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The Life Sciences Industry – Explained

Jane H Hollingworth

Founding Managing Partner, Militia Hill Ventures
May 12, 2023, 8:30 am – 10:00 AM

The Life Sciences industry has a large economic and life-giving effect in the nation and beyond and has grown in size and importance in the Philadelphia region. For those who are not in the middle of this industry, it behooves us to have at least a general understanding of how the life sciences industry works, what the drivers of growth are, and how we and our city can leverage and build on this strength. In this session, Jane will discuss the life sciences industry, including the relationship between academia and biotech, how new companies and medicines are developed and the reasons for the Philadelphia region’s growing significance in the industry.

Jane Hollingsworth has been building, running, and investing in life sciences companies for 30 years. She started her most recent organization, Militia Hill Ventures, specifically to create high value biotechnology companies in the Philadelphia region. The region has always had great life sciences talent but not the robust life sciences industry that existed in Boston and San Francisco. Jane’s goal was to change that to better take advantage of and retain the talent and to make the industry a bigger driver of regional economic growth. The results are promising.

Ms. Hollingsworth is the founding Managing Partner of Militia Hill Ventures, an organization that creates, builds and invests in life sciences companies.  While at MHV, Jane co-founded and serves as Executive Chair of Eliksa Therapeutics, a regenerative medicine company; co-founded and served as Executive Chair of Spirovant Sciences, a gene therapy company sold to Sumitomo Pharma; and served as Executive Chair and CEO of Immunome Inc. (NASDAQ: IMNM), a cancer immunotherapy company.  Jane also currently serves as Chair of the board of directors of Diffusion Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: DFFN) and as a member of the board of directors of Ribonova, Inc., Afimmune Ltd. and the University City Science Center. She previously served on the boards of various non-profit and cultural organizations, including The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, The Wilma Theater and Breastcancer.Org. 

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  • About ELAB
  • Board of Directors
  • Programs
  • ELAB Speaker Series
  • Advisors
  • Case Studies
  • Our Clients
  • Insights & Resources
  • Getting Started