MIT DHIVE Takeda biopharma Innovation track

A Deep Dive into Healthcare Innovation

The MIT DHIVE Takeda Innovation Track, offered in partnership with Takeda, is  an exciting internship opportunity exploring a variety of unmet biomedical technological and innovation needs. Participants will gain insights from knowledgeable Takeda subject matter experts on key needs and challenges, engage in brainstorming and ideation activities, and learn from seasoned entrepreneurs how to transform ideas into viable solutions.  The partnership with Takeda provides a unique chance for interns to work on innovative solutions with a patient-focused, values-based, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company.

 

All of the DHIVE tracks offer an opportunity to learn about a variety of challenging healthcare problems that need solutions.  The program is designed to provide you with education on various topics to spark your own ideation for possible solutions. There are no set expectations, and we encourage ideation and creative out-of-of-the box-thinking.  We also value diverse educational backgrounds.  If you are interested in healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship the DHIVE program is for you!

Summer 2024 Potential Projects To Explore:

  • Clinical Trials

    • Drug Development: A Statistical POV. Requires cross-functional collaborations as well as sound statistical methodology, simulation, and analysis through to regulatory submission for approval of a drug.

      Students will get an introduction to benefit-risk assessment (BRA) in the pharmaceutical industry. Topics to be addressed:

      • Brief introduction to regulatory basis for BRA

      • Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA)

      • Elicitation of preference data for MCDA

      • Sensitivity analysis using simulations

    • Track Experts: Elaine Hoffman, Head of Gastrointestinal and Inflammation (GI2) Statistics, Jon Norton, Director, Benefit/Risk ,Center for Statistical Research & Consulting, Statistical & Quantitative Sciences and Cristian Gugiu, Ph.D. Associate Director, PRO Statistics Center for Statistical Research & Consulting Statistical & Quantitative Sciences Data Sciences Institute, Research & Development

  • AI in Predictive Diagnosis of Rare Diseases 

    • A common algorithm for diagnosis of rare diseases? Are rare diseases believed to be rare, because of lack of information? Many "rare disease" may be more common than we thought just because healthcare providers are not aware of them, and hence failed to detect them earlier? Is there a common algorithm that can be developed to solve this problem, across various disease areas?

    • Track Expert: Tao Fan, Sr. Director, US Health Economics and Outcomes Research

  • Digital Health

    • Track Expert: Xuefang Wu, Associate Director, Digital Strategy

  • Using AI/ML to expedite Drug Development

    • Track Expert: Kanika Suri, Scientist

Who Should Apply?

  • Individuals interested in healthcare entrepreneurship who want to explore potential topics/problems individually or by joining an existing team.

  • Individuals who have a novel idea on how to address a particular need or challenge related to any of the potential areas 

  • Individuals who have expertise in proven technologies and are interested in applying their knowledge to address these unmet needs

  • Current or recent MIT Sandbox team members interested in exploring the application of their concept to address a particular need or challenge related to above

Eligibility and Program Information

Eligibility

  • Open to all MIT undergraduate and graduate students and Non-MIT students. 

  • Paid Internships are available for MIT undergraduate and graduate students who can commit at least 20 hours/week. Undergraduate internship rate $15 per hour. MIT graduate student internship rate is $20 per hour. 

  • Graduate students who have a RAship and are unable to commit 20 hours/week are still eligible for a limited paid internship and encouraged to apply. 

  • Non-MIT students are welcome to apply, although internship stipend is not guaranteed.

  • Current or recent Sandbox team members are eligible to apply.

Program Elements

  • Mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and subject matter experts

  • Education on understanding the needs and challenges related to specific healthcare focuses

  • Entrepreneurship-related workshops

  • Expert-led talks tailored for specific track focuses

  • Facilitated team formation; Opportunities to connect with the existing teams and other participants to foster collaboration 

  • Tailored MIT I-Corps Customer Discovery workshop

  • Potential for continued support in MIT Sandbox