Recent trends show US firms reducing their investments in scientific research while relying increasingly on scientific breakthroughs for patent development. This shift raises a critical question: How do firms access scientific ideas to fuel their innovations? Our study examines the role of top decision-makers in firms, specifically Scientific Directors (SciDs), defined as outside directors with scientific expertise, in bridging the gap between scientific research and patent development. These SciDs are increasingly prevalent, especially in firms whose patents depend heavily on basic scientific research. We find a positive relationship between the influence of SciDs' publications on a firm’s innovation activity and the quality of its patents. Utilizing deep learning techniques, we categorize patents based on the SciDs' areas of expertise, revealing that firms produce high-quality patents in fields where SciDs are actively conducting research. We also provide evidence that SciDs contribute to developing a firm’s innovation talent by tapping their professional networks to help connect top-tier inventors. To address endogeneity concerns, we explore the impacts of scientific breakthroughs due to the Human Genome Project. We observe an increase in both the numbers and economic benefits of SciDs at pharmaceutical firms, highlighting their pivotal role in transforming basic science into patented innovations.