CIEE Global Institute Berlin

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CIEE Global Institute Berlin Course name: Berlin s Emerging Biotech Industry Course number: PUBH 3007 BRGE / BUSI 3005 BRGE Programs offering course: Berlin Open Campus (Health Sciences Track)

1 CIEE Global Institute Berlin Course name: Berlin s Emerging Biotech Industry Course number: PUBH 3007 BRGE / BUSI 3005 BRGE Programs offering course: Berlin Open Campus (Health Sciences Track) Language of instruction: English U.S. semester credits: 3 Contact hours: 45 Term Spring 2017 Course Description This course examines the complexities of a fast-growing marketplace and the powerful economic, social, and medical implications of biomedical / biotech advancements. Students will explore how federal, state, and European-level policies as well as public and private partnerships evolve in this area to affect diagnostics, R&D of new substances, regenerative medicine, and industrial biotechnologies. Highlights will include how these emerging and established biotech industries interact with the development of medical devices, innovations in health care delivery, and health promotion. The course includes a variety of field visits designed to help students better understand the interface between biotech, medicine and health care, information technology, engineering, and start-up opportunities. Learning Objectives At the end of the course students will be able to: Demonstrate a good understanding of scope, topics and innovative potential of biotechnology Describe the intersections between biotechnology, medicine, engineering, ethics, and public policy Know key biotech companies and stakeholders in the Berlin-Brandenburg area Relate the particular features and advantages of the Berlin-Brandeburg region to the dynamics of biotechnology industries from medical discoveries to politics and investment climate Compare pros and cons of different venues for biotech companies in Europe in the context of European competitive growth strategies Have a basic understanding of molecular and cell biology Know market entry strategies, investment criteria, sources of venture capital and other support Have a basic understanding of how data analysis and IT are used in the area of biotechnology Understand the principles of knowledge management: how knowledge and innovation get translated into practice Gain tools and know-how for translational work and research communication 1

2 Course Prerequisites None. Methods of Instruction The course will be taught via interactive classes led by the instructor and guest lecturers. A core method of this highly practice-oriented class will be field trips in the Berlin- Brandenburg region. Students are expected to adopt a company or biotech topic and conduct their own research, either individually or in teams. Findings are then to be presented to the class using PowerPoint, Prezi, videos, or debates. Assessment and Final Grade In-class Presentation: 20% Research Paper: 30% Reports from the Field 20% Class Participation: 10% Field Trip Participation: 20% Course Requirements In-class Presentations Students will conduct a 15-minute presentation individually or in small groups, on one of the themes discussed and on one of the field trips (briefing presentations). They may use classic or more novel presentation tools and techniques and are invited to experiment with non-lecture style methods using PowerPoint, Prezi, videos, a business model pitch, role play, and debates. Research Paper The research paper, pages long, will be an in-depth analysis of one of the biotech topics discussed in class (personalized medicine, biotech drug development, regenerative medicine, in-vitro diagnostics and bioanalytics, glycoscience, industrial biotechnology). The research paper may be a written extension of the subject covered by the in-class presentation. Research papers are thought papers and should discuss the theoretical, practical, philosophical, or policy implications of biotechnology on health care, medicine, and / or society at large. As appropriate, the research paper should elaborate on the current state of research and implementation in the area covered, the potential, the barriers and the returns to investors and society. Reports from the Field Students are expected to submit call reports, 1 to 2 pages long, on the biotech companies, networks, or research centers visited. The call reports should describe the organization, its operations, its research focus, its business model and contain an assessment of the potential of the organization using a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). 2

