From the Lab to Industry: A New Course Offers Students an Inside Look at Biotech and Medical Technologies

An inside look at biotech entrepreneurship, regulation, and workforce soft skills

How do you turn a brilliant scientific discovery in the lab into a life-saving commercial product? For many students in the life sciences and biotechnology, transitioning from academic research to the industrial workforce presents a unique set of challenges and questions. A new practical course at the Faculty of Life Sciences, "Biotech & MedTech Industry – An Inside View", was designed specifically to bridge this gap.

Initiated by the Faculty's Industry Relations Office and led by Prof. Yariv Wine, Prof. Iftach Nachman, and Dr. Liat Oren-Young, the course is aimed at senior undergraduates and graduate students. Unlike traditional theoretical programs, the curriculum is strongly industry-oriented, placing a clear focus on soft skills, business comprehension, and direct exposure to real-world commercial environments.

Photo credit: Yuval Yosef Photography

"We believe that training the next generation of researchers and industry leaders requires a deep connection to the field during their studies," explains Dr. Liat Oren-Young, Lead for Industry Fellows on behalf of the Faculty of Life Sciences. "The course was built to provide a practical answer to questions many graduates have regarding the real-world application of scientific knowledge. The program deconstructs Israel's biotech and medical technology industries, demonstrating how scientific discoveries transform into life-saving products as part of the faculty’s efforts to build a seamless, direct bridge between academia and industry."

Throughout the semester, students explore key topics in today's biomedical sector, including AI and computational biology in drug discovery, cellular engineering and CRISPR gene editing, international regulatory pathways (FDA and EMA), bioprocess engineering, sustainability, food-tech, and business entrepreneurship.

Alongside guest lectures from senior executives and industry leaders across Israel's top pharma and biotech companies, students gain hands-on experience analyzing business market segments and technical bottlenecks, presenting case studies, and participating in two full-day site visits to R&D centers and industrial production facilities. This course marks another key step in the Faculty of Life Sciences' vision to equip its graduates with a comprehensive toolkit that connects research excellence with professional leadership in high-tech industries.