Luxembourg · Deeptech & life sciences
Dr Anita J. Chavan
PhD neuroscientist and venture developer. I turn research into companies: technology valorisation, spin-off creation, EU funding, regulatory strategy and the partnerships that get a product to market.
Roles I'm interested in
Innovation & valorisation
Technology transfer, venture building and spin-off programmes at universities, RTOs and innovation agencies.
Business development
Partnerships and commercial growth in biotech, medtech, CROs and deeptech scale-ups.
R&D programme leadership
Running multi-project RDI portfolios and EU-funded collaborative programmes.
Experience
Founder & Principal Consultant
M3TRL Consulting, Luxembourg
- Advises deeptech and life-science startups on TRL/CRL roadmaps, EU funding and go-to-market.
- Business development and partnerships for University of Luxembourg spin-off Trace Crystal (2025): pilot launch, EIC Seeds of Bravery grant activities, top-4 at the HealthTech Investor Summit.
- Strategic partner at River Venture Studio, connecting APAC and EU deeptech ecosystems.
R&D Commercialisation Expert
Dept. of Physics & Materials Science, University of Luxembourg
- Led an FNR-JUMP project to commercialise a biogenic alternative to microplastic fillers, from lab concept towards industrial validation.
- Built R&D collaborations with industry partners including Goodyear and Peintures Robin.
- TRL/CRL assessments, market analysis and IP mapping with the TTO; authored business and financial plans.
Group Program Manager
Shiok Meats (cell-based agritech), Singapore
- Managed 15+ RDI projects, a €5M+ portfolio, and post-merger integration.
- Negotiated 35+ strategic agreements with legal, BD and R&D teams; managed four key patents and licences with patent attorneys.
Medical Writer · Scientific & Clinical Consultant
Novotech CRO
- Authored 40 clinical and regulatory documents for EMA and FDA submissions for pharma sponsors.
- Coordinated teams of 20–30 across sponsors and clinical sites; mentored two junior writers. Novostar Award 2022, Employee of the Year 2020.
Research Scientist
A*STAR IBN (Singapore) · Worcester Polytechnic Institute · University of Arizona
- AI-integrated, stem-cell-based in-vitro kidney toxicity screening platform (A*STAR).
- Alzheimer's drug screening with microfluidics (WPI); led a $750K Ras oncogene project and supervised a team of six (Arizona).
PhD Researcher · Assistant Lecturer
La Trobe University, Melbourne
- Developed a Dictyostelium model for Batten disease; invited speaker at the International Batten Disease Conference, 2014.
- Taught microbiology practicals to 25 students a semester for five years.
Education & certificates
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
La Trobe University, Australia · Australian Postgraduate Award, La Trobe full-fee scholarship, JN Tata Endowment
MSc Life Sciences (Neurobiology), First Class
University of Mumbai (Sophia College) · Dr Kate E. Marre prize
BSc Zoology, First Class
University of Mumbai
Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market
Harvard Online (edX) · Commercialization Reactor deeptech venture programme
Mentoring & ecosystem
- Mentor, Knowledge-Driven Innovation & Entrepreneurship, University of Luxembourg
- Entrepreneur in Residence, CAI (USA)
Selected publications
- Chavan AJ. Nanomaterials for cancer theranostics: clinical trial process, market statistics, and factors to increase success rate from lab to clinic. Springer book chapter, 2022.
- Varma VB, Chavan AJ. Magnetic droplets for advanced theranostics: cancer diagnosis, targeted delivery and therapeutics. Springer book chapter, 2022.
- Khanna A, Lotfi P, Chavan AJ, et al. The small GTPases Ras and Rap1 bind to and control TORC2 activity. Scientific Reports, 2016.
- Annesley SJ, Chen S, Francione LM, Sanislav O, Chavan AJ, et al. Dictyostelium, a microbial model for brain disease. Biochim Biophys Acta, 2014.
Contact
Languages: English and Hindi (fluent), French (learning, A2). Based in Luxembourg.