BOSTON, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club announces its seventh annual Biotechnology Business Plan Competition with sponsorship from Merck Research Laboratories (MRL)-Boston and Cummings Properties.
The GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Business Plan Competition focuses solely on biotechnology and medical device start-ups. The 2006 Biotechnology Business Plan competition is open to entrepreneurs, students and professionals worldwide, and does not require Harvard University affiliation. The competition offers a $5,000 cash award for the first prize and an additional prize of a one-year lease for 1000 sq ft of lab/office space ($25,000 value), generously donated by Cummings Properties, which will be granted to the highest placing entry that can utilize the space.
The business plans are reviewed and judged by leading venture capitalists in the Boston area, thereby presenting an opportunity for early stage biotechnology companies to get their business plans in front of seasoned VCs in the biotech and medical device sectors. Starting this year we have added an additional component to the competition. After reviewing the business plans the judges will select three finalists who will be invited to pitch their companies to a panel of VCs at the awards reception. The judges will then select the winner, who will be announced that evening.
Leading up to the competition, the GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club is hosting a series of seminars and panel discussions. These panels are designed to address just a few of the many issues faced by entrepreneurs trying to start a company. All seminars and panels are open to the public and free of charge.
Schedule of Events Wednesday, March 22nd, 4:00 - 6:00pm Getting Your Biotech Start-Up Seed Funded Speaker: Steve Wardell: Principle, Apeiron Partners LLC Harvard Medical School, New Research Building, HIM Lecture Room 1 Thursday, April 25th, 4:00 - 6:00pm Alternative Funding and Business Law Panels Harvard Medical School New Research Building, Rotunda Monday, May 1st, 4:00 - 6:00pm Venture Capital and Intellectual Property Panels Harvard Medical School, New Research Building, Rotunda Monday, May 15th, 5:00pm Business Plan Competition Submission Deadline Finalist Presentations and Awards Ceremony Harvard Medical School Date - To Be Announced
For more information about the Biotechnology Business Plan Competition, the Biotech Club, or becoming a sponsor, visit www.thebiotechclub.org/industry/startup/bplan.php or contact Patrick Loerch, patrick@thebiotechclub.org
About the GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club
In the five years since the GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club was founded by three former Harvard graduate students, the Club has grown to include over 3000 academic members and 2000 members from industry, including members from around the world. A central fixture in the Boston biotech community, the Biotech Club constantly strives to bridge the gap between industry, academia, and the general public on matters relating to biotechnology and its applications. The Club’s web-content and seminars cover the many facets of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, as well as providing career assistance to its members. Many of the Club’s sponsors include top biotech and pharmaceutical research firms, numerous intellectual property law and venture financing firms. The Club’s mission is to explore and raise awareness on every aspect of biotechnology.
About Merck Research Laboratories
Merck & Co., Inc. is a global research-driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to putting patients first. Established in 1891, Merck discovers, develops, manufactures and markets vaccines and medicines in more than 20 therapeutic categories. The company devotes extensive efforts to increase access to medicines through far-reaching programs that not only donate Merck medicines but help deliver them to the people who need them. Merck also publishes unbiased health information as a not-for-profit service. For more information, visit www.merck.com. The latest addition to the Merck network of advanced research facilities, Merck Research Laboratories (MRL) Boston, launched in August 2004. The MRL Boston research center is dedicated to the discovery of therapeutics for Oncology and Alzheimer’s disease - therapeutic areas that will improve worldwide human health. For more information, visit www.mrk-brc.com.
About Cummings Properties Cummings Properties operates more than 8 million square feet of first-class office, lab and general commercial space in 10 metropolitan Boston communities. More than 100 life-science firms occupy more than 1.4 million square feet of space in its buildings. Cummings Properties features a wide array of lab spaces ranging from incubator labs to cleanrooms and animal facilities. It has the in-house ability and expertise to design, build and finance all types of buildouts. A leader in Boston commercial real estate for more than 35 years, with an experienced team of professionals, Cummings Properties provides quality building management including leasing, space planning, design, construction and maintenance. For more information, visit http://www.cummings.com/avaspace.html
Contact: Patrick Loerch, Managing Director
GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club
patrick@thebiotechclub.org
The GSAS Harvard Biotechnology Club
CONTACT: Patrick Loerch, Managing Director, GSAS Harvard BiotechnologyClub, patrick@thebiotechclub.org
