Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Advanced Academic Programs
Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
Managing Innovation in the Life Sciences
Innovation is the creation of value from new ideas, concepts, methods, materials, and organizational structures. Life Sciences organizations that seek to create value for their stakeholders must do so using available capital resources: financial capital, human capital, intellectual capital and physical capital. They should manage those resources to gain leverage and maximize value realized. They then seek to defend and control the value created. Why then, do most organizations treat innovation (and innovators) in ways similar to the body’s immune system (i.e., by identifying the innovators, isolating them, “killing” them, and ejecting them from the organization)? This course will explore innovation, invention, and value creation as a driving force in the biotechnology or life sciences enterprise and the ways in which managers should plan to take full advantage of innovation as the only true competitive weapon for long term success. A special emphasis will be placed on innovation as applied to life science applications (biotechnology, medical devices, health care delivery, drug discovery, development and packaging, bioinformatics, etc.). Topics include invention, ROI, disruption, creative destruction, types of innovation, technology brokering, organizational structures that foster innovation, planning and managing for innovation. Students are required to read extensively, participate actively in discussions, do case studies, and develop a convincing pitch for an innovation project.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Practicum in Biotechnology Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
This course synthesizes the knowledge and skills acquired in the Masters in Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship program, while offering a real world examination of a bioscience organization and the issues it faces. Students will form interdisciplinary teams and work with faculty and industry professionals on an authentic and current project from a local bioscience public or private company, an entrepreneurial start-up, or a nonprofit organization. This course is only open to students completing he Masters in Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship program.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Translational Biotechnology: From Intellectual Property to Licensing
This course provides an extensive overview of a process for development of a pharmaceutical by a biotechnology company or pharmaceutical company. The course emphasizes the importance of intellectual property, the basic sciences underpinning the development of a product, and the importance of the interaction between a company and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Students learn to appreciate the importance of quality control and assurance, good manufacturing practices, preclinical and clinical testing, and the lengthy regulatory processes which govern the development, manufacture, and eventual sale of biotechnological products. Hands-on solving of practical problems and guest lecturers who are experts in the field familiarize students with the intricacies of the process. Prerequisites: 410.303 Bioscience for Regulatory Affairs, OR 410.601 Biochemistry and 410.603 Advanced Cell BiologyI or admission to the MS in Bioscience Regulatory Affairs Program.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Leading Change in Biotechnology
As bioscience companies grow and mature, leadership needs evolve. Students will learn how to identify their company's position in the "Leadership Life Cycle" and learn how to select the right leadership capabilities based on their current organizational needs. Research shows that the right leaders at the right time dramatically improve organizational success. Discussions will address the leadership needs of organizations from early stage research-based companies through fully integrated bio-pharmaceuticals. General leadership practices and strategies, moving ideas from research bench to the consumer, and strategies to prevent failure will all be discussed.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Social Entrepreneurship in BioScience
This course will explore how biotechnology innovators are solving social issues including developing medical diagnostics, discovering effective and safer medicine, producing cleaner energy, remediating environmental contamination and improving crop yields. Students will think broadly in terms of roles required in tackling these social, economic, health and environmental issues and how they can add value to society. This course will cover social entrepreneurship principles and practices in a range of sectors including corporate social responsibility and public value missions in emerging markets. Students will have opportunities to define their role in advancing biotechnology as it relates to the top global challenges.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Technology Transfer & Commercialization
This course is an introduction to the multidisciplinary aspects involved in the process of bringing technical developments, particularly research emanating from universities and other nonprofit organizations, into commercial use. The course will provide an overview of the key policies, concepts, tools, issues, practices, and trends that are shaping the technology transfer field, with an emphasis on the life sciences sector.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.
Economic Dynamics of Change
Governments around the world are beginning a long term process that reviews and redesigns its healthcare systems addressing concerns of innovation, cost, equitable access, and sustained quality of healthcare. As a result healthcare is undergoing significant changes globally in R&D, marketing, pricing, sales and distribution. This course helps students to understand these processes and the new business opportunities and new business models they will create. It provides some of the basics of macro-and microeconomics to clarify how economic and social forces drive changes in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and genetic industry. Emphasis will be placed on the application of economics.
Guest Lectures = Yes. Cases Used = Yes. Credits = 4. Class Size = 16. Frequency = Annually.