Description: The roles of physicians, scientists, engineers, and MBA’s in biotech, medical device, and other life science companies will be described and characterized. The major trends and innovations driving the creation of new products in large established companies and venture-capital-backed startup companies are discussed. This pragmatic, experienced-based course describes the venture capital process, formation, and capitalization of high-tech companies, sources of technologies, role of tech transfer at universities and medical schools, startup operational issues, role of VCs and board members, execution time frames, liquidity process, IPOs and mergers, and payout prospects for founders and investors. Live, ongoing case studies are presented by guest entrepreneurs. These case studies of ongoing biotech, medical device, and healthcare informatics companies are presented by many notable M.D. and Ph.D. founders and CEOs. Rules of professional and ethical conduct of M.D.s, Ph.D.s, scientific advisory boards, clinical advisory boards, and boards of directors are reviewed. In the final classes, a high-tech, career-planning guide is discussed, plus a special lecture on leadership, intelligence, and entrepreneurship will be presented. Insider secrets and success stories from decades of highly successful VC practice in medical, biotech and infotech companies will be shared.
Cross-list: BIOE 633.