Biotech equity research possible with ZERO finance experience?

Does anyone have any insight on this? ..?? Thank you!

With a PhD and zero finance experience, its hard but definitely doable.

Without a PhD and zero finance experience, next to impossible unless you have an incredible track record showing solid industry experience (not just academic research). That being said, your pharma consulting exp should help.

Agreed with mrnysguy. Its definitely possible but not straight away. I would recommend jumping into pharma consulting first and taking the CFA L1 to show that you have some financial knowledge before going into ER

My little brother was in the same situation. Consulting is definitely easier to get in than ER. But you would definitely a relevant internship prior to getting a job in Consulting. I managed to get my brother an internship doing strategy consulting at one of the Big 4 firms. Without that experience, it would be very difficult to move into a business role (Consulting/ ER/ IBD) from purely an academic background (still in school/ college research).

Interviewed for a MM ER role covering biotech with zero science degree. Had previous internship experience in ER covering biotech and at big pharma. They didn't care about the modeling aspect etc. as this could be taught but did want a degree in science and previous associates had masters or PhD's....not sure how I was invited in TBH...so possible yes...although very situational with the group I'm guessing.

I know healthcare isn't your goal but look online for "Healthcare Resume Book". That is a small sample size of people leaving or entering banking/research after going back to school.

There are biotech books out there but I'm sure I'd somehow manage to get in trouble at work if I upload anything, sorry guys, you'll need to find these things yourself.

I think you are going to have a rough time developing investment ideas with no finance background at all. You need some kind of relevant internship or assistant position asap unless you want to go down the path of more school or a structured program like CFA.

Yes, it's quite common. You usually need an internship somewhere (Deloitte, IMS, etc.) to get in, but it's not hard.

Here's what I would do in your shoes:

1) Learn financial modeling - this is not difficult and there are resources readily available (Breaking into Wall Street, Wall Street Prep, etc.) it costs like $300 and is well worth the investment if you are serious

2) Read the Rosenbaum Investment Banking book - granted you are not doing IB, but a lot of the sections on comparable companies, precedent transactions, etc. will be highly relevant to ER

After doing #1 and #2:

3) Network with people in biotech ER with a similar background. In reality you don't need to be an MD or a PHD to do ER in the biotech/pharma space so those from traditional finance/business backgrounds aren't going to understand you/be particularly inclined to help you. Go on linkedin, find people with bio/pharma consulting or research backgrounds who transitioned into ER and talk with them about their role and how they made the switch. The 99.9% MD/PHD figure cited above is not accurate, I literally know a girl who did pharma consulting to biotech ER, highly doubt she is the only one. Find the others.

Yes, it's possible for BUYSIDE equity research. You need a relevant PhD (well known institution) and you need to have published some fairly legit stuff (high impact factors) during your PhD. Then, learn corporate finance, accounting, and financial modeling as Quaneaser said. Whatever firm ends up hiring you will probably make getting a CFA Level I within one year a condition of your employment (they will sponsor classes and the exam but it will be on your to get up to speed quickly). Some may even want you to have the CFA Level I before you even apply, which would definitely help.