Posted April 21, 2008
Johnson & Johnson funds Life Sciences Entrepreneurship Conference
| The Philadelphia region is already recognized nationally as a hub of biotech firms, but Temple researchers and area entrepreneurs are seeking to expand the industry further. On May 6, executives from venture capital firms, state funding officials, angel investors (individuals and groups who provide capital to startups) and life science entrepreneurs will discuss funding initiatives for life science and biotechnology research.
The two-panel event is financed by a Johnson & Johnson grant, which was given to the Fox School of Business’ Innovation and Entrepreneurship Institute to advance life science entrepreneurship in the region. “This is a conference that ties very well with the thrust of IEI,” executive director Chris Pavlides said. “By encouraging investors and entrepreneurs to discuss important issues, it further promotes the entrepreneurial ecosystem in life sciences in this region.” The conference’s first panel is composed of biotechnology executives from venture capital firms who are eager to support life science entrepreneurs in Philadelphia. They will review the financial resources available for funding early-stage life science companies. Larry Lemanski, senior vice president of research and strategic initiatives, will participate in the second panel along with state funding officials and economic development executives. This panel will explore how public and private sectors can form partnerships to develop biotechnology enterprises throughout Philadelphia. “The audience for this event is very broad,” Pavlides said. “Faculty, students, biotechnology entrepreneurs, investors, venture capitalists and professionals from life sciences can all benefit from the conference.” For similar audiences, an April 29 event titled “Dialogue Between Bench and Biotech” will showcase research by Temple scientists, who have worked with life science companies in the fields of cardiology, microbiology, immunology and biochemistry. After reviewing the research, biotechnology companies in the region will examine how they can continue working with those Temple scientists to facilitate additional studies. The April 29 event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Temple’s Health Sciences Campus in the Faculty–Student Center, and the May 6 conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Shusterman Hall. Admission to both is free. For more information or to register for both events, e-mail the IEI at iei@temple.edu. —Written by Holly Otterbein |