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| Recently at TTO |
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GlobeImmune
and Celgene Corporation Announce Strategic Global Oncology Alliance
In May, CU licensee GlobeImmune,
Inc. and Celgene Corporation announced a worldwide strategic collaboration
focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of multiple product
candidates based on powerful, targeted molecular immunotherapy for the
treatment of cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, GlobeImmune will receive
a $40 million upfront payment from Celgene, which includes an equity investment
in GlobeImmune.
InDevR
Licenses CU FluChip Technology to Combat Deadly Swine Flu Virus
InDevR
Inc., a small biotech company in Boulder,
announced in late April that they have licensed the FluChip technology from the
University of Colorado. The FluChip was invented by a
joint team of scientists at the University
of Colorado and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in an NIH-sponsored effort led by
Professor Kathy Rowlen. Rowlen, now the CEO of InDevR, said that InDevR has
arranged to test genetic material from the recent swine H1N1 virus on the MChip
as well as other versions of the FluChip which are under development.
BlueSun,
Inc. Commercializing CU Trauma Recovery Program
Colorado Springs-based BlueSun, Inc. has finalized an
agreement with the University of Colorado to license the Journey to Disaster Recovery™
and Journey to Trauma Recovery™ programs developed by Dr. Charles Benight and
his collaborators at the Trauma, Health, and Hazards
Center and the Computer Science
Department at the University of Colorado at Colorado
Springs. The Journey to Recovery™ websites are ideal
for disaster recovery situations where traumatized individuals have little
access to recovery assistance due to environmental logistics - for example,
when there are few mental health providers available - and in situations where
public movement is restricted like a pandemic influenza outbreak, or when people
fear being labeled because they are accessing mental health services.
CU
Graduate Programs Remain Among the Nation's Best
Twenty-eight
academic programs across the university's campuses in Boulder,
Colorado Springs and Denver,
including the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora,
remain nationally ranked in the 2010
U.S. News & World Report graduate school rankings released in late
April. The magazine ranked three graduate programs at the UC Denver School of
Medicine among the top 10 in the nation, including family medicine at third, primary
care at fourth, and pediatrics at eighth. CU-Boulder's atomic, molecular and
optical physics program is top-ranked nationally, quantum physics program is
fourth, and plasma physics is ranked 10th nationally. CU-Boulder's Deming Center
for Entrepreneurship at the Leeds School of Business was also ranked in the top
20 business school programs.
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| Job Corner |
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TTO Seeks Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Licensing Associate TTO is seeking a Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Licensing Associate for its Boulder office.
The
Licensinge Associate identifies, solicits, and evaluates invention
disclosures for patent and market potential; markets technologies
to commercial partners; and tracks and develops a portfolio of
associated intellectual property. Please review full requirements and apply online at www.jobsatcu.com (posting #807021).
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CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News |
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Across
America Financial Services Completes Acquisition of APRO Bio Pharmaceutical
Corporation
In April, Across America Financial Services, Inc. completed
the acquisition of APRO Bio Pharmaceutical Corporation, a developmental stage
biopharmaceutical company. As the licensee of a number of issued and pending
patents from the University
of Colorado, Apro has
been advancing several broad-spectrum therapeutics targeting bacterial and
viral diseases, biohazards, and transplant rejection. The combined company will
be known as "Omni Bio Pharmaceutical, Inc."
GlobeImmune Drug has Positive
Hep-C Trial
Phase 2 clinical trial data show that patients treated with
GI-5005, GlobeImmune's targeted molecular immunogen (Tarmogen®) for the
treatment of hepatitis C virus infection, had 94 percent early virologic
response rate in treatment-naļve patients. The study compared GI-5005 plus
standard of care (SOC)-pegylated interferon and ribavirin-versus SOC alone in
patients with chronic genotype 1 hepatitis C infection.(See also: GlobeImmune Starts Cancer Drug
Trial.)
Deerfield
Buyout of Nitromed Finalized; Archemix to Receive Termination Payment
Healthcare investment company Deerfield Management has
closed its acquisition of the Lexington-based based drug maker NitroMed Inc. The
acquisition superseded two prior deals NitroMed had ongoing, including a merger
agreement with CU licensee Archemix Corp..
To terminate this prior deal, NitroMed agreed to pay $1.5M to Archemix.
RealD
Introduces World's First Mobile, Single-Projector 3D Solution
RealD, the world's
leading 3D technology company, is introducing the RealD LP™ (Linear Polarizing
Z Screen) to bring the power of 3D to the small screen. RealD LP brings the
vibrancy of high-quality 3D to smaller venues such as conference rooms, R&D
centers, museum exhibits, mobile education centers, virtual rides and other
entertainment attractions.
CU Researchers Shrink Nano Circuitry
A research team headed by CU-Boulder Assistant Professor Robert McLeod (electrical,
computer and energy engineering) has developed a method of shrinking the size
of circuitry used in nanotechnology devices such as computer chips and solar
cells. The method offers potential new approaches in the search for ways to
shrink transistor circuitry, a process that drives the global electronic market
that is pursuing smaller, more powerful microchips. (See also: Novel
CU-Boulder Technique Shrinks Size of Nanotechnology Circuitry.)
