Herskowitz leaves Columbia tech transfer office after two decades

Orin Herskowitz is leaving his post as executive director of Columbia University’s tech transfer office, Columbia Technology Ventures (CTV), after nearly 20 years, to join the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation.

“We are thrilled that Orin Herskowitz will be leading a new initiative backed by the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation dedicated to transforming lifetime outcomes for children born with congenital heart disease. As we’ve gotten to know Orin, we’ve been deeply impressed by his track record of fostering innovation, his passion for our mission, and his shared commitment to making a positive impact in the world,” said the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation in a statement.

Herskowitz had led CTV since 2006, where he has helped transfer university research into commercial organisations, having helped launch hundreds of companies over that time.

“As I reflect on the past 19 years at CTV, I’m filled with deep gratitude. During this time alone, the team has supported Columbia’s researchers on well over 6,000 new innovations, helped those inventions begin their path to the market in over 1,700 license and option agreements, and launched nearly 300 science-based startups,” said Herskowitz in a LinkedIn post announcing his move.

“CTV’s deals were responsible for generating very significant licensing revenue, the vast majority of which has gone back into university research labs and infrastructure to continue generating even more lifesaving and life-improving innovations. More than 20 of those assets are now in clinical trials, which hopefully will lead to many more lives saved in the years ahead.”

He will be replaced at CTV by Ofra Weinberger, the office’s longtime head of commercialisation, who will fill in as acting director pending the conclusion of a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.