Life Sciences & Biotech explainer videos: everything you need to know
What Is a Biotech Explainer Video?
A biotech explainer video, sometimes also called a science animation or Mode of Action video, is a short, animated piece that helps people understand your science. Quickly. Clearly.
These animated science visuals are built to simplify complex biotech ideas. Most are 60–120 seconds long. That’s just enough to explain your platform, product, or process in a way that gets attention and builds trust.
Instead of a wall of text or a dense slide deck, you show your audience something they can see, hear, and remember.
That’s the power of an animated science video.
An explainer video, or animated explainer, is a visual tool. It explains your product, platform, or idea. In a clear, simple story.
It usually starts with a problem. Then shows your solution. And ends with a clear next step.
In the biotech and life science space, this means for example:
Explaining a delivery method
Showing how your therapy works
Showing why your platform is different
Giving a full picture in 120 seconds or less
That’s what we do every day.
Why Do Life Science and Biotech Companies Use Explainer Videos?
Biotech and life science companies face a common challenge: They need to explain their science to people who aren’t scientists. But that’s hard. Because many scientists can’t easily imagine what it feels like to not understand the science. So they struggle to explain it clearly.
That’s where a science animation helps.
Here’s why companies like yours use them:
To spark investor interest in meetings
To clarify the science early in a conversation
To stand out from competitors
To save time explaining the same thing again and again
To increase trust and look ready for growth
30 Benefits of Science Animations
1. Make complex science easy to understand
Show a delivery pathway. A receptor. A disease mechanism. All in 2 minutes or less.
2. Boost engagement
Animated science content holds attention longer than slides or dense texts.
3. Help your homepage convert
Adding a biotech video to your homepage keeps people longer. They understand faster. They reach out more.
4. Simplify your platform or pipeline
Platforms are hard to explain. Animation makes them click.
5. Get discovered on YouTube and Google
Investors, partners, and even patients may find your mode of action video when searching for your company or your field.
6. Improve search rankings
Pages with video rank better. People stay longer. Google notices.
7. Make your brand look sharp
A professional life science animation signals that you are serious, clear, and ready.
8. Raise funding
When investors understand your science early, they ask better questions. This can lead to better deals.
9. Speed up due diligence
Investors and partners can get up to speed before your meeting, saving time on both sides.
10. Explain from the start
Begin every presentation with a biotech video. Start on the same page.
11. Support your pitch deck
A short science animation works alongside your deck, setting the stage for deeper discussion.
12. Help your team explain your work
New hires, partners, or board members? Show them your animation first.
13. Use in email campaigns
A 90-second animated science link gets more clicks than a 20-slide deck.
14. Work well on mobile
Most investors and partners check links on mobile. Animation works beautifully there.
15. Reuse at conferences
Play your explainer on a loop at a booth. Or send it before meetings.
16. Strengthen investor follow-up
After a meeting, send a clean video link. It reminds them of your story.
17. Reduce friction in communication
Many people won’t ask if they don’t understand. A video removes that barrier.
18. Build emotional connection
A well-crafted story makes people care, not just understand.
19. Save time
You don’t need to explain everything in every meeting. The video does the first part.
20. Increase social media reach
Short clips from your animated science explainer can be used on LinkedIn, Twitter, or newsletters.
21. Enhance your online presence
Videos make your company look more alive. More real.
22. Onboard investors and advisors faster
Don’t start from zero each time. Let them watch your biotech explainer first.
23. Support IP discussions
If your science is visual, an animation helps frame the conversation.
24. Train internal teams
Use the same Mode of Action animation to train teams, especially in commercial or BD roles.
25. Improve patient understanding
Animation helps explain safety, delivery, or outcomes if your therapy targets patients directly.
26. Stand out on platforms like Crunchbase or LinkedIn
Link your science animation in your profile or company page.
27. Attract more press interest
Reporters may not understand your science. A good video can help them cover your story.
