OUR IMPACT

When a cutting-edge life sciences incubator approached Govig with an urgent and highly specific search, we knew we were facing a rare challenge. The ask? A fractional Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EIR) with deep Cell & Gene Therapy expertise—someone who could guide development from early research through Phase 2B trials, while navigating the complex realities of manufacturing and supply constraints.

And they needed them fast.

The Challenge

This wasn’t your typical C-level executive search. Many seasoned leaders in this space prefer to wait for programs further along in development. On top of that, true end-to-end experience in Cell & Gene Therapy—from early translational science through commercialization—is extraordinarily rare, particularly in a fractional capacity. The incubator had already explored its own network and was now depending on us to deliver quickly.

The Solution

Leveraging over 22 years of industry connections, we tapped into a highly specialized network of life science leaders who had the niche experience, the right mindset, and the agility to take on a short-term but impactful assignment.

Within just two weeks, we surfaced two qualified candidates—both possessing the rare mix of scientific leadership and commercialization acumen. The selected candidate was offered a limited engagement for a full-time assignment, bringing immediate value to a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.

The Impact

This placement is already shaping the future of a novel therapeutic program, ensuring it avoids common and costly missteps that can derail early-stage development. By helping the lead researcher navigate critical budgetary and manufacturing challenges, this EIR is significantly improving the program’s chances of success—and ultimately, its potential to impact patients’ lives.

Key Takeaway

In highly specialized, high-pressure searches like this, success isn’t just about finding someone qualified—it’s about having the right network and moving at the speed of innovation. Years of trusted relationships and deep industry knowledge allowed us to deliver in two weeks what would have taken others far too long.