Pharma Education
It seems obvious that understanding how pharma organizations work is foundational to creating successful startup-pharma partnerships. Yet most startups, even those that have previously sold to pharma, see pharma companies as black boxes. To shed light on the world of pharma, we have developed a 10-week, in-depth educational program called PharmaUTM that uses interactive classes, workshops, and seminars to equip startups with everything they need to know to feel comfortable negotiating and working with pharma.
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Our curriculum covers essential topics including:

• How pharma firms are structured
• How drugs are developed
• Understanding the regulatory environment in which pharma operates
• How to find the right contact(s) inside a pharma firm
• How to structure successful digital health-pharma partnerships

By understanding the pharma business, startups can develop a value proposition that resonates with pharma leaders. Startups can also better navigate areas that are traditionally friction points between startups and pharma.

Personalized Mentoring
‍PharmStars expert staff provides each startup with high-touch, individualized guidance on enhancing their business case and engaging with pharma. We do not rely on an ad-hoc network of volunteer mentors. Mentoring topics include:

• Defining your custom pharma value proposition
• Your pharma business model
• Recommended pharma deal structures
• Presentation preparation and refinement

Behind the Scenes Access
To enhance what startups learn during PharmaU classes, we also provide direct access to our pharma members’ digital health champions through scheduled "Fireside Chats." Through these candid conversations, startups gain a unique understanding of each pharma member company, hearing about the company’s priorities, culture, and individual style of engaging startups.

Global PharmStars Network
‍Each PharmStars cohort consists of 10 startups that typically form strong bonds during the program. Unlike most accelerator programs, PharmStars is stage agnostic, creating a unique setting where both large and small startups can interact with and learn from each other. Following graduation from the program, startups join our growing group of alumni companies

Showcase Event
The PharmStars members-only Showcase Event is the culmination of the work done by the startups during PharmaU. At this special event, each startup presents their refined pitches to an exclusive audience of pharma members. In addition to the formal pitch presentations, the Showcase Event provides ample time for networking between the startups and key stakeholders at the pharma member companies.

Private Business Meetings
On day 2 and 3 of the Showcase Event, PharmStars’ pharma members host one-on-one meetings with startups. These meetings typically go into depth and focus on partnership opportunities. Typically, the champions from the pharma companies invite stakeholders and domain experts from their companies to also attend these meetings, making the one-on-one meeting incredibly high impact. Many pharma-startup deals are under negotiation as a result of these initial meetings.