Bridging Biotechnology and Business: A Q&A with the course leaders of Biotechnology Entrepreneurship

What are your current research interests in biotechnology?

Both of our research interests have involved the development of new bio-analytical tests and sensors – many with applications in healthcare, environmental monitoring and protection and even the food chain – all of which impact on each of our lives.

Some of Lisa Hall’s most recent work has involved the development and manufacture of bio-analytical tests for low- and middle-income countries where laboratory and other healthcare resources may not be available.

Seamus Higson’s work has included the development of sensors for ultra-trace concentrations to allow for earlier diagnosis of disease than would otherwise be possible.

Both of us have a longstanding interest in the interface between biotechnology and its translation into business.

Tell me something about the impact of the biotechnology on Humanity

Biotechnology can help directly address some of the most urgent global challenges mankind faces including providing healthcare for a growing and ageing world-wide population, enabling earlier intervention in the care pathway to prepare a preventative route to wellness for the future, addressing energy and climate change issues that are vital for the future of mankind on the planet and in developing food crops to provide food security for future generations.

How does this course cater to bioscientists exploring the interface between business and biotechnology to seize commercial opportunities in the life sciences?

All those with a background in the life sciences (and other STEM disciplines that interface with biotechnology) have expertise to contribute to the biotech revolution, with cleaner processes, new materials and degradable/recyclable waste.  Taking an idea into practice can be daunting and importantly needs a collaboration of skills from both business and the biosciences.  This course was conceived for bioscientists who would like to explore how business and the life sciences and biotechnology interface with each other, and who would like to make the most of commercial opportunities that originate in the life sciences. 

What key knowledge and skills do you expect learners to acquire, ranging from the intersection of life sciences and biotechnology to protecting and exploiting their ideas for commercial opportunities?

This course will firstly provide an overview of some of the most significant areas that span the life sciences and biotechnology and elucidate how opportunities have crossed from idea to exploitation. It will then, crucially, equip learners with the basic skills to protect their ideas for translation and the steps needed to identify and exploit commercial opportunities that may arise from new and emerging technologies.

How does biotechnology contribute to the transformative opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution?

The fourth industrial revolution is projected to “represent[s] a fundamental change in the way we live, work and relate to one another. It is a new chapter in human development, enabled by extraordinary technological advances commensurate with those of the first, second and third industrial revolutions. These advances are merging the physical, digital and biological worlds in ways that create both huge promise and potential peril. The speed, breadth and depth of this revolution is forcing us to rethink how countries develop, how organisations create value and even what it means to be human. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is about more than just technology-driven change; it is an opportunity to help everyone, including leaders, policymakers and people from all income groups and nations, to harness converging technologies in order to create an inclusive, human-centered future. The real opportunity is to look beyond technology and find ways to give the greatest number of people the ability to positively impact their families, organisations and communities.” (https://www.weforum.org/focus/fourth-industrial-revolution(Opens in a new window))

Core in this revolution is the impact of biotechnology and ways in which the biological world including synthetic biology and the engineering of biology is creating new innovation in materials, products and processes.  The life sciences and biotechnology impact almost all areas of human life.  Our wellbeing is dependent upon everything from modern medicine, through to food production and environmental protection. 

How have your students demonstrated the power of applied lateral thinking and the importance of overcoming technological hurdles in the field of biotechnology?

Many of our students have shown us the power of applied lateral thinking to enable recent scientific or technological advances to address specific problems with clearly identified unmet needs.  They have shown us that not seeing a solution is a challenge… a challenge to be conquered.

The ability to identify the technological and developmental hurdles that must be overcome to bring a new product to market – and to add the appropriate business skills to ensure these new products are commercially viable is inspiring.

Explore our range of online courses led by University of Cambridge academics, and learn from thought leaders at the forefront of academic research. Visit our website for more information: advanceonline.cam.ac.uk(Opens in a new window).