ASCENT

ASCENT is a highly curated program built for pre-seed and seed stage therapeutics companies to gain the strategic clarity needed to achieve traction with investors.

Overview

This 6-month virtual, cohort-based program has been specifically designed for therapeutics companies to gain foundational and actionable knowledge that can help secure investment. The program combines weekly expert-led seminars, office hours, personalized coaching from experience biotech executives, investor ‘test-the-waters’ introductions with feedback, access to pitchbook and more! ASCENT culminates with a virtual pitch event attended by investors & biotech executives. Top performing companies are invited to join the CBV portfolio and the RIDGE program – unlocking access to customized consulting services.

Modules

The ASCENT program is divided into three modules

Module 1

Corporate Development
  • Company Mindset & Corporate Development Roadmap 
  • Defining your Business Model 
  • Asset Positioning- Defining your Differentiation 
  • Crafting a Winning Value Proposition 

Module 2

Product Development
  • Fundamentals of nonclinical studies & GLP work 
  • Fundamentals of CMC & GMP work 
  • Toxicology for Early Drug Development 
  • Early Considerations for Successful Product Development 

Module 3

Financing & Operations
  • Financing Strategy & Pitching to different types of Investors 
  • Building an effective Dataroom & Financing Due Dilligence 
  • Patenting Strategy & Licensing 
  • Biotech Accounting & building budgets/financial projections 

What's Included?

  • Weekly virtual seminars (includes workshops & panel discussions).
  • Group and individual office hours (virtual).
  • 10 hours of coaching from an experienced biotech executive.
  • Access to CBV templates, resources (including PitchBook) and networking events.
  • Pitch practice sessions with a pitch event.
  • Investor test-the-waters sessions.
  • Dataroom development.
  • All at no cost to your company!

Eligibility Criteria

  • Canadian pre-seed or seed stage company developing a therapeutic drug product (no devices or digital health).
  • TRL 3-5, with a defined lead asset or platform.
  • Raised at least $250K (combined sum from dilutive & non-dilutive).
  • Must be incorporated.
  • Must have filed or licensed IP.

Application Process

Program Inquiry

For questions about the program, eligibility, or the application process  contact us below.
Contact Us

Submit an Application

Apply to ASCENT by completing the Company Intake Form below. The form should take 15-20 mins to complete.
Apply Now

Important Dates

Testimonials

By equipping founders with rigorous decision-making frameworks and investor-aligned milestone planning, the ASCENT program increases the likelihood that Canadian-backed biotechs will successfully attract private capital.

Cura Therapuetics (Collin Horner, CEO)

Experts that have actually gone through the process of developing therapeutics before is something that we have really lacked access to previously, and that so far has been the most valuable part to me of what CBV has offered.

FibroDynamx (Nicole Rosin, CEO)

We have participated in many programs both domestic and internationally, but none has delivered as much value as CBV has to the day-to-day operation and decision-making at our company.

i-RNA (Ting Ling, CEO)

I am beyond impressed with the collective knowledge and expertise CBV has provided us. Their wisdom is beyond price but certainly CBV has saved our company tens of thousands in consulting fees to reach this level of entrepreneurial training.

IGLU Therapeutics (Amy Ramsey, CEO)
Capital BioVentures is an Ottawa Canada founded wet-lab accelerator program that removes hurdles for our Canadian innovators, while fostering a collaborative and cohesive ecosystem.
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