3 Class Attendance Regular class attendance is required throughout the program. Students must notify their instructor via Canvas, beforehand, if possible, if they will miss class for any reason. Students are responsible for any materials covered in class in their absence. Students who miss class for medical reasons must inform the instructor and the Academic Director (or a designated staff member) and provide appropriate documentation as noted below. A make-up opportunity will be provided to the extent feasible. Due to the intensive nature of the block schedule, all unexcused absences will result in a lower final grade for the course. Each unexcused absence will cause 3 percentage points to be dropped from the final grade. For example, a student with an 88% final grade (B+) and 1 unexcused absence will see it reduced to 85% (B). Students who transfer from one class to another during the add/drop period will not be considered absent from the first session(s) of their new class, provided they were marked present for the first session(s) of their original class. Otherwise, the absence(s) from the original class carry over to the new class and count against the grade in that class. CIEE program minimum class attendance standards are as outlined below. Center-specific attendance policies may be more stringent than the policies stated below. The Center / Resident Director sets the specific attendance policy for each location, including how absences impact final grades. Such policies are communicated to students during orientation and via Study Center documents. In the event that the attendance policy for host institution courses differs from CIEE s policy, the more stringent policy will apply. Excessively tardy (over 15 minutes late) students will be marked absent. Students who miss class for personal travel will be marked as absent and unexcused. No make-up opportunity will be provided. An absence will only be considered excused if: A doctor s note is provided. A CIEE staff member verifies that the student was too ill to attend class. Evidence is provided of a family emergency. Attendance policies also apply to any required co-curricular class excursion or event. Persistent absenteeism (students approaching 20% or more of total course hours missed, or violations of the attendance policies in more than one class) may lead to a written warning from the Academic Director or Resident Director, notification to the student s home school, and/or dismissal from the program in addition to a reduction in class grade(s). In the case of absences resulting from illness or other emergencies, the student should contact the professor to design a plan for making up missed material. 3

4 Weekly Schedule Week 1 Orientation Introduction to class Introduction to Molecular & Cell Biology Guest lecture Daniel Besser, Ph.D., German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine Week 2 Berlin as a Center of Medical Science and Discovery Introduction to stem cell research Guest lecture: Daniel Besser, Ph.D., German Stem Cell Network (GSCN) Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine In-class briefing on emp BIOTECH Meeting with an American Biotech entrepreneur in Berlin Dr. Derek Levinson, CEO & Founder, emp BIOTECH emp BIOTECH is a privately held biotechnology company that specializes in the development and production of specialty reagents and components for a number of fields of biological research. These fields include molecular biology research, pharmaceutical and biotechnical research, as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnical production. In-class briefing on Silence Therapeutics Week 3 Biotech Industry in Berlin and Brandenburg Co-Curricular Excursion to Max-Delbrück-Center and Silence Therapeutics The Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine is one of the most important centers for biomedical research in the world. The campus on which the MDC is located hosts a number of different research centers, clinics, as well as biotech companies. Silence Therapeutics is a leading RNA technology company. RNA interference (RNAi) is a method of reducing or silencing gene expression. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon that can be used to selectively turn down the genes that cause some diseases. In-class presentation on Personalized Medicine, In-class briefing on IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft (IBB Investment / Venture Capital) 4

5 Co-Curricular Excursion to IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft (IBB Investment / Venture Capital Company) Ms. Ute Mercker, Investment Director IBB Beteiligungsgesellschaft is a leading venture capital company in Berlin that invests in Berlin-based start-ups with a clear focus on the following four segments: Creative Industries, Life Sciences, Industrial Technologies, ICT (Information & Communication Technologies). IBB offers its start-ups know-how and experience on how to build a business. Week 4 Economic Importance of Biotechnology Co-Curricular Excursion to Berlin Partner Benjamin Thiering, Project Manager Biotech Pharma Berlin Partner Topic: How Berlin Attracts Biotech Companies Berlin Partner provides support for companies, investors and scientific institutions in Berlin; they help companies launch, innovate, expand and secure their economic future in Berlin. A unique public-private partnership, Berlin Partner for Business and Technology collaborates with the Berlin State Senate and over 270 companies dedicated to promoting their city. Berlin Partner is also responsible for marketing the German capital to the world, for example with the successful be Berlin campaign. Co-Curricular Excursion to the Embassy of the United States of America Ms. Brook Williams, Economic Specialist Topic: Overview of how different regions (European and American) are using the emerging biotech field as an engine for economic development. In-class presentation comparing London, Paris, Berlin and San Diego as venues for biotechnology Guest speaker: Dr. Henri Michael von Blanquet, MD, MaHM Founder SÜNJHAID! Foundation, Head of Business Development Molecular Health GmbH (pending) 5

