"Biotechnology venture capital is recovering from its slide, and investors are expressing optimism about 2025, even as they confront uncertainties weighing on the sector." (The Wall Street Journal, January 22, 2025)

Despite this cautious optimism, life science entrepreneurs continue to face a high-stakes environment where securing investment requires more than scientific breakthroughs. It demands a compelling business case, a well-structured IP strategy, and the right partnerships to scale effectively. For founders, the journey starts long before funding rounds and legal agreements. The crucial first steps are identifying the right business model, understanding market demand, and building a scalable foundation. As investors become more selective, startups must demonstrate scientific innovation and ensure their intellectual property (IP) is strategically protected to maintain a competitive edge. IP decisions can significantly impact investor confidence and long-term success.

Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring a life science founder, an IP attorney, a life science investor, and a life science & tech attorney. Together, they will share insights into:

• You have a great idea—what’s next? The first steps every life science founder should take
• How intellectual property strategy influences funding and partnerships
• Legal considerations in structuring deals and protecting innovation
• Current trends in life science funding and what investors seek

This discussion will provide valuable insights to founders, investors, and industry professionals who are navigating the critical milestones of life science entrepreneurship. 

Ticket includes appetizers and two drink vouchers.

Program

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Check-in and Networking
6:00 p.m. – 6:10 p.m.  WIB/Welcome Remarks
6:10 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.  Sponsor/Opening Remarks
6:15 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Panel Discussion
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Audience Q&A
7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Post-panel Mingling

Speaker Bios

Sarah Hibbard, JD, Corporate Attorney, Life Sciences & Technology at Snell & Wilmer

Attorney and former in-house general counsel Sarah Hibbard helps technology, life sciences, and digital health companies create a strong legal foundation and position themselves for growth on the journey from research to commercial success, drawing on in-house start-up and multibillion-dollar company experience. Her focus includes general corporate governance, private debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, structuring and negotiating intellectual property and commercial transactions such as licensing and tech transfers, collaborations, pre-clinical and clinical research, research and development activities, and manufacturing.  Sarah also helps boards and C-suites balance corporate governance and risk, steward and deploy capital, and carefully navigate the interplay between stock performance, legal compliance, litigation, and operational continuity. In addition, she advises companies in dealing with government agencies, legislators, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining Snell & Wilmer, Sarah was general counsel for a San Diego-based biotechnology company operating in the oncology space. Her experience includes biotech, medical devices, aesthetics, and hardware and XaaS technologies.

Sandrine Miller-Montgomery, PharmD, PhD, Principal at Colbrite

Dr. Miller-Montgomery is the Principal of Colibrite, a consulting service company focusing on helping life science start-ups on the strategy, business, and operation front. Prior to this role, from 2019 to the end of 2023, she was the co-founder, President, and CEO of Micronoma, a cancer diagnostics company out of UC San Diego, using the power of Microbiome in blood for solid tumor early detection. From 2017 to 2020, she was executive director of the UC San Diego Center for Microbiome Innovation (CMI), which she co-led with Dr. Rob Knight. There, she established a world-class team focused on expanding industry and academic collaborations in microbiome research. Before this 3-year detour in academia, she had focused her career in industry and had worked in large biotech and multinational companies (Invitrogen, Illumina, Abbott, Qiagen)  as well as start-ups. She has assumed different responsibilities, from R&D Director to Sales and Marketing. She has been excelling in setting up companies for successful exits, as shown by her work at Helixis, acquired by Illumina, and MO BIO Labs, acquired by QIAGEN. 

Debra Robinson, MBA, MPM, Sr Project Management Consultant at Global Project Partners, LLC, Moderator

Debra “Debbie” Robinson is a Senior Project Management Consultant at Global Project Partners, LLC, a boutique consultancy that delivers strategic guidance and project management leadership to biopharma companies. In this role, she partners with start-up to mid-size biopharma organizations to integrate project management into the core of strategic and operational decision-making, driving clarity, alignment, and execution across drug development programs. Debbie is a biopharma executive with over two decades of experience in Project, Program, and Portfolio Management, Alliance Management, and Business Operations. She most recently served as Vice President of Program and Alliance Management at NKGen Biotech, where she led cross-functional planning and alliances for novel NK cell therapies in oncology and neurodegenerative diseases. Previously, Debbie was Executive Director of Program and Alliance Management at Maverick Therapeutics, a biotech start-up focused on T-cell engager therapies for solid tumors. She served on the executive leadership team and played a key role in advancing the lead program to Phase 1-2 clinical trial, helping to position the company for acquisition by Maverick’s pharma partner, Takeda. She has played a key role in the success of other industry leaders, including Coherus Biosciences, Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, and Takeda Pharmaceuticals. A passionate advocate for women in STEM and the rare disease communities, Debbie is the 2025 Co-Chair of the Program Committee for Women In Bio San Diego and serves on the board of cureCADASIL, a patient-led nonprofit organization. 

Maria Stout, JD, Partner at Knobbe Martens

Maria is an Intellectual Property attorney, professor of law, former Naval Officer, and mechanical engineer. She is an expert in strategic planning and management of IP assets, focusing on patents, licensing, and defensive and offensive tactics to protect and monetize valuable innovation. Maria is fluent in myriad technologies, such as molecular diagnostics and microbiology testing platforms, including lab automation, liquid handling, sample processing, and optical detection systems, as well as microfluidic chip technologies, including isolating cells for genetic analysis and diagnostic assays. She has first-hand experience in lateral flow assays and detection systems, health IT, and cloud-based connectivity. She is well-versed in hardware and software for optical detection systems, including spectral imaging and fluorescence detection. Maria works with clients ranging from small, fast-growth companies to international corporations with billions of dollars of market share and extensive IP portfolios.

Leah Villegas, PhD, MBA, Managing Partner & Vice President at Aquillius Ventures 

Leah is the Managing Partner at Aquillius Ventures, where she oversees investment strategy, portfolio management, and deal sourcing for a leading venture capital firm specializing in early-stage startups in the biotech, medtech, and agtech sectors. She also serves as the Vice President of the Aquillius Innovation Hub, managing the firm’s operations, financial planning, and business development. In addition to these roles, Leah is a board member of Microtek, Inc., a microelectronic manufacturing company that provides innovative solutions for the medtech industry. She holds an MBA in finance from the University of Colorado Denver and a certificate from VC University, where she gained expertise in the latest trends and best practices in venture capital. Leah is highly skilled in investment, data, and SWOT analysis, with a strong passion for identifying and supporting disruptive, scalable businesses that create a positive global impact. She values collaboration, diversity, innovation, and social responsibility, seeking to work with like-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and partners.

Pricing Information

• Members/Guests: $25
• Non-members*: $40

*Interested in joining Women In Bio? Click here to learn more about WIB membership and gain access to our video library, mentorship opportunities, and more. 

Please read WIB's Code of Conduct, In-Person Event Waiver, and Refund Policy.

Note: A confirmation email will be sent after registration has been completed. 

Maximum Capacity

75

Parking Information

Free parking is available at the venue.