CU-Boulder
Researchers Develop New 3-D Platform for Growing Cells
"There's
a lot of interest in developing better cell culture platforms," said April
Kloxin, a postdoctoral research associate with the Howard Hughes Medical
Institute and the department of chemical and biological engineering at
CU-Boulder. "There has been a lot of 2-D work, but research has shown that
it's important that it happen in 3-D, in a situation that mimics the way it
happens in the body." To solve that problem Kloxin and chemical and
biological engineering Distinguished Professor Kristi Anseth have developed a
new cell culture platform that allows for more realistic experiments. The
team's paper on the new substance was published
this month in the journal Science (read
full article, or click here and here for
summaries CU 3D hydrogel technology available for licensing).
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| People |
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CU
President Names Phil DiStefano Boulder Chancellor
In early
May, CU President Bruce D. Benson named Phil DiStefano the 11th
chancellor of the CU-Boulder campus. DiStefano has served CU for 35 years as an
education professor, associate dean, dean, vice chancellor, provost, and as
interim chancellor during pivotal periods in the university's history. (See
also: Stein
Sture Named Interim Provost at CU.)
Podcast:
Dr. John Carroll & Dr. James Chen, UC Denver Inventors of the Year
Drs.
Carroll and Chen have collaborated for nearly two decades to develop various
computer-assisted utilities to facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures
in cardiac catheterization laboratories. W3W3 internet radio talked with these
collaborators on a number of topics including funding and its challenges during
these economic times.
Podcast:
Dr. Heide Ford & Dr. Rui Zhao, UC Denver New Inventors of the Year
"That
sort of cancer therapy is badly needed - many of the therapies available today
actually target the normal cells too. That's why people get terrible side
effects. So we're hoping to develop drugs that will eliminate or at least
reduce the side effects significantly while inhibiting the cancer." Heide Ford
and Rui Zhao, UC Denver New
Inventors of the Year for 2008, discussed their current research collaboration,
and offered advice for professors and researchers.
CU-Boulder's
Deborah Jin Keeps It Cool with Quantum Mechanics
The 2004
Scientific American 50 researcher of the year continues to tweak matter at the
edge of known physics to reveal strange and potentially useful properties.
UC
Denver Professor Shares Largest U.S. Award for Medicine
University of Colorado
Denver School of Medicine professor Charles A. Dinarello, MD, is
one of the awardees of the $500,000 Albany Medical Center Prize in Medicine and
Biomedical Research, recognizing Dinarello for isolating, purifying and leading
the cloning effort of the body's own molecule that causes fever and
inflammation associated with some forms of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and
other chronic inflammatory diseases.
CU
Law Professor Phil Weiser, Founder of Silicon Flatirons, Appointed to Justice
Department
In late
April it was announced that CU Law School Professor Phillip Weiser, Executive
Director of the Silicon Flatirons
Center for Law, Technology and Entrepreneurship and Associate Dean for
Research, has accepted an appointment as Deputy Assistant Attorney General for
international, policy, and appellate matters at Justice Department's Antitrust
Division.
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.
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| Upcoming Events |
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Graduate
Nanotechnology Symposium
May
26, University of
Denver
This
free symposium hosted by the DU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering
will feature 25 speakers covering a variety of topics - info and registration
online.
Application
Deadline: Rocky Mountain Clean Tech Open
May
30
The
Rocky Mountain Clean Tech Open (RMCTO) is both a business plan competition for
early stage clean tech startups, and a thriving community of clean tech
entrepreneurship. The competition enables entrepreneurs to turn clean
technology ideas into thriving businesses. Winners receive
"Startup-in-a-Box" packages of cash and services up to $100,000 and
donated by high-profile sponsors.
Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group
June 2, CU- Boulder
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.
Workshop: Using Devices in Clinical Trials
June
8-9, Anschtuz Medical Campus, Aurora
The
Food and Drug Administration will be at the UC Denver Anschutz Medical Campus to
discuss rules, regulations, and responsibilities when using devices in clinical
trials. Presented by the Colorado Colorado Clinical and
Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI).
CSIA
2009 Apex Awards
June
9, Infinity Park,
Glendale
Join
hundreds of Colorado's biggest and brightest
at the 9th Annual Apex Awards, recognizing the achievements of amazing
technology companies and professionals here in Colorado.
Bard
Center 8th Annual Business Plan Competition
June
10, Grand Hyatt, Denver
The
Bard Center Business Plan Competition-the premier academic business plan
competition in Colorado-seeks to promote the development of high-caliber
business plans, recognize the most outstanding plans with cash and in-kind
awards from area businesses, and encourage the creation of new businesses.
Colorado Green Tech Meetup
June
11, CU-Boulder
An ongoing event to support
eco-entrepreneurs and others people involved and/or interested in green tech:
energy generation, transportation, construction, and efficiency technologies.
