How do you know when an innovation is ready to make its mark in the real world? Successfully spinning-out biotechs is an art; one that today’s guest, Irene Abrams, has a wealth of knowledge about. 

Irene is the Vice President of Technology Development and New Ventures at Boston Children's Hospital. She leads the Technology & Innovation Development Office (TIDO), which is responsible for commercializing discoveries and innovations developed at the hospital. She is also the Managing Director of the Technology Development Fund.

During this episode, Irene shares why building meaningful IP is crucial to the success of technology transfer, how she and her team add value to the technologies being developed at Boston Children’s Hospital, their approach to conducting risk assessments, the key factors to consider when it comes to spinning-out, and many more fascinating insights!

In This Episode:

[00:42] An overview of today’s topic: Spinning-Out Biotechs: How Timing is Everything.

[01:21] Introducing the Vice President of Technology Development and New Ventures at Boston Children's Hospital, Irene Abrams. 

[02:45] Techniques used by Irene and her team to identify and protect IP. 

[03:05] The invaluable role that academic institutions play in driving industry innovations. 

[03:39] How patent law has changed over the past two decades (and how TIDO has adjusted its approach to development and innovation as a result). 

[06:17] Factors to take into consideration when deciding whether or not a technology is ready for a spin-out.  

[10:14] A major challenge of working in the technology transfer field. 

[10:53] Examples of technologies TIDO has invested in with the aim of de-risking them. 

[12:47] TIDO’s approach to conducting risk assessments. 

[15:28] How Boston Children's Hospital incentivizes innovators. 

[18:36] Advice for establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. 

[23:30] TIDO’s sources of funding (and the additional benefits of these relationships). 

[29:50] Social impact that is being driven by TIDO’s work. 

[34:04] Key strategies that TIDO uses to get technologies to market. 

[36:22] How TIDO stays at the forefront of technology transfer. 

[37:16] Effects of the pandemic on the biotechnology industry in Boston. 

[41:21] Exciting spin-outs from Boston Children’s Hospital. 

[43:56] Noteworthy institutions in the biotechnology space. 

Resources:

Irene Abrams on LinkedIn

Technology and Innovation Development Office at Boston Children’s Hospital

Harvard Medical School

Mass General Brigham

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

SPARK Stanford