28. Show traction
Adding a biotech video shows you’ve invested in communication. It’s a sign of maturity.
29. Differentiate from competitors
Most biotech startups have a deck. Few have a strong animation.
30. Leave a lasting impression
A good science animation is remembered. People bring it up months later.
Our Process
You don’t need to script anything. We do that.
Here’s how we create your biotech science animation:
1. Script
We ask you many questions. We write a short, clear story. Then we send a draft.
That’s how a typical script document looks like. We then edit many rounds of (free) revisions.
2. Storyboard
You see the scenes. The flow. We revise together.
A typical storyboard scene: voice-over, visual description, and rough sketch. Client feedback is part of the collaborative process.
3. Style & Design
You choose a visual style: simple 2D or more dynamic 3D.
The fully illustrated 2D version of the same scene, this is how it looks after script, sketch, and feedback come to life in the final animation.
4. Voice + Animation
We animate it. Add voiceover (real artists!). Add sound. You sit back.
We don’t use robotic AI voices. We work with real voice-over professionals – people who bring emotion and clarity to your science.
One of our favorite platforms for sourcing talent is VoiceBunny, and we often collaborate directly with artists we trust and love.
For example, we frequently work with Claire Coyle. We love the warmth and energy she brings to every science animation we produce with her. Her voice helps turn complex topics into stories that connect.
This stage is where your script truly comes to life.
5. Delivery
You get the animated video in MP4 and web formats. You can upload, share, embed, whatever you need.
How Long Does It Take?
Most science animations take 10–15 weeks. Why? Because we work with you until it’s right.
We include as many revisions as needed, and we wait when you need to focus on other priorities. That flexibility adds time, but it also leads to a better result.
Can it go faster? Yes. We can deliver in 4 weeks if needed. But that means less feedback time and limited input during production.
Good science animations take time. But if your deadline is tight, we’re happy to adjust.
What Does It Cost?
We adapt to early-stage biotech budgets. Below are some ball-park prices:
60-75-second 2D science animation at 5,000 USD/€
120-second 2D science animation at 10,000 USD/€
120-second 3D animation starts around 20,000 USD/€
We’re transparent from the start. No hidden fees.
Where You Can Use the Video
Pitch decks
Investor calls
Homepage
Email outreach
Conferences
Partner discussions
Internal training
Social media
YouTube
Product launches
Onboarding new team members
Examples
Our life science animation studio worked with over 400 biotech and life science companies across fields like immunotherapies, cancer drug development, neuroscience, gene therapy, synthetic biology, rare diseases, regenerative medicine, and AI-driven drug discovery.
Whether you’re building a novel vaccine platform or working on CNS disorders, we’ve likely helped someone in your space.
Take a look at our portfolio to see how we’ve explained complex science for companies like yours.
Let us know your field, and we’ll send you science animations that match.
Contact Us
Want to see how we’d explain your science?
We’ll write a free sample script for your idea. No pressure. No commitment.
You send us your pitch deck, paper, or key message. We send back a script that shows your science in 90 seconds.
How to Reach Biotech Investors – Without Waiting for the Next Event
Are you only meeting 50 investors a year?
Biotech founders spend thousands to attend investor events like JPM. And it makes sense. These events are exciting. You pitch your science. You hope for a breakthrough moment.
But here’s the thing…
After 5 days of running from meeting to meeting, it’s over. You fly home, tired. And then… you wait a whole year to do it again.
That’s maybe 50 investor meetings per year.
Meanwhile… There’s a Place With 360,000 Biotech Investors
We just checked: There are over 150,000 biotech investors on LinkedIn in the U.S. And about 360,000 worldwide.
They scroll, click, they’re curious, and they’re looking.
But most biotech companies? They don’t show up.
They don’t post. And they don’t connect. They don’t explain their science. And they definitely don’t use video.
Want to Know How to Reach Biotech Investors?
It’s simpler than you think.
You don’t need a marketing team. Also, you don’t need to go viral. You don’t even need to leave your office.
