RTW Foundation’s Post

It's hard to believe BioversityMA has been up and running for six plus months. I'm proud of what we've achieved and excited about what's ahead of us. Check out my new blog post on massbio.org to learn more about Bioversity's impact so far and the journey that got us here.

Exciting news for Indiana's bioscience community! 🌱🚀 Indiana University is set to propel significant advances in human health and make Indiana a global leader in bioscience innovation through the establishment of the IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) at the 16 Tech Innovation District in Indianapolis. This groundbreaking initiative is bolstered by an extraordinary $138 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.—the largest in IU's history for research and development. IU LAB is a collaboration with key biosciences organizations, including the IU School of Medicine and BioCrossroads, aimed at driving advancements in human health. This initiative will facilitate critical academic-industry partnerships, foster innovation, and speed up the commercialization of new therapeutics, diagnostics, and devices. It will also attract new industry players to Indianapolis, thus expanding the state's life sciences presence. This state-of-the-art facility, expected to open in 2027, will not only enrich the regional economy through startup development but also serve as a vital resource for local communities. IU LAB will offer hands-on educational programs and pathways into bioscience careers for local youth, positioning itself as a beacon for the next generation of life sciences leaders. #BioscienceInnovation #LifeSciences #IndianaBoastsInnovation

Our first-year MMD students had the opportunity to visit RIBOPRO 🧬 together with our programme director and RIBOPRO's co-founder Roland Brock. There they learned about the role of mRNA technology in shaping the future of medicine. Many MMD alumni work in the biotechnology sector, and we encourage our students to look beyond academia for future career options.   MMD student Mami Burgaç about the experience:   “The session began with an engaging presentation by Sander van Asbeck, CEO and co-founder of RIBOPRO, who shared valuable insights into the future and challenges of mRNA technologies. He also provided practical advice and shared personal experiences to build a successful industry career.    We then had the honor to listen to a talk by Lotte Tholen, one of our MMD alumni, who shared her journey to becoming a Product Specialist. In her talk, Lotte shared how the knowledge and skills she gained during her PhD have helped her transition into impactful roles in the industry. She also touched on the differences between working in academia and industry.   We had the chance to ask our burning questions, and meet with RIBOPRO's team of scientists. Many of the students were particularly inspired by seeing how the topics we’ve read about in research can be approached from different angles and scaled up for practical applications. This perspective gave us a new appreciation for the broader impact of scientific advancements.”   A big thank you to RIBOPRO, Sander, and Lotte for making this inspiring visit possible. We're happy that our students get to be inspired by such a dynamic and innovative environment! #mRNAtechnologies #MolecularMechanismsofDisease #CareerDevelopment #RadboudUniversity #BiomedicalResearch #MastersProgramme #FutureScientists

The $138M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. represents a transformative moment for bioscience innovation at Indiana University! The IU Launch Accelerator for Biosciences (IU LAB) will foster academic-industry collaborations and establish a cutting-edge facility at 16 Tech Innovation District, driving advancements in human health and elevating Indiana’s role as a global leader in bioscience innovation. This historic initiative highlights the power of collaboration and the bright future ahead. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gt-fdUKN #IUResearch #IUIndyResearch #BioscienceInnovation

I'm genuinely excited about WPI's new #biomedicalresearch program. It's exactly the kind of forward-thinking approach the industry needs. By blending mentorship, hands-on experience, and a focus on underrepresented groups, they're addressing multiple crucial needs at once. This approach can help create the researchers and #innovators we need to tackle tomorrow's #biotech challenges. Programs like this give me real optimism about the future of the biomedical and biotech industries! https://loom.ly/wj46YxQ

Jiaying Chen is a sixth-year PhD candidate from Hangzhou, China, studying genetics at Yale, and joined F-Prime as one of our summer Fellows and Interns. Her go-to lunch option in Cambridge during her time here was Tatte (where else?), and she enjoyed kayaking on the Charles River, watching Fourth of July fireworks, and exploring the Boston food scene. We caught up to reflect on the work she did with us over the summer. Q: What did you work on while you were at F-Prime? A: I primarily worked on a landscaping project where I compiled bispecific assets in development for inflammation and immunology, and identified several promising lead assets for potential investment opportunities. Additionally, I contributed to the scientific due diligence of ongoing deals, led several interviews with key opinion leaders (KOL), and participated in introductory calls with prospective biotech companies. I truly enjoyed the process of identifying the “gold” among the vast assets in development through scientific due diligence and KOL interviews. It was incredibly rewarding to see how my efforts in scientific due diligence contributed to an investment decision. Q: What surprised you most about working in venture capital?  A: The most surprising aspect of biotech venture capital that I experienced during this fellowship is the breadth and depth of science involved in due diligence, as well as how collaborative the process is for biotech investment and company formation. Q: Have your career aspirations changed as a result of this experience? A: This fellowship has reinforced my career aspiration to become a biotech investor. Seeing the promising clinical outcomes of next-generation drugs in development during my fellowship has deepened my conviction in the importance of supporting companies that are creating novel therapeutics for diseases with high unmet needs.

AMSBIO invest in future US life scientists AMSBIO has implemented a program of investment to support the students at Penn State Lehigh Valley, part of Pennsylvania State University, in their transformative Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) program. #AMSBIO #LifeScienceInnovation #FutureOfScience #BiotechInvestment AMSBIO https://lnkd.in/ddZ6AYcQ

Ohio is quickly becoming a world-class hub for life sciences. Columbus and Cincinnati ranked No. 1 and No. 2 among the top emerging hubs for researchers in CBRE’s latest U.S. Life Sciences Research Talent report. Of the nine clusters ranked, they were the only cities included from the same state. Both are home to research institutions that have received significant support through National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, with Columbus amassing over $306M in 2022 (including $252M by The Ohio State University). Cincinnati Children's, named the nation’s No.1 children’s hospital by U.S. News & World Report, receives the second-most research and fellowship awards nationally with over $169.6 million in NIH funding in 2022. Do you think Ohio gets enough credit for the strength of its innovation economy? Ohio Life Sciences JobsOhio Amgen #lifesciences

We’re thrilled to announce Nvolve’s partnership with Northern Virginia Community College's (NOVA) Biotechnology Leadership in Education (#NOBLE) Project! This collaboration, supported by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, represents a shared commitment to empowering college students from underrepresented and non-traditional backgrounds with the skills they need to excel in the #biotechnology and life sciences industries. Together with #NOVA, we aim to enhance mentorship, training, and career readiness, equipping future #STEM professionals to thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape. A huge thank you to NOVA’s Dr. David Fernandez and the entire NOBLE Project team for sharing our vision of fostering equity and opportunity in STEM. We’re honored to be part of this journey! Learn more about this impactful partnership here: https://lnkd.in/eBGTgZYH #STEMEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #Biotechnology #DiversityInSTEM #NvolveImpact #NvolveMe Faye O'Brien

University of Delaware students are gaining rare access to cutting-edge technology that can detect cancer mutations and infectious diseases with unparalleled precision. QIAGEN Life Sciences, a global leader in molecular diagnostics, has donated a digital PCR machine to UD's Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences in a first-of-its-kind partnership that will revolutionize lab training for students, giving them a competitive edge in the workforce. Read more about the partnership and what it means for students in UDaily