Businesses and researchers present new technologies, and attendees may announce
business news, job openings, fundings, etc.
Nano Renewable Energy Summit
June 22-23, University of Denver
The Nano Renewable Energy Summit is
a gathering of world-renowned experts at the intersection of solar energy and
nanotechnology, with a specific focus on the business, commercialization, and
economic development potential of emerging technologies in the renewable energy
and sustainability sectors.
RETool:
Renewable Energy Technologies Workshop
July 9-11, CU-Boulder
This two-day training workshop led
by CU-Boulder faculty will tell you what you need to know about renewables -
where are the opportunities, what are the current key challenges, and how to
break into the renewables industry.
To have your event featured here, please send an
email to TTOnews@cu.edu.
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| Innovation in the News |
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Obama
Announces Major Investments in Research and Education
In a
late-April speech to members of the National Academy of Sciences, President
Barack Obama announced new initiatives and investments in scientific research,
innovation, and education. Calling science "more essential for our
prosperity, our security, our health, and our environment than it has ever
been," Obama said he is going to make major investments - 3% of the gross
domestic product - in research and innovation (see quote below). For more
information, view the webcast
or the White
House fact sheet.
Governor's
Renewable Energy Program Makes Strides
Governor
Ritter's Renewable Energy Technology Program is starting to produce results, creating
clean-tech companies here in Colorado
that are already making a global impact on alternative energy development and
controlling climate change. TheEnergy Program at the Boulder Innovation Center
(BIC) has assisted dozens
of promising start-up companies over the last year, including CU-based ION Engineering.
Boulder's
Kyle Lefkoff on Tech, Biotech VC Investments
Venture
capital funding is down nearly 50 percent nationwide during the first quarter
of 2009, according to a report released last week. Colorado recorded its lowest level of
activity since the fourth quarter of 2004. Kyle Lefkoff has been in the venture
capital industry for nearly 25 years and was a founder of Boulder Ventures.
Lefkoff's firm specializes in equity investments to technology and life
sciences. The Daily Camera talked briefly with Lefkoff about the state of the
market and what is piquing his firm's interest.
Brad
Feld, Foundry Group Co-founder, on Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship
Brad Feld
has been an entrepreneur and an investor in early-stage companies for more than
20 years. Feld, who publishes a popular blog called "Feld Thoughts"
at www.feld.com, also is extremely active in the local and national technology
and innovation scenes. Feld, who co-founded the Boulder-based Foundry Group
investment firm, also was one of the co-founders of TechStars, a mentor-based
summer program for 10 startups.
Accelerating
Innovation: Enhancing the Economic Impact of Scientific Discovery
A vibrant,
healthy economy requires innovation as well as the commercialization of
innovation in the form of products, services, processes and business models
that create value in the economic marketplace-what is generally considered
entrepreneurship. This Science
Progress article examines the dynamic innovation and entrepreneurship
ecosystem that includes enablers and accelerators, as well as barriers and
retardants.
Roundup: University,
Community, State, National and International Initiatives
UK Budget includes
Strategic Tech Investment Initiative
To help the
United Kingdom out of the recession, Alistair Darling, chancellor for the
exchequer for the United Kingdom, outlined several significant tech investment
priorities in his budget address to the House of Commons last month, including
a £750 Million ($1B USD) Strategic Investment Fund that will provide financial
support, focusing on emerging technologies and regionally important sectors in advanced
manufacturing, digital and biotechnology, among others.
U
of Miami to Break Ground on Life Sciences Park
The
University of Miami has its own stimulus plan for South Florida: a life science
park set to break ground in July with the expectation of creating 4,531
permanent jobs and a $253 million annual economic output. The UM Life Science
Park would house both established and spin-off companies looking to partner
with university researchers.
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| External Resources |
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Final
Stimulus Bill Provides $21.5 Billion for Federal R&D
The American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS) provides a breakdown of the final version of the
2009 economic stimulus appropriations bill, containing $21.5B in federal
research and development (R&D) funding.
Are
Short Drug Patents Hurting Patients?
Developing
drugs takes longer than ever, but patent laws don't recognize that.
Top Ph.D.
Programs, Shrinking
In March,
a few institutions -- such as Emory and Columbia Universities
-- announced plans to shrink the enrollment of new Ph.D. students this fall.
Now it appears that a number of other universities, generally private
institutions that have some of the most well regarded Ph.D. programs around,
are also getting smaller.
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| Parting Quote |
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"At such a difficult moment, there are those who
say we cannot afford to invest in science, that support for research is somehow
a luxury at moments defined by necessities.
I fundamentally disagree. Science
is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our
environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before. [...] I'm here
today to set this goal: We will devote
more than 3 percent of our GDP to research and development. We will not just meet, but we will exceed the
level achieved at the height of the space race, through policies that invest in
basic and applied research, create new incentives for private innovation,
promote breakthroughs in energy and medicine, and improve education in math and
science."
President Barack Obama, Remarks
at the National Academy of Sciences Annual Meeting, April 27, 2009
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