Michelle Ottey, Global Head of Centers and Labs, CIC
The Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC) has navigated a year of significant transitions, both internally with a change in leadership and externally with the profound impact of recent policy shifts on the life sciences sector. “The pipeline for new companies has slowed because universities are suffering from a loss of funding,” Michelle Ottey, CIC’s Global Head of Centers and Labs, told Invest:. “The cuts to the SBIR grants and the limitations for NIH funding have negatively impacted all aspects of the life science sector.”
What changes over the past year have most impacted CIC and the work that you do?
Last year, I served as the U.S. head of centers, collaborating with leaders in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Boston, Cambridge, and Providence. This year, I transitioned to the global head of centers and labs, expanding my work to include international centers in Rotterdam, Berlin, Warsaw, Tokyo, and Fukuoka. In life sciences, particularly within the Philadelphia ecosystem, the most significant change has been the impact of the new federal administration bringing policy changes and announcements that have notably affected university research, especially regarding the commercialization of research ideas. The pipeline for new companies has slowed because universities are suffering from a loss of funding. The cuts to the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grants and the limitations for NIH funding have negatively impacted all aspects of the life science sector.
Philadelphia is experiencing a brain drain, with talented individuals, from students to established scientists, leaving for international opportunities due to funding fears. This exodus is detrimental to the local ecosystem. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity. For local businesses and life science companies with capital, now is an ideal time to invest in talent. The downsizing or shuttering of other businesses has created a large pool of available and skilled individuals. By leveraging this talent pool, companies can strengthen their workforce, which will significantly benefit the entire ecosystem, including direct life science companies and their suppliers, who are currently facing decreased orders. These policies are going to have a long-term impact, and it is going to take us decades to recover from this, to rebuild our programs, and to rebuild our talent pool.
What should be the response to policy changes like those related to diversity and inclusion?
Our dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) is fundamental to our mission and community, influencing every decision and conversation. As co-chair of our DEIB advisory committee, I can attest to our ongoing focus on these principles. We are committed to strengthening our DEIB practices and communicating them transparently; to our staff, clients, and the public. We urge other companies to also reinforce their DEIB efforts and remain steadfast.
How is CIC positioning itself to better support life sciences, especially amid uncertainty?
We constantly consider our role within the broader ecosystem. While I may be biased as a Philadelphia native, others echo my sentiment: Philly is incredibly collaborative. A few months ago, I participated in a panel with what many would consider our competitors. In Philadelphia, our approach is genuinely collaborative. If someone isn’t ready or a right fit for a CIC space, we are happy to refer them to other local space providers. If they’ve progressed beyond our services and require resources we can’t provide, we gladly connect them with others. This truly feels unique. Although I’m sure this happens elsewhere, it feels particularly special here, like a distinct advantage. There’s a collegial spirit in how life sciences operate in this city.
This collaborative approach extends to everything from university connections and accelerators to space and service providers. Our occasional ecosystem-wide programming also contributes to this. For instance, CIC and Wexford recently co-sponsored an “IP to Impact” summit. We featured speakers from various organizations across the ecosystem, including the chamber and individual businesses. This event provided an opportunity to focus on optimism, look ahead, and discuss the resilience needed for progress. It helped us identify our role in supporting these conversations, moving beyond merely being a space and service provider. We actively participate in these discussions and facilitate communication, fostering connections both within and outside our network.
Why is Philadelphia a great place for your business?
I always say that Philly is the biggest small city because, although we are one of the biggest cities, we have a very small neighborhood feel. We are committed to mutual support, embodying a spirit of kindness even if it’s not always overt. For instance, we might not engage in casual street conversation, but we’ll readily assist with practical needs like shoveling snow. This ethos extends to our business practices, where we actively help in various ways, such as facilitating connections with the chamber, identifying grant opportunities, and linking businesses with new vendors to secure better pricing when capital is limited.
A rising tide really does lift all boats. We know that if we succeed, it’s going to help the ecosystem. We know that if our competitors succeed, it’s going to help the ecosystem. Ultimately, both those native to Philadelphia and those who have relocated here all share a deep commitment to the city, the success of its ecosystem, and its people. At CIC, we specifically seek out mission-driven individuals who view their work as more than just a job. They are focused on the broader impact, striving to contribute to a better world. Collectively, we aim to conclude each day by leaving things in a slightly improved state than when we started.
