The 2025 Biomedical Pitch Competition held its finale on June 14, 2025, in Boston, marking the fourth edition of the event. Over the years, the competition has catalyzed deals worth nearly $200 million. This year, the selection process was highly competitive, with 170 participating companies from the U.S. and Asia, and 17 companies advancing to the finale. The finalists’ products were mostly in the preclinical or clinical stage, highlighting the event’s focus on translation and commercialization.
BCIC (Boston Capital Investment Club), brings unmatched access to capital and connections. As one of the most influential investment groups in North America, BCIC connects startups with over 300 institutional and individual investors. Beyond fundraising, BCIC offers deep domain expertise in BD licensing and incubation, with a team made up of experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and licensing professionals. The organization’s strong reputation has attracted support from top accelerators and incubators across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. What sets BCIC apart is not just its investment power, but its long-term commitment—this event is the product of nearly a decade of preparation. Its wide partner network and hands-on approach have made the competition one of the most respected in the field.
(Min Yi, CFA，President of BCIC)
Albert Wong, CEO of The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), and Dr Weng-Li Yoon PhD MBA MRPharmSAssociate Director (Therapeutics) Life and Health Technology of HKSTP delivered a keynote speech. HKSTP has transformed Hong Kong into a thriving biotech and deep tech hub, moving beyond finance and logistics. Home to over 2,300 companies and 24,000 professionals, it nurtures startups from ideation to acceleration with funding, labs, and global programs. HKSTP leverages academic talent, biotech funding, and cross-border access, making it a unique launchpad for health tech innovators.
(Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP)
(Dr Weng-Li Yoon PhD MBA MRPharmSAssociate Director (Therapeutics) Life and Health Technology of HKSTP)
(Ren Jinsheng, Chairman of the board and CEO, and John Wang, Ph.D, SVP of Simcere Pharmaceutical Group)
The pitch competition also received a warm welcome from Ren Jinsheng, Chairman of venue sponsor Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, who encouraged international collaboration in R&D development.
(Dr Qiusong Tang, PHD, Head of Roche Accelerator)
Dr. Qiusong Tang, PhD, Head of Roche Accelerator, delivered a keynote speech introducing their program and outlining the types of startups they seek for collaboration.
The 2025 Biomedical Pitch Competition showcased a diverse array of cutting-edge biomedical technologies. This year’s finalists included advanced platforms in cell, antibody and gene therapy, precision oncology, targeted drug delivery, and regenerative medicine. Several companies also leveraged AI-driven tools for diagnostics and therapeutic development, underscoring the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Backed by strong science and robust preclinical or early clinical data, these technologies not only push the frontier of medicine but also demonstrate clear commercial potential—attracting significant investor interest and positioning many of the teams for near-term partnerships or clinical advancement.
The first place at the 2025 Biomedical Pitch Competition was Arbele Limited, a Hong Kong Science Park-based biotech company advancing first-in-class therapies against Cadherin-17 (CDH17)—a highly selective target broadly expressed in gastrointestinal cancers. Arbele’s lead candidate, ARB-202, is a novel T-cell engager designed to bind CD3 and CDH17, showing promising early safety and survival data in treatment-resistant patients. With its unique ability to exploit tumor-specific expression while minimizing off-target risks, the platform stands out in the crowded immuno-oncology space. Backed by additional ADC programs in development and nearing regulatory filings in the U.S. and China, Arbele’s targeted approach earned high praise from the judges for both its innovation and translational readiness.
Inovetex earned second place with Novo 111, a tumor-targeted platinum therapeutic designed to overcome resistance and toxicity seen in traditional chemotherapy. Powered by a UT Austin-developed macrocycle, Novo 111 delivers platinum directly to the tumor microenvironment, bypassing DNA resistance pathways and achieving a 70:1 tumor-to-normal tissue ratio. The therapy showed strong preclinical efficacy in platinum-resistant cancers and is set to enter Phase 1 trials soon.
