The journey from academic research to market-ready healthcare solutions is shaped by more than scientific discovery. The successful translation of research into healthcare solutions depends on entrepreneurship, strategic development, and collaboration across academia, industry, and the investment ecosystem.
Fetalix participated in the From Lab to Market session at the 2026 European Chapter Meeting of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS-EU), contributing to the discussion on transforming academic research into impactful biomedical ventures.
During the session, Fetalix co-founders Joana Caldeira, CEO, and Raquel Gonçalves, COO, reflected on the company's journey since its early academic research, discussing the opportunities and challenges of simultaneously advancing scientific research and building a biotechnology venture. Drawing on their experience, they highlighted the importance of adopting an entrepreneurial mindset alongside scientific excellence, recognizing that translating innovation into real-world impact requires balancing scientific rigor with timely decision-making. They emphasized that academic founders must be willing to leave perfectionism in the laboratory, embracing multidisciplinary expertise and seeking support in areas such as business development and regulatory strategy to successfully navigate the path from research to market.
The session reflected the growing importance of entrepreneurship within the regenerative medicine community and the need to establish effective pathways for bringing promising technologies from the laboratory to patients, and we are proud to have contributed to the discussion.
April 24, 2026
