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BIOTECH RWELINKEDIN + EMAILR&D LEADERS

Cold email campaign for biotech & clinical data — 1% response rate

5 stages over 28 days. 4 emails, 1 LinkedIn message. 925 prospects contacted.

Charles Perret, founder of devlo

Charles Perret

Founder of devlo.ch · March 2026

925
Prospects contacted
49%
Open rate
1%
Response rate
1
Interested prospects

The 5 keys to the sequence

4 emails, 1 LinkedIn message — over 28 days.

LinkedInFirst day of the seriesLinkedIn login
LinkedIn connection request Date sent: first day of the sequence Sender: {{salesRep}} Content: --- → Invitation to connect on LinkedIn: (Leave this field blank to bypass LinkedIn’s limit of 5 personalised invitations per day and send 20 invitations per day) --- → Introduction (sent 1 day after the LinkedIn connection request is accepted): Hello {{firstName}}, lovely to connect with you. I emailed you at {{email}} regarding the recent challenges biotech teams face when collaborating on real-world data. Did you receive my email? You and I both know that access to clinical information is crucial to avoid slowing down progress. Is this something that poses a problem at {{companyName}}, or not at all? --- → Message mentioning colleagues’ names (sent 5 days later): {{firstName}}, would it be better to discuss real-world data with {% if colleaguename1 != blank and colleaguename2 != blank %}{{colleaguename1}} or {{colleaguename2}}{% elsif colleaguename1 != blank %}{{colleaguename1}}{% elsif colleaguename2 != blank %}{{colleaguename2}}{% else %}a member of your R&D or clinical development team{% endif %} ? I’m curious to know how {{companyName}} utilises clinical data from hospitals nationwide to facilitate feasibility studies and reduce time-to-market (rather than waiting months for access authorisations and missing out on necessary data sources) --- → Message mentioning colleagues’ names (sent immediately afterwards): *data from clinical practice, sorry --- → Distancing message (sent 7 days later): Dear {{firstName}}, Could we get back in touch in a few months, once the clinical data from {{ region}} has become more significant at {{companyName}}? Have a good day
EmailDay 1Email #2
Subject: health data/real-world data analysis {{firstName}}
Version A – abridged version with icebreaker activity Dear {{firstName}}, {{icebreaker}} You know how difficult it is to access sensitive health data securely and in compliance with European privacy regulations. Every day, this slows down decision-making, causes delays and prevents access to valuable, actionable information. Roche and DebioPharm have chosen our federated solution to transform their oncology research as part of the NAIPO project. Would you like to receive a brief document explaining how this solution supports their team? Kind regards, {{signature}} unsubscribe Version B – shorter version without introduction Dear {{firstName}}, You know how difficult it is to access sensitive health data securely and in compliance with European privacy regulations. Every day, this slows down decision-making, causes delays and prevents access to valuable real-world information. Roche and DebioPharm have chosen our federated solution to transform their oncology research as part of the NAIPO project. Would you like to receive a short document explaining how this solution supports their team? Kind regards, {{signature}} unsubscribe
Email7 days laterEmail #3
Subject: {% if colleagueName1 != blank and colleagueName2 != blank %} Does this concern {{colleagueName1}} or {{colleagueName2}}? {% elsif colleagueName1 != blank %} Does it concern {{colleagueName1}}? {% elsif colleagueName2 != blank %} Does it concern {{colleagueName2}}? {% else %} Does it concern someone at {{companyName}}? {% endif %}
Hello {{firstName}}, Should I contact {% if Colleaguename1 != blank and Colleaguename2 != blank %} your colleagues {{Colleaguename1}} or {{Colleaguename2}}, your colleague {% elsif Colleaguename1 != blank %}, your colleague {{Colleaguename1}}, your colleague {% elsif Colleaguename2 != blank %}, or another member of your team {% endif %}? We would be delighted to show you and your colleagues how {{companyName}} could also benefit from similar collaborations involving real-world data. Six major Swiss university hospitals have set up a federated network linking more than 600,000 patient records. They carry out cross-site queries in a matter of minutes and design studies based on larger and more diverse patient groups, all in full compliance. Have a great day! PS: My to-do list below reminded me to write to you 😊 {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe
Email6 days laterEmail #4
Hello {{firstName}}, Here is the link to the short case study I mentioned to you, which explains how {{testimony company}} is transforming oncology research using AI as part of the NAIPO project in Switzerland. I thought you might be interested to see how: 1/AI models work on federated real-world clinical datasets 2/data security is not compromised 3/compliance is simplified between partners Is this a topic that interests you, or not at all? Kind regards, {{signature}} unsubscribe
Email9 days laterEmail #5
Hello {{firstName}}, This might not be the ideal time to discuss how data from clinical practice can support your research. May I get back to you in about three months to see if your priorities have changed? P.S.: In the meantime, here’s a virtual coffee for you to enjoy whilst we wait for our next meeting ☕️ {{accountSignature}} Unsubscribe

