From nanotechnology to mRNA therapies and what’s to come
On May 26th, we are thrilled to welcome Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board at BioInnovation Institute (BII), Robert Langer, as he will host ‘Talk at the Square’!
Langer will join us at BII to discuss the numerous new technologies being developed, which may impact the future of medicine. Here, he will speak on the new drug delivery technologies, including microparticles, nanoparticles, and nanotechnology, and their promise to create new treatments for cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. A topic not to be missed is the development of nanoparticles, of which Langer will exemplify its importance for delivering the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines. In addition, intellectual property, technology transfer, and start-up companies as a means to develop academic discoveries into real-life medical treatments will be illustrated throughout.
Program of the day
14-14.30 Doors open
14.30-14.40 Introduction to BII and subject of the day
14.40-15.10 From nanotechnology to mRNA therapies and what’s to come
15.10-15.30 Fireside chat and questions
15.30-15.50 Informal networking and closing reception
About Robert Langer:
Robert Langer is one of 9 Institute Professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); being an Institute Professor is the highest honor to be awarded to a faculty member. He has written over 1,500 articles, which have been cited over 385,000 times; his h-index of 309 is the highest of any engineer in history and the 2nd highest of any individual in any field. His patents have been licensed or sublicensed to over 400 companies; he co-founded several companies, including Moderna. Dr. Langer was Chairman of the FDA’s Science Board (its highest advisory board) from 1999-2002. He has over 220 awards, including both the United States National Medal of Science and the United States National Medal of Technology and Innovation (he is one of 3 living individuals to have received both these honors), the Charles Stark Draper Prize (often called the Engineering Nobel Prize), Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Albany Medical Center Prize, Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, Kyoto Prize, Wolf Prize for Chemistry, Millennium Technology Prize, Priestley Medal (highest award of the American Chemical Society), Gairdner Prize, Hoover Medal, Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences, BBVA Frontiers of Knowledge Award in Biomedicine and the Balzan Prize. He holds 41 honorary doctorates, including Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Northwestern. He has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Inventors.