#24 – Scaling up in Biotech, Raising $300M for a Single Pharma Product | Mark Hahn

Successful biotech companies require a capable CFO to guide the company through conducting clinical trials, securing regulatory approvals, establishing scalable production, and adeptly conveying value to healthcare stakeholders.

Mark Hahn is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of CFO experience. He is currently the CFO of Verona Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapies for the treatment of chronic respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

In this episode, Hercules Capital’s Janice Bourque is joined by Hahn to discuss his experience as CFO of Verona, Dova, and Cempra, the intricacies of single-asset companies, preparing a company for FDA approval and commercialization, identifying a successful launch, and much more.

Topics Include:

Mark’s experience as CFO of Verona, Dova, and CempraThe intricacies of single-asset companies and the challenges when raising capitalThe steps a CFO should take when preparing for FDA approval and commercializationWhat biotech companies should focus on before presenting to the FDAHow to know when you’ve had a successful launchMark’s experience as a CFO with a late-stage assetAnd other topics…

 Mark Hahn is a seasoned CFO with over 25 years of experience. He joined Verona Pharma as CFO in 2020. Prior to Verona, Hahn served as CFO of Dova Pharmaceuticals through its 2019 acquisition by Swedish Orphan Biovitrum for $915 million. There, he was instrumental in raising capital and launching the company’s first commercial product. Prior to Dova, Hahn was CFO of Cempra, where he led the company’s IPO and several subsequent follow-on offerings until the company’s acquisition by Melinta Therapeutics in 2017. Earlier, Hahn was the CFO of several other public and private companies. Hahn began his career at Ernst & Young. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting and finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is a certified public accountant in Maryland and North Carolina.