Neuroscience is currently undergoing a transformation— with researchers making groundbreaking discoveries about brain function, disease mechanisms, and novel therapeutic targets. However, translating these insights into viable treatments remains a significant challenge, requiring collaboration between academia and industry, higher funding rates—and, of course, translational experts.
Dr. Jeffrey (Jeff) Cottrell has dedicated his career to addressing this challenge. From his tenure at the Broad Institute to his current startup, he has focused on converting fundamental scientific findings into actionable drug development strategies. In his current role at Bracken, Jeff is an integral member of our neuroscience and CNS team.
We recently sat down with Jeff to learn about the complexities of neuroscience drug development, regulatory barriers, and the financial hurdles that impede translational research.
Prior to consulting with Bracken, Jeff collaborated with leading scientists at the Broad Institute whose discoveries held immense therapeutic potential. “These principal investigators are brilliant,” he noted, “but they often don’t consider how to transition their findings into a drug development pipeline. That’s where I stepped in—to bridge that gap.” His work involved structuring research programs to facilitate the progression of scientific breakthroughs toward clinical application.
This challenge, though, extends beyond a single institution. Many scientists excel in fundamental research but lack the inclination or desire to navigate the translational process. And successful translation demands not only scientific rigor but also strategic planning, regulatory insight, and commercial viability.
In academia, success is often driven by individual achievement. As Jeff explains, “You are the entity—your name, your work, your reputation.” A strong ego isn’t just common; it’s often necessary. The people who drive groundbreaking discoveries are those who can promote their work, secure funding, and establish themselves as leaders in their field. Without self-promotion, it’s difficult to advance. The academic system rewards those who can stand out, perpetuating a culture where individual brilliance is the key driver of scientific progress.
Industry operates differently. While personal expertise still matters, success is not about the individual—it’s about the team. “In industry, self-promotion alone won’t get you far,” Jeff points out. “You have to balance it with teamwork, with being able to support others and work in a fully collaborative environment.” Unlike academia, where researchers often work in silos, industry requires constant collaboration. It’s often about mentoring, guiding others to become team players rather than solo contributors, and working toward a shared goal.
That goal is also fundamentally different. In academia, success is measured by publications, citations, and the ability to generate new knowledge. “It’s a whole discussion in itself,” Jeff notes. “Publications drive the field forward, but they can also create incentives that don’t always align with practical applications.” In industry, the measure of success is clear: does the work lead to a viable therapeutic? “If the science isn’t good, the product fails,” Jeff says. “So, quality control has to be better. And that’s something I’ve worked hard at—making sure the science is not just innovative but also rigorous and translatable.”
Unlike fields such as cardiology, where biomarkers have long been accepted for regulatory approval, neuroscience has faced greater scrutiny. “Regulatory agencies have lagged in biomarker adoption,” Jeff explained. “For a long time, there was uncertainty about whether a biomarker would be recognized by the FDA.”
However, this landscape is shifting. Recent approvals, such as cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain for ALS, indicate that regulators are increasingly receptive to biomarkers in drug evaluation. While setbacks—such as the controversy surrounding amyloid-targeting therapies—persist, progress is evident. Jeff noted that in conditions like schizophrenia, biomarkers may not serve as the primary basis for drug approval, but they are instrumental in guiding preclinical and early clinical development.
A major challenge in neuroscience drug development is securing funding for translational research. Unlike oncology, where discoveries quickly attract investment, neuroscience programs often struggle to gain financial backing. “Someone has to take the risk,” Jeff emphasized. “In oncology, the translation gap is smaller because the risk is lower. In neuroscience, securing funding is far more difficult.”
He pointed out the limitations of traditional funding sources—government grants, philanthropic initiatives, and venture capital. Grant processes are often too slow to keep pace with scientific advancements and the amounts too low to drive rapid progress, and investors tend to be wary of early-stage neuroscience programs due to perceived risks. “If we had sufficient funding, we could solve many of these problems,” Jeff stated. “There are so many talented neuroscientists with promising ideas, but the financial support is lagging.”
For those aspiring to have an impact on neuroscience and drug development, Jeff’s advice is clear: develop a broad understanding of the field and be prepared for uncertainty. While fundamental research is crucial, he encourages young scientists to gain experience in translational research, industry, or regulatory affairs to enhance career flexibility.
“If you focus solely on fundamental circuits, it’s harder to transition into different roles,” Jeff explains. “But if you have a broader foundation—such as immunology, inflammation, or translational research—you have more flexibility to move between roles in academia, industry, and even regulatory or investment spaces.”
For undergraduate and early-career scientists considering neuroscience, Jeff suggests keeping career mobility in mind. While deep specialization can be valuable, gaining experience in areas with broader application outside neuroscience can open more doors in the long run.
If Jeff could resolve one key challenge in drug development, it would be establishing sustainable funding mechanisms for translational neuroscience research. “The discoveries are there, but we need a more effective system to fund them,” he said. “How do we practically support this work? That’s the critical question.”
Need assistance with your neuroscience project? Contact us today to learn more about working with Jeff and Bracken’s team of experts