July 1, 2019 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio®), launched an Academic-Industry Roundtable Series to create pathways for better collaboration and progress innovative technologies in the life sciences. The inaugural meeting, held in late June, brought together a new working group – comprised of senior leaders from leading academic institutions and industry– designed to define best practices and catalyze academic-industry collaboration.
Collaboration between leading academic institutions and world class life sciences companies are essential to a healthy life sciences ecosystem. When optimized academic – industry collaboration can accelerate innovation and speed the translation of research and ensure the successful commercialization of new technology and therapies that will improve patient lives around the world. The MassBio series was created in conjunction with Back Bay Life Science Advisors and Troy Norris, Managing Director, Valamont Advisors to convene academia and industry and harness the potential of both environments to accelerate innovation.
“We are pleased to formally announce the launch of the Academic-Industry Roundtable series and want to thank our distinguished academic and industry partners for their support in this important endeavor,” said John Hallinan, Chief Business Officer, MassBio. “Academia and industry are critical pillars of the Massachusetts innovation ecosystem and support Massachusetts’s ranking as the top biomedical cluster. MassBio is pleased to champion this effort and reinforce the pillars to facilitate a more robust collaboration pathway between academia and industry.”
The roundtable was a first of its kind in Massachusetts. In its first forum the working group focused on identifying gaps in current collaboration and funding models that stymie innovation.
“MassBio is uniquely positioned to bring together luminaries from leading academic and industry organizations to facilitate the creation of new solutions and platforms,” said Troy Norris, Managing Director, Valamont Advisors. “Working together, the roundtable’s goal will be to streamline current collaboration models and establish new collaboration paradigms to more effectively translate medical research discoveries into clinically impactful products and solutions that improve patient care.”
“Academia and industry serve different missions, with different goals and methods of achieving success. For academia, this means education and research to improve society. For industry, this means creating products that sustain business success,” said Jonathan P. Gertler, MD, CEO, Back Bay Life Science Advisors. “With understanding and partnership, these approaches can coalesce and find shared purpose and meaningful progress toward the common good.”
The working group will reconvene in the fall and issue best practices, as drawn from the experiences and recommendations of participating pharma companies, and offices of technology transfer of Harvard, MIT, Massachusetts General Hospital, and more. For more information about the MassBio Academic-Industry Roundtable Series, contact Lucie Rochard.
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About MassBio
MassBio is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 that represents and provides services and support for the Massachusetts life sciences industry. MassBio is committed to advancing Massachusetts’ leadership in the life sciences to grow the industry, add value to the healthcare system and improve patient lives. Representing more than 1,200+ biotechnology companies, academic institutions, research hospitals, and service organizations involved in life sciences and healthcare, MassBio works to advance policy and promote education, while providing member programs, events, industry information, and services. For more information, visit www.massbio.org.
About Back Bay Life Science Advisors
Back Bay Life Science Advisors provides integrated strategy consulting and investment banking services to biotech, pharma and medical technology organizations, academic institutions, governments, and investors. With expertise that spans stage, sector, and geography, across every therapeutic class, Back Bay Life Science Advisors guides global biopharmaceutical and medical technology sectors on the buy and sell side of transaction execution, from gleam-in-the-eye preclinical technology platforms to $2 billion established brands. Learn more about Back Bay Life Science Advisors and our experience in technology transfer at www.bblsa.com or info@bblsa.com.