On Dec. 12, President Theresa Cheng delivered a professional development talk, “From Bench to Business: A Practical Playbook,” to Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) students at the Feil Center.

Theresa was invited by Weill Cornell Medicine and the Weill Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) to speak with graduate students as part of an IMSD-sponsored professional development program.

The talk examined two stages that frequently shape the trajectory of scientific innovation beyond the laboratory:

• The first stage covered the transition from “0 to 1,” focusing on how early ideas are defined, tested, and refined into viable concepts
• The second stage explored the progression from prototype to scale-up, highlighting considerations that arise as scientific work advances toward development and manufacturing

The audience included PhD students with interests in translational drug development and the real-world impact of advancing academic discoveries. Many were exploring the potential of transforming their research expertise into startup companies driving the future of drug development.

Drawing on CPC Scientific’s experience as a synthetic peptide and oligonucleotide CRDMO, Theresa offered an industry-informed lens on how scientific programs evolve as they transition from academic research into clinical and commercial development.

“At CPC Scientific, we encourage young scientists to explore new directions and transform research ideas into practical, real-world applications that can meaningfully advance healthcare,” Theresa said.

Theresa also underscored the importance of long-term thinking, entrepreneurial collaboration, and adaptability, principles that guide CPC Scientific’s work with both internal teams and external partners. Students were encouraged to consider how their research and ideas today can translate into tomorrow’s cutting-edge therapies and global healthcare solutions.

From a company perspective, CPC Scientific has long encouraged talented young scientists to explore bold ideas and translate their research into real-world breakthroughs. We believe innovation creates the greatest value when it moves beyond theory into therapies that serve the needs of patients worldwide.

“Supporting the next generation of scientific leaders is central to our culture,” added Theresa. “We aim to inspire young scientists to become healthcare entrepreneurs who shape the life-changing medicines of tomorrow.”

Through ongoing participation in academic and professional development programs, CPC Scientific is proud to advance our broader mission of supporting global healthcare innovation and the future of modern drug development.

CPC Scientific extends its sincere thanks to Weill Cornell Medicine and the Weill Cornell Graduate School IMSD Program for the invitation and thoughtful organization of the event. We look forward to continued collaboration with our academic partners across the biopharma community.