MU workshop helps scientists navigate biotech commercialization

A new workshop hosted by Marquette University aims to equip academic researchers with the knowledge and tools to bring their scientific discoveries out of the lab and into the marketplace.

The Realities of Biotech: A Case Study in Entrepreneurship, held July 23–24, 2025, is designed for scientists who are curious about commercialization but unsure where to begin. The event is part of Marquette’s Foresight Academy, an initiative within the university’s biomedical sciences department that focuses on supporting translational research and entrepreneurial thinking.

Dr. SuJean Choi, a professor at Marquette, said the workshop was inspired by the experience of Dr. David Baker, whose drug discovery efforts ultimately led to the founding of Promentis Pharmaceuticals. While Baker had groundbreaking science, navigating the transition from research to real-world therapy proved nearly career-ending.

“What it takes to transition a drug out of academia is an entirely different skill set than what scientists are trained for,” said Choi. “This workshop is for people like Dr. Baker—people with promising discoveries who don’t yet know what steps to take to move their ideas forward.”

To help demystify the process, the two-day workshop will walk attendees through the biotech startup journey using fictional case studies and real-world experience. Panelists will explore legal, financial, and pharmaceutical industry perspectives, and share the story of Promentis Pharmaceuticals, from its early promise to its challenges securing investment in the wake of global instability.

Chad Beyer, Senior Vice President of Research and Development at Promentis, will help lead the workshop, emphasized the value of hearing directly from people with firsthand experience navigating biotech entrepreneurship.

“Our goal is to empower researchers by showing them what the process really looks like,” said Beyer. “There’s a huge gap between making a discovery and delivering a therapy—and that gap can’t be bridged by science alone.”

Choi added that while most universities have tech transfer offices, they often can’t provide the comprehensive support needed to advance a therapy into clinical trials, especially in the early stages.

The workshop is open to faculty, postdocs, graduate students, and early-career professionals in the life sciences. Registration is available online through Marquette’s Health Sciences continuing education page.