The Business of Biotechnology
History teaches us that major medical breakthroughs can languish for generations or even disappear completely if they don鈥檛 bridge the gap between research and commercial application.
The cavity-fighting properties of fluoride, for example, were first noted by researchers as early as the mid-19th century, but the element didn鈥檛 find its way into toothpaste for another century. Before the modern era, uncontrolled tooth decay was a killer, a harbinger of deadly infections, cardiac disease and shortened lifespans. If fluoride鈥檚 importance had been understood and commercialized earlier, millions who died young might have lived longer, healthier and happier lives.
Even if today鈥檚 discoveries are on an entirely different technological plane, the principle remains the same. Academic researchers and the businesspeople who turn their discoveries into commercial products need a forum where they can meet, interact and bridge the gap between their very different cultures.
The need for such a forum is clear, said independent technology management consultant Kevin Ens. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 mean to paint everybody with the same brush, but often academia doesn鈥檛 understand the needs of the business side, and the business side doesn鈥檛 always understand the needs of academia.鈥