We didn’t leave the Stone Age because we ran out of stones. Disruptive biotechnology platforms from emerging companies hold great promise for exploiting innovation, but often face legitimacy hurdles due to their liability of newness. Nascent firms must learn new roles with limited precedent, and establish ties with an environment that may not fully understand or value their existence.
After three decades and over $90 billion in 2009 revenues, the biotechnology industry has created important breakthroughs in human therapeutics, devices and diagnostics. Also, as the market capitalization of the biotech industry surpassing big pharma companies shows, the biotech industry is also an important source of value and new venture creation with over 700 publicly listed firms in North America, the European Union, and Asia-Pacific.
Are we ready for the challenges ahead? This discussion will explore the hype, hope, and opportunities ahead in the context of innovation, performance and value creation. Reviewing global and local examples, we will consider how Oregon-based life sciences firms can enhance their venture readiness to achieve legitimacy in the scientific community, mobilize resources and talent, and attain commercial success.
About the Speaker
Mark J. Ahn, Ph.D. is Associate Professor, Global Management at Atkinson Graduate School of Management, Willamette University; and Principal at Pukana Partners, Ltd. which provides strategic consulting to life science companies. He previously served as Chair, Science & Technology Management, Victoria University at Wellington, New Zealand. Dr. Ahn was also founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Hana Biosciences. Prior to Hana, he served as Vice President, Hematology and corporate officer at Genentech, Inc., as well as held positions of increasing responsibility at Amgen and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company. Dr. Ahn also serves on public and venture capital-backed Board of Directors for RXi Pharmaceuticals, Access Pharmaceuticals, Genesis Biopharma, Periocyte, and Mesynthes.
Dr. Ahn has published widely in the biotechnology industry including recently released Building the Case for Biotechnology (http://www.buildingbiotechnology.com/casebook/).
Cost: $20.00 for members, $35.00 for non members, and $10.00 for students. |