The EI Cohort

Building the next generation of oncology companies from MSK discoveries

EI is a highly selective, cohort-based program at MSK.  Each cohort includes a small number of teams chosen for:

  • scientific strength
  • translational potential
  • commitment to venture development

EI Cohort participants engage in an 18-month program designed to move innovations toward company formation or commercialization.

The program culminates in a venture showcase, connecting teams with investors, partners, and stakeholders.

Opportunity for MSK Innovators

EI is designed for MSK innovators who want to build something beyond the lab.  The program supports:

  • faculty developing discoveries with commercial potential;
  • postdoctoral fellows exploring entrepreneurship;
  • scientists and engineers interested in venture creation.

EI enables these innovators to:

  • translate research into viable ventures
  • navigate commercialization with confidence
  • build solutions capable of delivering real clinical impact

Eligible Technologies

Applications will be accepted from projects focused on:  Therapeutics and platform technologies; and Digital health innovations, including:

  • diagnostics and treatment algorithms
  • drug discovery platforms
  • data and AI-driven solutions
  • digital therapeutics

Projects must demonstrate feasibility, address a meaningful unmet need, and have a committed innovator or team.

A Network Built Around Innovators

For EI cohort companies, this program brings together a curated network of:

  • Investors seeking high-quality oncology opportunities;
  • Pharmaceutical partners exploring innovation and collaboration;
  • Entrepreneurs and operators with company-building experience; and
  • Clinicians and stakeholders shaping real-world application.

This network is not peripheral—it is embedded into the program experience.

Meet the Cohort

EI launched its inaugural cohort in 2025, with a second cohort announced in 2026.

The inaugural EI cohort represents a diverse portfolio of oncology-focused innovations spanning therapeutics, platforms, and digital health.  These teams are actively progressing through venture development, validation, and commercialization pathways.  They include:

Radiotherapeutics Platform (Embrace Theranostics)
A universal targeting approach designed to enhance tumor uptake of targeted radiotherapies, with the potential to expand efficacy across a broad range of cancers.

Targeted Radioimmunotherapy (Hertutamig)
A tri-specific platform enabling pre-targeted delivery of alpha-emitting radiotherapy to HER2-expressing tumors, including low-expression populations not addressed by current therapies.

In Vivo mRNA Delivery Platform (gLNPs)
A lipid nanoparticle system designed to enable targeted delivery of mRNA to immune cells in vivo, with the potential to unlock next-generation cell therapy approaches without ex vivo manufacturing.

Covalent Kinase Inhibitor Platform (KINDAco)
A platform focused on overcoming resistance in kinase-driven cancers through next-generation covalent inhibitors with broad mutant coverage.

AI-Enabled Digital Pathology (Mosaic)
A machine learning platform that classifies cancer subtypes from standard histology slides, with applications in diagnostics, clinical decision support, and trial stratification.

AI-Based Clinical Deterioration Detection (HemeAI / CytoOptics)
A platform leveraging routine blood smear data and machine learning to predict early clinical deterioration, with potential applications in oncology and acute care settings.

Single-Molecule Nanoscopy Platform
A high-resolution live-cell imaging system enabling direct measurement of molecular interactions, with applications in drug discovery and target validation.

Get Involved

The MSK Entrepreneurship Initiative is building a community of innovators and partners committed to advancing cancer care.

  • Apply as an Innovator: Bring your discovery and build a venture.
  • Engage as a Mentor or EIR: Support the next generation of oncology founders.
  • Participate as an Investor or Partner:  Access emerging opportunities from MSK’s innovation pipeline.
  • Join as a Workshop Expert or Panelist:  Help shape ventures at critical stages of development.

There are numerous paths to be involved—reach out to us if any is the right next step for you.