Course Description

The course provides an introduction to the financial and business aspects of valuation in biomedical sciences. We use practical presentations and case study methods to give students hands-on valuation experience. Assigning a value to an innovative technology or a valuation to a technology company in biomedical sciences can be seen as challenging, given their novelty. This course helps students identify the assumptions and factors required to establish value.  We then develop a framework to help prioritize which factors affect that value the most.  Students will learn how to assign current and future worth to a technology, a product, or a company, based on the market potential, market need, and competition.  Students will work on projects involving evaluation of a therapeutic, a diagnostic, and/or a life sciences tool/instrument.  This course provides the framework for making judgments and valuations, including: Market analysis and market research processes to form assumptions and define elements that contribute to a technology's or a company's value; Market sizing techniques; How to assess a biotech company for financing rounds and M&A; How to consider future value of a product when assessing the value of the intellectual property today; Net present value models in Excel; Assigning value to a management team's expertise and track record; Types of risks (discounting); Excel models for defining market sizes and valuation (NPV). This class is interactive, and students work in groups to allow interactive learning.

Learner Outcomes

Students will learn:

• The basic factors involved in assessing a technology, market or company
• Which concepts, tools and techniques are useful for assessing a market and valuation
• How to assess a company prior to the valuation
• How to value an idea, platform, technology, or company
• How to calculate value of a technology students may currently be working on
• Understanding the key components of a therapeutic product valuation, and which are the key value drivers
• Understanding investors' objectives in considering a biomedical company/product

Credentials

This course applies toward the Biomedical Translation and Commercialization Curiosity digital badge.