OTC Seminar Series: From University Start-up to Partnerships

Join Innovate Carolina for a seminar discussing how university startups can form partnerships that address unmet global needs.

The event will feature a conversation with Dr. Anil Goyal, CEO and Co-founder of IMMvention Therapeutix. Dr. Goyal will share insights on building partnerships among university inventors, experienced management teams, investors, and industry collaborators.

Dr. Goyal will explore the critical role university inventors play in feeding into and partnering with the broader innovation ecosystem, drawing on his recent success in leading IMMvention to a transformative multi-year collaboration with Novo Nordisk in 2025. He'll also discuss how discoveries can be developed into globally accessible therapies through strategic partnerships and effective team-building.

Drawing on over two decades of biotech leadership, Dr. Goyal will cover:

• How university inventors can identify and attract the right partners
• Building complementary teams that combine academic innovation with commercial expertise
• Navigating relationships with investors and industry collaborators
• Lessons from IMMvention's journey from university spinout to Novo Nordisk partnership
• Leveraging North Carolina's thriving biotech ecosystem

Whether you're a faculty researcher considering commercialization, an early-stage entrepreneur, or interested in understanding how academic innovation translates to real-world impact, this session will provide practical insights on building the partnerships that turn scientific breakthroughs into transformative therapies.