Biotech CEO Reveals IPO Strategy That Succeeded Amid Market Turmoil

IPO Market Shows Signs of Revival as CEOs Share Success Strategies

The American IPO market is reportedly showing renewed activity after an extended slowdown, with several notable companies completing successful public listings in 2025. According to reports, blockchain lending platform Figure achieved a successful public listing last month, while industry leaders including design platform Figma, AI cloud company CoreWeave, and stablecoin issuer Circle all completed their IPOs earlier this year.

Biotech CEO’s Unconventional Path to Public Markets

Sources indicate that CEO Marc de Garidel of Abivax faced extraordinary circumstances when taking his company public. The biopharmaceutical company, which focuses on developing treatments for chronic inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, completed its Nasdaq listing in October 2023 amid significant market volatility and geopolitical tensions.

“When I came in, the board told me, ‘You need to do an IPO as soon as possible, because we don’t have enough money to finish our phase three trials,’” de Garidel revealed in the interview. The company reportedly developed an ambitious business plan focused on disrupting the treatment landscape for inflammatory diseases and raised substantial capital to execute this strategy.

Three Critical External Components for IPO Success

According to the CEO’s analysis, three external elements proved essential for navigating the complex IPO process successfully:

Expert Legal Counsel: “You need very good lawyers who are very accustomed to the process and have a good relationship with the SEC,” de Garidel emphasized, noting the importance of proper S-1 filing and regulatory compliance.
Strategic Banking Partnerships: The report states that assembling a bank syndicate capable of generating investor demand proved crucial for creating share demand exceeding supply.
Anchored Investor Base: Sources indicate that completing a prior crossover round provided essential investor backing that gave confidence to new market participants during uncertain conditions.

Navigating Market Crisis and Geopolitical Uncertainty

The timing of Abivax’s public offering presented significant challenges, according to the CEO’s account. “In 2023 the market was starting to really be shaky. Before us, there were only 10 IPOs. We were going to be the 11th,” de Garidel recalled. The situation reportedly worsened when the Gaza invasion occurred during their IPO week, causing stock declines and reduced investor orders.

Analysts suggest that despite these adverse conditions, Abivax became the only company to successfully complete its IPO that week, with shares reportedly increasing by more than 700% since listing. This success story emerges as other technology sectors face their own challenges, including expansion in robotic delivery systems and quantum computing infrastructure.

Increased Rigor and Communication Demands for Public Companies

The transition to public markets requires significant adjustments in leadership approach, according to the CEO’s experience. “It requires more rigor. You have this cadence of reporting to investors. There are things you can say; things you cannot say,” de Garidel explained. He emphasized the importance of balancing confidence with realistic expectations, adopting the philosophy: “I do what I say, I say what I do.”

Current Market Demands Tangible Milestones

In the current investment climate, analysts suggest that companies considering public offerings must demonstrate clear, short-term value creation. “In this market, you have only one chance to go. Investors are very, very picky and very tough, because they are very uncertain,” de Garidel warned. He strongly advised against pursuing IPOs for companies requiring extended timelines to demonstrate value, suggesting they instead continue on private funding paths.

This cautious approach to public markets comes as global economic factors continue to evolve, including developments in rare earth mineral supplies and regulatory frameworks for digital asset protection.

Strategic Preparation Proves Essential

The comprehensive preparation undertaken by Abivax reportedly involved two months of intensive planning, selection of appropriate banking and legal partners, and development of a compelling long-term strategy. Sources indicate this thorough groundwork enabled the company to proceed confidently despite external challenges, ultimately achieving what the CEO describes as a successful outcome in difficult market conditions.

According to industry observers, the Abivax experience provides valuable insights for other companies considering public offerings in uncertain economic environments, emphasizing the critical importance of strategic preparation, strong investor relationships, and realistic milestone setting.