March 15, 2019 (CAMBRIDGE, MA) – The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council (MassBio®) today announced that Lita Nelsen, Retired Director of the MIT Technology Licensing Office, will receive the Henri A. Termeer Innovative Leadership Award during its 2019 Annual Meeting, now the State of Possible Conference, March 27-28th.
This annual award was created to honor individuals who have contributed significantly to the growth and success of the life sciences industry in Massachusetts. Eligible recipients must represent a strong commitment to Massachusetts, be a leader in their communities, and exhibit leadership to employees by creating a positive work environment. Lita’s leadership at MIT exceeded these criteria in every way.
“Over the course of her 30-year tenure at MIT’s Technology Licensing Office, Lita shattered the glass ceiling for women in technology transfer and redefined what a successful TLO should look like,” said David Lucchino, chairman of MassBio and CEO of Frequency Therapeutics. “We’re pleased to recognize Lita and her legacy that will ensure the most impactful science leaves the lab to improve patient lives around the world.”
At the helm of one of the country’s largest and most successful technology transfer offices, Lita’s work has contributed immensely to the vast biotech and technology ecosystem in Cambridge, and especially toward Kendall Square becoming the best place in the world for life sciences. It is through her efforts that MIT’s TLO now handles more than 90 licensing agreements and launches 25 companies each year.
“It has been a great privilege to have witnessed and been a small part of the transformation of Kendall Square since I came as an undergraduate to MIT—a transformation that is due in large part to the development of the biotech cluster in Massachusetts,” said Lita Nelsen, Retired Director of the MIT TLO. “And it is an honor to be given the Henri A. Termeer leadership award, named in honor of a major leader of that transformation.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to join MassBio as they honor the work of Lita Nelsen at the annual awards luncheon during the MassBio State of Possible Conference on Thursday, March 28th at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge. Learn more and register for the event here.
Media can register for free by emailing Jennifer Nason.