FluidForm Bio secured a shared second place with its 3D bioprinted cell therapy for type 1 diabetes, offering a potential cure without daily insulin or systemic immunosuppression. Their FRESH bioprinting technology, developed at Carnegie Mellon, enables precise, vascularized subcutaneous implants containing iPSC-derived beta cells. Preclinical results showed sustained glucose control for up to six months in diabetic mice, with no fibrotic response. The company is now advancing toward IND-enabling studies as it prepares for first-in-human trials.
Surio Therapeutics claimed third place with its ATTACK platform, a two-step click chemistry–based drug delivery system that enables precise targeting of tumor cells without relying on surface antigens. Preclinical data show significantly improved tumor selectivity and safety over traditional ADCs, with clinical trials expected to begin soon.
Also taking third place, Hopstem Biotechnology Inc is developing an iPSC-derived progenitor cell therapy for chronic-stage stroke patients, aiming to regenerate damaged brain tissue and restore function where current treatments fall short. Early clinical results show an 80% response rate and double the efficacy of existing therapies, with Phase 2 trials and global regulatory filings on the horizon.
Epigenic Therapeutics also earned third place with its non-editing epigenetic modulation platform, which safely and reversibly controls gene expression without altering DNA—offering a breakthrough alternative to CRISPR. Its lead candidate, EPI-4, has shown long-lasting LDL-C reduction in preclinical studies, with multiple programs advancing globally toward clinical validation.
Heartfelt Congratulations to All 2025 Awardees
It has been a privilege to share our vision and progress with you today. We are deeply grateful to the organizers, our partners, and everyone who has supported our journey so far. As we move forward, we remain committed to driving innovation, delivering impact, and creating meaningful change in patients’ lives. We look forward to the road ahead—and to building that future together.
Co-organizers, Platinum Judge and Sponsor, and Venue & VIP dinner Sponsor
| Name | Description |
| Boston Capital Investment Club (BCIC) | The Boston Capital Investment Club (BCIC) is a Massachusetts-registered non-profit organization serving nearly 10,000 professionals in finance, venture capital, and various technology industries. Beyond being a Boston-centered platform, the BCIC has grown to facilitate nationwide and international knowledge exchange across healthcare, finance, and related fields. Since 2022, the organization has hosted annual biomedical pitch competitions, empowering startups to secure over $100 million in collective funding.https://bcicglobal.org/ |
| Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) | With a 20-year history of transforming lives through innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has been propelling success for the most creative minds and innovators around the globe, accelerating ambitions and delivering positive impact from Hong Kong to the Greater Bay Area and the world. As an advocate for the innovative spirit, we strive to cultivate a diverse talent pool, connect research to innofacturing through “new industrialisation”, and create a well-established I&T ecosystem that bridges innovators with high-potential partners and investors for ideas to grow and thrive.https://www.hkstp.org/ |
| Roche Accelerator | Roche Accelerator is the first in-house accelerator of Roche globally. It is set to accelerate healthcare innovation and empower the local healthcare ecosystem in China. Roche Accelerator encourages innovative partnerships and provides tailor-made support for start-ups in pharma, diagnostics, personalized healthcare, and digital and AI-driven healthcare. These high-quality start-ups will have access to certain parts of Roche’s full-spectrum research and commercialization resources so as to accelerate early research and development and clinical adoption. |
| Simcere Pharmaceutical Group | Simcere Pharmaceutical Group is an innovation and R&D-driven pharmaceutical company with capabilities in R&D, production and professional marketing. It primarily focuses on the therapeutic areas of oncology, nervous system, autoimmune and antiinfection, with proactive forward-looking layout of disease areas that have significant clinical needs in the future, aiming to achieve the corporate mission of “providing today’s patients with medicines of the future”. Driven by its in-house R&D efforts and synergistic innovation, Simcere has established strategic cooperation partnerships with many innovative companies, research institutes and clinical centers. In addition, Simcere has established several R&D innovation centers around the world. One of the innovation centers is Boston Innovation Center, located in Cambridge. |
