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Center for Integration of Science and Industry

Optimizing Innovation & Investment for the Biopharmaceutical Industry

Members of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry (Center) at Bentley University presented “Optimizing Innovation & Investment for the Biopharmaceutical Industry” at MassBio's Forum Event on February 26th

The Center has developed a quantitative Technological Innovation Maturity Evaluation (TIME) model that predicts when a technology is capable of yielding products in the biotech/pharma industry, and how it impacts clinical development and company success.  Presenters discussed how this model has been used to predict the successes and failures of monoclonal antibodies, cancer drugs, and public companies, and how it could be tied into the current hot topics in the industry (Gene therapy, Immunotherapy, the 2014 crop of IPO hopefuls). 

Speakers:

  • Michael A. Boss, Ph.D., MBA, Corporate Development,  Summit plc, Executive in Residence, Bentley University
  • Laura McNamee, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences, Bentley University
  • Fred D. Ledley, M.D., Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences, Bentley University

Moderator:

  • Maude Tessier, Ph.D, Assistant Director, Business Development in the Technology & Innovation Development Office, Boston Children's Hospital

Speaker/Moderator Bios:

Michael A. Boss:
Dr. Boss has been a leader in the biotechnology industry for more than 30 years as a scientist and senior executive.  Mike’s career began 30 years ago at the UK's first biotech company, Celltech where he was lead inventor of the landmark “Boss patent,” which enabled genetic engineering and manufacture of recombinant, monoclonal antibodies and generated >$1 billion in revenues.

He left Celltech to co-found a bio-instrument company that was acquired by Biotage, later renamed Dyax.  He subsequently joined Genica Pharmaceuticals as Vice President of Research and Development and later became Vice President of Operations, where he had a central role in building Genica (renamed Athena Diagnostics) into the leading developer of neurological and genetic tests.  Athena was recently acquired for $750 million.

More recently, Mike held the position of Vice President, Corporate Office of Technology at Elan Pharmaceuticals managing strategic partners and then, as Chief Operating Officer of Xanthus Pharmaceuticals Inc., he led its acquisition by Antisoma, where he continued in senior executive positions.

Mike has recently started two projects and is now working with Summit plc and Bentley University.  At Summit, a UK-based public biotech with clinical stage programs in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and C. difficile infections, Mike is responsible for Corporate Development and leads the DMD program. At Bentley, he is working with the new Center for Integration of Science and Industry and exploring how to improve the efficiency of translating scientific discoveries in biotech into therapeutic and diagnostic products.   In one current project, the team is examining all biotechs that went public in the US between 1995 and 2000 to identify common characteristics that led to success or failure.  

Dr. Boss studied at the University of London and the London Business School, receiving his BSc, Ph.D. in immunology, and his MBA.  He completed his postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with Nobel Laureate Dr. David Baltimore.

Fred D. Ledley:
Fred Ledley is Professor of Natural & Applied Sciences and Management and Director of the Center for Integration of Science and Industry at Bentley University. A recognized innovator, entrepreneur, and executive, he has led successful scientific research programs, start-up companies, and progressive academic change. He has published >170 papers in fields ranging from genomics and gene therapy, to education, bioethics, biopharmaceutical development, biotechnology, and business strategy. His current research focuses on characterizing business models for translational science and developing strategies for more efficient translation of scientific discoveries to create public value. Dr. Ledley has served on the faculties of the Baylor College of Medicine and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and was involved in founding several biotechnology companies including GeneMedicine (IPO- GMED), and Variagenics (IPO: VGNX), serving in executive including CSO, President and CEO.  He has served on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, the Board of Overseers of Boston Children’s Hospital, and as a consultant to industry, academia, and government.  His novel, Sputnik’s Child, recalls the events that shaped the baby boom generation and laid the groundwork for an age of technology and its challenges..

Laura McNamee:
Laura holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Massachusetts Medical School where her work focused on experimental models of cancer cell death. Upon graduation she pursued a postdoctoral fellowship with Fred Ledley at Bentley University, where she led projects looking at patterns of sustaining and disruptive innovation in biotechnology and examined technology metrics that contribute to effective business models and successful product development. As a direct outgrowth of this research, the Center for Integration of Science and Industry was founded and she continues to identify ways to improve the efficiency of bringing new products to consumers and clinical practice

Maude Tessier:
Maude Tessier, Ph.D., is co-chair of the Business Development and Finance Working group at MassBio. Maude is Assistant Director, Business Development in the Technology & Innovation Development Office (TIDO) of Boston Children's Hospital. Maude’s role is to initiate, develop and realize partnerships and alliances between Boston Children’s and industry partners that create value at all stages of development. Working closely with investigators and corporate partners, Maude connects groups with complementary R&D objectives and resources, and designs creative partnership structures for mutual benefit. She is currently managing Boston Children’s participation in Pfizer’s Centers for Therapeutic Innovation and the ongoing alliance with Shire around developing new therapeutics for rare diseases.