Life-science-finance-a-palooza posted by Erik Clausen

Like half of the known universe, Chempetitive Group has parachuted into San Francisco for the annual life-science-finance-a-palooza known as the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. In the crowded lobby of the Westin St. Francis at Union Square, we stand should-to-shoulder (literally) with a virtual who’s who of biotech start-up execs, pharma CEOs, life science marketers and top business media… as well as throngs of hangers-on looking to crash the myriad cocktail parties (not that there is anything wrong with that).

The annual spectacle has proliferated over the past few years with the emergence of EBD Group’s Biotech Showcase 2011 and One Med Forum 2011. These conferences are growing rapidly and for good reason. Each has attempted to establish a venue for the emerging biotech, life science and medical device companies that are locked out of he main event, yet seek to access the financial backers gathering in the city by the Bay and the venture community just down the Peninsula.

A flurry of heated discussions over partnerships, valuations, term sheets and where to have lunch will take place in every corner of the St. Francis and around Union Square. Some of the most influential life science journalists in the country will converge on the scene to track every presentation, interview chief executives, and cover the news announcements that have been held in anticipation of this week. Ah… we live for this.

One could make an easy argument that the action in San Francisco this week is as good a prognosticator as there is for the financial health of our industry and it will set the tone for the life sciences in 2011. Whether or not you give the conference(s) that much influence, one fact is undeniable: the bartenders in San Francisco will come out on top this week.

Follow all of the action (us included) at Twitter hashtag #jpm11, or if you’re attending drop us a line and meet us “under the clock”… Just go easy with your elbows in the crowded lobby, would you?

Follow me @EClausen.

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