Leen Kawas on Immigrant Innovation: How International Talent Shapes America’s Biotechnology Future — EconoTimes
Leen Kawas, a biotech industry professional with decades of experience, highlights ways in which a diverse workforce positively impacts the industry.
U.S. biotechnology continues to benefit from immigrant talent, with foreign-born innovators making outsized contributions to scientific advancement and economic growth. Leen Kawas, Managing General Partner at Propel Bio Partners, exemplifies how immigrant entrepreneurs help drive innovation in America’s rapidly expanding biotechnology sector while creating opportunities for future generations of scientists and business leaders.
“There’s substantial research demonstrating that when women in executive positions, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, companies see higher returns, more inclusive cultures, and unique approaches to innovation,” says Leen Kawas, whose venture capital firm supports early-stage biotechnology companies developing breakthrough medical treatments.
The biotechnology industry relies heavily on immigrant expertise across multiple domains. Research shows immigrants hold a large number of advanced degrees in science and engineering fields critical to biotech innovation. They account for nearly 40% of total factor productivity growth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This productivity enhancement proves particularly valuable as companies work to develop new therapeutic approaches and treatment methodologies.
Through her work at Propel Bio Partners, Leen Kawas focuses on identifying and supporting promising biotechnology ventures, with particular emphasis on founders who bring diverse perspectives to complex healthcare challenges. The Los Angeles-based firm provides comprehensive support to start-up and early-stage companies, going beyond traditional funding to offer technical and operational guidance that helps young companies navigate the complex biotechnology landscape.
“Technology can lead to better tools for individualized and precision medicine. It allows us to make sense of the different factors that can make each individual or patient unique,” Leen Kawas explains, highlighting how diverse teams drive medical innovation through their varied approaches to problem-solving.
Compelling data supports the economic impact of immigrant entrepreneurs in biotechnology and related fields. Immigrants have founded 65% of leading U.S. artificial intelligence companies, bringing crucial technological expertise to healthcare applications. Additionally, over 70% of billion-dollar U.S. companies employ immigrants in key leadership positions like CEO or chief technology officer, demonstrating the value of international perspectives in driving business growth.
“Using AI to maintain a holistic view of patients and individuals can lead to discovering new therapies or technologies that help humans live healthier and better lives,” notes Leen Kawas, emphasizing how immigrant perspectives enhance technological advancement in healthcare applications.
The biotechnology sector faces ongoing workforce challenges that immigrant talent helps address. Industry reports indicate critical shortages across multiple specialties, from research scientists to clinical specialists. These shortages particularly impact rural areas, where access to specialized medical care often depends on immigrant healthcare professionals. Research shows immigrants help fill these gaps while also creating new jobs — studies indicate every 1,000 new immigrants to a region create opportunities for 270 additional U.S. residents.
Immigration also helps address demographic challenges facing the healthcare system. With an aging U.S. population creating increased demand for medical services, immigrant healthcare workers prove crucial in maintaining adequate staffing levels. Their contributions span the healthcare spectrum, from groundbreaking research to direct patient care.
Leen Kawas actively advocates for mentorship programs that help develop diverse talent pipelines within biotechnology. “Forward-thinking leaders can benefit from interactions with external partners,” she explains, emphasizing how creating opportunities for qualified candidates helps build future industry leadership while enhancing organizational capabilities.
While maintaining rigorous scientific and business standards, Leen Kawas encourages applications from founders of all backgrounds at Propel Bio Partners. This approach aligns with research showing immigrant entrepreneurs start businesses at nearly twice the rate of native-born Americans. Over 35% of new businesses have at least one immigrant founder, highlighting the entrepreneurial drive common among international professionals.
Through structured guidance and support programs, Propel Bio Partners works to transform both individuals and industries. Leen Kawas notes that when organizations prioritize developing diverse talent, they create more collaborative environments that promote innovation and facilitate creative problem-solving. These environments prove particularly valuable in biotechnology, where complex challenges require multifaceted approaches.
The biotechnology industry’s continued expansion creates opportunities for new leaders to emerge. Through programs supporting underrepresented groups, the sector can develop more diverse and capable leadership teams. This evolution promises to drive innovation while creating more inclusive corporate cultures focused on advancing human health through scientific discovery.
Healthcare innovation benefits from combining various cultural and educational backgrounds. International scientists and entrepreneurs bring unique perspectives to medical challenges, often identifying novel approaches that might be overlooked in more homogeneous research environments. This diversity of thought proves particularly valuable in developing treatments for global health challenges.
Financial data further supports the value of immigrant contributions to biotechnology. Immigrant-founded companies are more likely to hold patents and develop innovative technologies, creating substantial economic value. These companies also demonstrate strong job creation potential, helping strengthen local economies while advancing medical science.
Looking ahead, Leen Kawas maintains that developing diverse talent will play an increasingly crucial role in industry growth and innovation. As companies face mounting pressure to develop breakthrough therapies while managing costs and regulatory requirements, the guidance of experienced leaders becomes invaluable for the next generation of biotechnology innovators.
The future of biotechnology depends on continuing to attract and retain international talent while creating pathways for their professional development. Through strategic investment and mentorship, industry leaders like Leen Kawas help ensure that immigrant innovators can continue contributing to America’s healthcare advancement while creating opportunities for future generations of scientists and entrepreneurs.
This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.
Originally published at https://econotimes.com on March 10, 2025.
