New Technologies and Building Successful Biotechnology Companies to Treat Disease

Celebrating his return to Cambridge and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), we are delighted to welcome Professor Harvey Lodish, Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at MIT, who undertook his postdoctoral research at the LMB with Drs Sydney Brenner and Francis Crick, for a special lecture and discussion.

The event will explore how fundamental scientific discovery can be translated into real‑world benefit and the role universities play in supporting that journey with integrity, responsibility, and long‑term vision.

Professor Lodish will share insights from his academic career and his experience founding and advising biotechnology companies, including perspectives on mentorship, ethics, and the relationship between research excellence and enterprise. The lecture will be followed by a panel discussion, Q&A, and networking over lunch.

This unique opportunity is open to academics, postdoctoral researchers, and staff from across the Biomedical Campus, including the LMB, Clinical Schools, Milner Therapeutics Institute, and partner organisations.

Event details

Date: Tuesday 21 July 2026
Venue: Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Ave, Trumpington, Cambridge CB2 0QH
Timings: 10.00am-1.30pm

Agenda

10.00am – Arrival & coffee

10.30am – Welcome

10.45am – Special Lecture with Professor Harvey Lodish: New Technologies and Building Successful Biotechnology Companies to Treat Disease: A Personal History

11.45am – Panel & Q&A

12.30pm – Lunch

1.30pm- Event close

About

Professor Harvey F. Lodish

Harvey F. Lodish is Professor of Biology and Biological Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a founding member of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research. He earned an A.B. in chemistry and mathematics from Kenyon College and a Ph.D. in genetics from Rockefeller University, before completing postdoctoral work in Cambridge with Sydney Brenner and Francis Crick before returning to the US to join the MIT faculty. An elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences and fellow of major scientific academies, he has served as President of the American Society for Cell Biology and received multiple lifetime achievement awards in hematology. He is lead author of the widely used textbook Molecular Cell Biology and has co-founded and advised numerous biotech companies, including Genzyme and Millennium Pharmaceuticals, as well as more recent ventures developing gene therapies and protein-based therapeutics and vaccines.

Cambridge Enterprise

Part of the University of Cambridge, Cambridge Enterprise supports academics, researchers, staff and students in achieving knowledge transfer and research impact. We do this by helping innovators, experts and entrepreneurs use commercial avenues to develop their ideas and expertise for the benefit of society, the economy, themselves and the University.

Cambridge Enterprise is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and as part of that we’re partnering with University departments for specialised editions of our annual “Ideas to Reality” showcase to celebrate the translation of University research into real-world impact.

LGC Group

LGC is a leading global life sciences measurement, testing, and tools company, providing essential products and services to customers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, applied, and forensics markets. Operating under the purpose of “Science for a Safer World,” LGC advances scientific progress to ensure safer medicines, improved diagnostics, and secure food and water resources.

Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB)

The Medical Research Council (MRC) Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the world’s leading research institutes. Discoveries and inventions developed at the LMB, for example DNA sequencing and methods to determine the structure of proteins, have revolutionised all areas of biology. Its scientists work to advance understanding of biological processes at the molecular level. This information will help us to understand the workings of complex systems, such as the immune system and the brain, and solve key problems in human health.

The MRC is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).