Why this sequence works

925 prospects were contacted, with 5 responses over a 28-day period in the biotech/RWE sector. The 49% open rate indicates that the topic of real-world clinical data is of interest to R&D decision-makers, even though the conversion rate is low (1%) — typical of a highly specialised market.

References to Roche, DebioPharm and the NAIPO project immediately establish credibility within the Swiss biotech sector. For an R&D VP, these names serve as powerful endorsements that, at the very least, warrant a thorough reading of the message.

The same "intentional typo" technique used in sequence #25 is employed on LinkedIn ("rael-world evidence" → "*real-world evidence, sorry"), confirming its effectiveness as a sign of authenticity in automated messages.

What you can learn from this campaign

  • Provide examples of specific research projects. Roche, DebioPharm and the NAIPO project are powerful endorsements.
  • Using intentional typography on LinkedIn. Proven to be effective in the biotech sector as well.
  • Share a case study at Touch #4. The link to the NAIPO case study provides concrete material for evaluation.
  • Suggest a virtual coffee date after a break-up. A touch of humour to round off the sequence on a positive note.

When to use this sequence

Clinical data solutions and real-world evidence

Access to real-world health data, federated analysis, AI applied to distributed clinical data.

R&D and Clinical Development Manager

Decision-makers in research and development at innovative biotech companies are your core target audience.

European biotech market

The programme draws on Swiss standards (CHUV, NAIPO) that are recognised across Europe.

Privacy-compliant solutions

If your solution addresses the challenge of accessing sensitive data in compliance with the GDPR.

Who can use this sequence?

Providers of federated data solutions

If your platform enables the analysis of distributed data in compliance with privacy regulations.

SDRs targeting biotech R&D VPs

The RWE, clinical trials and federated learning vocabulary has been calibrated.

European health tech start-ups

If your solution addresses the issue of access to health data in Europe.

Clinical data management platforms

Adapt the workflow to suit your own clinical data management capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can we sell federated data solutions to biotech companies?

The key is to illustrate this with concrete projects: Roche/DebioPharm/NAIPO in oncology, six Swiss university hospitals and 600,000 patient records. R&D VPs want proof that the technology works at scale, not just in theory. The case study shared at Touch #4 is the tipping point.

Why is the conversion rate so low (1%)?

The federated clinical data market is an emerging market where most biotech companies have not yet recognised this need. A 1% adoption rate is typical for a new technology. Subsequent campaigns benefit from the market education achieved by the first wave — adoption rates rise over time.

How does data protection compliance affect customer acquisition?

Paradoxically, privacy compliance is a selling point, not a barrier. The video highlights compliance as a benefit (“full compliance, data stays local”). European biotech companies struggling with the GDPR to access clinical data immediately recognise the value of a federated solution.

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Last updated: March 2026