| Greenberg Traurig, LLP | Greenberg Traurig, LLP is a globally recognized, full-service law firm known for its exceptional client service, innovation, and deep industry knowledge. With offices across the United States and internationally, the firm offers legal expertise in areas such as corporate law, litigation, real estate, and intellectual property. Greenberg Traurig is widely respected for its collaborative culture, commitment to diversity, and ability to deliver strategic, business-focused solutions. Clients value the firm’s responsiveness, practical approach, and extensive experience across industries, including the Life Sciences and MedTech industries. |
| PagodaTree Partners | PagodaTree Partners is an elite VC and private equity fund manager focus on innovations in life science and healthcare. We were rewarded “Top 10 new VC Fund” by China Venture and “Top 50 VC Fund” by China FOF Center. We have integrated ESG principles into our investment philosophy and strategy. Our investors are leading fund of fund and family offices in China. Our core team members are from top tier international investment institutions, with extensive industry resources. We are dedicated to foster long term partnership with entrepreneurs and create value to our investors. |
| Baker Mckenzie | Baker McKenzie is a global leader in advising life sciences companies on cross-border and regulatory matters. With a presence in over 45 countries, the firm offers seamless counsel across jurisdictions, helping pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device companies navigate complex international regulations. Its life sciences team specializes in global market entry, regulatory approvals, compliance with FDA, EMA, and other international bodies, and managing multi-jurisdictional investigations. Baker McKenzie’s integrated approach ensures clients remain compliant while expanding globally, addressing issues such as data privacy, pricing, and product safety. The firm’s deep regulatory insight and cross-border coordination make it a strategic partner in the global healthcare space. |
Judges for the final pitch competition
- Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP)
- Roche Accelerator
- F Prime
- SOSV
- Kendall Capital Partners
- PagodaTree Partners
- Eisai Innovation, Inc
Media Partners
- Deep Blue
- SaiBaiLan
- E Drug
- Drug Times
- Gene Online
- Page Executive
- EnMore
Appreciation List for helping to promote this event:
| Harvard Life LabHarvard Innovation LabsHarvard Wyss InstituteHarvard Medical School CSSAOhio State University College of Pharmacy Innovation Center Pittsburg University Healthcare IncubatorStanford University Healthcare Innovation Lab – Stanford PipelineNest.BioNetherlands Innovation Center (NIC)Frees Fund JJLake Asia Future Innovation Challenger Boston ChapterDane CapitalAquilliusSimcere TherapeuticsBlue Ocean Capital GroupChinese Entrepreneurs Organization at Duke (DukeCEO) | Yale Venture Club The Hopkins Club for Innovation and EntrepreneurshipAsia America Innovation Alliance (AAIA)GeneOnlineLife-Science Entrepreneurship and Plus (LEAP)Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) Boston Alumni Association Tongji Medical College of HUST Boston Chapter YuanBio Venture Capital AAEAPagodaTree PartnersAbbVie VenturesF PrimeAmgen VenturesTOP Innovation Districts LabThe Chinese Antibody Society (CAS)Penn Quakers Venture Club | VIVAMedicilonATLATLXingu ChuangfuAlliance of Venture and Entrepreneurs Organization for Chinese Students Alumni at Harvard S-Tron Danen CapitalAssociation d’Incubateur Franco-Chinois (AIFC) Brandeis ImpactChinese Entrepreneurs Organization CuBio Innovation CenterHiMedHuaSu Future Eisai Innovation IncRegent AdvisorsEnterprise Singapore Massachusetts Biomedical Initiatives (MBI)Greenberg TraurigBaker MckenzieK2VC |
Disclaimer of Intellectual Property Rights
All intellectual property rights associated with the pitch competition, including but not limited to the competition format, scoring system, final and semi-final results, and any creative content generated during the competition (pitches, presentations, etc.) are the exclusive property of the Organizers.
Participants grant the Organizers a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and distribute such intellectual property for promotional purposes related to the competition.
Participants may quote content from winning pitches (3 or more winners) in public reports, provided they clearly attribute the content to the winning team(s) and the competition itself. However, participants must obtain prior written approval from the Organizers if such quotes exceed a reasonable length or misrepresent the content of the pitch.