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.ch · March 2026
The 5 keys to the sequence
4 emails, 1 LinkedIn message — over 28 days.
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.
Want a customised sequence for your industry?
devlo designs and executes bespoke B2B cold email campaigns. ICP, buying signals, multi-channel sequences — we take care of everything.
Last updated: March 2026
