Understanding the pros and cons of IPO vs. M&A for small to mid-sized biopharma companies looking to grow or expand their science
Thursday, June 25, 2026
4:00–7:00 p.m.
12 Gill Street, Suite 3500
Woburn, MA 01801
Event Details
Join this small panel of experts in an intimate conversation about the pros and cons of the various options available to the start-up life sciences industry. Planning for the future of your organization can be daunting; key factors to consider are financial, legal, and the impacts to you, your people and your intellectual property. This discussion will provide a framework for understanding the options and helping to clarify the benefits and pitfalls so you can be better prepared for what may come.
Speakers
Dan Blanchard
Dan Blanchard is a Member and Chair of the Corporate Department at Morse, where he advises emerging and middle-market companies, family businesses, and entrepreneurs on corporate governance, strategic transactions, fundraising, and mergers and acquisitions. His practice focuses heavily on the technology and life sciences industries, with additional experience representing private equity funds, family offices, and lenders in complex financing transactions. Dan is a member of the firm’s Corporate, M&A, VC, and Commercial Debt Financing practices and previously served as Of Counsel in the corporate group of an international law firm.
Tracy Curley
Tracy Curley is an experienced finance and operations executive with a background in public accounting, technology, and life sciences companies. Most recently, she served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of iSpecimen, Inc., a public technology company in the life sciences space. Prior to iSpecimen, Tracy held partner roles at national accounting firms including CohnReznick, Marcum LLP, and MFA (now Baker Tilly), where she built and led audit and advisory practices focused on emerging growth companies in technology, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. She currently serves on the boards of the North Shore Technology Council and Project Green Schools and is a licensed CPA in Massachusetts.
Kristen Godsoe
Kristen is an audit principal at Baker Tilly and serves as the Life Sciences Industry Leader for the firm’s New England business unit. With over 20 years of experience delivering assurance services, she also leads Baker Tilly’s SEC Practice in the region. Kristen works closely with publicly traded companies on ongoing reporting obligations and advises private companies preparing for IPOs and other capital market transactions.
Her client portfolio spans early-stage startups to large multinational corporations, with a deep specialization in the life sciences sector. Kristen is particularly passionate about supporting pre-clinical and clinical-stage biotech and pharmaceutical companies as they navigate the complex financial and regulatory challenges unique to the industry.
John Hession
John Hession is a retired business attorney and advisor with more than 40 years of experience representing technology and life sciences companies, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurs. Throughout his career, he advised on private financings, mergers and acquisitions, and public offerings, helping companies navigate growth, investment, and strategic transactions. John previously served as a partner at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, co-founded the Boston office of Cooley LLP, and later served as Partner and Vice President of Business Development at Morse. In retirement, he remains active as an investor, mentor, educator, and volunteer advisor supporting entrepreneurs, students, and nonprofit organizations.
Naomi Vishnupad
Naomi Vishnupad, Ph.D., is a life sciences entrepreneur and founder of NV Life Sciences LLC, where she provides consulting and program leadership support to companies advancing therapeutic programs. She previously co-founded and served as Chief Scientific Officer of Romeg Therapeutics, overseeing the company’s pipeline programs and operational milestones. Naomi has also held leadership roles in pharmaceutical and biotech organizations focused on dermatology, inflammation, and drug development. An inventor on multiple patents resulting in more than fifteen marketed products, she holds a doctorate in immunology from Drexel University School of Medicine. Naomi also serves on the board of the North Shore Technology Council and the advisory board of Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology.
Event Host Sponsors
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Cummings Properties, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 221-F Community Conference Room, Beverly, MA 01915