Archive by category | Entrepreneurship

The Field of Entrepreneurial Dreams

The Field of Entrepreneurial Dreams

My wife is from Iowa, and although I lived and worked there, I have never visited the famous Field of Dreams. I’ve been told it is more a symbolic site than a bona fide tourist destination. Nevertheless, I find myself attracted to the site of the iconic movie that first posited the famous “if you build it, he will come” quote. I’ve met many people who, in business, have invested heavily in technologies where the business plan is hardly more that this: “Build it, and they will come.” Something in my own personality likes this idea and would love it to be real. Alas, my experience tells me otherwise.  Read more

A Fledgling Entrepreneur

A Fledgling Entrepreneur

It’s been a crazy few months. I’m a 2nd year PhD student in Biochemistry at the University of Oxford, but recently took the plunge and started my own company, Marblar. With my team—so far, two other PhD students—we’re setting our sights on radically altering how science is commercialized and getting very little sleep along the way.  Read more

On the Sidelines

On the Sidelines

When I recently stepped down as CEO of a small biotech, it was the first time since kindergarten, about fifty years ago, when I was not on a schedule of some kind.  Although I keep up with trends through the usual channels of conferences, newsletters and conversations, my new perspective starting from scratch in search of my next opportunity has led me to ponder topics that are only now important to me.  These include the role of luck in achieving successful outcomes, the changing business of university tech transfer offices, and the forces impacting the pool of experienced entrepreneurs in biotech.  But today I want to concentrate on an issue raised by the unstoppable rush to embrace the virtual model in biotech—the role of generalist managers versus discipline specialists.  Read more

The ‘Enemy’ Report

The 'Enemy' Report

Earlier this month the Kauffman Foundation released an in-depth analysis of its own investing in ~100 venture capital funds (VC) over some 20 years. The report is not specific to the life sciences, but that hardly matters in this case, partially because investing in tech and/or biotech carries certain similarities, and partially because it’s a fascinating read anyway.  Read more

Begin With the End in Mind

Begin With the End in Mind

Last year I was asked to make a presentation on how I would approach strategy in my next start up. I’ve founded several life science start-ups in various countries over the years, and I also consult to companies needing assistance with their business development and strategic partnering, but the request gave me pause because there would be many in the room with a lot more experience (and grey hair) than me.  I felt surely everything I have to say is common sense.  But the conference organizer reassured me and we both agreed that strategy is often handled badly in start-ups, proving that there is room for more common sense.  Read more

Panama’s East-West Duo

Panama's East-West Duo

The Republic of Panama, a country which connects the world by disconnecting itself, is all set to become a biotech niche. This is in part due to the charismatic duo Dr. Ruben Berrocal, educated in the West (USA), and Dr. Jagannatha Rao, hailing from the East (India). These two have ambitious plans to make the country a knowledge and science hub.  Read more

The Benefit of Biotechnology Experience

The Benefit of Biotechnology Experience

When venture capitalist Robert Swanson, and biochemist Dr. Herb Boyer each put in $500 to start Genentech in 1976, it could hardly be said that they knew what they were getting into, or how they were going to make their company successful. Few biotechnology companies existed before, and there were no successful “biotechnology business models” to follow.  However, these founders had a clear vision and a burning passion to use this newly discovered recombinant DNA technology to create disease treatments that were previously deemed “impossible.” This tool became known as “Genetic Engineering Technology,” hence the name Gen-en-tech.  Read more

Pulling Together Innovation, Access and Investment

Pulling Together Innovation, Access and Investment

On April 19-20, 2012 the first Global Health Commercialization & Funding Roundtable was held at the University of Cambridge, UK.  The Roundtable brought together global health entrepreneurs (from both developed and developing countries), investors/funders, civil society, member state representatives and academia to explore business models in discovery, development and delivery of global health innovations.  The idea for this Roundtable stemmed from the desire to match global health conversations in innovation and access with the resource providers (investors/funders) who invest in innovation development from R&D to delivery.  Read more