CILP 2025: Advancing Commercialization Across Mass General Brigham

This June, 50 rising innovators from across the Mass General Brigham system gathered at Assembly Row for a high impact day of hands-on learning, and cross-disciplinary networking. Selected from a record-high number of applications, participants were chosen based on their engagement and commercial potential of their work. They represented a diverse range of clinical and research backgrounds but shared a common goal: to accelerate their ideas and grow as leaders in healthcare innovation.

Participants described the day as “helpful and inspiring,” highlighting both the caliber of content and the sense of community. As Dawn Sugarman, PhD, shared, “It was an honor to participate in the Mass General Brigham Innovation CILP 2025 program. The talks and interactive workshops were so helpful and inspiring. It was also a great opportunity to connect with other innovators across MGB institutions who are doing amazing work.”

The Commercialization & Innovation Leadership Program (CILP) is a one-day, in-person experience designed for rising innovators across the system. Led by the Innovator Growth Division (IGD) in collaboration with faculty from Harvard Business School, CILP offers an introduction to the commercialization process and equips participants to lead innovation efforts within their fields.

The day opened with remarks from Diana Schwartzstein, who emphasized the need to expand innovation capacity across the system. Schwartzstein, who co-directs the Innovator Growth Division with Marc Succi, MD, spoke about the need to support emerging innovators and expand access to the tools and resources that will shape the future of healthcare innovation.  Keynote speaker Zara Cooper, MD, MSc, FACS, urged participants to embrace their roles as changemakers in clinical practice and beyond.  Cooper reaffirmed Mass General Brigham’s commitment to supporting innovators at every stage of their journey.

Participants learned about the Business Development & Licensing team. Led by Nimra Taqi, Cohort IV was introduced to core concepts in commercialization, including how to evaluate the potential of an idea, protect intellectual property, and initiate early-stage invention advancement.

“Research is a search for knowledge, whereas innovation is the search for a better technological solution for a particular problem,” said David Silva, PhD, Associate Director of Business Development & Licensing. “By incorporating as much of this thinking as early in the process as possible, innovators can develop more compelling solutions and better position them with the partners needed to reach patients.”

Jennifer Finefield, PhD, Director of Business Development & Licensing, echoed the importance of early collaboration: “It’s never too early to talk with your Licensing Manager at MGB Innovation. By connecting early, even if your idea is still in the early stages, you can lay a stronger foundation for long-term success.”

Throughout the day, participants engaged in hands-on, interactive sessions designed to enhance their knowledge and awareness of resources available within MGB. In the afternoon, a workshop on the Invention Disclosure process offered tactical guidance to help participants better understand how and to frame their work and engage with the Innovation office.

Katherine Coffman, PhD, Piramal Associate Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and advisor to the Innovator Growth Division, led two interactive sessions focused on overcoming barriers and creating value in innovation.

For Adam S. Fisch, MD, PhD, the program offered a valuable opportunity to explore innovation beyond the traditional clinical path. "The focused, practical lectures provide insights into the commercialization process. The number of interactive activities we had with other members of the cohort, particularly those with some overlap in areas of expertise, was highly educational.”

His advice to future participants? “Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn about topics that are exciting and not part of the typical curriculum of someone entering a clinical career.”

Nora Kayton Bryant, PhD, echoed the enthusiasm from many in the room: “It was a pleasure to be part of this year’s CILP Cohort. The speakers were wonderful, and the camaraderie among the attendees was clear. I look forward to future participation with the MGB Innovation community.”