Attention Presenters - please review the Speaker Information Page available here

The divide between academic research and industrial applications is narrowing, fueled by shared data, mutual funding opportunities, and translational innovation. This session, presented by the ISCB Industry Advisory Council, spotlights the evolving ecosystem connecting academia and industry.

We’ll explore how computational biologists can navigate and shape this space, from leveraging public datasets, launching startups, collaborating on research efforts within industry, and securing funding from public-private partnerships. Featuring voices from pharma, biotech, funding agencies, and academia, this session is a roadmap for those curious about careers in industry, partnerships that move science forward, and how to turn research into real-world impact.

Schedule subject to change
All times listed are in BST
Wednesday, July 23rd
11:20-11:40
Opening Remarks & Framing the Ecosystem
Room: 03B
Format: In person


Authors List: Show

  • Sean Mooney

Presentation Overview: Show

• Introduction of the ISCB Industry Advisory Council and session overview
• Overview of the academia–industry–startup pipeline
• Framing questions: How do discoveries become products? What does meaningful collaboration look like?

11:40-12:00
Startup Ecosystems & Translational Science
Room: 03B
Format: In person


Authors List: Show

  • Ellen McDonagh, Rosie Rodriguez, Lindsay Edwards

Presentation Overview: Show

Explore the early stages of innovation where research meets entrepreneurship. Speakers will discuss:
• What makes a scientific idea “translatable” in the eyes of investors or biotech accelerators
• How academics can navigate the startup

12:00-12:20
Public-Private Partnerships and Career Navigation
Room: 03B
Format: In person


Authors List: Show

  • Enoch Huang
  • Scott Markel

Presentation Overview: Show

Focus on later-stage collaborations and real-world applications. Panelists will cover:
• How computational biology fuels industry R&D pipelines
• Collaboration models between academia, industry, and public funders
• Career navigation

12:20-12:40
Funding & Government Innovation Strategies
Room: 03B
Format: In person


Authors List: Show

  • Nick Weber
  • Andrew Smith

Presentation Overview: Show

Review some key areas of funding strategy aligning with innovation pipelines such as:
• Navigating government and cross-sector funding channels
• Emerging biotech/AI policy in the UK and globally
• Role of public datasets and infrastructure in enabling industry research
• Strategies to foster equitable, sustainable academic-industry partnerships

12:40-13:00
Panel: How Industry & Academia Can Work Together in Computational Biology:Panel Discussion
Room: 03B
Format: In person


Authors List: Show