Among the speakers were Prof. Günter Mayer (Professor of Chemical Biology and Chemical Genetics) and Dr. Nora Karnowski (Head of Technology at APIS Assay Technologies and CEO of Clickmer Systems), co-founders of the spin-off Clickmer Systems, which successfully entered the market in 2022 . Prof. Radosław Nowak (Professor of Immune Engineering and Drug Discovery) and Dr. Lorenzo Cianni from the start-up project OncoDegrade, who are at an earlier stage still developing their innovative idea for commercialization, joined them on the panel. They shared their entrepreneurial stories and experiences from their way from the lab to the market. The discussion gave exciting insights on life science businesses with scientific origins, especially in regard to career perspectives for early-career scientists.
The event was opened by Ivan Savchuk, PhD Student at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) in Bonn and Co-Managing Director, NRW Region of Nucleate Germany, who gave lively insights in the activities and offers of the organization for life science innovators. Afterwards, Sergi Bravo, PhD student at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Co-Managing Director, NRW Region of Nucleate Germany took over as the host of the panel discussion.
The importance of team building
Prof. Günter Mayer opened the floor by recalling how a grant by the German Research Association (DFG) fifteen years ago led to the innovation that the spin-off Clickmer Systems is based on. He emphasized how important it was to find people to join his team who had a strong interest in advancing the start-up and who also brought their business expertise to the project, effectively paving the way for the start-up’s commercialization.
Patent your ideas
The patenting of Clickmer Systems’ technique was an important milestone in the start-up’s development, according to Prof. Mayer. Co-founder of Clickmer Systems Dr. Nora Karnowski underlined this: “Patent first, publish later”. She emphasized that protecting intellectual property before any external communication or publication is important. She viewed this as an essential step when trying to win over investors, along with providing first glimpses of ‘in vivo efficacy’, meaning proof that a method or product is actually effective. She highlighted the importance of carefully balancing academic publishing with intellectual property protection, noting that patent strategies are often complex and require specialized expertise.
Prof. Radosław Nowak suggested that early engagement with the services provided by Transfer Center enaCom is extremely helpful in supporting researchers throughout the development process and help them navigate this complex landscape. He stated: “The transfer structures at the University of Bonn and the University Hospital Bonn are great motivators and supporters, aiding founders with their coaching and expertise.”
Towards an entrepreneurial mindset
Günter Mayer pointed out that transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship requires more than scientific expertise. He noted that professors rarely step away from their institutional role to become a full-time founder. He highlighted that it is extremely important to identify and onboard co-founders with complementary business experience early on. His team actively recruited graduate researchers and teamed up with an experienced external expert, building a founding team that bridges deep technical knowledge with commercial acumen.
For researchers eyeing a start-up path, the panel stressed the importance of adopting a business mindset from day one. Nora Karnowski advised that researchers should engage with industry as soon as possible and make a solid plan to envisage the right ideas into a business case. They need to understand costumer needs, validate early and prove there is willingness to pay. Lorenzo Cianni, who moved from Belgium a year ago to join Prof. Nowak’s lab to pursue applied research, emphasized, that success requires the right mindset, personal drive, and a supportive ecosystem. Mentorship from PIs, transfer offices, and accelerator programs make all the difference.
Conclusive advices for the step out of the lab
The panel concluded with a clear message: academia and commercialization are not mutually exclusive. With strategic management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a willingness to step beyond the lab, scientific breakthroughs can be transformed into tangible societal and economic impact. “Even if you don’t have your own idea yet, immerse yourself in the innovation ecosystem”, Lorenzo Cianni advised. “Connect with accelerators, reach out to TTO’s, and let experts guide you”.
IP support by Transfer Center enaCom
One of the services the Transfer Center enaCom offers is coaching and guidance during the patenting process. Intellectual Property (IP) consultants accompany inventors every step of the way, from assessing the invention to actually applying for a patent. A patent can improve an invention’s economic success and can be the first step towards a successful business venture.
