Research to Startup: Translating Academic Science into Venture-Backed Companies

Breakthrough biotech and AI-enabled healthcare innovation often begins in academic labs, but transforming scientific research into a venture-backed company requires far more than great science alone.
From intellectual property and university licensing to fundraising, commercialization, and founder readiness, many early-stage scientists face a steep learning curve when navigating the path from academia to startup creation.
Join us for an evening panel discussion featuring biotech founders, AI-driven healthcare entrepreneurs, investors, and industry experts as we explore how cutting-edge academic research becomes commercially viable innovation.
This event is designed to demystify the translational pathway and provide practical insights for scientists, researchers, and aspiring founders interested in entrepreneurship and company formation.
Discussion Topics Include:
• How university IP licensing and tech transfer work
• What makes academic research commercially viable
• The growing role of AI in biotech discovery and commercialization
• Common mistakes first-time biotech founders make
• When and how to raise pre-seed capital
• Navigating the transition from researcher to entrepreneur
Meet the Speakers:
Neal Amin, M.D., Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Sculpta Bio. Neuroscientist and Stanford clinician turned biotech founder, focused on translating RNA-based genetic insights into precision therapeutics for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, neurodevelopmental disorders, and brain aging.
Jay Sarkar, Ph.D., Co-Founder, reThink64 Bionetworks. Ideator and Entrepreneur in number of biotech spaces including mRNA therapy, dosing and delivery, cell reprogramming, aging biology, oncology, neurodegeneration and epigenetics.
Sunny Lee, Ph.D., CEO, Pharmasaga (TPEx 7878). Her company focuses on developing innovative therapies for diabetes. Under her leadership, Pharmasaga is advancing PS1, a first-in-class drug candidate with a novel mechanism of action designed not only to treat diabetes but potentially induce disease remission.
Taras Romaniuk, Ph.D., VC, Golden Gate Syndicate. Golden Gate Syndicate is an investor network that connects select members with high-quality early-stage investment opportunities across AI, healthtech, fintech, defense technology, and other industries shaping the future.
Who Should Attend:
Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, translational scientists, AI and biotech founders, aspiring entrepreneurs, and angel investors interested in emerging life science innovation.
Whether you are exploring commercialization for the first time or actively building a company around academic research, this event will provide valuable perspective on the realities of biotech entrepreneurship, venture creation, and translating science into real-world impact.
Meet the Host

Berkeley Pharma Tech Foundation is a nonprofit committed to expanding biotech understanding and improving access to the industry through education, mentorship, and networking. We host roundtables, speaker panels, and community events to connect aspiring scientists and entrepreneurs with industry leaders. Our goals: launch a funded research program within two years and build a state-of-the-art lab in the Bay Area within five. Follow us on LinkedIn or reach out to Vanloan Nguyen to get involved!
Meet the Co-Host

MBC BioLabs is a premier biotech incubator dedicated to helping life science startups grow from idea to impact. With locations across the Bay Area, MBC BioLabs provides state-of-the-art lab space, operational support, and a collaborative community designed to accelerate innovation in biotech and healthcare.
Meet the Beverage Sponsor

OoMee is a seaweed-based functional beverage company leveraging nutrient-rich marine ingredients to promote health, hydration, and sustainability. By combining scientific innovation with environmentally responsible sourcing, OoMee is helping advance the future of functional nutrition. We thank them for their support of the biotech and healthcare innovation community.