From Lab to Life: Why Technology Transfer is Crucial to America's Innovation Pipeline

During October’s Intellectual Property Month, WWFH’s Executive Director Dan Leonard sat down with Laura Schoppe of Tech Pipeline for a timely conversation about the future of American innovation. With China's biopharmaceutical sector gaining ground and policy challenges mounting at home, Laura's insights come at a critical moment.

Drawing on her experience in academic technology transfer and biopharmaceutical innovation, Laura offers a nuanced look at both the opportunities and obstacles facing the U.S. biotechnology sector, and the policy priorities that will determine whether America maintains its competitive edge.

Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.

The Power of the Bayh-Dole Act

Laura explains how the Bayh-Dole Act gives the U.S. a distinct competitive advantage by ensuring robust funding for cutting-edge discoveries. This landmark legislation, she argues, has been the engine driving America's research and development pipeline for decades.

Why Federal Funding Matters Now More Than Ever

Federal funding for basic science isn't just important – it's essential to power the next generation of American innovation. Laura paints a sobering picture of what's at stake if the U.S. fails to invest in biopharmaceutical innovation, warning that America's position as the world leader in developing life-saving cures hangs in the balance.

A Message to Policymakers

Laura delivers a direct call to action for policymakers: protecting U.S. leadership in the global biopharmaceutical industry requires a strong commitment to protecting intellectual property and ensuring a policy environment that supports innovation.

Laura's message is clear: America's leadership in biopharmaceutical innovation isn't guaranteed, it's earned. The choices we make today will determine whether tomorrow's cures are discovered in American labs or somewhere else.

Watch the full interview here.