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SearchIn the Cleveland Clinic Innovations profile series, members of the Innovations team share their journey to joining the Innovations department at Cleveland Clinic, what they find inspiring about their role and what innovation means to them.
In our latest Innovations Profile spotlight feature, Hunter Rogers, PhD, Principal, Ventures, discusses the journey that led him to Cleveland Clinic Innovations, what he finds inspiring about his role, and what innovation means to him.
Q:What brought you to Cleveland Clinic and how long have you been here?
A: I've been with Cleveland Clinic for about a year and a half, and for the past six months, I’ve been part of the Ventures office. Before that, I worked in the Investment office, where I focused on managing the broader investment portfolio that supports Cleveland Clinic’s clinical operations through its endowment. My role involved conducting macroeconomic research, although my background is in biomedical engineering and life sciences.
Transitioning to the Ventures team has been a great opportunity for me to align my work with my passions. While I valued my previous role, I was eager for a position that allowed me to engage more directly with people in the community.
Cleveland Clinic is an incredible place to be, particularly in the healthcare investment space, and I’m proud to contribute to its mission. Initially, I joined the Investment office to help drive our goals and ensure sound investments for the future of Cleveland Clinic. Now, in the Ventures office, I’m excited to support our scientists and clinicians as they develop innovative technologies, giving them the best chance to succeed in the real world.
Q: What made you interested in working in Innovations?
A:My background is primarily in biomedical engineering and life sciences, and I completed my PhD at Northwestern University, where I truly developed my skills in the innovation space. I have always been passionate about projects that are easily translatable into real-world applications. During my doctoral studies, I became particularly interested in the tissue-on-a-chip field, which focuses on creating advanced in vitro models for experiments.
These models not only capture the complexities of biological systems, going beyond single-cell analyses but also aim to reduce the reliance on animal testing. By integrating multiple tissues or organs into a single system, we can obtain more accurate data and potentially use these models as substitutes for in vivo experiments.
At Northwestern, I worked in a reproductive science lab where we developed a model of the female reproductive tract. This work served both basic biology and disease modeling purposes, such as for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), facilitating drug discovery and testing. This technology has significant translational potential.
I also collaborated closely with Northwestern's Innovation Office, navigating their Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) process. Having experienced both the scientist's and the investor's perspectives, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges faced on both sides. This understanding allows me to empathize with principal investigators (PIs) and scientists, particularly regarding their timelines and the intricacies of translating their technologies into market-ready products.
Additionally, my experience in the public markets and biotech sectors has equipped me with knowledge about what investors seek in companies poised for an exit, whether through initial public offerings (IPOs) or acquisitions. I am familiar with the pathways leading to a successful public company, which positions me well to guide emerging ventures from their earliest stages to potential exits. Understanding this spectrum enables me to effectively support and mentor companies as they navigate the complexities of innovation and commercialization.
Q: What is your role within Cleveland Clinic Innovations?
A: As a Principal on the team, I lead our initiatives in the life sciences sector of our portfolio, focusing primarily on therapeutics and diagnostics. My time is divided between supporting our current portfolio companies and exploring new opportunities.
For our existing companies, I assist with various aspects, including fundraising efforts, not only internally but also by identifying potential venture capital investors. I provide strategic insights as these companies develop their research and development (R&D) roadmaps, helping them navigate the complexities of asset development. This includes determining which diseases to target and outlining the preclinical development pathways for those indications, along with offering management and financial guidance.
On the other side of my role, I evaluate potential new ventures, primarily technologies emerging from Cleveland Clinic, whether from clinicians or PIs at the Lerner Research Institute (LRI). We receive hundreds of Invention Disclosure Form (IDF) proposals each year, and while many are promising, only a select few are viable as standalone companies. My responsibility is to assess which ideas have the potential to form independent companies and to identify those that may be better suited for licensing or partnerships.
Additionally, I explore opportunities to combine complementary ideas to create viable companies. Building a strong team around these ventures is essential, so I work to bring in entrepreneurs-in-residence and external consultants. Collaborating closely with PIs and clinicians, we strive to refine our vision for each company, ensuring that we incorporate valuable feedback on their therapies and how best to translate their technologies into the marketplace.
Q: What do you find inspiring about your role?
A: I find it inspiring to witness the diverse range of work being done by our ventures at Cleveland Clinic. The scope is truly broad, reflecting the innovative spirit of our clinicians and PIs. Many of our clinicians focus on device innovations that enhance procedures based on their extensive experience. Having performed thousands of hours of similar operations, they often develop simple yet effective solutions to streamline their work.
On the other hand, our PIs at the Lerner Research Institute are advancing the development of drugs and devices, identifying novel targets, and generating groundbreaking modalities. The breadth of work emerging in Cleveland Clinic, particularly in the life sciences sector, is genuinely remarkable.
