Adelson School of Entrepreneurship, Reichman University
This course explores the entrepreneurial landscape in medicine and biotech through a flipped-classroom model. Students begin with biology fundamentals tailored for entrepreneurs, then progress through business model design, regulatory frameworks, funding strategies, and pitch development. Teams will design real-world ventures, validate ideas using MVP methodologies, and deliver investor pitches to industry guests and peers. All course materials are pre-loaded on Moodle; class time is reserved for hands-on workshops, case analysis, group collaboration, and feedback.
All reading materials, video lectures, case studies, and background resources are posted on Moodle BEFORE each session. Students complete asynchronous work independently. Class time is reserved for interactive workshops.
In-Class Course structure, expectations. What makes a good biotech venture? Team formation (3-5 students). Brainstorming: 3-4 initial venture ideas per student.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Intro to entrepreneurship, identifying problems vs solutions (2h). Reading: Course syllabus, team formation guide. Resource: List of biotech problem spaces. Template: Idea generation framework.
In-Class Team discussion: Translate biology concepts to venture ideas. How do disease mechanisms create opportunities? Identify target biological pathways for team ventures.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Cell biology basics, DNA/RNA/proteins, disease mechanisms (cancer, autoimmune, infectious) (2h). Reading: Nature Biotech primer on cell biology. Resource: BioRender tutorials.
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In-Class Team discussion: The drug discovery pipeline. Map stakeholders for team ventures. Define the 'patient journey' and 'clinical pathway' for selected ideas.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Drug discovery process, clinical trials, FDA basics, stakeholder ecosystem (pharma, CROs, VCs) (2h). Reading: Clinical trial phases explainer, ecosystem map. Case study: Failed biotech venture (causes).
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In-Class 5-min pitch per team (3 ideas). Peer feedback written (2-3 bullets each). Faculty feedback. Grade: Individual ideas (25%).
Pre-Class / Homework Submit to Moodle: Individual idea submission document (3-4 ideas) + basic analysis (4 pgs). Teams select top 3 ideas to present.
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In-Class Team discussion: Model types (licensing, pharma partnerships, B2B, DTC). Compare models. Team workshop: Build Business Model Canvas for selected idea.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Business model deep-dive (licensing, partnerships, acquisitions, royalties) (2h). Reading: Deloitte 2023 Biotech Outlook. Case studies: Regeneron, Moderna. Templates: Business model canvas.
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In-Class Team discussion: FDA vs CE pathways. IP strategy (patents, trade secrets, FTO). Ethics & safety. Team risk mapping & mitigation for own venture.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: FDA approval pathways, CE Mark, regulatory risk (2h). Reading: FDA guidance docs, ethical frameworks, IP landscape. Resource: Google Patents tutorial.
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In-Class Guest talk (30 min): Entrepreneur/investor shares venture journey, key decisions, business model, regulatory path. Q&A. Teams ask questions relevant to own ventures.
Pre-Class / Homework Prepare: Watch 2-3 biotech pitch videos. Reading: Bio of guest speaker & their company story. Come with questions.
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In-Class 5-min pitch per team. Peer feedback written (2-3 bullets each). Faculty feedback. Grade: Pitch (20%).
Pre-Class / Homework Submit to Moodle: Business Model Canvas, MVP outline, validation strategy (4 pgs), pitch deck (7-8 slides).
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In-Class Team discussion: VC vs grant vs corporate partnerships. Due diligence. Financial modeling (burn rate, runway, unit economics). Team finance planning for own venture.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Biotech funding landscape, raising VC, grants, corporate partnerships (2h). Reading: McKinsey funding trends. Resource: NIH/NSF grants. Template: Financial projections.
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In-Class Team discussion: Market risks. Opportunities by segment. Emerging tech (AI for drug discovery, CRISPR). Best practices. Mock Q&A prep.
Pre-Class / Homework Videos: Market opportunities, risk factors, emerging tech (AI, gene therapy, synthetic biology) (2h). Reading: Recent biotech articles (Nature Biotech, HBR). Resource: PitchBook trends.
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In-Class Guest talk (30 min): Investor shares what they look for, deal evaluation, portfolio strategy. Q&A. Teams gather feedback on pitch ideas.
Pre-Class / Homework Prepare: Watch investor panel videos. Reading: Guest investing thesis & portfolio. Come with venture-specific questions.
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In-Class 5-min pitch + Q&A per team. Guest investor + faculty judge. Peer feedback written (2-3 bullets). Grade: Pitch (20%).
Pre-Class / Homework Submit to Moodle: 10-slide investor deck, MVP validation report (2-3 iterations), competitive landscape analysis, financial projections.
In-Class Finalist announcements. Outstanding teams advance to school-wide pitch competition. Closing & course reflection.
Pre-Class / Homework Reflect on the venture creation journey.
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Dr. Ballan holds a Ph.D. in Brain and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Haifa and an M.Sc. in Neuro-Biochemistry from Tel Aviv University. He is the founder and former CTO of CNBX Pharmaceuticals Inc., where he invented patented cannabinoid-based cancer therapies, successfully raised $15M in funding, and led clinical trials to market.
As a biotech entrepreneur with deep scientific and commercial expertise, Dr. Ballan brings hands-on venture-building experience to this course. He currently serves as a Lecturer in Biotechnology Entrepreneurship at Reichman University and mentors early-stage biotech founders.
A core conceptual theme woven throughout this course.
Drawing from the teachings of Carlos Castaneda, we will explore the concept of the Second Attention as a powerful framework for entrepreneurship.
Using the second attention to access nonlinear creativity, envision disruptive biotech solutions, and "dream" new paradigms into existence.
Applying strategic awareness to navigate the complex healthcare ecosystem, effectively pitch to investors, and strategically "stalk" opportunities.
Additional Castaneda texts will be uploaded here.
No mandatory attendance requirement. Students can participate asynchronously by watching recorded sessions and completing pre-class materials on Moodle.
Use AI in anyway helps you. In the course you will learn how to apply AI to all topics and challenges.
All readings posted on Moodle.