CU Announces Annual Technology Transfer Award Winners
The CU Tech Transfer Office presented its annual awards January 14th to researchers working in areas ranging from leukemia treatments to lasers in homeland security applications, and to companies supporting innovation. The awards event, held at the historic Tivoli Turnhalle, was attended by more than 200 local business leaders and faculty inventors. Following a talk by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, awards were presented to inventors, companies and others who demonstrate best practices in technology transfer. Awards were given to:
- Michael Larson, New Inventor of the Year, Colorado Springs.
- Lia Gore & Deborah DeRyckere, New Inventors of the Year, Denver.
- Stephanie J. Bryant, New Inventor of the Year, Boulder.
- Paul A. Bunn, Inventor of the Year, Denver.
- Douglas L. Gin, Inventor of the Year, Boulder.
- Dan Mitchell, Bioscience Business Advisor of the Year.
- Paul Nelson, Physical Science/Engineering/IT Business Advisor of the Year.
- ColorLink, Inc., Physical Sciences/Engineering/IT Company of the Year.
- BaroFold, Inc., Bioscience Company of the Year.
- Myron J. Levin, Inductee into the Pinnacles of Inventorship.
- John M. Stewart, Inductee into the Pinnacles of Inventorship.
TTO and Locomotion Execute Exclusive License for Physical Therapy Technology
TTO has executed an exclusive license agreement with Locomotion Inc., a startup company focused on providing improved treadmill therapy solutions for patients with gait disorders. Every year, thousands of people in the United States lose their ability to walk normally as a result of stroke, traumatic brain injury, or a spinal cord injury. Locomotion's Leg Swing Assist Device overcomes the drawbacks with current gait rehabilitation systems of high cost and/or the need for intensive involvement by physical therapists. This technology was developed in the laboratory of Dr. Rodger Kram in CU-Boulder's Department of Integrative Physiology; Dr. Kram is also a founder of the company. Locomotion recently received a Phase I SBIR award from NIH directed to the commercial development of this technology.
Viral Genetics Announces Licensing Deal With University of Colorado and V-Clip Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Viral Genetics Inc., a biotechnology company that discovers and develops immune-based therapies for HIV and AIDS, has entered into several agreements with the University of Colorado and V-Clip Pharmaceuticals, Inc. relating to the exclusive worldwide rights to patent applications and know-how developed by Dr. Karen Newell, PhD, of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in the fields of diagnosing and treating HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and Herpes. (See story below.)
TTO Releases FY2007 Annual Report
The University of Colorado Office of Technology Transfer has released its 2007 Annual Report, covering TTO activities from July 1 2006 to June 30, 2007. The report will be available in HTML format soon; download it now in PDF format by following links to the full report and the foldout document.
TTO Proof-of-Concept Grant Performance and Program Expansion
In 2005 TTO initiated a Proof of Concept Grant Program (POCg) directed towards strengthening CU intellectual property (IP) and preparing inventions for the marketplace. TTO head Dave Allen provides an update on commercialization performance, as well as ongoing and future POC opportunities available through TTO.
TTO Needs Your Biomaterials and Research Tools
In FY2006-07 the TTO executed 37 non-exclusive licenses, over half of which were for biomaterials generated at CU. The TTO aggressively markets these antibodies, model organisms, and other biological research tools to a broad group of companies in the United States and Europe. Additional information about biomaterials at CU is available in the TTO Biomaterials Bulletin (PDF) and in our current antibody (PDF) and model organism (PDF) lists. We are preparing to launch our spring 2008 marketing campaign, so now is the perfect time to add your biomaterials to our list – if you have any questions regarding biomaterials licensing, or would like to find out how to add your biomaterials to our list, please contact Lindsay Polak at lindsay.polak@cu.edu or (303) 735-5518.
CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News
Source MDx Announces Translational Molecular Medicine Collaboration With Pfizer
CU licensee Source MDx, Inc. announced on December 27 a multi-year translational molecular medicine collaboration with Pfizer, Inc. to develop and validate RNA-based pharmacodynamic and predictive biomarkers within Pfizer's cancer and inflammation therapeutic development programs.
AIDS Treatment with Potential
Under the complex agreement announced last month, Karen Newell, a University of Colorado at Colorado Springs associate biology professor, will spend about a year determining how and why a compound called VGV-1 developed by Azusa-based Viral Genetics Inc. is effective in treating some HIV and AIDS patients.
