Celebrating David Kennard’s Achievement as Recipient of the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence Scheme

The MRC-Laboratory of Medical Sciences (LMS) community is delighted to announce that David Kennard has been awarded the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence scheme, marking a significant milestone for the institute. This prestigious recognition means that David will continue to provide his valuable expertise to the LMS as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for an extended period of two years.

David Kennard’s extensive experience in entrepreneurial ventures within the Pharmaceutical and Biotech sectors, along with his impressive educational qualifications, including an MBA and a biochemistry Ph.D., brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the LMS community. Since assuming the role in April, David has played a key role in shaping the institute’s new translational knowledge transfer strategy, actively participating in community engagement activities such as seminars and informal discussions, and fostering connections with industry professionals.

The significance of the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence scheme cannot be overstated, as it not only recognises David’s outstanding contributions but also presents LMS with an unparalleled opportunity to continue benefiting from his mentorship and guidance. This accolade serves as a testament to the success of David’s initiatives and the positive influence he has had on the LMS community.

Expressing his gratitude, David Kennard shared, “I am absolutely delighted to have secured funding from the Royal Society so that I can continue as Entrepreneur in Residence for a further 2 years. This is an incredibly exciting time for LMS, and it’s great to be involved. I hope to provide support to senior staff and early career researchers, discussing routes for translating research ideas and career aspirations, either through one-to-one or innovation training workshops.”

David’s pivotal role extended to facilitating an extensive consultation at LMS, which led to the formulation of a Team Science strategic vision aimed at addressing complex health problems through collaborative, multi-disciplinary efforts. Furthermore, his pilot evaluation of translational and commercial prospects within the LMS portfolio led to the identification of 14 targets and mechanisms with potential for translational development, along with clear organizational recommendations.

Beyond his individual contributions, David’s efforts have seamlessly aligned with the overarching scientific strategy of the LMS. Wiebke Art, the institute’s director, emphasised the significance of having an Entrepreneur-in-Residence who can provide expert commercial advice, stating that the Royal Society award provides them with greater opportunities to advance their discoveries into the translational sphere and maximise commercial prospects.

The embedded Entrepreneur-in-Residence role plays a pivotal part in enabling LMS to concentrate on fundamental research while simultaneously harnessing translational potential to effect transformative change. Ultimately, David Kennard’s appointment as the Royal Society Entrepreneur-in-Residence serves as a resounding affirmation of the effectiveness of this approach, and LMS eagerly anticipates further progress and influence under his stewardship.