6 Week 5 Importance of Biotechnology to the Pharmaceutical Industry In-class presentation on Biotech Drug Development, In-class presentation, Big Data in Biotech, promise and roadblocks In-class briefing on epigenomics AG Co-Curricular Excursion to Epigenomics AG (pending) Dr. Thomas Taapken, CEO / CFO Or Technology Park Adlershof (pending) ASCA GmbH Angewandte Synthesechemie Adlershof Frau Dr. Christine Wedler In-class presentation on In-vitro Diagnostics In-class presentation on Industrial Biotechnology Week 6 The Biotech Industry and Ethics In-class presentation on Regenerative Medicine, including presentation of cooperation between the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University and the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (Emergency Hospital Berlin) In-class presentation on Glycoscience In-class briefing on German Association of Research-based Pharmaceutical Companies Discussion of Readings Co-Curricular Excursion to German Association of Researchbased Pharmaceutical Companies Dr Siegfried Throm, Dr. Sabine Sydow, Importance of Biopharmaceuticals in Germany / Ethics The vfa, the Association of Research-Based Pharmaceutical Companies, is the trade organization of research-based pharmaceutical companies in Germany. 45 leading researchbased pharmaceutical companies are organized in the vfa. Together with their more than 100 subsidiaries and affiliated companies, they employ nearly 80,000 people in Germany. The vfa members represent more than two-thirds of the entire German pharmaceutical market. Review and wrap up It should be understood that the foregoing outline is subject to change depending on the timing of field trips, the background of students and the complexity of the subject matter. Assignments and the timing / location of excursions will be published in Canvas. Students are welcome to contact the instructor regarding the course assignments if anything is unclear. 6

7 Readings Jens Kurreck and Cy A. Stein, Molecular Medicine, An Introduction. Published 2016 by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co KG Life Sciences Report 2015, Biotech-Pharma-Medtech in Berlin-Brandenburg, Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie mbh, ZAB ZukunftsAgentur Brandenburg GmbH 7

8 Online References Given the exponential speed of advancements in the biotech industry as well as its hands-on character, this course will heavily rely on resources that are available online und updated frequently. Trend survey: Biotech sector sends a clear signal on growth, Biotechnologie- Industrie-Organisation Deutschland e.v. (BIO Deutschland e.v.) Beyond borders: unlocking value Global biotechnology report 2014 EY Tick genome reveals inner workings of a resilient blood-guzzler Purdue University, 10-Feb-2016, Overview reading / introduction to biotech parks, networks, research centers, clusters of excellence, and companies in the Berlin-Brandenburg area Health Capital BioTOPics Berliner Institut für Gesundheitsforschung BIG Experimental and Clinical Research Center ECRC Berliner Exzellenzcluster Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies Bayer Health Site visits in Berlin: (indicative list, tbc) Charité s Medical History Museum Biotech Park Berlin Buch BioTOP Park Potsdam Hasso Plattner Institute, Potsdam University Otto Bock Health Science Center EU Background Readings: The Lisbon Strategy for Growth and Jobs ( ) Europe 2020 European Strategy for Growth (2010) The Innovation Union 8

CIEE Global Institute Berlin

CIEE Global Institute Berlin Course name: Principles of International Business Course number: (GI) MGMT 3004 BRGE Programs offering course: Berlin Open Campus Open Campus Track: Business Language of instruction: