PABC names its first Entrepreneur in Residence to advise startups at the incubator

Doylestown, July 15, 2024 – The Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center (PABC) has appointed Nick Spring, BSc (Hons), DipM, MCIM, a former executive in the pharmaceutical industry, as its first Entrepreneur in Residence.

At the outset, Nick is advising five spinout companies from the PABC’s parent organization, the Baruch S.  Blumberg Institute: Cirna, Merlin, Harligene, Pentravalent and Rimmsting. He also is providing guidance to 10 other companies that received grants last year from the PABC’s Academic Innovation Zone (AIZ) program. The AIZ manages $5 million from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Funds, supporting early-stage life science companies and academic technologies while attracting companies to Pennsylvania.

As an Entrepreneur in Residence, Nick will offer strategic guidance on strategy, fundraising, product development and other crucial areas. He will help identify new investment opportunities and conduct due diligence on potential investments. By sharing valuable insights, advice, and mentorship, Spring will aid portfolio companies in overcoming obstacles and achieving success. His expertise and experience will support these companies in managing change and solving business challenges, ultimately aiming for improved efficiency.

Nick's distinguished career includes high-level executive roles at Merck & Co., where he managed global operations in the UK, Europe, Australia and the U.S. He founded and led Topaz Pharmaceuticals as president and CEO, steering the company through multiple funding rounds to a successful new drug registration and subsequent sale to Sanofi. Additionally, he served as CEO of Reliefband, an FDA-cleared medical device company, where he spearheaded the development and successful commercial launch of innovative products. He also has experience in the digital world as a senior partner at Alten Calsoft, a software company, where he led the Life Sciences Practice. During that time, he took formal qualifications in Blockchain and its potential use in Clinical Studies.

In 2012, Nick founded Humanitas Consulting, his own consulting firm that has worked with The Bracken Group on various strategic projects for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. The Bracken Group is an international consulting firm based locally that excels in team building, strategic planning and tactical execution in the life sciences sector.

Nick has been an adjunct professor at the University of Sciences in Philadelphia. He actively mentors CEOs and serves as an adjudicator for the Life Sciences Management course at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.