Chemical Engineering 697E - ST-EntreprenurialAspectBiotech

The course is intended for students that are interested in the entrepreneurial aspects of biotechnology. It will function as a mini accelerator designed to propel students with novel ideas towards commercialization. Lectures will be presented by the instructor and guest speakers. The first portion of the course will focus on technical aspects of biotechnology, recent breakthroughs in the literature, and identifying suitable medical indications and commercial outcomes. The second potion of the course will focus on business aspects of commercialization including business plans, slide decks, intellectual property, regulatory issues, fund raising and grant applications. Other topics include preclinical and clinical trials, technology transfer, incorporation, customer interviews, contract research organizations, manufacturing, and the design of laboratory experiments. As part of the course, students will develop their research ideas into commercial plans and compete in a pitch competition. The course is suitable for students and researchers at all levels, including postdoctoral fellows, upper level graduate students and highly motivated undergraduates. All work will be "non-confidential" to protect intellectual property. The desired outcome is that students will develop pitches and plans suitable for accelerators and competitions, at UMass and within the greater biotechnology community.

All graduate students & seniors in the following Schools/Colleges: Engineering, Info & Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Nursing, School of Management, Public Health & Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to have a basic knowledge of biotechnology. It is intended that students start with research results or ideas that they wish to commercialize. These will be refined throughout the course.

Undergrad. seniors with permission of instructor.