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News and Events > Newsletters > Monthly Newsletter: January 2006
University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office
Monthly Newsletter
Volume 2 ~ Issue 5 ~ January 2006
Today at the TTO
TTO Announces the Fourth Annual Technology Transfer Awards Winners
The University of Colorado Technology Transfer Office (TTO) hosted its 2005 Awards Event on January 10, 2006 at the Tivoli Turnhalle at CU's downtown Denver campus. The annual event celebrates CU's inventors, licensee companies, and business advisors for their roles in TTO success. Responsible for developing and commercializing CU inventions, the TTO is building momentum as a self-sustaining program for generating the license revenues that fuel high-quality research. The TTO awards recognize the best practices of University scientists and business participants in the technology transfer cycle.
The evening included an address by CU President Hank Brown and a panel discussion on the trials and tribulations of starting and growing a new company. Featured on the panel were entrepreneur-faculty inventor teams representing three highly successful start-up companies based on CU technology.
Following a reception and dinner, awards were presented for New Inventors of the Year and Business Advisor of the Year. These awards went to Rodger Kram (UC-Boulder, Integrative Physiology), Ching-Hua (Edward) Chow (UC-Colorado Springs, Computer Science), Douglas Graham (UC-Denver and the Health Sciences Center, Pediatrics), and to entrepreneur John Hannon.
Honored as Inventors of the Year were Dragan Maksimovic and Regan Zane (UC-Boulder, College of Engineering), Terrance Boult (UC-Colorado Springs, Computer Science), and Robert Garcea (UC-Denver and the Health Sciences Center, Pediatrics). The Life Science Company of the Year award went to RxKinetix, Inc.; and Phiar Corporation won the award for the Physical Science/Engineering Company of the Year . Professor Frank Barnes (UC-Boulder, College of Engineering) was presented a Pinnacles Lifetime Achievement award, and last year's winning inventors were honored with induction into TTO's Pinnacles of Inventorship.
The evening was sponsored by Hensley Kim & Edgington LLC, a Denver law firm providing corporate, litigation, real estate, and intellectual property services.W3W3 provided media services and the photos of this event W3W3 provided are here.
CU Technology Transfer Office primarily serving UCDHSC moves to the Fitzsimons BioPark Center building
In December of last year the TTO group that was previously located in Building 500 at the Fitzsimons campus moved across the street to the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority's Bioscience Park Center Building. With a staff complement of six professionals and up to as many students, the space at Building 500 became cramped and unsuitable for meetings with inventors and companies. The new location has ample conference room capacity and individual office space for all employees. In the near future an event recognizing the new office will be announced. Please see the updated contact information for UCDHSC's TTO staff. The new address is:
UCDHSC Technology Transfer Office
12635 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 350
Aurora, CO 80010
POCgrant Fall Solicitation, 2005
The TTO completed the inaugural POCg solicitation, and 13 projects are set to begin work. The POCg program provides grants to enable the further development and validation of promising CU technologies that are, or will become, suitable for commercialization. POCg awards can be either $10,000 or $25,000, and the technologies are selected by a competitive application process.
The campuses generated an overwhelming response to the TTO request for proposals. Forty-one proposals were received, which included six from new inventors, and fourteen associated with new invention disclosures. Of the qualified proposals, i.e. those associated with a new or on-file invention disclosure, nine requested $10k and thirty requested $25k funding. TTO case managers chose seven $10k proposals and fifteen $25k proposals as finalists. From those finalists, we found that five of the $10k and eight of the $25k proposals were truly outstanding and worthy of support.
Accounts are currently being set up for the awardees with the three campus OCGs as follows: Boulder 5 @$25k and 3 @$10k, UCDHSC 2 @$25k and 1 @$10k, and UCCS 1 @$25k and 1 @$10k. Disciplines represented include: therapeutics (4 projects), medical devices (3 projects), mechanical devices (3 projects), and software (3 projects). Of the biotech projects, the therapeutics are directed to the treatment of cancer and metabolic disorders, and the medical devices are directed towards rehabilitation and cardiovascular applications. Mechanical devices include a no-moving-parts pump, a novel means of energy production, and an unmanned aircraft. Software applications include a web audio content analysis and search engine, wireless network middleware, and network security.
Congratulations to the awardees, and many thanks to all who participated.