What’s particularly exciting is the strong commitment to fostering innovation within Cleveland Clinic, evident in initiatives like the Innovation District, the Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutic Development, and the new Biologic Discovery Center. These developments signify a robust investment in broadening and catalyzing innovation, ensuring that our pipeline of new ideas will grow exponentially over the next five to 10 years. This presents an exciting opportunity for me in my current role, and I’m eager to be a part of this transformative journey.
Q: What does it mean to you to receive the Becker’s Healthcare 42 Rising Stars Under 40 award?
A:I consider it a tremendous honor to be recognized in this way. Looking at the list of 41 other individuals, I’m struck by how accomplished they all are. Being included among such esteemed peers is truly humbling, and I am deeply grateful to Becker’s for selecting me as part of this distinguished group.
The breadth of positions represented is impressive, featuring C-suite leaders from healthcare systems across the country, including Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). Being included in this company is not only exciting but also reflects the strength of Cleveland Clinic, which undoubtedly carries significant weight in the industry. I believe my affiliation with Cleveland Clinic has played a crucial role in this recognition, and I am proud to be part of such a remarkable organization.
Q: What does innovations mean to you?
A:At its core, I believe innovation is fundamentally about problem solving. It involves identifying an issue and developing a solution, which can range from simple fixes to more intricate inventions. While some of the best innovations are remarkably straightforward, the complexities of human biology often lead to more sophisticated solutions, especially in the life sciences.
Interestingly, even in these complex scenarios, you can find that simple approaches or minor adjustments to existing technologies can unlock new possibilities for treating diseases previously thought untreatable. So, in essence, I see innovation as a blend of creativity and problem solving, a perspective shaped by my engineering background. Engineers are trained to identify challenges and devise effective solutions, and I apply that same mindset in the realm of life sciences.
Q:Is there a particular technology that you are excited about?
A:One of the projects I've been focused on since my first week here involves developing therapeutics that target the complement cascade. This initiative originates from a PI at LRI, and from the moment I was introduced to the assets, I knew this was a path I wanted to pursue. It’s a unique opportunity, particularly given the depth of expertise and the impressive quality and quantity of assets being generated in the lab.
I was genuinely excited from the start, and now we’re making significant progress. I believe we’re approaching a point where we might be able to establish a new company centered around these assets in the near future. This is what truly excites me about our work!
Q: Was there anything that changed about your thoughts on innovation after recently becoming a father?
A:I feel like I'm still in the early stages of fatherhood, but it definitely shifts your perspective. It makes you think more about the future and not just about the innovations that will benefit my wife, my parents, and my siblings, but also about the technologies that will shape my son's generation and beyond. It really extends your time horizon. Instead of just considering the next 20 or 30 years, you start to think about what will impact the next 80 years.
Q: What publications or people within the healthcare innovations industry do you follow?
A:Having been involved in the public side of biotech, I’ve learned that it’s essential to stay connected with all facets of the industry. Over time, I’ve built a diverse network of contacts and outlets that I truly enjoy following. One standout is Brad Loncar, who recently launched a comprehensive media platform called Biotech TV. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and well-connected, with a strong background in biotech that spans both public and private sectors.
Brad and his team do an excellent job of covering various aspects of the biotech and healthcare markets, from late-stage clinical trials to early-stage venture capital innovations. I look forward to tuning into his Biotech TV episodes every Thursday. They consistently offer valuable insights.
Q: Are there any trends that you're following closely within the healthcare innovation space?
A: One area I'm particularly interested in is the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) space. It’s fascinating to see how it’s evolving. Currently, there are two main assets on the market, but given projections for the market's growth, I’m curious about how many options we might see in the future. Will it remain limited to those two, or could we eventually have a diverse range of 10 to 20 alternatives?
Moreover, as more innovative approaches beyond GLP-1 enter clinical trials, I wonder if we’ll discover therapies that are not only more effective for obesity but also impactful for other diseases. The breadth of their potential effects will be intriguing to follow.
Another significant trend is in cell therapies for autoimmune diseases. These therapies have shown promise in treating liquid tumors, and there’s growing interest in applying them to solid tumors and autoimmune conditions like lupus. I believe we’ll see some major clinical developments in this area over the next two to five years.
Q: What advice would you give to someone interested in inventing who may be intimidated by the process?
A: Having gone through this process myself, my top piece of advice is to avoid going through it alone if you can help it. In academia, it's common for us to feel like the experts in our specific fields, leading us to believe that we don’t need input from others. However, I’ve learned that this isn’t always the case. While you may be the foremost authority on your particular area, there are many other factors to consider when developing a new tool or therapy, beyond just the biological rationale.
Bringing in diverse perspectives can be invaluable. Whether it's feedback on the biological aspects or insights from the business side, understanding the market opportunity for your innovation is crucial. Some inventions might be impressive in a lab or operating room but lack broader market potential.
Before investing significant time and effort, it’s essential to gauge whether your idea can translate into a product that serves a wider audience. Seeking feedback early and often is a key strategy that can help guide your efforts effectively.
Hunter was recently recognized by Becker’s as a Rising Star: One of the Top Healthcare Leaders Under 40 for 2024!
