Release date: May 27, 2025
Powered by RedCircle
What happens when a seasoned bioscience leader moves to a new region and starts stitching together an entire innovation ecosystem from scratch? In this episode, we get an inside look at how Kathleen Otto-Rosenblum, CEO of BioNTX is driving collaboration and growth in the North Texas life sciences community. With years of experience building biotech networks on the East Coast, Kathleen brings both strategic vision and grassroots energy to her work connecting startups, scientists, and federal labs.
Under her leadership, BioNTX has become a critical force in supporting early-stage bioscience companies with commercialization pathways, investor access, and strategic partnerships. She’s especially passionate about what she calls the “connective tissue” or the trusted relationships that move science from bench to bedside. Kathleen also shares how their growing collaboration with the Federal Laboratory Consortium is opening up new opportunities for innovation, including ways to shine a light on underutilized federal research and rebuild trust in government-funded science.
Kathleen walks us through what it takes to build a thriving biotech hub, why regulatory planning can’t be an afterthought, and how the iC³ Life Science and Healthcare Innovation Summit is becoming a magnet for regional and national stakeholders. Whether you’re a scientist, entrepreneur, or tech transfer professional, this conversation is full of practical insights and inspiring examples of how connection fuels innovation.
You can hear and share more Transfer Files conversations on the FLC website, YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other popular podcast platforms. Subscribe to stay updated on the latest in federal tech transfer!
Resources:
In This Episode:
[02:25] After spending her career on the East Coast, she moved to Texas during COVID. She's now been at BioNTX for four years, and it's been a pleasure.
[03:11] BioNTX is the leading advocate for biosciences and healthcare innovation relating to economic development in Texas.
[04:06] The network and ecosystem depends on the university level.
[05:00] The biggest challenge facing early stage bioscience and healthcare companies today is funding.
[06:02] Strong partnerships are needed to get the science to the patients. BioNTX has recently partnered with the FLC. They look forward to strengthening the pipeline between federally funded R&D to industry application.
[07:08] Serial entrepreneurs are looking for opportunities to take science out into the world.
[07:49] Kathleen shares information about the iC3.
[09:46] They want to focus on the cutting edge technology available at the FLC for early stage startups along with opportunities for licensing, collaborative R&D, joint ventures, and networking.
[11:40] Obstacles are funding and learning how to move from proof of concept to market ready. Scaling can also be challenging.
[13:01] BioNTX helps provide industry networks, partnerships, funding opportunities, and regulatory help.
[14:30] We learn about a success story involving an international partnership with Belgium and improving logistics to transport medicines and bioscience materials.
[18:04] Texas is becoming a national leader in biotech and life sciences.
[19:31] AI and using it throughout the industry is going to be the thread through the entire summit.
[21:45] Entrepreneurs who are trying to bring Innovations to Market should build a network with experts and funding partners. Join an organization like BioNTX to get connected to a community.