FRANK RIMALOVSKI

Frank Rimalovski serves as the Director of Entrepreneurship and Commercialization at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a key component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In this influential position, he is instrumental in accelerating the journey of innovative cancer research from the laboratory to the marketplace. His core mission involves fostering a robust ecosystem where NCI-funded discoveries can be successfully commercialized, ultimately benefiting patients and public health.

At the NCI, Frank Rimalovski leads strategic initiatives focused on technology transfer, startup formation, and entrepreneurial development. He provides invaluable mentorship to scientists and aspiring entrepreneurs, guiding them through the complex process of transforming scientific breakthroughs into tangible products and services. This includes advising on business strategy, intellectual property, regulatory pathways, and securing private sector funding. His work is critical in bridging the gap between cutting-edge research and the venture capital community, ensuring that promising technologies receive the necessary investment to thrive.

While not a traditional direct equity investor in his current NCI role, Frank Rimalovski's 'investment focus' is on facilitating the commercialization of a wide array of oncology-related technologies. This encompasses novel therapeutics, advanced diagnostics, innovative medical devices, digital health solutions, and research tools designed to prevent, detect, and treat cancer. He champions technologies with high potential for clinical impact and market viability, emerging directly from NCI's extensive research portfolio.

Frank Rimalovski brings a rich and diverse career background to his role at the NCI. Prior to joining the NIH, he held significant positions that honed his expertise in entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. He previously served as the Managing Director of the Cornell University eLab and as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Cornell's Johnson Graduate School of Management, where he played a pivotal role in nurturing student startups. His experience also includes a strong foundation in venture capital, having been a founding partner of a venture fund dedicated to investing in university spin-outs. This blend of academic, entrepreneurial, and investment experience provides him with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities in the life sciences commercialization landscape. His involvement as a mentor for the NIH Life Sciences Summit further underscores his commitment to fostering innovation within the broader NIH ecosystem. Through his leadership, countless NCI-backed innovations are positioned for successful translation, attracting vital private funding and making a significant impact on cancer care.