ME2824 From Science to Business- Concepts in Biotechnology 7.5 credits

The course deals with the development and management of biotechnology life science businesses, with a focus on commercializing discoveries and inventions. The course consists of seminars lectures and seminars based on practice and theory of the different stages of business development. as well as a group-project presented in writing and orally.

The broad picture is given by researchers in sociology or business administration with an insight in academic discoveries, start-up companies, venture capital, business expansion and exits.

The overall aim of this course is develop an understanding of commercialization and management of projects and companies in the life sciences. The objectives can be summarised as follows: to understand the life science business context, provide simple but effective business tools and to broaden the perspective of career alternatives (industrial, private etc).The learning outcomes for the course can be subdivided into two broad areas; i) Biotech business including finance, strategy, law and regulations and ii) Entrepreneurship and innovation. After the course you the student should be able to:

• demonstrate a general understanding of the field of the life science industry and how it has evolved
• understand and demonstrate knowledge of the commercialization and management of life sciences companies
• argue for advantages and disadvantages of public and private financing of early stage life science companies
• apply basic strategies, tools and key skill-sets for life science based companies
• demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge within the overall legal and regulatory framework for life science based businesses (public procurement, patenting law, regulatory authorities)
• understand and demonstrate how research discoveries and inventions are commercialized
• apply understanding and knowledge of the basics of innovation and entrepreneurship in a broader context and relate to own field of study
• understand the innovation system and its actors

Students must have a minimum of 120 university points.

Information om kurslitteratur kommer att meddelas inför kursstart.

Will be announced at the start of the course.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

• PRO1 - Project, 7.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

The final grade will be based on:

• Group-project
• Case assignment
• Oral presentations.

There is compulsory attendance in the seminars, casework and presentations. Failure to attend obligatory parts of the course may be compensated for by completion of assignments, decided on in agreement with the course leadership and judged on a case-to-case basis.

Grading scale:

Students that successfully complete an SSES course will be graded according to the course syllabus.

Terrence Brown

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Queries can be addressed to SSES Education Coordinator via registrar@sses.se

The course language is English.

The course is offered within the framework of the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Responsible institution: Karolinska Institute (KI)

Course director: Hanna Jansson, hanna.jansson@ki.se