About ACI
We Leverage Our Experience And Network For You
Advise Connect Inspire (ACI) helps international life sciences startups and emerging companies with their U.S. market entry.
This high-end life sciences consulting firm runs programs for governments, accelerators, and industry organizations but also offers support directly to companies that seek access to the prime global life sciences innovation hub.
We are based in the heart of Kendall Square and have access to talent and to a vast network of industry leaders, investors, and other relevant stakeholders.
We Help Life Sciences Companies Win
We provide tailored support for young life sciences companies ranging from high-level strategic guidance to operational and tactical assistance. On the strategic side we offer guidance in four main areas:
- Business plan
- Regulatory/ FDA
- Fundraising
- Business Development
Our operational assistance encompasses everything needed to get started in a new environment:
- Office space
- Access to the best service providers
- Introductions within our vast life sciences network
Everything we do is focused on the success of the companies we support.
Our Model Works
Our team of experienced industry leaders has a proven track-record of helping companies succeed.
We are convinced that the complexity of building and growing a life sciences company calls for programs that are flexible and built around the needs of each company.
We also understand the unique challenges of international companies that are trying to navigate a new ecosystem, and we know how to best help them.
If you would like to learn more about us and how we can help you, please contact us to set up a meeting or a conference call.
Meet The Team
Christoph Lengauer, PhD, MBA | Co-founder & CEO
Christoph Lengauer, PhD, MBA is Venture Partner at Third Rock Ventures where he helps discover, launch and build companies based on bold ideas that meet at the intersection of science, strategy, business, and medicine. In fall of 2015, Christoph was appointed CEO by the German Ministry for Economy to lead the build out of the German Accelerator Life Sciences (GALS) in Cambridge, MA and Berlin, Germany. GALS provides high-end consulting to emerging German companies and supports them with introducing their products to the US market. Last year, Christoph has founded Advise Connect Inspire, LLC that provides similar programs for companies across all of Europe. Christoph is also Executive Vice President at Blueprint Medicines (BPMC) where he has been leading the clinical progression of BLU-285 until its recent breakthrough therapy designation granted by the FDA for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic PDGFRA D842V mutated gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Christoph has a proven record in drug discovery and contributed to more than 25 drugs that reached human clinical trials as well as four approved life-saving medicines (Kisqali, Odomzo, Zaltrap, Jevtana). Prior to joining the pharma/biotech industry, Christoph was an Associate Professor at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. Christoph discovered that all cancers are genetically unstable. While co-leading the Vogelstein lab for about a decade, he was involved in the identification of several cancer driver genes, incl. BRAF and PIK3CA. Christoph holds Adjunct Associate Professor positions at Johns Hopkins University and Harvard University. He is a strong and outspoken advocate of patients’ rights and is featured in the New York Times bestseller and HBO movie “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.”
Annika Pierson, M.A. | Co-founder & COO
Through various roles in the German and the US healthcare industries, Annika has extensive experience building strong global networks by bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, and senior industry executives.
As Chief Operating Officer of ACI, she facilitates the successful US market entry of emerging companies from Europe and connects US-based startups with European investors and industry groups. Prior to joining the German Accelerator Life Sciences (GALS) and founding ACI in Cambridge, MA, Annika headed the innovation and entrepreneurship programs of Charité Foundation in Berlin, including the highly successful international healthcare industry conference, Charité Entrepreneurship Summit.
Annika is an outspoken advocate for innovation-friendly policies and frequent speaker on how to foster entrepreneurship on a global level. She continues to serve on the Advisory Board of the Charité Entrepreneurship Summit and has been active as advisor and mentor to startups throughout her career. Driven by her passion for startups and innovation, Annika collaborates with numerous organizations in Europe, the US, and beyond to continue building the global innovation ecosystem.
This Could Be You...
Please contact us if you are interested in joining ACI.