The Biotech Accelerator Unicorn Program
A Joint Program by the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB)
Join a Cohort of Changemakers
The UC San Diego Rady School of Management - CKGSB Joint Biotech Accelerator Unicorn Program is specifically designed for leaders in the life sciences and biotechnology industry with the essential knowledge and connections needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving sector.
Bridging the expertise of faculty from the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and CKGSB, this program offers a unique curriculum combining biotech strategy, management, and a global perspective on the industry.
Uniquely geared towards CEOs and founders, the program strengthens your leadership skills while keeping you at the forefront of the latest biotech developments and trends. You will:
- Acquire the expertise to assess market potential
- Create strategic product launch and development plans
- Confidently navigate the entire commercialization process
- Attend industry visits and networking sessions, connecting you with biotech leaders and emerging start-ups
Immerse yourself in the thriving biotech hub of San Diego. Here, you will have opportunities to interact with potential investors and expand your avenues in securing funding for your biotech venture. The program will give you access to an exclusive network of industry professionals, bio-entrepreneurs, and seasoned investors, opening up endless possibilities for professional growth and career advancement.
Contact usProgram Highlights
Joint Collaboration and Comprehensive Learning
The UC San Diego Rady School of Management - CKGSB Joint Biotech Accelerator Unicorn Program is a distinctive collaboration between two renowned institutions: the UC San Diego Rady School of Management and Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), along with partnership support from UC San Diego Extended Studies. Bringing together a distinguished faculty from the East and West, this program dives deep into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities, ensuring a thorough understanding of the industry's academic and practical aspects.
Hands-on Experiences and Networking Opportunities
Beyond theoretical knowledge, the program emphasizes real-world insights through industry visits, labs, startup interactions, and case studies. These hands-on experiences, with panel discussions and guest lectures, offer participants a holistic view of the biotech sector's real-world challenges and successes. Additionally, the program presents an invaluable opportunity to engage with a diverse cohort of peers, industry leaders, renowned faculty, and investors, fostering a dynamic environment for networking and collaboration.
Leadership, Ethics, and Future Readiness
Designed with a forward-thinking approach, the program strongly emphasizes leadership and biotech management skills. Participants will delve into the ethical dimensions of biotech, navigating the sector's moral dilemmas and understanding the importance of responsible innovation. Furthermore, the program ensures participants are future-ready by exploring predictive trends, preparing them for the upcoming challenges and opportunities in the ever-evolving world of biotech.
Who Should Apply?
- Board members, C-suite executives, and Founders who are ready to shape and redefine their organization's biotech trajectory, driving innovation and growth
- Senior leaders with a strategic vision are committed to effectively integrating life science research into their organization's business models
- Visionaries passionate about actively shaping the future of life science, going beyond being mere participants to becoming influential architects of this rapidly evolving field
- Investors who want to stay attuned to the next breakthrough technologies and capitalize on the latest mega-trends
Program Fee Details
- The program fee includes tuition, cases, materials, site visits, breakfast, lunch, and a closing dinner
- Early Bird Enrollment: Enroll by May 31, 2024, and receive 10% off the program fee. Discount Code: UNICORNEARLY
- CKGSB and UCSD Alumni Discount: Receive up to 20% off the program fee
- To qualify for a discount, please fill out the contact form so we can validate your affliation and send you a discount code
Faculty Highlights
UC San Diego Faculty
Lisa Ordóñez
DeanStanley and Pauline Foster Endowed Chair, Professor of Management
As dean of the UC San Diego Rady School of Management since 2019, Lisa has driven its transformation towards expansive growth, solidifying its global research prominence and innovative impact as a catalyst for economic development in San Diego and beyond.
Amy Nguyen-Chyung
Assistant Teaching Professor
Co-Director of the Institute for the Global Entrepreneur (a collaboration between the Rady School and the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering) and Faculty Co-Director of the Rady MicroMBA.
Kevin Zhu
Professor of Innovation, Technology and Operations
Kevin Zhu is a distinguished academic at the UC San Diego Rady School of Management, where he holds the title of Professor of Innovation, Technology and Operations.
CKGSB Faculty
Bing Xiang
Founding DeanProfessor of China Business and Globalization, CKGSB
Hong Chen
Academic DirectorAssociate Dean for Americas, Professor of Management Science, Director of Research Center for Clean Energy and Carbon Neutral Development, CKGSB
Sun Tianshu
Visiting Professor of Information SystemsDirector of the Center for Digital Transformation, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) Advisor to Chairman of Alibaba Group
Jon Liao
Professor of Managerial PracticeFormer Associate Dean, Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) Former Chief Strategy Officer of JD.com
About the Organizers
Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business
Established in Beijing in November 2002, CKGSB is China’s first privately funded, research-intensive and not-for-profit business school. Today, CKGSB stands apart for its full-time, world-class faculty, research excellence, China insights, and unparalleled alumni network. Over half of its 40 faculty members previously held tenure or senior professorships at top business schools, such as MIT, Wharton, and Yale. More than half of CKGSB’s 20,000 alumni are at the CEO or Chairman level, and, collectively, they lead one-fifth of China’s 100 most valuable brands. Today, CKGSB globally offers programs specifically designed for unicorn and soon-to-be-unicorn founders. Thus far, this initiative has developed over 1,000 founders and co-founders of companies with Series A to more mature start-up companies, including 38 unicorn companies listed on CB Insights (2017-2022).
UC San Diego Rady School of Management
The UC San Diego Rady School of Management was founded in 2003, and created as a shared vision by local science and technology leaders with the goal of enhancing the vitality of the strong regional economy. The school's mission is to advance business by generating meaningful research and educating principled, innovative leaders, and offers a comprehensive portfolio of seven graduate Master's programs, a PhD program and Executive Education courses. As part of the prestigious UC San Diego campus, the Rady School is surrounded by premier research institutions, accelerators and other top-ranked schools of excellence.
UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies
Established in 1966, UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies is a catalyst for economic, intellectual, and cultural growth. Advancing the belief that great social and economic prosperity comes from integrating the collective knowledge of the university, community leaders and professionals, the Division of Extended Studies has a mission to serve the critical lifelong learning and skill development needs of individuals, organizations, and the community. UC San Diego Division of Extended Studies partners with businesses, civic leaders, nonprofits, and UC San Diego to provide a range of public programs that enhance quality of life.