Venture capital
In this episode of Denatured, BioSpace editorial team members, Senior Editor, Annalee Armstrong, and News Editor, Dan Samorodnitsky, discuss their post-JPM takeaways and 2026 forecasts after speaking to a range of pharma and biotech executives and investors last week.
Fueled by advances in biomarkers, brain mapping, and AI, investment in neuro and CNS innovation shows no signs of slowing, even amid costly setbacks. BioSpace spoke to investors at JPM26 to get their take on recent bets in new therapies and neurotech.
Venture funds attending the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference said mounting funding pressures and Chinese competition have sharpened their focus on leadership qualities, from regulatory expertise and industry experience to the ability to scale—or step aside—as companies mature.
Heightened diligence standards and longer decision timelines for early-stage startups slowed venture activity last year, J.P. Morgan found in a report published ahead of the bank’s annual healthcare conference in San Francisco.
Pharmas will need to provide their latest stance on the Most Favored Nation drug pricing plans, while biotech finally gets a break after a few tough years.
A bevy of other companies also brought in money on Thursday, including Alveus Therapeutics, Diagonal Therapeutics, EpiBiologics, Beacon Therapeutics and Protege.
While venture capital funding dipped to a six-year low in 2025, it nevertheless remained above pre-pandemic levels for Massachusetts-based biopharma companies, according to MassBio.
The cardiovascular biotech was also named as one of BioSpace’s top startups to watch on Wednesday.
From biotech veterans to embattled modalities to a new wave of RNAi therapeutics, BioSpace’s NextGen Class of 2026 emerged during a tough fundraising environment in 2025. Check out the 15 battle-tested companies that caught our eye.
Ambros Therapeutics’ non-opioid bisphosphonate analgesic, already approved in Italy, will soon begin a pivotal test in the U.S.
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