How to write a business plan workshop 2021

Online, Blackboard Collaborate



  • Thursday, 18/02/2021
  • 13:00 - 14:30

Online, Blackboard Collaborate
Enterprise Skills

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The importance of a clear an accurate business plan for all stages of the process is paramount- whether to enable fund raising, to focus the company’s goal and direction, or whether to simply allow an internal reality check on all activities underway. John March, Senior Enterprise Executive at Edinburgh Innovations, hopes to use his practical and first-hand knowledge to help the attendees in achieving this goal.

John originally patented and developed bacteriophages as a DNA vaccine delivery vehicle using SE Proof of Concept Funding followed by an RSE/SE Enterprise Fellowship award whilst working an academic group leader at Moredun Research Institute. He gave up his academic career and raised VC investment and spun the technology out to create BigDNA Ltd in 2007, when he became CEO. The phage vaccine technology was licensed to Eli Lilly in 2011. John then developed a small molecule cancer drug as Iceni Pharma which he exited from in 2018 (sold to a HK investor). He has raised over £5m in equity investment to date and as well as raising non-dilutive funding from various grant awarding bodies. He is the named inventor on 9 patent families and has secured international trademark protection as well.

John joined Edinburgh Innovations in 2019 as a Senior Enterprise Executive with the aim of helping University Scientists’ to commercialise their science. John has first-hand experience of all parts of the commercialisation process- from the idea & basic research & patenting, through to technology development, followed by company formation and fund raising, through to commercial development and exit. He hopes to be able to help others embark upon this fascinating journey.



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