Translating Good Ideas into Products. Driving the Business of Science. S2 E4

Описание: In this episode of the Driving the Business of Science podcast, host Keith Parent, CEO of Court Square Group, speaks with Dr. Peter Reinhart, Ph.D., Director of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS) at UMass Amherst. Dr. Reinhart shares his journey from academia to founding startups, including developing therapeutics for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. IALS, funded by a $95 million award from the Massachusetts Life Science Center, provides translational research facilities and supports startup companies. The institute offers unique resources like large lab spaces, advanced equipment, and a collaboration with the Isenberg School of Management to foster entrepreneurship. Reinhart emphasizes the cost advantages and growing capacity for startups in Western Massachusetts.

Peter Reinhart's Background and Career Journey
• Peter Reinhart shares his career journey, starting as a traditional researcher at Duke University Medical Center, working on neurological disorders like Huntington's, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
• Peter discusses his transition to creating a startup, Cogent Neuroscience, and its growth before being sold. He then joined Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where he developed therapeutics for Alzheimer's, including the first antibody for Alzheimer's disease - bapineuzumab.
• Peter talks about his time at Wyeth/Pfizer, where he continued developing therapeutics, and his subsequent move to Proteostasis Therapeutics, a startup focused on Parkinson's disease and cystic fibrosis.
• Peter explains his current role at UMass Amherst, heading the Institute for Applied Life Sciences, which aims to facilitate the translation of good ideas into product candidates.

Establishment and Mission of the Institute for Applied Life Sciences (IALS)
• Keith and Peter discuss the establishment of IALS, which was largely due to a $95 million award from the Massachusetts Life Science Center to develop a translational capacity and economic development in Western Massachusetts.
• Peter highlights the significant contribution from UMass Amherst, including a modern, new building for translational activities.
• Keith praises the facilities at IALS, noting the impressive infrastructure and the opportunities for entrepreneurs on campus.
• Peter explains the unique aspects of the building, including large lab spaces shared by multiple investigators from many different departments to work on joint research themes, and state-of-the-art equipment facilities.
Collaboration with the Business School and Entrepreneurship Programs
• Peter describes the collaboration between IALS and the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst, where MBA students work with startup founders to create virtual startup companies.
• This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business knowledge, creating a comprehensive approach to entrepreneurship.
• Peter mentions the success of this program, with 40 to 50 startup companies in their portfolio, driven by the combination of MBA students and inventors operating ‘virtual C-Suites’.
• Keith and Peter discuss the challenges of marketing the achievements in Western Massachusetts compared to the high-profile areas like Boston and Cambridge.
Infrastructure and Support for Startups
• Peter explains the unique infrastructure at IALS, which allows companies to launch and grow on an academic campus while retaining full ownership of their intellectual property.
• The building houses equipment facilities that support a wide range of research and development activities, making it easier for startups to test and develop new ideas.
• Peter highlights the cost advantages of growing companies in Western Massachusetts compared to more expensive locations like Cambridge, the Boston Seaport District, or even Waltham.
Specialized Facilities and Research Projects
• Peter describes specialized facilities at IALS, such as the roll-to-roll fabrication facility for building flexible devices and the Center for Human Health & Performance – which contains an apartment complex for testing human performance and wearable device parameters.
• Peter emphasizes the importance of these facilities in supporting next-generation devices and technologies.
Future Vision and Opportunities
• He highlights the advantages of growing companies in Western Massachusetts, including lower costs and a high quality of life.
• Keith and Peter discuss the importance of getting the word out about the achievements and opportunities at IALS and UMass Amherst. Peter offers to provide tours through IALS – by reaching out to [email protected] and setting up a date/time, to taking a virtual tour at https://www.umass.edu/ials/virtual-tour.
• Keith concludes the podcast by encouraging listeners to visit IALS and learn more about the innovative research and entrepreneurship activities taking place on campus.