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Stuart Garfield
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
2010 Women to Watch
Aura Bioscience's Elisabet de los Pinos combines entrepreneurship and management skills
By Julie M. Donnelly
MHT talks with Tanja Dominko, WPI researcher and CellThera president
MHT's Jackie Noblett: Lessons from the 2007 IPOs
MHT's Julie Donnelly: Nanotechnology may spark next New England manufacturing revolution
Elisabet de los Pinos
CEO, Aura Biosciences Inc.
Education: MBA, IE Business School, Spain; Ph.D., molecular biology, University of Barcelona; Postdoctoral fellowship, Institute of Cancer Research, London; Completed the MIT Entrepreneurship Program
Noteworthy: She launched Aura Biosciences after 10 years of work in oncology research. She is the co-inventor of technologies behind two U.S. patents covering Aura’s Nanosmart technology platform, which is a nanotechnology-based delivery system for new drug targets.
And more: Her company was one of 26 technology firms invited to participate in the World Economic Forum’s technology pioneers program in Davos, Switzerland.
What will that mean for the company when you permanently locate here?
“Actually it has worked well so far. I’ve come here for 10 days at a time, I do several meetings a day, I can work all the time, and then go back and can spend time with the kids. But one reason I established the company in Cambridge is to be a part of this cluster, to be near the knowledge, the people, the capital and the network. If you look outside, competitors are down the block, pharmaceutical companies that might become partners or acquirers are three blocks away. We never feel isolated here. The only downside of the move is that it’s a horrible time to sell (property) in Madrid.”
Biggest challenge
“We were looking for money in October 2008. European investors were very reluctant to invest in a U.S. company, because there was so much uncertainty about the U.S. banking system. We had to get a federally insured bank. But eventually the private European investors came through. You have to make them believe in the entrepreneur, believe that it’s not the moment that’s important, it’s the technology and the team.”
Outside of work
“You never get away from being an entrepreneur, but that’s OK. It’s my passion. I try to complement my work and home life. My kids are so proud. My son told his teacher that his mother goes to work by plane.”
What could be done to swell the ranks of women entrepreneurs?
“Well, I went to Davos and went to a meeting on the empowerment of women, and it was really nice to see that — all those women leaders from around the world. One of the speakers said something that is really true: You have to be fearless. But it doesn’t mean what you think, that you aren’t afraid. You have to go after your dream, even if you are afraid. Also, sometimes you have to accept that you don’t run a company like a man CEO — but you get results. We don’t have to lose our identity as women.”
Thoughts on de los Pinos, from Laura Barker Morse, Managing director of Entrepreneurship Ventures Inc. and an Aura board member
“I’ve never seen anyone who was as good at taking in information, and then making good decisions, without hesitation. She’s a very brave CEO.”
“She has an innately gracious personality and an engaging style. She is good at getting support from people because people like her. She is always appreciative and responsive to any advice.”
(Laura Morse’s husband, MIT’s Ken Morse on why de los Pinos will succeed) “Raw intelligence. She is highly discplined and she has a pleasant persistence.”
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