LifeSciKY has announced the addition of UK Healthcare vice President for Innovation Ian D. McClure, J.D., LL.M., to its board of directors, strengthening the partnership between the nonprofit lab incubator and University of Kentucky.
McClure also serves as associate vice president of research, innovation and economic impact and executive director of UK Innovate at the university. He leads efforts to translate discoveries for the public good, strengthen institutional investments in innovation, catalyze entrepreneurship and expand industry and collaborative research partnerships.
“I am thrilled to join the Board of LifeSciKY. This organization plays an important role in the growth of Kentucky’s life sciences innovation and entrepreneurship landscape,” McClure said. “The University of Kentucky is a leader in life sciences research, the outcomes of which have the potential to benefit the health of Kentuckians and often results in new startup ventures. LifeSciKY’s mission aligns closely with this work by addressing critical gaps in infrastructure, talent and services that are essential to building, growing and sustaining life sciences ventures in Kentucky, and I am excited to help support that mission.”
Leaders of LifeSciKY and UK Innovate have previously entered a partnership to launch the KY BIO Alliance, a statewide effort focused on connecting industry and innovation resources across the life sciences landscape. UK Innovate at the University of Kentucky drives economic, societal and entrepreneurial growth from research discoveries.
“Both LifeSciKY and UK Innovate are dedicated to accelerating science, entrepreneurism, education and economic development throughout the commonwealth,” said Dr. Christin Godale, executive director of LifeSciKY. “With Ian serving on the board and bringing his proven track record of excellence and innovation to the team, we can continue to work together to empower innovators with the critical resources they need to bring their work to life.”
LifeSciKY is also a member of the University’s Advancing Kentucky Together (AKT) Network, a statewide partnership that unites UK’s research, service and learning capabilities with partners to co-create solutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities and improve well-being across the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
As a member of the board, McClure will bring expertise in intellectual property strategy and technology commercialization, as well as a long-standing commitment to building Kentucky’s innovation capacity. Ian previously served on the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is a board member for the Center for American Entrepreneurship.
“Ian McClure’s appointment to the LifeSciKY Board of Directors brings exactly the expertise our ecosystem needs to accelerate from discovery to market impact,” said R. Duane Clark, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for LifeSciKY and general manager, rare diseases, at Sanofi. “I’m confident his strategic vision and deep understanding of translating research into real-world economic impact will help LifeSciKY strengthen its position as a statewide and national organization and accelerate Kentucky’s emergence as a nationally recognized life sciences hub.”
To learn more about LifeSciKY, visit lifesciky.com.
LifeSciKY