Spring Proof-of-Concept Investment Round - Application Deadline is March 24, 2006
The application deadline for the upcoming spring Proof of Concept investment (POCi) round is March 24, 2006. The POCi program provides early stage "seed" investments to enable the further development and validation of promising CU technologies that are, or will become, the platform for a CU start-up company. POC program investments can range from $50,000 to $100,000 and are determined based on a competitive application process. POC funds must be used primarily for applied research, prototype development, product testing, and other technology-focused activities consistent with the proof of concept purpose of the investment. Up to 10 percent of the investment amount may be used for business activities, such as market studies or intellectual property analyses. For more information about the POC program, selection criteria and application requirements, contact Tom Smerdon, Director, New Business Development, at tom.smerdon@cu.edu or 303-735-0621.
CU Licenses BP Center Intellectual Property to New Company, TerraSpark IP, LLC
The BP Center for Visualization was established in October 2000 as a new research center at the University of Colorado as part of both the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the College of Arts and Sciences. The Center developed an extensive program of research and development, initially focusing on the energy industry, aerospace, and medical visualization.Founding director Dr. Geoffrey Dorn, while employed by ARCO, spearheaded the development of much of the Center's core technology, and has been key to its continued development at CU.Dr. Dorn has now formed a private company, TerraSpark IP, LLC, to which TTO has licensed exclusively the BP Center's entire portfolio of intellectual property. Dr. David Allen, Associate Vice President for Technology Transfer, notes that "the nature of the research and the direction of technology development and deployment more closely fits with a private, rather than a public, venture.While good progress has been made by the BP Center under the capable leadership of Dr. Dorn, we believe that it is in the best interest of the university to now license the technology asset to TerraSpark IP to ensure continued success for this unique technology." Quoting Geoffrey Dorn, founder of TerraSpark IP, "The last five years at CU have provided the BP Center for Visualization the opportunity to perform the necessary research and development to push this technology forward. Through this licensing agreement TerraSpark will be able to more effectively move this technology from research through development to commercialization."
TTO Concludes Option Agreement with Sentina Systems
TTO has entered into an option agreement with Sentina Systems, Inc., a start-up company focused on the development and commercialization of sensor fusion technology developed in CU Boulder's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. This technology, which is the subject of a provisional patent application, provides a protocol that may be used to dynamically manage a suite of sensors with improved accuracy and predictive performance. For example, in one application, the suite of sensors may be implemented on vehicles so that such an equipped vehicle may track the trajectory of other vehicles and/or hazardous objects.
Lucigen Signs License Agreement
Lucigen Corporation, based in Middleton, WI, recently executed a non-exclusive license for four vectors developed in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Ryan Gill (Chemical and Biological Engineering, Boulder Campus). These broad host range cloning vectors will facilitate the generation of plasmid libraries in many different bacterial species. Lucigen Corporation discovers and develops advanced products for molecular cloning.
TTO Hires Database Administrator
In January TTO welcomed Nathan Chen, our new database administrator.Nathan just relocated to Boulder from Boise, Idaho, where he acquired both a BA in Computer Information Systems and an MBA. He has worked as a database analyst and developer for six years, and most recently as a software engineer for about two years. Nathan designed a number of web-based database applications using Microsoft SQL Server. With his strong skills in database development and support, Nathan is excited about joining TTO as a database and IT administrator. Nathan enjoys spending time with his family, plays badminton, and listens to classical music.
CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News
UCDHSC Research a Record $363.5 Million for FY 2005
The University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center received a record $363.5 million in sponsored research grants during fiscal year 2005, indicating that the university's researchers are thriving in a highly competitive national quest for public and private research dollars.
University of Colorado School of Medicine Ranks in Top 20 for NIH Research Awards, Ninth Among Public Universities
Out of 126 private and public medical schools nationwide, the University of Colorado School of Medicine ranks 20th overall and ninth among public institutions in total award funding received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health in fiscal year 2004.
University Of Colorado Foundation Receives $630,000 Donation
The University of Colorado Foundation announced today that it has received a $630,000 donation from John Stewart of Denver for the benefit of peptide research at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.
TTO's Learning Laboratory: The Student Connection
MBA Intern Promotes CU's Clean Technologies
Craig Fulghum, a new MBA intern, assisted Technology Transfer staff in identifying potential Clean Technologies within the CU system to showcase at the next Colorado Clean Tech Initiative meeting. In early December, the Technology Transfer staff held a screening meeting with key members of the Colorado Clean Tech Initiative who identified and commented on the viability and market requirements of the pre-selected Clean Technologies we had identified.