All you need is a plan.
A Simple Year-Long Plan
Try this for 12 months:
Spend 20–30 minutes on LinkedIn each day Connect with 10 new biotech investors daily Post 1 short video per week—explaining your science
That’s it.
No big budget, no event travel, no endless pitch rehearsals.
What Happens After 1 Year?
If you stick with it, you’ll:
Be recognized by 2,000+ biotech investors
Build trust before your first call
Get warm intros and faster replies
Save thousands on travel
Stand out in a crowded space
All with one short animated video, once a week.
So, Do You Still Need Events?
Of course. We love in-person meetings. They’re powerful.
But if you’re serious about how to reach biotech investors year-round, you need to combine both worlds:
✔️ Show up at events ✔️ Stay visible online between them
That way, you don’t wait 12 months. You get noticed every day.
One Video. One Clear Message. 24/7 Visibility.
If your science is ready… And you’re planning to fundraise… or if you’re tired of explaining your innovation over and over…
A short animated video can help.
One video that explains your story clearly. Working for you 24/7. Helping you reach biotech investors – at scale.
Follow our CEO Frank Metzel for more tips about how to use LinkedIn to connect with investors: Frank’s LinkedIn profile
How to Follow Up With Biotech Investors After a Pitch
A biotech founder follows up with an investor—because interest doesn’t last without action.
Friday, a biotech director in Germany said something I’ve heard many times:
“We sparked interest with investors at Bio Europe, but now they’re quiet.”
You walk out of a meeting thinking, “They seemed really excited!” Then… silence.
No email. No call. Just a quiet inbox.
If you’re a biotech founder or scientist trying to raise funds, this probably sounds familiar.
Let’s unpack what’s going on—and how to follow up with biotech investors in a way that keeps conversations alive.
Why Do Biotech Investors Go Quiet?
You pitched your science
Showed your best data. Got nods, interest, and even a smile or two.
But days or weeks later? Still no reply.
This silence can feel personal. It’s not.
Most of the time, it’s not rejection—it’s just reality. Investors are overwhelmed, distracted, or caught up in another deal.
But here’s the problem: If you don’t follow up, your science disappears from their radar.
And with it, your chance to move to the next stage.
What Happens If You Don’t Follow Up?
Let’s be honest.
If you don’t stay in touch, most conversations just fade away.
Which means:
No funding
No momentum
No visibility
And a big missed opportunity for your science
Your innovation deserves more than silence. You’ve spent years developing it. You know it can save lives.
But if people forget about it, they won’t invest in it.
How to Follow Up With Biotech Investors (The Right Way)
1. Be Relentless—But Kind
I follow up weekly at first. Then monthly.
Not in a pushy way—just checking in, offering value, and keeping the door open.
Because some will say no. But some will say yes. And often, that “yes” comes after the 4th or 5th follow-up.
2. Send Value Every Time
Never send a “just checking in” message. Always include something useful:
A new data point or clinical update
A relevant article
Or best of all: a short explainer video
One short animated video can:
Remind them why your science is exciting
Explain your approach in under 90 seconds
Make you easy to remember (and share)
The Takeaway
If you’re fundraising: Don’t stop after one or two emails.
Keep following up. Stay helpful. And use every message to re-spark interest.
Because if you don’t follow up, most conversations end. And if your science isn’t understood—it won’t get funded. And it won’t reach the patients who need it.
One Video Can Make the Difference
Want to make sure biotech investors understand your science—even weeks after your first pitch?
We’ve created explainer videos for over 400 life science companies.
One clear message. One short video. Working for you 24/7.
Find out more about how to communicate your science to investors here.
Biotech VCs hate cold emails – so what actually gets their attention?
Biotech Cold Email That Went Viral – for All the Wrong Reasons
Want help explaining your biotech to investors? Start here: How to communicate science to investors — and see how the right video can make your cold email stand out.
Every now and then, something on LinkedIn breaks through the noise.
