The life sciences accelerator Blackbird Laboratories Inc. launched Tuesday with a $100 million founding grant from The Stephen and Renee Bisciotti Foundation and research collaborations with Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the Lieber Institute for Brain Development.
Blackbird Labs’ mission is to help universities and investigators commercialize their academic research to build innovative companies, advance technology and create an entrepreneurial ecosystem in Baltimore.
Baltimore has been recognized as a leading hub for innovative research in the United States. Both Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland rank in the top 20 of all U.S. universities in total research and development spending — Johns Hopkins University has been the top research university in the U.S. for 43 consecutive years. Moreover, Maryland is ranked first among all 50 states in securing federal funding for research and development.
Despite major breakthroughs in biomedical research, there is often a “valley of death” between academic science and a new drug or technology that reaches patients. Blackbird Labs provides capital and strategic advice from its team of life sciences professionals to help bridge that gap between pioneering academic science and industry.
Blackbird Labs is the product of a multiyear research effort to uncover the best models for commercializing university research. It is led by Matt Tremblay, Ph.D., the CEO and a founding member of the board of directors since Blackbird Labs’ creation in January. Formerly chief operating officer of The Scripps Research Institute and its drug discovery division, Calibr, Tremblay relocated to Baltimore with his family this year with a team of former colleagues to help bring Bisciotti’s vision to life. Tremblay and colleagues bring a wealth of experience in early-stage technology research and business strategy.
The new initiative seeks to build on a growing track record of technology development established by Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures and UMB’s UM Ventures.
Full story: Life science accelerator launches with $100M grant from Ravens owner Bisciotti – Maryland Daily Record
