April 24, 2019 | Karen Snapp
CBC welcomes Eric Schiffhauer, the inaugural CBC-Northwestern Entrepreneurial Fellow
Eric Schiffhauer, PhD, the inaugural CBC-Northwestern Entrepreneurial Fellow
The CBC is delighted to introduce Eric Schiffhauer, the inaugural CBC-Northwestern Entrepreneurial Fellow (EF). Eric received his PhD in Biochemistry, Cellular, and Molecular Biology from Johns Hopkins University under the mentorship of Douglas Robinson, PhD. While he was a graduate student in The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Cellular Biology, Eric was selected to be the Isaac Morris and Lucille Hay Graduate Fellow. Eric has a BS in Biology, summa cum laude, from George Mason University.
Working closely with Jim Audia, the CBC Executive Director, CBC Scientific Directors and staff, partners in INVO and Northwestern faculty from both the Evanston and Chicago campuses, Eric will have an active and central role in the development, refinement and implementation of CBC-funded awards focused on translational research including Accelerator and Catalyst Award projects. In addition, Eric will work closely with Lakeside Discovery (LD), a collaboration between Northwestern and Deerfield Management, to accelerate translation of university-based biomedical discoveries that have therapeutic and commercial potential.
Eric’s dissertation research provided valuable experience in drug discovery in the cancer field. Eric identified the molecular target of the small molecule 4-hydroxyacetophenone and identified the concentration of drug required to induce protein relocalization. Using a number of advanced imaging techniques, Eric designed and implemented a novel protein relocalization assay. The ability of the drug to reduce migration and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cell lines was verified in 2D and 3D culture and in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer.
Eric brings an abundance of experience and knowledge to the EF position. He engaged in a number of ventures as a direct result of his passion for driving innovative research towards commercial applications. As a Technology Consultant at the Adi Family Office, he evaluated the novelty and advantage of the technology underlying startup companies in the diagnostic, therapeutic, and medical device spaces. Eric was a Commercialization Analyst at the Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures office where he evaluated more than 20 new technology disclosures from faculty members for patentability and commercial potential. While in graduate school, he co-founded CordeRx, a company in the area of adoptive cell immunotherapy. As Director of Operations, Eric engaged stakeholders, secured early funding, negotiated the IP license, performed freedom-to operate analysis, and drafted non-dilutive grant applications. Additionally, he was an Executive Board Member at The Johns Hopkins Biotechnology Investment Group and organized Equity Research and Stock Pitch Competition in collaboration with T. Rowe Price and Brown Advisory. Eric also performed market analysis, developed discounted cash flow models analyzing the commercial potential of biotechnology companies.
We are delighted to have Eric on-board and please join us in welcoming Eric!
See more:
▸ CBC Entrepreneurial Fellows program