Based upon the screening meeting, the group selected technologies that were nearest to market. The technologies will be presented at the January Clean Tech meeting to be held January 31st, 2006. The Clean Tech meetings have been held monthly and attendees consist of both companies and individuals. Meetings have ranged from 40 to 120 people.
Clean Technology comprises a diverse range of products and services that harness renewable materials and energy sources, dramatically reduce the use of natural resources, and reduce or eliminate environmental damage.Companies in the retail, healthcare, manufacturing and construction and even real estate and interior design sectors are all recognizing the value of clean and sustainable technologies.
As a rule, clean technologies are economically competitive with similar conventional products, and they have the additional advantage of providing environmental and social as well as economic returns.
Spotlight On:
| CU Boulder's Technology of the Month |
CU HSC's Technology of the Month |
CU1319B - Improving Viability Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells |
CU1287H - Urine IL-18 Is An Early Diagnostic Marker Of Acute Renal Failure |
HUMAN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS (hMSCs) have many advantages that make them ideal for use in regenerative medicine. Specifically, from a clinical perspective, isolation of autologous MSCs is a simple procedure, yielding a large and relatively pure population of progenitor cells capable of producing large amounts of tissue. Under the right environmental stimuli, hMSCs are capable of differentiating into the cells of bone, cartilage, tendon, muscles, fat and others.
Many academic research groups and biotechnology companies realize the promise of hMSCs for regenerative medicine and much active research into their ability to aid in the regeneration of a wide range of functional tissue is currently underway. However, when encapsulated and cultured in polymeric and natural hydrogels, the loss of hMSC viability over time is a significant impediment for the use of hMSCs in various therapeutic applications.
Whereas anchorage-independent cells are viable inside hydrogels for extended periods of culture, cell viability of anchorage-dependent hMSCs is high initially but slowly decreases with time. After one week in culture, viability of hMSCs is very low, which diminishes their potential for tissue regeneration when combined with a hydrogel material.
THE SOLUTION The viability of hydrogel-encapsulated MSCs has been dramatically improved by incorporating a negatively charged phosphate group within the gel. Cell viability of gel-encapsulated MSCs improved from 15% to 95% when this charged group was included within the gel. It is believed that the charged groups lead to improved viability by indirectly promoting cell adhesion to the hydrogel by mimicking natural extracellular matrix moieties. Furthermore, in a different application, this technology may be used to directly induce osteogenic differentiation of encapsulated MSCs.
Tissue engineering is a rapidly evolving field involving the combination of cells and a scaffold on which cells can live, proliferate and produce tissue. Tissue evolution is ultimately related to cell viability. Maximizing cell viability of hMSCs photoencapsulated in hydrogels is the first step to using these hydrogels to tissue engineer bone or other tissues.
POTENTIAL USES
. Bone Regeneration using hMSCs
. Cartilage Regeneration using hMSCs
. Aid in long-term culture of hMSCs |
BACKGROUND Acute Renal Failure (ARF) occurs when there is a rapid breakdown of the renal functions and high levels of uremic toxins accumulate in the blood. ARF is a common, life-threatening condition that afflicts 5% of hospitalized patients and 30% of patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU). ARF complicating non-renal organ failure in the ICU is associated with 50% to 70% mortality, numbers that have not improved over last five decades. ARF is also associated with high medical costs: approximately $10,000 to $15,000 per patient in the hospital (non-ICU) and about $30,000 per patient in ICU.
CURRENT DIAGNOSTIC MODALITIES ARF is currently diagnosed by observed elevations of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels which may or may not be associated with oliguria. Although serum creatinine level measurement is more specific than BUN, this test is not very sensitive to small changes and the changes registered may not be evident before 50% of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is lost. Moreover, creatinine level test does not allow clinicians to identify the primary cause(s) of renal failure.
The high incidence and substantial mortality rate of ARF demands a logical approach to the prevention, early diagnosis, and management of complications. With treatment strategies based upon diagnosis, a reliable biomarker for early diagnosis of ARF before the onset of symptoms represents an opportunity to change the face of the disease, its detection, and its management.
