Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator
From innovation to impact
Biomedical research at Harvard has the potential to improve countless lives, revolutionize industries, and create immense social and economic value. Translating this early-stage research into compelling, validated technologies requires careful planning, focused resources, and a tireless pursuit of results.
The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator guides Harvard scientists toward translational impact by providing strategic, monetary, and advisory support for well-defined research projects. Our work is expressly aimed at hastening the pace of scientific progress, developing a shared vision with partners in industry, and ensuring that lifesaving technologies born at Harvard will become new products that impact the world for the better.
Read about the research projects newly funded in 2020 or find out how to apply for funding in 2021.
Accelerating innovation to transform medicine
In this video created by the Blavatnik Family Foundation in 2020, learn how the targeted funding and strategic advising of the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator at Harvard University is helping Harvard scientists to understand disease and advance new treatments that may save lives.
Find out how to apply for funding in January or July 2021.
The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator was established through a major gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation.
Proving the value of big ideas
The Accelerator seeks to support innovative, investigator-initiated research, and to develop preliminary observations into robust intellectual property positions. Its primary goal is to advance technologies to the point where an industry partnership can commence.
We employ a proven strategy of selecting projects with significant commercial potential, and providing financial support and domain expertise to fuel translational research, proof-of-concept, and technological development. We simultaneously build relationships with industry, generating partnerships and licensing opportunities, and facilitating startup formation and investment.
Learn more about our tried-and-true approach in the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator brochure (PDF).
The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator Advisory Committee
The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator Advisory Committee comprises academic thought leaders and accomplished members of the biopharma and life-science venture communities. This distinguished group provides critical input on project selection and oversight, helping to ensure that research work plans have been designed to drive results, add value, and effectively address key criteria for licensing.
KEVIN BITTERMAN, PhD
Partner
Atlas Ventures
ALEXIS BORISY
Chairman and CEO
EQRx
Previously Partner, Third Rock Ventures
JON CLARDY, PhD
Hsien Wu and Daisy Yen Wu Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
ANTHONY MANNING, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
Momenta Pharma
DEB PALESTRANT, PhD, MBA
Partner, Head of 4:59
5AM Ventures
ARLENE SHARPE, PhD
George Fabyan Professor of Comparative Pathology, Chair of the Department of Immunology
Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
STEVE TREGAY, PhD
Managing Partner
Mission BioCapital
STACIE WENINGER, PhD
President
F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative
New projects in 2020
In labs across Harvard University, nine innovative research projects received new support from the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator in 2020. Our investigators are advancing crucial translational work in the areas of neuroscience, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, oncology, cell therapy and regenerative medicine, and dermatology. These projects are driving rapidly toward commercial partnership. To learn more, please contact us.
Neuroscience
Identifying Novel Therapeutic Targets for Treating Pain and Chronic Itch
David Ginty
Edward R. and Anne G. Lefler Professor of Neurobiology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School; Associate Director of the Harvard Program in Neuroscience
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases
A Novel Biologic and Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Diabetes
Doug Melton
Xander University Professor, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School); Co-Director, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
A Novel Synthetic Intravenous Hemostatic Agent
Samir Mitragotri
Hiller Professor of Bioengineering and Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering
Oncology
Small Molecule Activator of the Pro-apoptotic Proteins BAX and BAK: A Novel Class of Anti-Cancer Therapeutics
Kristopher Sarosiek
Assistant Professor of Radiation Biology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Targeting Selenoprotein Synthesis to Enhance Ferroptosis in Cancer Cells
David Scadden
Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology (Faculty of Arts and Sciences and Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School); Gerald and Darlene Jordan Professor of Medicine, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
In vivo Delivery of Anti-tumor Receptors by Trogocytosis
Pamela A. Silver
Elliott T. and Onie H. Adams Professor of Biochemistry and Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
Development of Novel Molecular Glues that Target the “Undruggable” Proteome in Cancer Stem Cells
Christina M. Woo
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine
Improving Cellular Entrenchment by Targeted Cell Depletion
Douglas Glenn Brownfield
Mark and Catherine Winkler Assistant Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Dermatology
Development of Microbiota-Targeted Therapeutic to Treat Atopic Dermatitis
Jon Clardy
Hsien Wu and Daisy Yen Wu Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School