The Partnering Playbook - Part 1

In this session, Matt Karlyn, Wolfgang Schönig, and guest speaker Vinit Nijhawan, Managing Director at MassVentures, will focus on the unique path of translating academic research into a commercial venture. We’ll explore how universities and faculty innovators navigate licensing, equity, and strategic partnerships when spinning a company out of the lab.

Topics include:

• Understanding university tech transfer offices: what they want, what they need
• Key terms in academic licenses
• Common friction points: IP ownership, publication rights, conflicts of interest
• Structing the spinout
• Attracting investors
• Structuring sponsored research agreements
• Options vs. licenses
• Ownership of data and improvements
• Pitfalls in publishing rights and confidentiality

To hear more about our upcoming events in this series, see our full schedule below:

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Part 2: Building Value – Strategic Partnerships and Co-Development - February 4, 2026

As programs mature, companies need partners and the need for scale drives companies to partner with larger industry players. This session will focus on structuring co-development, co-commercialization, and other strategic collaborations that balance risk and reward. We’ll cover development responsibilities, governance through joint steering committees, rights to data and regulatory filings, and exclusivity considerations. Attendees will learn how to align incentives while maintaining flexibility as programs advance toward the clinic and market.

Part 3: Capturing Economics – Financial Terms and Deal Structures - April 14, 2026

Deal economics are at the heart of every successful collaboration. This session will break down the financial mechanics of licensing and partnering agreements, including upfront payments, milestones, royalties, equity components, and revenue-sharing models. We’ll also examine diligence and minimum commitment obligations, payment waterfalls, and audit rights, as well as acquisition options and other impactful economic outcomes. Our panel will highlight current trends in structuring financial terms to balance risk and reward between licensors and licensees.

Part 4: Beyond the Deal – Managing Partnerships and Preparing for Exit - May 28, 2026

Closing a deal is only the beginning. This session will cover best practices for managing ongoing collaborations, including alliance management frameworks, dispute resolution, and step-in rights. We’ll also explore provisions that become critical in change-of-control events, M&A transactions, or IPO readiness, such as assignment restrictions and consent requirements. Attendees will learn how to manage collaborations effectively today while positioning them for long-term success and value realization.