business

Biotech U — Free online biotechnology course

July 7, 2010

I’ve decided to open up Biotech U and make the comprehensive biotechnology industry overview course free for the month of July. The course is derived from my textbook, Building Biotechnology, and covers the following topics: Biotechnology Industry Introduction The Development of Biotechnology Preface: The Science of Biotechnology Introduction to Molecular Biology Drug Development Tools and [...]

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Biotechnology Management Papers, 2010

June 17, 2010

These papers are from the 2010 final projects in the NIH Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences TECH 366 — Biotechnology Management. The students were asked to tell a story based on the course lectures, and to expand with general lessons biotechnology company management: If You Build It, Will They Come? Derek Francis Profitability [...]

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Biotechnology green shoots?

August 26, 2009

With two life science IPOs earlier this month, and seemingly fewer stories of biotechnology firm liquidations, it seems that the tides are turning — ever so slightly — in the favor of biotechnology.

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Biotechnology Management Papers

May 27, 2009

These papers are from the 2009 final projects in the NIH Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences TECH 366 — Biotechnology Management. The students were asked to tell a story based on the course lectures, and to expand with general lessons biotechnology company management: Financial opportunities for early stage biotech companies Tamara Jones The [...]

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VC’s don’t read business plans; So, what to do?

May 15, 2009

A recent UMD study has found that VCs pay little attention ot the content of business plans.This is not much of a surprise. I’m generally bearish on business plans, but I do recognize their important role. Having written several business plans and having successfully competed in business plan competitions, I’ve recognized that many of the [...]

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Creative Destruction in Biotechnology

May 11, 2009

For all the talk of the numerous biotechnology companies with mere months of cash left and the predictions of looming liquidations, mergers, and acquisitions, it is important to note that a measure of destruction can benefit industry progress. Economy Joseph Schumpeter coined a term for industrial progress through destruction: creative destruction. In this process, growth [...]

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Drug Development – Balancing National and Commercial Needs

February 20, 2009

I’ll be giving a talk at the Kogod School of Business on Tuesday February 24th on “Drug Development – Balancing National and Commercial Needs”. The basis of the talk is that countries need access to medicines, foreign currency, and tax revenues, while drug developers need profits (or else they will cease to exist). I’ll be [...]

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Biotechnology Certificate Program at JHU’s Carey School of Business

February 18, 2009

I will be opening the Business Matters for Scientists program at Johns Hopkins Carey School of Business on March 6th 2009. My focus will be providing an extensive overview of the biotechnology industry and insights on paths to entrepreneurship and business planning considerations. In addition to laying out the fundamentals for success, I will also [...]

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Introducing Biotech-U: Web-based courses on biotechnology

January 14, 2009

After months of effort, I’m pleased to announce the launch of Biotech-U, a biotechnology education resource featuring web-based lessons on biotechnology business, law, IP, politics, regulations, and science. Biotech-U is based on Building Biotechnology, the leading text used in business-of-biotechnology courses. The online-learning structure is designed to meet the needs of busy professionals who seek [...]

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Instructor resources for Building Biotechnology

December 18, 2008

Last week I sent an update to my list of biotech educators about the availability of instructor resources for Building Biotechnology. I’m starting to see interest among educators who I didn’t email, so I ‘m posting a follow-up here to spread the word. The instructor resources are free for qualified educators and include figures and [...]

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