From Cleveland to San Juan: how an alum is building Puerto Rico’s biotech future

Osvaldo A. Rodriguez Rivera (GRS ’24, regenerative medicine and entrepreneurship) entered Case Western Reserve University’s Regenerative Medicine and Entrepreneurship (RGME) program in the School of Medicine to deepen his scientific understanding of biotechnology and regenerative medicine. With an undergraduate degree in biology, he initially focused on research, but the program’s unique blend of science, business and real-world experience quickly shifted his direction.

The turning point came during his first semester, when he enrolled in the Entrepreneurial Finance course taught by Michael Goldberg, PhD, executive director and associate vice president of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship.

"From the very first lecture, I knew that entrepreneurship was the path I wanted to pursue," Rodriguez Rivera recalls. Further fueling this passion, an internship with the Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership allowed him to assist with the commercialization of technologies emerging from the university.

After graduating in January 2024, Rodriguez Rivera became assistant director of the 11000 Cedar Startup Incubator under the mentorship of Andrew Cornwell, PhD, associate director of the Case-Coulter Translational Research Partnership. During this time, he observed a crucial infrastructure gap in his home, Puerto Rico: although the island boasts a strong innovation pipeline, it lacks a comprehensive incubator to support early-stage life sciences ventures.

Motivated to address this gap, Rodriguez Rivera co-founded BioGenesis Puerto Rico (BGPR) with Hector De Jesús-Cortés, PhD. His mission: create opportunities for both island-based professionals and those in the diaspora. Today, BGPR enables innovation at all educational levels by providing physical resources and business support, aiming to help Puerto Rico become a global biotechnology hub.

A conversation with Osvaldo A. Rodriguez Rivera

How did your time in the RGME program specifically prepare you for the challenges of launching BioGenesis Puerto Rico? 

The RGME program was invaluable. Everything I created for BGPR drew directly on what I learned there, from structuring a budget to developing pitch decks and business plans. Once I decided to build my business, I applied these skills to draft a complete plan.

What were the most significant hurdles you faced while trying to build a startup in Puerto Rico while still based in Cleveland?

Building a business in Puerto Rico without being physically present was incredibly challenging. I understood that everything has a process, and my co-founder was a tremendous support throughout it. Still, it was difficult to balance my primary responsibilities in Cleveland while building a company in Puerto Rico. Ultimately, I decided to return to Puerto Rico because I truly missed home. Additionally, because we are still in the early stages, raising capital has been one of our biggest challenges. Our business model is not a traditional R&D or biotechnology startup, and the fact that we are building this in Puerto Rico adds another layer of complexity. Securing funding has therefore been particularly difficult.

Are there specific mentors or courses at Case Western Reserve that you still find yourself leaning on today?

Absolutely. Beyond Michael Goldberg’s finance course, I took “Contemporary Biology and Biotechnology for Innovation” with Michael Gilkey, a course that significantly supported the development of BGPR. Mentors like Tracey Bonfield, Steve Fening and Andrew Cornwell were all influential throughout my time at CWRU. My internship also served as a major turning point in shaping both my educational trajectory and my long-term career goals.

How does BioGenesis differentiate itself from other innovation initiatives currently existing on the island?

What sets BGPR apart is that Puerto Rico currently lacks a truly comprehensive incubator model like the one we are developing. While the island has a strong innovation pipeline and outstanding research activity, there is a critical gap in supporting early-stage innovation. BGPR is designed to bridge that gap. Additionally, we aim to foster a cultural and mindset shift within the scientific community—one where entrepreneurship becomes an integral part of the landscape.

Where do you see the impact of BioGenesis in the next five to 10 years?

I envision BioGenesis Puerto Rico as the most comprehensive biotechnology and life sciences incubator on the island. I see it becoming a platform that expands opportunities for our students, scientists and entrepreneurs to make a global impact directly from Puerto Rico. I also view BioGenesis as a meaningful pathway for Puerto Ricans who left the island to pursue their goals and wish to return, providing them with the environment and infrastructure needed to thrive. Overall, I see BioGenesis Puerto Rico as a catalyst for strengthening Puerto Rico’s position as a global hub for biotechnology and life sciences innovation.