TECHNOLOGY & IMPLICATIONS FOR DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Drs. Parikh and Edelstein at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center have developed and tested the reliability of using a urinary biomarker for early diagnosis of ARF in humans. This team was the first to describe the role of IL-18 as an early marker for ARF in animal models. Since this discovery, extensive testing of the assay in humans has proven a reliable marker for the diagnosis and early detection of ARF. Additionally, the inventors have shown that this urinary marker can predict mortality in critically ill patients with ARF in ICU.
This discovery by Drs. Parikh and Edelstein promises enormous commercial viability since there are no known urine or blood tests for early diagnosis of ARF. The use of this urinary marker for detection of ARF is absolutely novel and has the potential to become a popular test among all hospitalized patients, and especially patients admitted in ICU.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
- Easy, reliable and affordable test
- No competition currently exists for this technology
- Faster and more accurate diagnosis of ARF
- Identify stage of disease
- Earlier initiation of dialysis and other interventions
- Indicator of endpoints for chronic drug treatments
- The test demonstrates excellent reproducibility
US Patent application
No. 10/964,201 |
| Search our database for licenseable CU Technologies |
| CU's Company of the Month |
| Myogen, Inc. |
Myogen, Inc., located in Westminster, is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. Myogen completed an IPO in 2003 and began a drug discovery collaboration with Novartis the same year. In September 2005, the company completed a $125M public offering. Myogen currently markets one product, Perfan, in Europe, for treatment of acute decompensated heart failure. Two product candidates are in late-stage clinical development. Ambrisentan, an oral endothelin receptor antagonist for treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension, just achieved positive top line results in its first Phase 3 trial, meeting the primary efficacy endpoint of improved exercise capacity, the key secondary endpoint of time to clinical worsening, and several other secondary efficacy endpoints. Darusentan, oral therapy for resistant hypertension, finished a Phase 2 trial in August with results supporting plans to move forward with Phase 3 development. Myogen's drug discovery program with Novartis seeks to discover and develop disease-modifying drugs for chronic heart failure and related disorders.
Myogen plans to develop its own sales and marketing capabilities focused on targeted markets and to enter into co-promotion or licensing partnerships with larger pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies when necessary to reach larger markets. Additionally, the company intends to advance its research by selectively entering into strategic research and development collaborations with other pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies.
In announcing third quarter results for 2005, Myogen projected Perfan sales of over $3M, and research and development contracts revenue of $6.7M to $6.9M. |
Upcoming Events
David Allen to speak at the Successful Models for Corporate Partnerships Conference
February 8, 2006, Austin, TX - Colleges and universities must seek innovative means of maintaining and increasing revenue streams as traditional sources of funding continue to wane. With government funding for education in steady decline and stock market drops damaging both endowments and private wealth, today's market requires that educational institutions aggressively cultivate new sources of revenue.
International Business Forum Conference
February 2-3, 2006 , Rancho Mirage , CA - Capturing Technology Innovation Through Corporate Partnering, Strategic Investing & IP Commercialization. For corporations facing the challenges of today's realities, this conference will provide an opportunity to network with key industry leaders. Attendees will hear the key fundamentals in successful corporate investing programs, alliances and commercialization process. This conference will provide an opportunity for corporate investors to network and share investing strategies and discuss options for portfolio companies and investing programs.
Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program: The Digital Broadband Migration
February 19-20, 2006, CU Law School - Confronting the New Regulatory Frontiers.The transformation of telecommunications from an analog, narrowband network optimized for voice to a digital, broadband network optimized for data traffic has created a myriad of challenges for businesses, policymakers, and academics alike. The questions range from those involving what institutions-courts, agencies, standard setting bodies, or international treaty organizations-can address technology policy questions to those involving the emerging structure of the telecommunications industry and whether it is an effective response to or possible barrier to continued innovation. Similarly, the development of video content over the Internet is emerging as a challenge that will potentially transform the video programming industry, both respect to the re-thinking of regulatory strategies and the role of digital rights management systems. This conference will examine the above set of pressing regulatory challenges that policymakers have yet to fully grapple with.
Deming Center for Entrepreneurship Networking Event
January. 25, 2006, 5:30-7:30pm at Dolan's Restaurant at 2319 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder. Sponsored by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship in the Leeds School of Business. The Deming Center invites Denver-Boulder business leaders to a networking evening with current MBA candidates for building relationships and opening internship and job opportunities.
