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ICR Westwicke Blog

The ICR Westwicke Blog is designed to deliver information and insights into the ever-changing world of healthcare communications.

The Biggest Mistakes Our Experts See Companies Make Before Going Public

Posted on April 24th, 2019. Posted by

The Biggest Mistakes Before Seeking IPO

Scan the pages of the news and you’ll likely see stories of failed IPOs. Despite fast growth, some companies that go public are plagued by poor preparation and questionable business models. But completing an initial public offering (IPO) is a significant decision for your healthcare company and will transform the way you do business. As the largest healthcare-focused investor & public relations firm in the U.S., our team has handled countless healthcare IPOs. As a result, we’ve witnessed wins and successes as well as IPO mistakes companies make in their quest to go public. If you’re running a company that’s growing fast, avoid these big mistakes as you look to go public.

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How to Raise Your Science Profile in a Crowded Investor Space

Posted on April 10th, 2019. Posted by

How to Raise Your Science Profile in a Crowded Investor Space

Drawing investor attention can pose a challenge, even for companies with groundbreaking, new science. In a space teeming with competition, it’s vital that emerging biophama companies developing innovative therapies also establish strong messaging to reach and intrigue potential investors.

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5 Things to Look for When Choosing an Investment Banker

Posted on October 24th, 2018. Posted by

At a “banker bake-off,” you have the opportunity to compare investment banks and learn how they position themselves. One bank may talk about its relationships with the buy-side accounts, while another will highlight its track record for successfully getting private companies public.

After hearing that information, how do you make your final decision? Here are five primary areas to focus on to help you select the right banking team.

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6 Things to Do After You File Your S-1

Posted on October 10th, 2018. Posted by

S-1

Congratulations! You have spent the past 12 months — or possibly longer — building relationships with the Street, including investors, bankers, and sell-side analysts. You refined your presentation deck; drafted the S-1 after spending hours in a room with your attorneys, accountants, and management team; and brought your website and its content up to the caliber of a company that expects to be public soon. You engaged with the buy side during test-the-waters (TTW) meetings and, finally, your confidentially filed S-1 has flipped public.

However, U.S. Securities and Exchange (SEC) regulations require that you wait 15 days before the road show begins — so what do you do now?

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Will the Hong Kong Exchange Rival NASDAQ For Biotech IPOs?

Posted on September 12th, 2018. Posted by

Biotech-IPO

In April 2018, the Hong Kong Exchange announced a change to its listing rules to allow (among other things) biotechnology companies with no revenue to list on the bourse. The move came as Hong Kong sought to establish itself as a financing hub for pre-revenue companies, in the face of fierce competition from the Chinese mainland and Singapore, exchanges from which had been aggressively wooing companies with fast-growing earnings.

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10 Things Bankers Don’t Tell You About the IPO Road Show

Posted on August 23rd, 2018. Posted by

IPO Road Show

In conjunction with your company’s initial public offering (IPO), your two-week road show will take you across the country and put you in front of hundreds of potential investors. To prepare you for the trip, your bankers will make sure you know the ins and outs of your “story.” However, to make your meetings successful, you’ll want to be aware of a few more tips for success. Here are 10 things you should keep in mind during those IPO road show meetings.

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The Market for Life Sciences IPOs: Crunching the Numbers

Posted on June 27th, 2018. Posted by

Life Cycle IPOs

We are regularly asked to characterize the market backdrop for potential life sciences IPOs. While biotech ETF performance can offer a glimpse at current conditions, we dug deeper and analyzed recent biopharma index strength, IPO activity and follow-on offerings, among other metrics.

Our analysis indicates the market remains strong, albeit with some signs of moderation.

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Avoiding Missteps That Can Derail Your IPO

Posted on May 31st, 2018. Posted by

Avoiding Missteps That Can Derail Your IPO

An initial public offering marks an important milestone in a company’s journey — a positive one, assuming the process is meticulously designed and implemented. Errors in planning and communication, however, can turn a vital Wall Street debut into a credibility-damaging flop.

Unfortunately, there’s no shortage of examples of IPOs gone wrong. One case of fairly recent vintage: meal-kit delivery service Blue Apron.

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6 Questions to Ask Before Your Company Seeks an IPO

Posted on April 11th, 2018. Posted by

6 Questions to Ask Before Your Company Seeks an IPO

Completing a successful IPO is a major milestone in the life of a company. Deciding to embark on the journey to public markets is an exciting time, but it’s essential to ensure that your company is ready. Once the process kicks off, there’s no time to go back and complete important tasks — like meeting with institutional investors and finalizing your company message — that should have been done prior to your organizational meeting. This is when you’ll discuss your offering process with management, counsel, and other advisors.

A false start can significantly damage your company’s credibility on the Street. So how do you know if your company is ready? We’ve compiled a list of six key questions to consider that will help you evaluate whether your company is ready for an IPO.

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7 Signs Your Company Isn’t Ready for an IPO

Posted on February 21st, 2018. Posted by

7 Signs Your Company Isn't Ready for an IPO

Making the jump from private to public markets can be an exciting endeavor, but you have to make sure your company is in the right position or you risk damaging your credibility on the Street. So how will you know when you’re ready? We’ve compiled a list of seven red flags to look out for that mean you’re not quite there. Remember, an IPO takes time and it pays to do your due diligence.

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Have News to Release?

Find out whether you should file a Form 8-K, issue a press release, or do both by using our easy-to-reference chart, “Form 8K vs. Press Release: What’s the Difference?

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