By Dave DeFusco
Big pharmaceutical companies may have their names on patients鈥 prescriptions, but they have become increasingly reliant on academic medical centers and small companies to create the drugs they sell. Collaborations, like the one between Weill Cornell Medicine and the Katz School鈥檚 M.S. in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship, have emerged as catalysts for the development of the next generation of drugs, devices and services.
鈥淭he relationship is very symbiotic,鈥 said Dr. Rana Khan, program director of the Katz School鈥檚 biotechnology program. 鈥淪tudents work in a consultative capacity with life science startups for the development of new therapies and medical devices. Most important, they can apply what they鈥檝e learned in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment.鈥
Weill Cornell Medicine focuses its research on cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson鈥檚 and Alzheimer鈥檚, childhood illnesses and infectious diseases, especially those that have a significant impact on the developing world.
In addition to Weill Cornell Medicine, several life science companies and academic programs鈥擜lbert Einstein College of Medicine, BIOGVIR, EpiStemyx, Frezent, Biological Solutions, Growmics and Lucerna鈥攕ponsored graduate student capstone research this spring. Each student worked on a project proposed by the client through the 15 weeks of the semester, ranging from an in-depth landscape analysis of mRNA synthesis services, to developing bi-specific antibodies for cancer treatment, to developing novel games for stroke rehabilitation patients.
鈥&苍产蝉辫;
鈥淪uch experiences are the crux of a student鈥檚 professional and academic growth,鈥 said Dr. Khan. 鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to these companies for providing mentoring and guidance to our students during a real-world, hands-on experience.鈥
This spring, Katz School student Chaya Kestenbaum worked with representatives of Enterprise Innovation at Weill Cornell Medicine to research the feasibility of establishing a centralized hub dedicated to nurturing women鈥檚 health innovations. She conducted a market analysis of the existing support structures for FemTech innovations at universities, medical centers and private companies in New York City and throughout the United States. She also compiled information on the uniqueness and relevance of Weill Cornell Medicine鈥檚 proposed hub and the availability of venture capital for women鈥檚 health initiatives.
鈥淐haya expanded our understanding of services that are available and the capabilities that already exist in the marketplace,鈥 said Loren Busby, director of Weill Cornell Medicine鈥檚 BioVenture eLab, a part of Enterprise Innovation. 鈥淜atz students are very energetic and very inquisitive. I鈥檓 always so impressed by how detailed they are and the high quality of their work. Their entire program is very impressive.鈥
Another Katz School student, Sharon Borenstein, is doing market research for a potential Weill Cornell Medicine spinout that is proposing to create a variety of treatments from stem cells. She is focused on understanding how a combination of therapies can bolster the immune system in the treatment of cancer. Borenstein is researching what immuno-oncology therapies exist in the marketplace in anticipation of the company developing a new cancer drug.
Graduates of the Katz School鈥檚 M.S. in Biotechnology Management and Entrepreneurship are 鈥減repared to become leaders in innovation,鈥 said Dr. Khan, as research and policy analysts, business development associates, clinical trial and regulatory specialists and project managers. The program teaches students how to commercialize biomedical products and services through specialized coursework and a multitude of hands-on experiences, including research projects like the ones with Weill Cornell Medicine through its capstone course.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very thankful for this long-standing relationship with the Katz School,鈥 said Busby. 鈥淒r. Khan and I are looking for ways to expand the relationship.鈥
