Meet the valorization team

In 2018, Oncode has successfully recruited a versatile team of business developers which can attend to the different valorization needs of the Oncode community. Emil Pot was one of the first members of the Oncode Valorization Team which now consists of eight people.

Emil Pot

LL.M., EPA, Business Development Expert

Translating scientific results into patient impact

Emil Pot, LL.M., EPA, a business development expert with more than 20 years’ experience in the life sciences, including (multiple) deals with biopharmaceutical companies and organizations working in the field of research and development of (pre-) clinical drugs, was one of the first members of the Valorization Team. Before joining Oncode, he was responsible for business development at the Belgium Vlaams Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), which served as a blue-print for Oncode, and VIB start-up ActoGeniX.

What kind of experience do you bring to Oncode?

“I gained a good understanding of the nature and industry readiness of scientific results. In addition, I understand the needs of the industry. This means I can advise on what terms and conditions are realistic for collaboration and license agreements, including financial conditions. I’m also a registered European Patent Attorney and have thorough experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications, designing IP strategies and building IP portfolios. Finally, I can help with investment strategies, pre-money evaluations and exit strategies of our spinoff companies.”

Can you briefly explain the work you do within Oncode?

“My most important task is to support Oncode Investigators in advancing their scientific goals and making the connection to the clinic - with industrial collaborations where relevant. I take a very proactive approach, not only in helping Oncode Investigators to identify opportunities, but also in dealing with all the contractual issues in order to get these agreements signed as quickly as possible.”

My most important task is to support Oncode Investigators in advancing their scientific goals and making the connection to the clinic - with industrial collaborations where relevant.

How are you trying to add value to the work of researchers?

“In helping them to find applications for their research and technologies, with the ultimate goal to create impact on the lives of patients. I can help them to progress their research out of the lab and into the clinic. We can also support researchers in finding financial resources (industry/non-dilutive grants) to actually develop technologies towards an application in patients.”

What is the most inspiring part about your work?

“I feel very privileged to hear about the fantastic new things our researchers are working on. To imagine these results could possibly be the real next-generation solution for cancer patients and to witness these developments progress is very exciting.”