6 sentences) that explains who you are, what you do, and what you’re seeking (partnering, funding, licensing).
- Provide valid web and email addresses—avoid academic or free Gmail accounts for primary contact.
- Upload your Pitch Deck and Executive Summary as PDFs so reviewers can easily access them.
- Use the platform’s filters (sector, subsector, indication, development stage) to ensure the right partners can find you.
- Include key elements such as mechanism of action, supporting data, collaborations, financing needs, IP status, and leadership team highlights.
*Investors and partners evaluate clarity and professionalism as much as the science. A polished profile gives you a major advantage.
2. Develop Your Executive Summary
Your Executive Summary is your deeper dive—concise, compelling, and no more than two pages.
- It should clearly explain who you are, what problem you’re solving, how your solution works, and what you’re asking for.
- Keep it non-confidential so it can be shared freely without risking key IP.
Why this matters: Whether you’re a founder or talent supporting a startup, this document aligns everyone around the mission and ask—critical during a fast-paced partnering week.
3. Refine Your Investor Pitch Deck
When partners want more, your pitch deck must deliver—with focus and efficiency. Keep it to 10–12 slides, covering:
- Cover slide with logo and contact info
- Summary / elevator pitch
- Unmet medical need and market size
- Your solution and differentiation
- Supporting data (high-impact visuals, not walls of text)
- Development timeline, milestones, and funding needs
- Advisory board and team
- Closing slide with clear next steps
* A crisp, aligned deck empowers everyone—from founders to team members—to speak confidently about the company.
4. Craft Your Meeting Request Message
This short introductory message is often your first real touchpoint. Make it count.
- Lead with your core value proposition and the specific reason for requesting a meeting.
- Avoid overly technical language or excessive detail.
- Use the partnering platform to reach a wide pool of relevant investors and strategic partners.
*Ensure your message reflects the company’s narrative and respects the recipient’s limited time.
5. Outline Your Follow-Up Strategy
The initial meeting request is just the beginning. Consistent, thoughtful follow-up is where many opportunities move forward.
A typical cadence might look like:
- First follow-up: Re-emphasize your competitive advantage or scientific differentiation.
- Second follow-up: Highlight commercial opportunity, progress, or current financing stage.
- Third follow-up: Reinforce team strength, share your deck or website link, and invite them to continue the conversation outside the platform.
*Most deals and next steps happen after the event. The real work is in the follow-up.
Final Thoughts
Attending the JPM Partnering Forum can feel intimidating, but with preparation and a structured approach, it becomes a high-impact opportunity to create meaningful connections. These five steps help you present more clearly, engage more strategically, and follow through more effectively.
QNova LifeSciences is hosting the 12th Annual Partnering Forum during the JP Morgan Healthcare Week at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square hotel on-site from January 12-15, 2026.
Watch the full interview with QNova President and Founder – Jim Sergi
