Commercialising Genomic Research

This workshop will focus on how to develop business opportunities from genomic research and biodata. It is aimed at professionals involved in the translation of early-stage technologies who want to further develop their knowledge on the commercial paths to the application of genomics into healthcare products and services.

Over the past decade, we have seen an acceleration in genomics research and its application to biomedical technologies. However, the route to commercialising early-stage genomics-based opportunities is not ‘set in stone’; and commercial drivers such as the regulatory environment, health economics clarity or technological advances are only emerging. Therefore, there is a need for a community-building approach to share experience, best practice and learn from business and partnership models as they develop.

The workshop will bring together attendees and experts to discuss and share practical advice on developing opportunities for precision medicine. Ultimately, the impact of genomic medicine on patients will be driven not only by improvements in stratification tools but also by the availability of new targeted drugs. In this workshop, we will therefore consider a wide range of applications relevant to precision medicine.

For example we will address questions such as:

• What kind of business models are emerging to generate value from genomics in the pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostic space?
• What are the partnering opportunities for academia, SME, pharma and biotech along a drug R&D axis powered by genomics?
• How do commercial drivers differ for developing diagnostic, companion diagnostics or screening products?
• How to navigate the complexities of open source software licenses for the benefit of innovation?
• What is the current regulatory environment for developing genomic medicine products and how does it affect commercial
  pathways?
• What opportunities might be arising from technical advances such as artificial intelligence, sequencing miniaturisation, mobile technologies or large population health genomic initiatives?

We have invited prominent entrepreneurs, investors and business development professionals in this field to lead this interactive workshop. We also encourage participants to bring their own commercialisation challenges for discussion with the group.

Who should attend?
If you are working as a business development manager, a technology transfer professional, investment analyst, innovation funder, or you are an entrepreneur or a researcher actively involved in translation and commercialisation; this course is for you. The workshop is designed for 40 participants to maximise discussions.

Through this workshop we aim to build a supportive network of professionals working on the translation and commercialisation of genomics and informatics.

Learning outcomes:
After this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Plan an exploitation strategy that considers the impact on future research and clinical adoption.
• Navigate the regulatory environment that frames the implementation of genomics tools and diagnostics in the clinic.
• Avoid pitfalls and work within the ‘culture landscape’ of software licenses and innovation framework.
• Consider a variety of business models and partnerships around biodata, bioinformatics or genomic information.
• Access a network of engaged professionals for further advice and sharing best practice.

The workshop will start at approximately 9.30am on Monday, 1 October and close at approximately 4pm on Wednesday, 3 October 2018.

This is a residential workshop. All participants are requested to stay onsite at the Wellcome Genome Campus for the full duration to benefit fully from discussions.

The content will be delivered through lectures, discussions, case studies and group work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own commercialisation challenges to discuss with the group during the ‘commercialisation surgery’ to help immerse and engage the participants in real-world cases.

A range of topics will be covered including:

• Landscape review – value chain
• Business models: old and new
• Pharma and biotech needs in genomics & opportunities created
• Planning a route to clinical market
• Steps to validation
• Regulation update: FDA and EU
• Creating value from open source software and other tools
• New markets driven by technology advances

Scientific programme committee

Emmanuelle Astoul
Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK

Joanna Mills
Wellcome Genome Campus, UK

James Peach
Medicines Discovery Catapult, UK

Ross Rounsevell
Repositive, UK

Speakers

David Atkins – Chief Executive Officer Congenica, UK
Sarah Bastkowski – Biomathematician, Earlham Institute, UK
Denis Bronnikov – Global Licensing Director, Roche Diagnostics, USA
Melina Cimler – CEO & Founder, PandiaDx, USA
Julia Gwilt – Partner, Appleyard Lees, UK
Andrea Haworth – Clinical Scientist, Congenica, UK
Joanne Hackett – Chief Commercial Officer, Genomics England, UK
Emily Hayes – European Patent Attorney, Mewburn Ellis LLP, UK
Adrian Ibrahim – Head of Business Development, Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK
Misha Kapuchesky – CEO, Genestack, UK
Birgit Kerber – Head Innovation and Translation, EMBL Enterprise Management Technology Transfer, Germany
Rabia Khan – Founder/Executive, Deep Science Ventures, UK
Sharon Peacock  – Professor of Clinical Microbiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
Hélène Peyro-Saint-Paul  – Cofounder and Partner, LallianSe Entrepreneurs
David Rainford – Senior Counsel, Taylor Vinters, UK
Paul Rhodes  – Chief Executive Officer, Specific Technologies, USA
Huw Ricketts – Director Precision Diagnostics and Pharma Partnering, Qiagen, UK
Philippe Sanseau – Head of Computational Biology, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, UK
Danielle Scelfo – Senior Director, Health Policy and Reimbursement, Hologic, USA
Pierre Socha – Investor, Amadeus Capital, UK
Simon Turner – Director, Nomis Life Science, France
Yanxiang Zhou – Associate, Illumina Ventures, Ireland

Advanced Courses and Scientific Conferences Team

Treasa Creavin, Scientific Programme Manager
Zoey Willard, Conference & Events Organiser

A limited number of registration bursaries are available attend this course (up to 50% of the fee).

The following documents will need to be provided:

• CV
• A justification letter from applicant
• A supporting letter from supervisor stating financial need

To apply, please contact the event organiser.

Bursary deadline: 11 September 2018

Additional funding opportunities
Visit our support page for additional financial support currently available.