Biotechnology sector performed well on both public and private markets. Large public biotech stocks continued to climb while smaller stocks remained leveled. Private financing deal flow increased substantially, albeit leaving early stage start-ups behind. Biotech sector experienced an overall increase in VC activity during 2Q 2013 and after much less inspiring first quarter. The comeback of VC funding was consistent with strong public markets as well as high, 13, number of completed Life Sciences IPO transactions.

Shadow Preferred Stock Devalues Convertible Note
Convertible notes are starting to resemble CDOs, collateralized debt obligations that led to the 2008 financial crisis, partly because few understood how they worked. From the economic perspective, convertible notes are complex; that includes Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs). In fact, they are referred to as “complex financial instruments” by auditors and financial regulators. A typical convertible note is