Our model. A System Built for Healthcare’s Boldest Ventures.
At Panacea Stars, we build ventures that endure.
Our model moves biotech, healthtech, and Bio-AI companies from early insight to clinical-commercial readiness.
We de-risk every step—through hands-on partnership, tailored support, and a system built for healthcare’s complexity - turning transformative science into tangible solutions that thrive.
Whether you’re starting with an idea or proof-of-concept, you can join us at the stage that fits. Our three-phase model meets you where you are—and gets you where you need to go.
The Three Phases of Venture Realisation
Founders can enter at the beginning and move through the full system, or opt-in to a specific phase depending on their commercial maturity.
Pre-idea or early-stage researchers?
Ignite
For founders shaping early conviction around a scientific idea or unmet clinical need. This is the inflection point where research meets opportunity.
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Have IP, team, or early proof points?
Stride
For ventures ready to de-risk, sharpen their product-clinic fit, and prepare for institutional capital. This is where we engineer ventures to be investment-grade.
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Validated business model, seeking capital to scale?
Surge
For companies that have validated their science and market opportunity, and are ready to scale with capital and operational muscle toward pre-clinical commercial readiness.
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Pre-idea or early-stage researchers?
Ignite
Where conviction meets opportunity.
In Ignite, we turn early scientific insight into focused venture concepts. This phase is about building conviction—validating both the science and the market potential.
We work with pre-idea founders, early teams, and academic researchers to stress-test ideas against the realities of healthcare markets.
Who it’s for
- Scientists, clinicians, engineers, and entrepreneurs with pre-idea concepts or early-stage research.
- Individuals looking to co-create ventures with Panacea’s network and corporate partners.
Streams
Outbound Ventures
Founders with their own ideas or intellectual property apply to a thematic intake, leveraging deep domain partnerships:
- Oncology (partnered with CRUK)
- Cardiology (partnered with BHF)
- Women’s Health (partnered with Barclays)
- Digital Health (partnered with Nvidia)
Inbound Ventures
Co-create ventures around partner-defined opportunities. We bring together scientific talent, clinical expertise, and co-founder teams to build companies around the biggest unmet needs in healthcare. You bring the ambition, we supply the infrastructure.
What happens:
- Join a cohort of up to 50 founders, plus access to Panacea’s network.
- 4-week programme, two intakes per year.
Key Outcomes
- Validate scientific merit and market need.
- Build a provisional business model and venture narrative.
- Gain mentorship from leading figures in biotech, digital health, AI, and investment.
De-risking ventures. Engineering value.
Stride
De-risking ventures. Engineering value.
In Stride, ventures are honed for scale. This is where science and strategy converge into a compelling, investment-ready package.
We apply rigorous due diligence, sharpen product-clinic fit, and ensure ventures can attract institutional capital. Here, commercial de-risking meets clinical foresight.
Who it’s for
- Alumni from Ignite ready to progress.
- Founders/startups with IP, early teams, or preliminary data seeking to de-risk and raise institutional capital.
What happens:
- 8-10 weeks long, two cohorts per year (Spring/Summer & Autumn/Winter).
- Cohort size: 20 ventures.
- Two streams:
- Outbound: Existing startups with IP and teams.
- Inbound: Activist venture building—ventures co-created with corporate partners, scientific talent, and co-founders sourced by Panacea.
Key Outcomes
- Investor-grade business plans, pitch decks, and CAP tables.
- Refined product-clinic fit through market engagement and sprints.
- Engagements with pharma, CROs, and strategic partners.
- Prepare for Demo Day, showcasing to select investors.
Capital and operational muscle to scale.
Surge
Capital and operational muscle to scale.
Surge is where we invest in companies and embed operational expertise to drive them toward pre-clinical commercial readiness. This is not just a funding round—it’s the inflection point where ventures become companies of consequence.
Here, capital meets execution.
Who it’s for
- Companies preparing for clinical development or commercial expansion.
- Ventures with a validated business model, clear milestones, and proof-of-concept data.
What happens:
- 8-12 month semi-residency, two cohorts per year.
- 4 startups per intake, receiving pre-seed/seed investment from Panacea Ventures.
- Embedded support across business development, hiring, corporate governance, and market access.
Key Outcomes
- Deliver pre-clinical commercial readiness or early market traction.
- Build the operational systems for scaling.
- Access downstream investors and strategic acquirers.
