How do universities move promising discoveries out of the lab and into the market? In this episode of BioTalk, Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, Vice President of Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization, Christon Hill, Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures, and Jennifer Butler, Entrepreneur-in-Residence with BioHealth Innovation, discuss how Georgetown is building a stronger pipeline from academic science to startup formation. The conversation examines how Georgetown’s commercialization efforts are evolving, how GTV supports faculty founders, and why structured programming, outside expertise, and stronger ecosystem connections matter for turning research into real-world impact.
The discussion also explores the “missing middle” between discovery and commercialization, the role of Entrepreneurs-in-Residence in advancing founders and technologies, and how partnerships among Georgetown, GTV, and BioHealth Innovation are helping to create a more durable and commercially focused innovation pipeline. The guests also reflect on Georgetown’s place within the BioHealth Capital Region and what success will look like as the university continues building a stronger culture of entrepreneurship and company creation.
Listen via your favorite podcast platform:
Apple: https://apple.co/3OjZf7f
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4vyGePd
iHeart: https://ihr.fm/4tfSJ0p
YouTube Podcasts: https://bit.ly/4sCEEZK
TuneIn: https://bit.ly/4mz5j8x
Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant.
Tatiana Litvin-Vechnyak, Ph.D., is Vice President of Georgetown’s Office of Technology Commercialization, where she leads the university’s efforts to translate research discoveries into real-world impact through licensing, startup creation, and innovation support. Since joining Georgetown in 2023, she has helped expand the university’s commercialization infrastructure, including securing the U.S. Economic Development Administration Build to Scale grant that launched Georgetown Tech Ventures. With more than 20 years of experience in intellectual property, licensing, and business development, she previously served in leadership roles at Rutgers University, where she helped advance major innovation and venture development initiatives. She holds a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and is a Registered Patent Agent.
Christon Hill is Program Manager for Georgetown Tech Ventures in Georgetown University’s Office of Technology Commercialization, where he develops programs, partnerships, and founder support pathways that help move promising research toward venture creation, strategic partnerships, and real-world use. With an interdisciplinary background spanning biotechnology, biology, and the humanities, he brings a practical and market-aware approach to early-stage innovation, with experience in venture development, ecosystem building, and translating complex ideas for investors, partners, and non-technical audiences. He is a graduate of Georgetown’s biotechnology master’s program, a Marine veteran, and a cross-sector operator focused on helping founders and institutions turn strong ideas into credible, actionable opportunities.
Jennifer Butler is a distinguished global commercial executive and strategic leader with nearly 20 years of experience helping biotechnology companies move from early development through commercialization. She serves as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with BioHealth Innovation and served as Montgomery County’s first Executive-in-Residence, a role created through a collaboration between Montgomery County and BioHealth Innovation to provide technical assistance to local biotech startups. Across her career, she has brought a strong commercial perspective to emerging companies, helping founders sharpen strategy, accelerate development, and navigate the path toward growth and commercialization.
This episode of the BioTalk with Rich Bendis Podcast brings together leaders from industry, academia, and economic development to unpack the vision behind a new life sciences Innovation District anchored in Prince William County. With introductions to NAUGEN, George Mason University’s Institute for Biohealth Innovation, and the Prince William County Department of Economic Development, setting the stage for how each organization contributes to the district’s foundation. The guests discuss the life science assets, research strengths, and translational capabilities that define the district and explain why it is well-positioned to support biotechnology and advanced R&D companies.
Secretary Juan Pablo Segura joins BioTalk for a conversation about Virginia’s growing position in the biohealth economy and the statewide strategy behind it. He outlines the significance of the new partnership with AstraZeneca, Lilly, and Merck, including up to $120 million in private investment to create a workforce development center and expand the Commonwealth’s life sciences capacity. Segura talks through how Virginia approaches company recruitment, what investors are responding to, and why the state is seeing increased interest from biomanufacturing and advanced R&D companies. He also discusses Virginia’s use of public-private partnerships to accelerate industry growth, strengthen the talent pipeline, and support emerging hubs across the Commonwealth. The conversation closes with a look at Virginia’s role in the BioHealth Capital Region and how the regional identity helps amplify the state’s message as it continues building a competitive biohealth ecosystem.
Getting a biotech company off the ground takes more than science; it takes strategy, funding, and the right network. 
In this episode of BioTalk, Rich Bendis welcomes Dr. Helen Sabzevari, President and CEO of Precigen, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge science in gene and cell therapy. Dr. Sabzevari shares how Precigen’s unique AdenoVerse® platform has powered the development of PRGN-2012, a potential first-in-class therapeutic currently under FDA priority review for the treatment of adults with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), a rare and devastating disease. She also highlights advances across Precigen’s broader pipeline in immuno-oncology and autoimmune disease and reflects on how Maryland’s BioHealth Capital Region has supported the company’s innovation and growth.
