Biotech Commercialization & Grant Development

NovoThelium

Mentors

• Dr. Lauren Cornell, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, NovoThelium
• Dr. Shatha Denno, Co-Founder and Director of Research, NovoThelium

About Us

NovoThelium is a San Antonio-based biotechnology company developing next-generation tissue grafts for breast reconstruction, with a focus on nipple-areolar complex regeneration. With support from grants and collaborations with academic and military research institutions, NovoThelium merges cutting-edge tissue engineering with cosmetic and reconstructive surgical applications. The team is passionate about developing patient-centered innovations that restore both form and function.

Externship Description

This externship offers a hands-on opportunity to work on the frontlines of biotech innovation and translational medicine. The extern will assist in preparing federal grant applications (NIH, DoD, NSF), developing commercialization strategy documents, and performing market research to support NovoThelium’s expansion in regenerative medicine and women’s health. If you are interested in biotechnology entrepreneurship, research funding strategy, and women’s health innovation, this externship will provide insight into the translational pipeline from bench to market. You’ll engage with the day-to-day decision-making of a small but rapidly growing biotech startup and contribute directly to real-world impact.

Specific Objectives

Deliverable: A competitive grant proposal draft and a short market analysis report on a new product or innovation under development at NovoThelium

1. Skills Developed:
   • Federal grant writing (SBIR/STTR, DoD, etc.)
   • Regulatory pathways in tissue engineering
   • Competitive landscape analysis
   • Early-stage commercialization strategy
2. Training Provided:
   • One-on-one mentorship from executive-level scientists
   • Optional workshop access (IP strategy, FDA pathways, etc.)
   • Feedback and editing sessions on grant documents
3. Time Commitment:
   • Weekly Zoom meeting (1 hour)
   • 8–10 hours/week of independent or team-based work (remote-friendly)

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

• Background in biomedical sciences, regenerative medicine, or health policy
• Enrolled in or completed a PhD or postdoctoral program
• Interest in scientific writing, product development, or science entrepreneurship
• Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
  Previous grant or business writing experience is a plus, but not required.