Jan Adams

Partner & Managing Director

2021 - Current

Head of Business Builder & Senior Director

2019 - 2021

Heading commercial activities at the Merck Innovation Center. Leading a team based in Germany, US and JP, to develop and implement business models, Go2market strategies and commercial and revenue models to prepare assets for a transfer to the sector/BU, or an externalization path. Business Exploration - Responsible to mature concept stage innovation projects along a stage gate process covering commercial and technical aspects. Flexible approach to pivoting and business narrative. Innovation Projects - Steering and guiding the commercial work streams of up to twelve project teams simultaneously via direct reports (or hands-on) and as member of the Board of Directors. Provide strategic input and framework to achieve value inflections points to validate and implement commercial roadmap. Liaise with internal stakeholders at multiple levels across the Merck Group.

Investment Professional & Managing Director

2002 - 2019

Highly driven hands-on portfolio management as full board member or observer. Advice on scientific and business strategy, human resources, technology/pipeline assessment, corporate restructuring, clinical trial design and execution, product positioning, licensing and deal negotiation, budgeting, follow-on financings and company wind down. Pro-active sourcing and evaluation of potential opportunities for fund investments with focus on DACH region. Screening, technical/commercial business case assessment. Active deal sourcing from academic institutions, research centres and hospitals with direct outreach to tech transfer. Driving investment and due diligence processes with internal and external parties: technical and scientific KOL input, commercial (market, competition, benchmarks, product positioning), IP, regulatory, reimbursement and pricing analysis. Term sheet preparation, financial modelling and internal documentation. Contractual drafting and structuring of private equity financing rounds. Strategic lead and creative implementation of terms to secure a situation-specific and balanced result. Overall process control with steering of external legal counsel and coordination with shareholders and co-investors. Building start-ups and Business plan writing, identification and recruitment of management, infrastructure setup, legal contracts including negotiating access to relevant IP. Definition of commercially viable business case with corporate goals and realization plan. Negotiation of licensing transaction, business development and sales process. Modelling of financial impact on fund performance and translation of results into negotiation strategy. Flexible tactical approach to achieve desired result. Fundraising venture funds from LPs, preparation of promotional material and PPM, managing LP relationships, identification of new LPs and presentation of fund concept.

Kauffman Fellow

2006 - 2008

The Kauffman Fellowship is one of the world’s premier innovation, leadership, and venture capital focused programs, offering an unrivaled environment of excellence, an exceptionally flourishing global network, and a highly captivating curriculum.