From a Biophysics Chalkboard to a Business Boardroom

Ivo C. Martins has a Ph.D. in Bioengineering – Biophysics (awarded in 2009) funded by BIF (2004-2006) & FCT (2006-2009), which led to a patented amyloid fibrils disassembly method. He then studied dengue virus, being awarded in 2010 a prestigious and competitive Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation Life Sciences Research Frontiers prize, due to a new drug lead, pep14-23 (patented in 2012). In 2014 Ivo Martins started an “Investigador FCT” position, working on protein-ligand interactions at iMM, a line of research leading to 3 new international collaborations, 4 top publications (3 as senior author) and, later, the Hans Neurath Outstanding Promise Award in 2015 (and a Protein Society Honorary Membership). His research focus is aligned with DART Diagnostics, the company that he leads since 2017. From 2019 onwards, he continued his work at iMM, as assistant researcher via a CEEC research contract and also became an invited assistant professor of medical biochemistry at FMUL. In February 2020 Ivo Martins patented the above-mentioned DART technology and, since December 2020, he leads a 488k€ consortium joining four institutions (two academic and two companies), to use this technology for early disease detection). He clearly reveals an ability to combine science and entrepreneurial activities, to produce new technologies, aiming to commercialize results obtained via his scientific endeavors. Dr. Martins’ work led to 3 distinct patent families; 24 peer-reviewed publications (25 after the Ph.D.), 13 of which as corresponding and/or last author, namely 5 papers with Impact Factor (IF)>10, namely as first (IF: 10.4) and last (IF: 33.4). Citations: >1500 (SCOPUS), >2000 (Google Scholar).

1. Academia vs Industry: Challenges & Promises 2. The Academic Nest: Too Cozy to Leave? 3. The Big Push/Pull: Accelerators & Incubators 4. Decision-Making: Taking the Plunge 5. Juggling Jobs: Alternating the Academic & Entrepreneur Hats 6. A Toddler Again: Learning the Jargon 7. Funds: Private, Public or Both? 8. Milestones: Key Deadlines & IP Protection Models 9. Mentors & Partners: Finding Support, Drawing a Business Plan 10. Pre-mortem Autopsy: Specific Challenges in a Biophysics Project 11. The Road to Success & the Anna Karenina Principle: Factors of Doom & Triumph 12. Reaching a Prototype & Early Sales: Minimum Viable Product 13. A New Life: Time to Lose a Hat? 14. Flying Back: Do They Like Gap Years Back Home? 15. Exiting the Company into Academia (or another venture): What to Consider? 16. Freedom: Ability to Choose Professional & Personal Goals