Phiar, a First Alternative to the Semiconductor Industry
A competitor to semiconductors would break a 50-plus year monopoly on everything from processing power to communications. Yet that’s exactly what Phiar says it can do, with a new technology called metal-insulated electronics.
People
UC Denver Inventor Named Among Leading Molecular Biology Scientists
Charles A. Dinarello, MD, professor of infectious disease at the UC Denver School of Medicine, was recently elected as a European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) associate member. Only 50 leading scientists worldwide were honored with the prestigious membership.
CU-Boulder Faculty To Receive $500,000 Prize For Innovation In Engineering Education
University of Colorado at Boulder faculty members Lawrence Carlson and Jacquelyn Sullivan have been selected to receive the National Academy of Engineering's top educational honor, the 2008 Bernard M. Gordon Prize, recognizing innovation in engineering and technology education.
Dr. Margaret C. Neville Winner of the 2007 CU Elizabeth Gee Award
Margaret C. (Peggy) Neville, PhD, is the recipient of the 2007 Elizabeth Gee Award. This distinguished award recognizes a University of Colorado faculty member who has contributed significant and original scholarship and/or creative works, has a distinguished record in teaching excellence; a record of advancing women in the academic community; and a record of research, teaching and/or service that pushes the boundaries of disciplinary knowledge and makes connections between disciplines.
Do you know of a recent award, new position or transition of interest to the CU tech community? Please send information to TTOnews@cu.edu.
Spotlight On:
CU-Boulder Technology of the Month:
CU1724B– Controllable Nanometer-sized Valve Using Zeolite Membrane
UCDHSC Technology of the Month:
CU1857H – Non-invasive measurement of esophageal inflammation
CU Company of the Month:
BaroFold, Inc. is a venture-backed Boulder-based biopharmaceutical company focused on developing improved biopharmaceuticals for patients suffering from chronic immunologic and auto-immune disorders. The company’s goal is to discover, develop and commercialize enhanced protein biologics incorporating its PreEMT™ high pressure folding technology and other state-of-the-art technologies. PreEMT™ is a patented technology invented by CU professors and BaroFold founders, Ted Randolph and John Carpenter. This year, BaroFold will begin clinical trials for its first product candidate (BaroFeron®) for the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis which affects 2.5 million people worldwide; 70,000 of them in the state of Colorado alone (the highest national average). BaroFold is well funded, having closed a Series A institutional financing round in May 2007, and is targeting a Series B round in late 2008.
Upcoming Events
Startup Junkie Underground: Reinventing the Startup Process
January 21, MADCAP Theater, Westminster
Join us as we hear the inside story on TechStars and its innovative new approach to launching and funding startups. Speaker David Cohen is the founder and Executive Director of TechStars.
CBSA Presents Bio SoCo
January 22, University Center, Colorado Springs
Learn why HemoGenix and Aspire Biotech, two predominant and growing Colorado Springs Bioscience companies, chose Southern Colorado as their home, what products they are developing and where they see their future and the future of bioscience in the Colorado Springs area. Hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).
Intellectual Property Crash Course for Entrepreneurs
January 23, CU-Boulder Wolf Law Building
Whether you are exploring a new product idea, developing an initial business plan, pitching investors, or preparing for a successful exit, IP protection is an increasingly important issue for every technology start-up. This presentation will provide an introduction to the benefits and limitations of the basic types of IP protection. Registration required.
CBSA BioBreakfast
January 23, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
What’s New with CU’s Translational Research Activities? Meet CU’s new Vice Chancellor for Research, Dr. Richard Traystman, at Education 1, the newest building on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
Leeds Graduate Business Plan Competition
January 24, CU-Boulder
The top four teams of students from Leeds’s Deming Center for Entrepreneurship will present their business plans for the judges. Presenting teams were selected during the preliminary round December 6.
TiE-Rockies: MentorFest 2008
January 24, PPA Event Center, Denver
A chance for anyone who is working on a business concept to get their plan in front of a highly experienced group of serial entrepreneurs for review and assistance with, planning, funding, starting, operating, developing, and selling their business.
New Faculty Breakfast: Resources Available Through the CU Technology Transfer Office
January 25, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
This free breakfast seminar for newly-hired (past 3 years) CU faculty will give an overview of the resources available to faculty through the TTO. For more info or to RSVP, please contact Lindsay Polak.
