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Translating Academic Innovations Into the Marketplace
February 2, 2022 @ 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm EST
Free
Abstract
SPECIAL NOTE – THIS FORUM WAS NOT RECORDED
Academic research in Massachusetts and other life science hubs across the globe is an important driver of life science innovations and startup company formation. While academic excellence and entrepreneurship are clearly key, access to an ecosystem that supports funding, IP development, preclinical testing and translational experience can be as important to the success of academic startups.
This session will provide a platform for two experienced academic entrepreneurs to expound upon the science, opportunities and challenges underlying their recent and emerging medical device startups. These presentations will be complemented by two presentations from key figures in the MetroWest ecosystem, one from a specialized Venture Fund and another from a research and translation service space. The panel will be moderated and rounded off by a strategic business leader with extensive experience creating value, driving strategy and launching product commercialization in diverse life science companies.

Natalie Artzi, PhD
Assistant Professor at Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Artzi is an accomplished engineer-scientist and entrepreneur with a dual appointment at MIT and Harvard Medical School and a focus on rationally designing personalized materials and medical devices to combat cancer, to improve tissue regeneration in orthopedic applications, and to overcome gastrointestinal diseases.

Giovanni Traverso, MB, BChir, PhD
Assist. Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT and in the Division of Gastroenterology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Traverso is an accomplished physician-scientist and entrepreneur with a dual appointment at MIT and Harvard Medical School. His current focus is on the development of novel technologies for drug delivery and sensing through the gastrointestinal tract.

Mitchell Sanders, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer Alira Health and Founder of WoundForce LLC (WoundForce.com) and FireFly Innovations LLC (PureMend.com)
Dr. Sanders is an expert in wound care, antimicrobials, and 3D bio printing, with 15 peer-reviewed publications and 40 worldwide patents in diagnostics, pharma, and medical devices. Mitchell is also a senior member of the Wound Healing Society (WHS)

Carl Berke, PhD
Partner, Mass General Brigham Ventures (formerly Partners Innovation Fund)
Dr. Berke’s career has spanned the practice and management of innovation to bring new technologies from lab to market. In addition to his work for the Partners health system, he has been an active private equity investor and inventor.

Nancy Briefs, MBA - MODERATOR
Co-founder, President and CEO of AltrixBio
Ms. Briefs is co-founder of AltrixBio and a strategic business leader with extensive experience creating value, driving strategy, and launching product commercialization in diverse life science companies, as well as a trusted advisor and mentor to founders and boards.
Agenda
Feb 2, 2022: 3:30 pm – 6:00 pm EDT
- 3:30 – 4:00 General Networking
- 4:00 – 5:30 Panelist Forum plus Q&A
- 5:30 – 6:00+ Meet the Speakers & More Networking