Why stories—not just data—win attention, build trust, and attract investment
Biotech founders live in a world of facts, figures, and groundbreaking innovation. But when it’s time to pitch that innovation—to investors, partners, or even patients—the challenge often isn’t the science itself. It’s the story.
Science storytelling is not marketing fluff
When people hear “storytelling,” especially in the startup world, they sometimes imagine slick taglines, hype-driven decks, or fluffy metaphors that sacrifice accuracy. But science storytelling is different. It’s not about dumbing down or spinning the truth. It’s about clarifying complex ideas without losing their essence and delivering them in a way that sticks.
Because here’s the reality: people don’t remember data. They remember stories.
Whether you’re developing a novel ADC payload, engineering cells, or reinventing drug delivery. None of it matters if the person listening doesn’t understand what makes your innovation special.
Check the video below (Alfapump). Together with 2 others, it was watched more than 300,000 times on YoutTube alone – thanks to good storytelling.
Why biotech founders struggle with storytelling
Founders are often too close to the science. You’ve spent years in the lab, building a platform, mastering the biology, and sweating every control and variable. So when someone asks, “What do you do?”, the default response is often too long, too detailed, or too technical.
You’re not alone.
Here’s why simplifying science is hard:
- Fear of oversimplification: You don’t want to “dumb it down” and risk being seen as inaccurate.
- Too many layers: Your platform or therapeutic has multiple innovations – but which one matters most?
- Jargon overload: Terms that feel basic to you can alienate people outside your field.
And yet, if your story isn’t clear, your audience won’t stick around long enough to appreciate the nuance.
Finding your “core message”
Every great biotech story has a core – a central idea that resonates beyond the science.
To find it, try this exercise: Imagine explaining your tech to a friend in a bar. Not another scientist. A smart friend who’s curious but not an expert. What would you say in one minute?
The goal is not to be exhaustive. The goal is clarity.
For example:
- Instead of: “We’re developing nanoparticle-based mRNA delivery systems using lipid formulation to target immunocytes…”
- Try: “We help vaccines reach the right cells more safely and effectively.”
That’s your core message—the spark that gets someone interested. You can layer in more detail once you’ve earned their attention.
Case studies: biotech storytelling in action
Let’s look at a few examples of science storytelling done well:
1. Doloromics: Precision neuropharma made simple
Dolaromics develops targeted treatments for chronic pain—highly complex mechanisms involving patient-specific biology. But in their animated video, we focused on one clear message: they identify and target the biological patterns behind pain. The result? Investors got it within two minutes—and wanted to learn more.
Check the video here: Doloromics 2D animation
2. Morphocell: Regenerating liver tissue with cell therapy
Rather than walking through every cell type, differentiation step, or manufacturing technique, we told a story: a patient facing liver failure, and a new hope using functional tissue grown in the lab. Science-backed and emotionally resonant.
Check the video here: Morphocell 2D animation
3. Spear Bio: Ultra-sensitive, ultra-small, ultra-simple
Spear’s assay technology is powerful—but their winning message wasn’t just the tech. It was the three-part story we helped them tell: simple to use, small in volume, sensitive in results. That framing helped their product shine in both sales and training.
Check the video here: Spear.bio
Animation: turning a good story into a visual hook
Once your story is clear, the next challenge is making it memorable.
That’s where visual storytelling comes in. A short animation helps people grasp the science quickly—before they lose interest or get lost in slides.
Animations allow you to:
- Show what can’t be seen (e.g., inside a cell, a drug binding, tissue regenerating)
- Guide the narrative, like a movie trailer for your science
- Deliver a message that’s visual, emotional, and educational—all in one
- And when it comes to storytelling, 2D animation is often better than 3D.
Why?
Because 2D reminds us of childhood books and comics. It feels more familiar, human, and story-driven. While 3D is great for realism and product demos, 2D is often better for narrative clarity and emotional connection.
In a world overflowing with sleek 3D renders and slide decks, a simple 2D animation can stand out by being relatable, memorable, and warm.
Why stories drive investment and action
Investors don’t fund papers, they fund potential.
And potential is best understood when wrapped in a compelling story:
- A story that makes the science feel tangible
- A story that makes the risk feel worthwhile
- A story that shows the impact your innovation could have
That’s why science storytelling is not optional for biotech founders. It’s your bridge to investors, regulators, and partners. It’s how you earn trust, spark curiosity, and build momentum.
And a visual story – especially one told in a short, clear animation – multiplies that effect.
Final thoughts: simplify, visualize, amplify
Science storytelling for biotech founders isn’t about gimmicks or fluff. It’s about strategic clarity – knowing what to say, how to say it, and how to show it.
You don’t have to lose scientific credibility to gain attention. In fact, the most respected companies – BioNTech, Valneva, and many others – use storytelling to make their science accessible without diluting its depth.
So next time you prepare a pitch, investor meeting, or even your website copy, ask yourself:
- Is this story clear?
- Is it memorable?
- Could a 2-minute animation say it better?
If you’re not sure, that’s where we come in.
At Life Science Animation, we help biotech innovators tell better stories – and show them with clarity, beauty, and precision.