Colorado Cleantech Initiative
January 29, Chamber of Commerce, Denver
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and CORE welcome you to the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for an opportunity to gain insight into the Colorado CleanTech Marketplace and to network with key executives in the industry.
Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group
February 5, CU-Boulder Wolf Law Building
This ongoing event provides a forum for technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase the new (especially web-based) technology developing in Boulder/Denver tech community. Five companies have five minutes each to demonstrate their new technology, followed by five minutes for Q&A from the audience.
Venture Capital Investment Competition: Mountain Region
February 8, CU-Boulder Leeds School of Business
The Venture Capital Investment Competition is a marketplace for entrepreneurs seeking investors and a training ground for future venture capitalists. Companies seeking early-stage investment are invited to present – contact Rich Barone for more information.
The Digital Broadband Migration: Information Policy for the Next Administration
February 10-11, CU-Boulder Wolf Law Building
This Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program (SFTP) conference aims to underscore the challenging policy issues that will be high on any new administration's agenda. In particular, we will evaluate questions related to changing broadband and wireless markets; challenges related to protecting privacy and security; and the optimal direction for intellectual property reform.
Sustainable Opportunities Summit
February 27-29, Sheraton Four Points, Denver
The rules of business are changing. Climate change is at the height of media attention and has become an important part of current business trends. The 2008 Sustainable Opportunities Summit will explore how companies can financially benefit from becoming more engaged in addressing climate change.
Cleantech Challenge - Sustainable Opportunities Summit
February 27, Sheraton Four Points, Denver
The Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business welcomes you to the Cleantech Challenge, designed to be the premier student competition showcasing emerging opportunities in the cleantech sector.
Innovation, Intellectual Property, and Entrepreneurship in the Information Industries
March 4, CU-Boulder Wolf Law Building
To evaluate the appropriate role for government policy in facilitating entrepreneurship and innovation, this conference will bring together a group of industry leaders to examine relevant questions. Hosted by the Silicon Flatirons Telecommunications Program (SFTP)
CBSA Seminar: NIH SBIR/STTR Funding
March 6, Colorado Science + Technology Park, Aurora
Gregory Milman, Ph.D., is Director of the Office for Innovation and Special Programs in the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). He will provide Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs training, followed by a question and answer session.
Invention to Venture: Denver Life Sciences
March 13, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora
UC Denver’s Alternatives in Science Club will host this one-day workshop on the basics of technology entrepreneurship. I2V:Denver will feature an overview of the venture development process from the perspective of academic researchers as well as representatives from the bioscience industry in Colorado.
To have your event featured here, please send an email to TTOnews@cu.edu.
CU Resources
C2B2 – Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels
C2B2 is a cooperative research and educational center devoted to the conversion of biomass to fuels and other products, supported by state, institutional, and industry funds. The Center provides private industry with one-stop access to researchers, laboratories, students, and educators from four innovative Colorado research institutions – University of Colorado at Boulder, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory – each having unique strengths in biofuel and biorefining application areas. C2B2 offers several ways of partnering with researchers – please visit http://www.colorado.edu/che/c2b2/index.html for complete information.
Innovation in the News
Biopharmaceutical Infrastructure Key To Lower Drug Development Costs
Improvements to the technology infrastructure for researching and developing new biopharmaceuticals would be expected to save the industry hundreds of millions of dollars annually, according to a new economic study (PDF) sponsored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Under Big Biotech's Wing: Biogen Idec Opens Incubator
Biogen Idec is trying a new approach: setting up an incubator to help biotech start-ups get off the ground by providing them with funding, technical expertise, and office and laboratory space. After spending more than a year getting the incubator ready, Biogen Idec has signed up its first tenant, a new company based on research from a Columbia University researcher.
Ipsen, Salk Institute Ink Research Pact
Paris-based Ipsen and the nonprofit Salk Institute have teamed up to create the Ipsen Life Sciences Program at The Salk Institute. Over the next three to five years, Ipsen will pay Salk $10M dollars to research three disease areas: cancer biology, degenerative diseases and maladies associated with metabolic syndrome.
BMS is Lead Player in Patent-approval Race
Which biopharma company was granted the most pharma patents last year? Pharmalot asked IFI Patent Intelligence the question and came up with Bristol-Myers Squibb, with 82. Wyeth, Pfizer, Hoffman LaRoche, Merck, AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly followed in due order of innovation.
Roundup: University, Community, State, National and International Initiatives
External Resources
