Biotech Investing Course

A student-run course taught by the Stanford Biotechnology Group

SBG is excited to offer our student-run course, INDE209: Valuation of Public Companies in the Life Sciences (previously INDE239SI), every Fall Quarter. This course is taught by members of the SBG leadership team as well as invited guest lecturers.

Biotechnology companies, and companies which generally engage with the life sciences, are often valued using a different methodology than companies in other industries. This course will teach students how to analyze a publicly traded life science company using widely available online materials including 10-K, 13-F, conference calls, and financial & technical analysis.

Teaching Team

Instructors

Wesley Suen (ysuen@stanford.edu)
Alan Tung (alantung@stanford.edu)
Hudson Horn (hhorn@stanford.edu)

Enrollment Information

Stanford students may enroll via Axess. Registration details can be found on Stanford’s Explore Courses. Auditors are welcome!

Course Framework

This course meets Mondays and Thursdays at 5-6:30pm. Majority of lectures will be given by expert guest lecturers either in-person or over Zoom. In addition to their attendance at all lectures (please let a TA know if a scheduling conflict arises), students will be expected to complete several small homework assignments. These assignments, several of which are group assignments, are intended to encourage students to make incremental progress towards their final project. The class culminates in a group presentation of an investment pitch to a panel of professional biotech investors.

Auditing

We welcome Stanford Postdocs and Staff to audit the course. If you are a Stanford Undergraduate or Graduate Student, you may also audit, although we would encourage you to formally enroll. If you are not affiliated with Stanford University, you may also audit the course, please contact us for more details.

Auditors (both Stanford-affiliated and external) may attend all lectures. Additionally, auditors are welcome to participate fully on the final project, as long as they are willing and able to commit to being on a team. Generally teams will meet outside class for 1-2 hours a week.