Originally published via martinholub.com This summer I returned to my alma mater, ETH Zurich. It’s not all sunshine and roses, of course, but one thing is exemplary. ETH takes low single digit equity in its spin-offs, usually around 2%. And this is not some oddity, in Sweden, universities do not take any equity in spinoffs at all. In contrast, it’s been with a fanfare that Dutch universities announced common spin-off terms with equity stakes ranging from 10 to 25%, often landing around 20%. S...

Originally published via martinholub.com This summer I returned to my alma mater, ETH Zurich. It’s not all sunshine and roses, of course, but one thing is exemplary. ETH takes low single digit equity in its spin-offs, usually around 2%. And this is not some oddity, in Sweden, universities do not take any equity in spinoffs at all. In contrast, it’s been with a fanfare that Dutch universities announced common spin-off terms with equity stakes ranging from 10 to 25%, often landing around 20%. S...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #8: Need-driven research is a better investment of taxpayers money than research driven by curiosity.IntroductionScience and research are cornerstones of human progress. They enable innovations that shape our lives,...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #8: Need-driven research is a better investment of taxpayers money than research driven by curiosity.IntroductionScience and research are cornerstones of human progress. They enable innovations that shape our lives,...

This article was co-authored by Kevin Merchant and Martin Holub. Originally published November 10, 2024 on martinholub.com .IntroductionDevelopment of novel drugs has been a critical contributor to extending healthspan and fighting diseases, but the process is complex. The involvement of multiple stakeholders and strict regulatory processes are responsible for some of it, but that contribution is dwarfed by our limited understanding of underlying biological processes. Over the past decade, ar...

This article was co-authored by Kevin Merchant and Martin Holub. Originally published November 10, 2024 on martinholub.com .IntroductionDevelopment of novel drugs has been a critical contributor to extending healthspan and fighting diseases, but the process is complex. The involvement of multiple stakeholders and strict regulatory processes are responsible for some of it, but that contribution is dwarfed by our limited understanding of underlying biological processes. Over the past decade, ar...

This field recap was written at the end of Q22024. Events that took place after this date are not reflected. Originally published via martinholub.com. In this post, I provide a brief field recap on RNA interference as therapeutic modality. First, I provide background on its biological mechanisms. Next, I follow up with an overview of the siRNA therapeutics field, highlighting approved drugs, as well major ongoing trials. I conclude with a short recap.Mechanism of RNA InterferenceRNA interfere...

This field recap was written at the end of Q22024. Events that took place after this date are not reflected. Originally published via martinholub.com. In this post, I provide a brief field recap on RNA interference as therapeutic modality. First, I provide background on its biological mechanisms. Next, I follow up with an overview of the siRNA therapeutics field, highlighting approved drugs, as well major ongoing trials. I conclude with a short recap.Mechanism of RNA InterferenceRNA interfere...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #5: The culture of academic research is not keeping pace with advancements in the for-profit sector.I am sure I wrote the concentration somewhere… (feverishly looking through a mix of paper and electronic notes) …I ...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #5: The culture of academic research is not keeping pace with advancements in the for-profit sector.I am sure I wrote the concentration somewhere… (feverishly looking through a mix of paper and electronic notes) …I ...

Originally published via martinholub.com Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’ with one’s thesis, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #7: The foundations and practical experience of policy making must be included in graduate education.IntroductionIn today’s interconnected world, politicians are faced with complex decision-making, ...

Originally published via martinholub.com Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’ with one’s thesis, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #7: The foundations and practical experience of policy making must be included in graduate education.IntroductionIn today’s interconnected world, politicians are faced with complex decision-making, ...

Originally posted as https://www.martinholub.com/2023/12/17/FiveCzechBooks.html Lately, I have been asked about some Czech book recommendations which made me think what to recommend to people interested in the Czech history, culture and mentality. “Luckily” the Czech history is rich with drama and oppression, which gave breeding ground to great storytelling. Unluckily, much of it has not been translated to English. Necessary then, when recommending books to foreigners, I have to limit the ...

Originally posted as https://www.martinholub.com/2023/12/17/FiveCzechBooks.html Lately, I have been asked about some Czech book recommendations which made me think what to recommend to people interested in the Czech history, culture and mentality. “Luckily” the Czech history is rich with drama and oppression, which gave breeding ground to great storytelling. Unluckily, much of it has not been translated to English. Necessary then, when recommending books to foreigners, I have to limit the ...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’ with one’s thesis, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #6: Universities should establish fellowships that fund stays of industry professionals in academic labs.IntroductionIn a previous post, I argued that the culture of work and research management in...

Originally published via martinholub.com. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’ with one’s thesis, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #6: Universities should establish fellowships that fund stays of industry professionals in academic labs.IntroductionIn a previous post, I argued that the culture of work and research management in...

This post was imported from my blog. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #9: European countries must position themselves as attractive destinations for international immigration. Hot take? Maybe. Immigration has been in the news as a political scapegoat, blamed for anything from inflation to ...

This post was imported from my blog. Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #9: European countries must position themselves as attractive destinations for international immigration. Hot take? Maybe. Immigration has been in the news as a political scapegoat, blamed for anything from inflation to ...

Originally published via martinholub.com Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #10: The benefits of Shell’s residency in the Netherlands far outweighed its environmental controversies.IntroductionShell, one of the world’s largest and most recognizable energy companies, has long been a titan in ...

Originally published via martinholub.com Background: In the Netherlands, it is customary to include ‘propositions’, essentially opinionated statements defended alongside one’s doctoral work. In this post series, I am outlining the arguments supporting my propositions. Proposition #10: The benefits of Shell’s residency in the Netherlands far outweighed its environmental controversies.IntroductionShell, one of the world’s largest and most recognizable energy companies, has long been a titan in ...