“As a practicing physician with a PhD in Cell Biology and “impending” MBA, this book was extremely helpful in giving me a great conceptual overview of the biotechnology development and commercialization process. Being one of those rare books, it then steadily zoomed in to expose rarely understood complexities and nuances of this field. When i purchased this book, i was looking for a clear overview of the process, required financial and human resources, as well as practical strategies to get started. This book not only provided me with answers to my questions, but illuminated important areas that i didnt even consider. This book will continue to serve as my desk reference as my biotech company progresses through each successive phase of development.”
- Ilya Rachman,
MD, PhD
“I enjoyed reading Craig’s description, analysis and prediction of the bioscience sector. This book covers all aspects of startup creation, seeking funds and investors, managing the different stages of the company and exiting…or closing down. It also covers the qualities a leader should possess and apply as well as the pitfalls to avoid. In sum, a comprehensive “do it yourself” guide to start a biotech company or at least understand how they operate.”
- Muhammad Samir
“The book starts with an overview of the biotechnology business then leads the reader through the important areas of starting with the idea, business model and risk management, legal and intellectual property issues, product development pathway, developing marketing strategy, financing, corporate culture and core values, hiring the biotech team, alliances and partnerships, regulatory issues, company life stages, etc. The book reads like a distillation of many years of experience, knowledge, and wisdom obtained by an author who has worked in the biotechnology business for decades. I have a background in engineering, medicine and law. In the subject matter of the book most familiar to me, the book is accurate, which makes me have more confidence in the areas where I was learning something for the first time. There are a few typographical errors, but my understanding of the text was not impacted. Overall, quite a worthwhile book. I could see it being adopted for a bioscience business management course.
- M. Young,
MD
“As the Medical Doctor, Adjunct Professor at a Business School and Board member of a new Bioscience Business, I wanted to read through Dr Shimasaki’s new book, “The Business of Bioscience”…and more than once. Why? Because, like a good novel, the more I read, the more insight I got. No book I have read packs as much information as this book does, and aimed specifically at the entrepreneur who wants to build a Bioscience / Biotechnology business. Many other books contain information that is applicable to most all business, but this one specifically targets the unique entrepreneurial aspects in the bioscience industry. The author shares much of his practical knowledge, including such things as how to better organize yourself by keeping a notebook, and using project planning software to track the ‘next steps’ to be taken when starting a company. Many textbooks are surveys of present knowledge, leaving the reader wondering how to ‘connect the dots’. This book is closer to a ‘How to Do It’ book, addressing ‘what’,’how’ and ‘when’ questions about starting a company in the Bioscience industry. I was also helped by the 11 page glossary of terms in getting up to speed on the vernacular of this industy. I have unreservedly recommended this book to many of my professional colleagues and friends who work in the medical and science fields, and to those who are interested in becoming a part of a start-up company in the life science industry. “
- ACG,
MD
"I thoroughly enjoyed this informative, well written book on the business of bioscience. As a scientist who is involved in the interface of research, education and the business of biotechnology, I had to learn most of these concepts on my own over the past 15 years. As director of the Biotechnology Program, I work with graduate students in the Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology graduate program at the University of California, Davis and many of them are interested in entrepreneurism. They often ask for reading materials on this subject, but there are very few books written with a student in mind. This book is one of just a few books on the market that answers the basic questions as to how to get started. Dr. Craig Shimasaki brings much creditability due to his academic training, experience working in the biotech industry and success in company building. He can walk the talk! It is obvious that he is interested in the reader being able to apply the concepts. I really liked the summary paragraphs at the end of each chapter as well as the discussion of putting the right team in place for the various stages of the company. My only issue is the price. We need an academic discount!”
– J. Kjelstrom,
Phd
“Reading it cover to cover was well worthwhile. I think for me it was really very useful to get an idea of what the business side has to deal with in more detail – warts and all. Certainly I would highly recommend this book to anyone in the lab even contemplating starting their own company. Even a fresh PhD who is undecided about what to do next should read it because I think it would open their eyes to other directions they could take. I liked how the author interspersed his own experiences into the book. There were many points were I felt this could be one of those inspirational books that a generation of bio-entrepreneurs will look back on and say this was the book that kick started them in that direction and helped them start a biotech. The book gives a solid basis to the business of biotech.”
– Old School
“Dr. Shimasaki details actual experience (good and bad) of life science product development and funding. The business model is not easy but the rewards are significant for those willing to handle the ups and downs of the business. As a participant in some of the anonymized deals he described, the narrative is accurate and frank. Sometimes things aren’t pretty and the author characterizes these issues in an accurate and insightful manner. The raising money section is written for a non-financial reader which is sorely needed for his targeted readership. Highly educated researchers spending lifetimes in the laboratory are sorely unprepared for monetizing thier invention and having a meaningful financial outcome. Life sciences businesses are capital intensive and the author does a masterful job of putting it all in a percpective that should level the playing field for a life science (or any other) inventor. “
– G.C. Gibson
"As a fellow startup executive, I still learned quite a bit from this book… Well done.”
– M. Moradi
