Bench strength ranging from strategic CFO leadership to plan implementation, technical accounting and financial reporting
No matter the stage of development, life science companies are either raising capital or looking towards their next financing event. We have a thorough understanding of the requirements and tactical steps necessary to fulfill clients’ capital needs – whether embarking on a Series A round or contemplating an IPO.
We offer strategic and operational leadership for capital raising, along with the supporting skill sets to augment your internal resources or act as your full finance team throughout the process and beyond. The knowledge, perspective and relationships that we bring to financing strategy and execution are all rooted in life science sector experience.
Meet one of our experts
Daniel Geffken, Co-founder and Managing Director
Key Considerations
Your financing approach should be informed by the answers to several critical questions.
- What is your desired end game? To advance your drug or product to commercialization? To be acquired? Your long-term vision should dictate your financing strategy.
- How much should you raise? How long will that last and what can be achieved in that time? Start by thinking about value creation and the capital required to reach your next milestone.
- When is it time to raise more capital? It’s important to achieve valuation step-up with each successive financing. We generally advise clients to finance through their next valuation inflection point – whether the achievement of clinical results or other meaningful progress – plus a 6-month buffer to gear up for the next financing.
How Danforth Can Help
Strategic leadership
Our bench includes strategic CFOs with decades of experience guiding equity and debt financings for private and public life science companies. This experience spans wide-ranging financing paths, including venture capital funding, private placements and PIPE transactions, IPOs, SPACs and reverse mergers. Our advisory is shaped by understanding investor preferences and trends, value creation and capital requirements for advancement. In 2021 alone, companies led by Danforth CFOs raised more than $3 billion.
Knowledge of financing options
We understand the full spectrum of options available to life science companies, the pros and cons of each, and how they might apply to your specific business.
Well-established network
We have deep and longstanding relationships with the life science investor community, bankers, attorneys, valuation firms and other relevant providers – sparing you the search and vetting process.
Operational implementation
Whether as a CFO or resources to supplement your internal team, we can put your financing plan into action. These activities include diligence support, negotiations, refinement of your investor pitch and introductions to buy and sell side participants. Our FP&A specialists can also prepare a dynamic pro-forma cap table to inform stakeholders’ pre-financing decision making.
Technical accounting and reporting
We have a dedicated Accounting and Reporting Advisory team able to meet the complex accounting and reporting requirements of all types of financing transactions. These requirements may include audit support, technical documentation, IPO support and SEC reporting and managed services.
How else can we help?
Learn about our additional capabilities