Join us October 13, 2021 at 5PM  for our virtual event, Breakthroughs in Breast Cancer: Innovations for Surviving and Thriving, in collaboration with The eForum, A Member of The Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Trademark Attorney Julie Tolek will host a panel of experts and innovators to discuss innovations in breast cancer treatments and delivery, medical devices for patients and survivors, and how intellectual property plays a key role in these advances. Click here to register for this event for free using CODE: CALDWELL1013.

About the Event

Breast cancer detection and treatments have come a long way in the wake of recent technological innovations and scientific breakthroughs. Today, organizations are making great strides in detecting cancer earlier and developing groundbreaking new treatment options for those battling the disease. This innovation has recently spurred an increase in intellectual property being registered in the hopes of making treatments more effective, easily deliverable, and with fewer side effects than ever before.

With so many rapid developments in the medical field, intellectual property and innovation are critical to the protection of scientific advances as well as patient quality of care.

The Experts

 Laina Schweizer, Global Marketing Manager, Becton Dickinson

Laina Schweizer is a Global Marketing Manager within the Becton Dickinson (BD) Interventional segment, specifically dedicated to the Oncology platform. She manages the Chronic Vascular Access franchise and is responsible for the marketing and development of a large portfolio of implantable ports and chronic CVCs.  During her 16-year biotech career, she has held roles from bench scientist to sales and marketing and covered products and services from genomics and cellular analysis to diagnostics, and now medical devices. Laina is passionate about oncology and is committed to improving the lives of cancer patients around the world through advocacy, education, support, and innovation.

About Becton Dickinson     

BD is a global medical technology company that is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics, and the delivery of care. BD leads in patient and healthcare worker safety and the technologies that enable medical research and clinical laboratories. The company provides innovative solutions that help advance medical research and genomics, enhance the diagnosis of infectious disease and cancer, improve medication management, promote infection prevention, equip surgical and interventional procedures, and support the management of diabetes.

Samantha Jackman, Co-Founder & Director, Boost Innovations Ltd

Sam Jackman is co-founder and Director of Boost Innovations Ltd, a start-up company which aims to create products with women, for women after breast cancer treatment. Inspired by Sam’s mother, who had a mastectomy 15 years ago, Boost has developed a revolutionary approach to breast form design that seeks to solve the issues women have with the current market breast prosthesis. Sam’s background in education, cultural heritage and project management has enabled her to bring a creative perspective to the business. Working with women who have experienced breast cancer treatment has helped Boost to design new solutions to the issues that women have faced.

About Boost Innovations Ltd.       

As a micro-business based in Cornwall (UK) with large ambitions, Boost launched a first batch of breast forms to the market in October 2020.  “I didn’t consider myself to be an entrepreneur, but listening to the stories of women who have had experiences like my Mum has driven me to action. Without the support from our wider community, we couldn’t make this happen,” Sam continues. “Our community of women and supporters mean the world to us, especially for Mum who finally feels like she is getting close to having the product she always needed, 15 years on from her mastectomy.” With qualifications in teaching and experience in the museums and heritage sector, Sam has embraced her transferable skills and quickly learnt about the world of business start-ups, design and manufacturing. “Although it has been challenging to create a new business, and I’ve had to learn quickly, the feedback we’ve had from the women in our community has made it worthwhile.” Although she currently balances the demands of running the company alongside her work in heritage and her family life, Sam hopes to grow the business to enable women across the world to have access to products that can support them after breast cancer treatment.

Michael R. Cassidy, MD, Boston Medical Center

Michael Cassidy, MD is the Medical Director of the Belkin Breast Health Center at Boston Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at Boston University School of Medicine. He is a Surgical Oncologist at Boston Medical Center and is board certified by the American Board of Surgery in both General Surgery and Complex General Surgical Oncology. Dr. Cassidy earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at Boston University. He completed residency training in surgery at Boston Medical Center, including a research fellowship in surgical quality improvement and patient safety. He then completed a clinical fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, where he was elected Chief Fellow. He has particular interest and advanced training in the care of patients with breast cancer, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.

Neal Khurana, MD, Interventional Radiologist and Managing Partner at Vascular & Interventional Specialists of Siouxland

Neal Khurana, MD is a fellowship-trained and board-certified interventional radiologist at Vascular and Interventional Specialists of Siouxland. Dr. Khurana graduated from Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University. He completed his residency in diagnostic radiology at Rush University Medical Center, where he also completed a fellowship in vascular & interventional radiology. Dr. Khurana is board-certified by the American Board of Radiology Interventional Radiology and the American Board of Diagnostic Radiology. He is also an active member of the Society of Interventional Radiology.

About The eForum

In membership with the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship, this forum provides practical programs for the success of any startup founder.

Click here to register for this event.