Unlocking Trapped Capital in Biotech – Interview with Nick Johnston, founder of Alis Biosciences
Description
Nick Johnston, a former biotech banker and entrepreneur, founded Alis Biosciences to solve one of the biggest challenges that every biotech might face on its road – how to maximize shareholders' value when a public-listed company loses market confidence? Alis creates a safety net for shareholders by giving the trapped capital back and supporting the company with promising science to get back on track. Since its launch in 2025, Alis has identified over 300 small-cap biotech companies representing nearly $30 billion in underutilized capital, and is looking to complete successful take-private deals that can deliver well over 95% of uncommitted cash back to investors - faster and more efficiently than traditional liquidation processes.
In this episode, you will hear about:
- Why Nick started Alis Biosciences, and how his background in healthcare banking shaped the model.
- How stagnation in capital markets leaves early-stage biotech companies in limbo and how Alis offers an innovative path forward.
- Why it still makes sense to invest in new science, and how Alis distinguishes between value traps and scientific opportunity.
United States
