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 2019 or find out how to apply for funding in 2020.
Learn more about our tried-and-true approach in the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator brochure (PDF).
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.
Find out how to apply for funding in January or July 2020.
Positioned for Impact
The Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator was established through a major gift from the Blavatnik Family Foundation.
Recent Blavatnik News
By helping translate the inventions that happen here at Harvard into projects and businesses with real-world impact, the Accelerator can provide a unique and powerful spur to collaboration and innovation – both of which are crucial to solving society's most difficult challenges.
Nitin Nohria
Dean, Harvard Business School
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 Venture
ALEXIS BORISY
Partner
Third Rock Ventures
JON CLARDY, PhD
Hsien Wu and Daisy Yen Wu Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology
Harvard Medical School
ROSANA KAPELLER, MD, PhD
Formerly CSO
Nimbus Therapeutics
DIANE MATHIS, PhD
Morton Grove-Rasmussen Professor of Immunohematology
Harvard Medical School
CHRIS MIRABELLI, PhD
Managing Director
Healthcare Ventures
VICKI SATO, PhD
Chairman, Vir Biotechnology
Chairman, Denali Therapeutics
STEVE TREGAY, PhD
Founder, President, and CEO
FORMA Therapeutics
STACIE WENINGER, PhD
President
F-Prime Biomedical Research Initiative
New projects in 2019
In labs across Harvard University, 10 innovative research projects received new support from the Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator in 2019. Our investigators are advancing crucial translational work in the areas of neuroscience, metabolic diseases, oncology, inflammation and infectious diseases, gene therapy and regenerative medicine, and drug delivery. These projects are driving rapidly toward commercial partnership. To learn more, please contact us.
Neuroscience
Targeting Gut Microbes to Enhance the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Emily P. Balskus
Morris Kahn Associate Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Therapeutics to Address Neuronal Toxicity in ALS
Kevin Eggan
Professor of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology; Principal Faculty, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Metabolic Diseases
“Bariatric surgery in a pill”: A Novel Therapy for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity
A. Sloan Devlin
Assistant Professor of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
A Novel Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Diabetes
Doug Melton
Xander University Professor, Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology; Co-Director, Harvard Stem Cell Institute
Oncology
Developing Small Molecules Against a Novel Target to Treat Cancer
Christina M. Woo
Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Inflammation and Infectious Diseases
Treating Allergy and Inflammation by Targeting Neurogenic Inflammation
Bruce P. Bean
Robert Winthrop Professor of Neurobiology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
Developing a Biological Inhibitor to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
Martin Karplus
Theodore William Richards Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Gene Therapy and Regenerative Medicine
Targeted Expression of GJB2 by Specific Enhancers for Treating Hereditary Deafness
David P. Corey
Bertarelli Professor of Translational Medical Science, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
Michael E. Greenberg
Nathan Marsh Pusey Professor of Neurobiology and Professor of Neurology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School
Drug Delivery
Delivery of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies via Acoustophoretic Printing
Jennifer Lewis
Hansjorg Wyss Professor of Biologically Inspired Engineering and Jianming Yu Professor of Arts and Sciences, Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Non-invasive Delivery of Therapeutic Molecules into Cells
Johan Paulsson
Professor of Systems Biology, Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School