Tech Transfer Unlocked

Paving the Way for Dynamic Academia-industry Partnerships

Program

Join us for a fireside chat with an expert panel that will explore the role of tech transfer in fostering successful collaborations between academia and industry. We’ll discuss how tech transfer offices drive innovation, nurture startup ecosystems, foster relationships, and help founders overcome commercialization and partnership challenges

AGENDA:

4-4:30pm: Registration and Biolabs Tours
4:30-5:30pm: Panel Discussion
5:30-7pm: Networking, Refreshments & Heavy Appetizers

Panel

Our experts will explore issues faced by tech transfer offices and startups alike, including navigating IP conflicts, investor negotiations, and managing faculty engagement in commercialization efforts.

This Larger Than Life Science event is perfect for founders, investors, and ecosystem professionals. Join us for a unique opportunity to hear directly from those who are actively involved in the local San Diego life sciences startup ecosystem.

With autumn upon us, enjoy a curated selection of festive and seasonal appetizers and drinks. Tours of the space will be available—please indicate your interest when you register.

Speakers

Anthony Reza Razavi, PhD, Associate Director, Life Sciences Innovation, Office of Innovation and Commercialization, UCSD
Anthony has a diverse background as a scientist, business development and operations professional in pharmaceutical industry (Novartis and Purdue), startups (TORL Biotherapeutics and 1200 Pharma) and as a tech transfer and corporate partnership professional in academia (Rutgers and Caltech). He worked previously at the Foundation Venture Capital Group, where he gained experience in the investment and management of Startups in the Life Sciences.
Victoria Cajipe, PhD, Associate Director of Physical Sciences Innovation, Office of Innovation and Commercialization, UCSD
Victoria is Associate Director of Physical Sciences Innovation at the Office of Innovation and Commercialization at UCSD. She joined what was then the University’s Technology Transfer Office as a senior licensing officer in 2008, managing a large and diverse portfolio of physical science, engineering and medical technology inventions, and facilitating the launch of numerous startup companies. Before UCSD, Victoria was Vice President for Operations with NOVA R&D.
Gene Yeo, PhD, MBA, Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UCSD and Director for UCSD’s Center for RNA Technologies and Therapeutics
Gene is the Sanford Stem Cell Institute Endowed Chair and Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at UCSD, Director for UCSD’s Center for RNA Technologies and Therapeutics, Chief Scientist for Sanford Laboratories for Innovative Medicine and Director for the Sanford Stem Cell Institute’s Innovation Center. Dr. Yeo was trained as a computational biologist in AI/ML as a grad student and worked in experimental stem cell biology at the Salk Institute. His lab studies how RNA processing is regulated by RNA binding proteins in development and disease.
Jose Morachis, PhD, Managing Partner, Phase Two Ventures
Jose is the Managing Partner at Phase Two Ventures, focusing on early-stage life science startups. He co-founded and serves as Board Chairman of Defined Bioscience, a company developing reagents for stem cell research, and is a board member for Lynx Bio. Previously, he was President and CEO of NanoCellect Biomedical, a developer of innovative cell sorting technology. During graduate school, he founded ScholarNexus to help spin out several university technologies.
Devora Rossi, PhD, Senior Manager, Office of Innovation & Commercialization, UCSD
Dr. Devora Rossi brings over 25 years of expertise in biotechnology, specializing in business development and innovation commercialization. As Senior Innovation & Commercialization Manager at UC San Diego, she manages a diverse life sciences IP portfolio and has driven the licensing of over 100 technologies. Her work connects early-stage companies with investors and industry leaders, and she has held senior roles at Affymetrix/eBioscience, EMD Biosciences, and BD Biosciences.