Just back from a Life Sciences event organized by MassBio – the oldest Life Science organization in the US. The organization is well represented by companies in this space especially in the New England area – renowned for being the life sciences hub in the East Coast.

Today’s topic was on the ABC’s for Life Sciences Entrepreneurs: From Start-Up to Exit – opportune, especially when my internship is with a life science start-up! I was expecting the room to be filled with life science professionals (scientists, engineers, and others with at least 10 years experience) – and to be feeling like fish out of water – totally outperformed by domain expertise etc .etc…you know the feeling…right?  Hmm…

 Well…sitting next to me was a rather attractive woman … Tanya, don’t get jealous – she was also married! Anyway :)...she introduced herself as the Founder & CEO of a brand new medical devices company – single – handedly filed in for FDA approval and recently obtained license to commercialize her novel device for which she holds the patent and IP – all impressive stuff! She must be a veteran in this field – or so I thought. She came across as a very personable and friendly individual, putting me well at ease. We got chatting, and she tells me that she’s only been in the life sciences space for the past 3 years – only 3 years…and she’s already raising millions for her life sciences start up! –get out of here! So I asked her again, and learn that she’s actually a professional seamstress and been running a successful clothing manufacturing company. Then one day, 3 years ago, she dreamed up this medical device, developed early prototypes for it in her kitchen, and today she has FDA approval for commercializing it! Everything she knows about life sciences and specifically around the application of her device, she had learned along the way - and talking to loads of people. When asked how she was received in the life science circle here – not having any background in the field, she had nothing but positive experiences to share and felt very welcomed. She got the right encouragement and support from day one. Pretty much what I’m experiencing on my Gallus journey at the moment!

Her story was so inspiring that I couldn’t help write about it and share it with you. I eventually managed to work the room with no trouble at all (or at least ¾ of it!) and realized that about half of the group had no or very little professional life sciences background but had a keen interest in the sector, business propositions to make and raise millions of $ for it. It’s a real testimony to the entrepreneurial eco-system that is so vibrant and alive here in Boston – where entrepreneurship in itself is the domain expertise! You really feel it.  It is part of the culture – a culture of growth – and it is an open one – creating huge possibilities – and the funding (both private and public) to back it up!

Just as an aside, life sciences is the second highest invested sector here, only after hi-tech (and hi-tech covers a vast sector), and these two sectors lead the rest of the pack (including clean-tech) by quite a margin...