News

Over 20,000 neuroscientists join this annual conference to discuss leading edge technologies, basic science discoveries, and therapeutic interventions on the drawing board. LSW will host a panel “SBIRs/STTRs: Are They Right for You? A Primer for Small Businesses and University Partners” at the conference, November 17, details below. Our speakers are:
Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, neuroscientist, former NIH senior executive, now CEO of Life Science Works, who will moderate and provide an introduction to the SBIR/STTR programs;
Mr. Richard Giersch, in his role as Interim CEO, NeuroGT, will discuss how SBIRs and STTRs helped form the foundation of his NC-based gene therapy company; and,
*Dr. Jessica Forbes, SBIR Program Officer, NINDS, will share perspectives on review criteria and how applicants should engage with Program Officers early on in the application process.

If you would like to meet with us during the conference, send a note to [email protected]. We look forward to seeing neuroscience entrepreneurs in San Diego!

July, 2025. Join us in congratulating our Associate Dr. Mark Rohrbaugh on receiving the Bayh-Dole Coalition “Faces of American Innovation Award” for his years of service at the National Institutes of Health supporting the appropriate implementation of the Bayh-Dole Act and technology transfer more broadly.  Among his signature acts at NIH was to resist pressure from outside the NIH to take patents away from companies (so-called “march-in rights”) based solely on the price of a product. Mark advocated for alternative means to ensure public access to new drugs and therapies that had been developed with federal support. 

Mark retired from federal service in 2024.  He said, “I dedicate this award to my former NIH colleagues and federal lab technology transfer professionals who have supported appropriate implementation of the Bayh-Dole Act, which has richly rewarded the US public with innovations to improve lives and spur economic growth from inventions made with government funding at many research institutions around the country.”

Life Science Works is pleased to announce its second preferred partnership, this time with Governance Partners Group. This collaboration offers Life Science Works’ clients discounted rates for essential Corporate Secretary services and other Board advisory services. This follows the announcement in April of Life Science Works’ first preferred partnership which is with Ravelin US.
“An important part of our mission in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses strategically is to assist them in creating high-functioning boards, when the time is right,” said Dr. Sharon Hrynkow, Life Science Works’ President and CEO. “Our partnership with Governance Partners Group and its president, Paul Marcela, is one important way for us to help empower fast-growing life science companies.”
Paul Marcela is an expert in corporate board governance, having spent decades in corporate law at substantial companies such as Dow Corning and Blue Bird and having led his own consulting firm for over 10 years. His firm provides corporate secretary service as well as strategic advice on a range of board matters.
Mr. Marcela stated, “It has been gratifying over the years to coach new CEOs on the value of having a high-functioning board and then helping them manage their boards as an out-sourced corporate secretary. I look forward to working with new companies in the life science arena as part of the preferred partnership with Life Science Works.”
Learn more about GPG here: https://governancepg.com/