Surface Logix Case Study

SURFACE LOGIX CASE STUDY

COMPANY PRO

Founded in 1999 by Carmichael Roberts and Dr . George Whitesides , a Harvard University chemist of repute , Surface Logix , Inc . creates and develops new drugs by improving the composition of existing drugs and compounds in their later stage of development . It applies its expertise in biophysical chemistry to produce new small molecule drugs that have significantly improved properties , as compared to those of other brands in the market

As a start-up company in the field of nanotechnology , Surface Logix Inc . has put together a portfolio

of intellectual property and has gotten started with the R D work necessary for the conceptualization and development of the company 's actual products

In May 2000 , CEO Roberts recruited for Surface Logix , Inc . an experienced management team to run the company and world class scientists to work on concocting drugs for the company . Through this strategy , the company 's foremost aim is to provide better solutions for the prevailing diseases and diss that threaten the overall health of mankind

Dr . Whitesides , on the other hand , has hitherto been both working in the laboratory as a scientist and sitting in the board as management (See Table I

At present , the company 's products include SLx-2101 , a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases DLx-4090 , a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitor for the treatment of dyslipidemia and familial hypercholesterolemia SLx-2119 , a rho kinase inhibitor for the treatment of oncology diseases and SLx-3XXX , a rho kinase inhibitor for the treatment of inflammations ( HYPERLINK "http /www .surfacelogix .com " www .surfacelogix .com (See Table II

Indeed , Surface Logix , Inc 's growth serves to reward the people behind it for the dedication and hard work they committed to the company 's mission to produce better medicine by utilizing the advantages that technology provides

CHOOSING BETWEEN TWO PROPOSALS

CEO Roberts was deeply into all the preparatory work for setting up the operations of the company from the day of its incorporation . He was the one to attend to the management of the company , while Dr . Whitesides was to focus on the scientific and technical matters at hand . With acute foresight , the company management designed an intellectual property strategy that would enable them to explore and discover concrete applications of licensed , Harvard-owned technologies without fear of losing to imitators and copycat competitors the businesses that will be spawned

With such notable scientists and management people behind it , Surface Logix , Inc . had 20 licenses granted to them by Harvard for applications that should result to the production of commercial products . In return Harvard received fees and royalties traceable to the 20 licenses and all their applications

For such a gigantic undertaking , Surface Logix , Inc . raised 13 million by borrowing from venture capitalists who were confident that the inventors in the company can deliver technological breakthroughs . As detailed in the submitted business plan , the three product applications that the company would cover were life sciences , electronics and photonics

All these welcomed developments brought in the first major...