{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"MedTech Speed to Data","title":"Where to Focus De-Risking : 32","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2368,"description":"Blackbird Labs is a life sciences accelerator with a mission to develop Baltimore’s biotech startup ecosystem. Funded by the owners of the Baltimore Ravens, Blackbird’s focus is on bridging the gap between research labs and clinical trials.In Episode #32, Andy Rogers of Key Tech talks with Blackbird Labs CEO Matt Tremblay about Blackbird’s integrated initiative to foster life science and biotech research in Baltimore.Need to knowBuilding Baltimore’s biotech infrastructure — The Baltimore area is home to some of the nation’s top biotech research institutions with lots of mid-career talent, but a relatively underdeveloped investor ecosystem compared to Silicon Valley.Building a thriving ecosystem — With a mission to foster entrepreneurship and reduce Baltimore’s opportunity gap, Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti’s family foundation wants to develop the region’s biotech innovation.Blackbird Labs gets innovations out of the lab — A $100 million founding grant will let Blackbird Labs accelerate life sciences innovation by helping promising research cross the gap separating the lab from the market.Blackbird Bioventures moves startups towards the market — Making seed-stage investments and cultivating a network of investors, advisors, and leaders will help biotech startups shift from research to clinical trials.The nitty-grittyBlackbird Labs and Blackbird Bioventures address a significant hurdle preventing novel therapies and technologies from reaching the market. A laboratory discovery is too risky for investors. There are too many open questions concerning safety and efficacy.“When a new therapeutic is identified,” Tremblay explains, “we can’t just immediately go into a clinical study.”Blackbird Labs attacks the problem from one end by funding research at universities and contract labs that no longer fits within the academic systems of publications and grant-making.“What you may need is another one to two years of very focused research to create the data that will...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/D6hMCysuuZpZO9MQfRbgtr2o9UZ_Mtc0h1qVAxU8GII/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS83MGQ2/N2MwMDdmNTRmOTRl/M2Y0MTcyNjAwN2Mz/OWRlZi5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}