From bench to business: translating academic advances into industry innovations

Many developmental and stem cell biologists will be familiar with writing grant applications that discuss how their fundamental research findings might translate into discoveries that improve health and society, but what is really involved in this process? In this Perspective, we hear from the six researchers who have transitioned from academia to industry to help guide the development of four bioscience companies. We learn how they have navigated the opportunities and pitfalls of patents, intellectual property, investors and biotechnology start-ups to bring new biological advances from the bench and into the boardroom.