Innovation in the News
Tech transfer Office Is Now Self-Sustaining, $ Generator
Only a few years after receiving a makeover, the University's tech transfer office has become a self-sustaining revenue-generator, thanks in large part to arrangements it has forged with community groups and CU students.
Dave Allen, associate vice president for technology transfer, joined the University in spring 2002, just as CU officials were infusing the tech transfer operation with more than $1 million. While in 2003-04 the office was still receiving a significant portion of its funding from CU, last year royalty revenue generated by tech transfer jumped from $5.8 million to $21.7 million, which meant that the operation could more than cover its $4 million budget, since it receives 25 percent of those royalties.
Beyond Patents and Royalties: the Perception and Reality of Doing Business with the NIH
Young biotech startups can benefit hugely from the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), not least because of the agency's non-dilutive funding, guidance, and opportunities for collaboration. Increasingly, however, there is a fair bit of misunderstanding about what the NIH can and cannot do for a biotech entrepreneur.
Biotech Entrepreneur, Educate Thyself!
In recent years, a number of universities have created graduate degrees in biotech and business. Although it's still too early to measure their value, it appears that they are already inspiring debate and some startup activity.
Seed Capital Conundrum
Venture capitalists and angels are pulling back from seed rounds, just as biotech startups need more money than ever to get off the ground.
GlobeImmune Outgrows Fitzsimons Facility Space
GlobeImmune, a fast-growing biopharmaceutical startup, outgrew its space at the Bioscience Park Center at Fitzsimons in Aurora and more than doubled its size in a new headquarters in Louisville, officials said Wednesday.
Colorado State VC Authority Makes First Investment
Colorado's Venture Capital Authority has made its first investment in Taligen, an Aurora biotech that's trying to commercialize technology developed at the University of Colorado, prompting a Rocky Mountain News Editorial states Colorado has no business in the venture capital game.
Investments in University R&D Top Virginia Gov's Budget Proposal
To develop and promote higher education research facilities and faculty in Virginia, Gov. Mark Warner proposed $218.8 million in his fiscal year 2006-08 biennial budget proposal for investment in university R&D. In response, state institutions of higher education have pledged to match the governor's proposal with a $299 million commitment.
The funding allows for the hiring of top researchers in the fields of biomedical science, biomaterials engineering, nanotechnology, and modeling and simulation, whose presence will attract more grant-funded research to the Commonwealth, according to the governor's office. In addition to having economic benefits, the initiative also invests in the search for cures for cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, the governor said.
Included in the initiative is funding to increase state support for the Institute of Applied Learning in Danville, aimed at stimulating economic development by creating research-based jobs, attracting new businesses, and conducting applied research for existing businesses. Examples of projects to be funded under the governor's budget proposal include:
- A bioscience facility and a biocontainment laboratory at George Mason University;
- A medical research building at Virginia Commonwealth University and additional funding for the Massey Cancer Center addition;
- Investments in a new clinical cancer center at the University of Virginia; and,
- Construction of a critical technology building and an infectious disease laboratory at Virginia Tech.
The budget request for the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT) is $7.1 million for FY07, a 17.02 percent increase over the FY06 appropriation, and $6.2 million for FY08, a 1.1 percent increase over FY06. For FY07, Gov. Warner included an additional $1 million to establish a consulting service line to match large-scale consumers with advanced technology companies. This includes the identification of opportunities to accelerate nanomanufacturing and SmartBio research, development and commercialization in the state.
Gov. Warner's FY 2006-08 Budget is available at: http://www.dpb.virginia.gov/budget/06-08/buddoc06/buddoc.htm
U.S. House Resolution Supports Bayh-Dole
The Judiciary and Science committees of the U.S. House of Representatives recently introduced a resolution in support of The Bayh-Dole Act, the fundamental empowering authority for university technology transfer offices across the country. Click here to download the resolution.
Colorado Ranks 4th in Economic Competitiveness
Strength in technology and business incubation continue to move Colorado higher among the national leaders for economic competitiveness, according to a report recently released by Suffolk University's Beacon Hill Institute.
Fortune Article Contains Errors, Mischaracterizations
The article contains "so many holes," writes former Sen. Birch Bayh, that he "can only focus on the most egregious misconceptions." Read Sen. Bayh's letter, AUTM's letter, a guest editorial submitted by AUTM and BIO and clarification of key points. |
