The objective of the course is to provide a business overview of the life science industry, its major market segments, financial structure, and financial strategies. The course focuses on the following principal segments: biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, and drug discovery/biopharmaceuticals. Students are expected to develop an understanding of major industry issues and strategies for growth and innovation across all industry segments.
The course consists of lectures and overview presentations by the instructor and by outside speakers who are actively engaged in the life science industry, including CEOs, investors and financiers, and science/business development officers. The speakers consist of the entrepreneurs and leaders who have built the industry, those who have financed it, and the scientists who have spawned it. Topics include summaries of the current status of the industry including financial overviews, emerging technologies, investment areas and strategies, business models, M&A activity, intellectual property, regulatory and reimbursement issues, and summaries of current challenges faced by the industry.