This time, it was a biotech cold email shared by VC Bruce Booth.
He called it:
“One of the most compelling cold email VC pitches I’ve ever received… Can you imagine how fun board meetings would be? Wow.”
But don’t get too inspired—he was being sarcastic.
The Email That Got Attention (but for the wrong reasons)
Subject: Time to redeem yourself. Hi Bruce, Smart people hate VCs. You are all-time losers with less success than a monkey throwing darts.
Do you want to redeem yourself by investing in a company that will save lives, or keep funding nonsense?
Your days are numbered. Change it up. Best, Mark, CEO
Yikes.
No one recommends this approach. Not Bruce. Not us. But it did grab attention—which is worth unpacking.
What We Did Instead: A Better (and Funnier) Biotech Cold Email
We joined the fun—sarcasm intact—and rewrote the email with a twist.
This time, the founder doesn’t insult the VC. They send a video.
Subject: Time to redeem yourself, Bruce. Hi Bruce, Smart people hate cold emails. So, I’ll keep mine short.
Time to redeem yourself. Invest in my company. Here’s a video that explains our science: [Watch now]* Don’t ignore it. We save lives.
Change it up. Best, [Your Name]
*A Life Science Animation video about your science? Always a good idea.
The Real Problem: Biotech Science Gets Lost in Cold Emails
The science behind your company might be revolutionary.
But in a cold email, no one has time to read 10 paragraphs—or a 25-slide deck.
So what happens?
No reply
No meeting
No funding
And it’s not because your idea isn’t good. It’s because they didn’t understand it—fast enough.
The Real Solution: Use Video to Explain Your Science Fast
You don’t need sarcasm.
And that’s what biotech founders use video for.
Why video works in biotech cold emails:
Grabs attention right away
Makes complex science clear in under 2 minutes
Builds credibility and professionalism
Works in investor decks, LinkedIn messages, or even a cheeky email like this
At Life Science Animation, we’ve created over 300 biotech explainer videos that help founders stand out.
And no—they didn’t all mock VCs. But they did get meetings, funding, and visibility.
Final Thought: Clarity Beats Shock Value
If you’re tempted to send an angry biotech cold email… maybe don’t.
But if you want a response? Send something that makes your science easy to understand and hard to ignore.
Most agencies chase growth—bigger teams, more clients, and higher revenue.
At Life Science Animation, we chose a different path.
Want to tell your biotech story more clearly and memorably? Start with our guide on science storytelling for biotech founders—and see how staying small helps us craft narratives that truly connect.
Why Boutique Works Better for Science Animation
We’re a boutique studio by design. That means we stay intentionally small, so we can focus on what matters most: creating exceptional biotech animations with a personal touch.
The Problem With Scaling Up Animation Studios
Scaling sounds great. But in reality, it often leads to:
Rushed timelines that compromise quality
Work delegated to junior staff with less experience
Generic animations with no creative soul
When studios scale too fast, they lose the craft. We’re here to keep it.
The Boutique Difference: Personal, Precise, Powerful
Think of a boutique hotel versus a big chain. You get attention, craftsmanship, and character.
That’s how we work too.
What you get with a boutique science animation studio:
Personal Attention – You’ll talk directly to us (Frank or Emilia), not a project manager.
Quality Over Quantity – We limit projects so each one gets the time it deserves.
Scientifically Accurate – Every frame is crafted with care, from script to final cut.
Real Partnership – We’re available, responsive, and truly care about your success.
Serving Science, Not Scaling for It
Our goal isn’t growth. Our goal is clarity—for your science, your message, and your investors.
That’s why staying boutique isn’t a limitation. It’s our superpower.
The Challenges of Starting a Biotech Animation Studio (And Why It Was Worth It)
The Challenges of Starting a Biotech Animation Studio (And Why It Was Worth It)
How to explain biotech to investors is a service I’m proud to offer today—but it didn’t start easy. The challenges of starting a biotech animation studio were very real: financial stress, no portfolio, zero demand, and no scientific background.
Still, every struggle led to growth. Here’s what I faced—and how I made it work.
Financial Struggles: One of the First Challenges of Starting a Biotech Animation Studio
When I launched my studio, I had no clients—just bills. That’s a tough place to begin.
What helped:
Saving up before I made the leap
Cutting personal expenses to the bone
Offering money-back guarantees to build trust and win early projects
Starting with no income is scary, but manageable with the right mindset.
No Portfolio: Another Common Challenge When Starting a Biotech Animation Studio
How do you land clients when you have no past work to show?
My strategy:
Doing discounted or free projects just to get real samples
Biotech Investor Communication: Why Investors Fund What They Understand
Why biotech investor communication matters from the start
If you’re a biotech founder preparing to raise funds, you already know that science is complex. But investors won’t spend hours trying to decode your pitch.
Biotech investor communication is what helps investors “get it” – fast. And when they understand your story, they’re far more likely to invest.
Curious how we’d explain your science? Book a quick call or reach out to get a free concept.
Cheap Biotech Animation: Why Simplicity Can Beat a $30,000 Video
Cheap Biotech Animation: Why Simplicity Can Beat a $30,000 Video
Biotech explainer videos don’t need to be expensive to be effective. The idea of a cheap biotech animation might raise some eyebrows—but here’s the truth: “cheap” doesn’t have to mean low quality.
It can mean clear, fast, and focused on what really matters—explaining your science in a way that investors understand.
Let’s break the myth and show you why a low-cost video can outperform a cinematic masterpiece.
Cheap Biotech Animation Doesn’t Mean Cheap Quality
Yes, the word “cheap” gets a bad rap. It often suggests low value or corner-cutting. But in this case, cheap means smart.
You’re not paying for Hollywood visuals. You’re paying for:
A clear scientific explanation
A fast turnaround
A tool that makes investors say, “I get it!”
And that’s what actually moves the needle during a pitch.
The Risk of Overcomplicating: When 3D Isn’t Better
Imagine you’re in a meeting. You’re pitching your breakthrough therapy. The animation starts—it’s stunning, full of dramatic transitions and glowing molecules.
But the investor looks confused.
Why? Because while it looks great, it doesn’t explain anything.
When biotech animations fail to clarify, they lose their purpose. You risk:
Inside the Biotech Founder Journey: Resilience and Risk
The Biotech Founder Journey Often Feels Like an Endless Marathon
The biotech founder journey is unlike any other.
You’re not just building a company—you’re chasing the possibility of saving lives. And yet, it often feels like running a marathon with no finish line, no guarantee of success, and no applause along the way.
Most people don’t see what’s behind the scenes. But you do. You live it every day.
The Reality of Building a Biotech Company
Let’s be honest: this path is brutal.
Most drugs never make it. After years—sometimes a decade—of research and clinical trials, there’s still a 90% chance of failure.
Funding is a daily battle. You’re constantly pitching, chasing grants, updating decks, and praying for runway.
Pressure is relentless. The work isn’t just about returns—it’s about people, patients, and real-world impact.
Trials carry weight. Even with the best intentions, not every outcome is good. Some patients won’t make it.
And through all of this, the clock keeps ticking. Every delay feels like a failure. Every pivot makes you question everything.
Is this worth it? Am I making the right calls?
Resilience in the Face of Biotech Setbacks
What keeps you going?
Purpose and Belief: “If this works, it could change everything.”
The biotech founder journey demands a kind of resilience most people can’t imagine. The emotional toll, the financial pressure, the constant uncertainty—it would break many.
But not you.
You wake up and push forward. Again and again. Because lives may depend on it.
This One’s for Every Biotech Founder
So to every founder, scientist, and team walking this road—this is for you:
When you feel like giving up
When the trial fails
When the pitch falls flat
When the world doesn’t get it
Keep going.
Your biotech founder journey is the reason patients still have hope. You are the real-life superheroes of science.
