University of Colorado
Technology Transfer Office
Monthly Newsletter
July 2009 - Vol 6, Issue 1
TTO Logo & CU Logo
What's Inside
Spotlight
CU Technology in the News
People
Upcoming Events
Innovation in the News
External Resources
Parting Quote
Links
 
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Today at the TTO

ION Engineering Licenses CU Carbon-Capture Technology
TTO and ION Engineering, LLC have finalized an exclusive licensing agreement to develop and commercialize technology enabling efficient and economical capture of CO2 and other contaminants from natural gas wells and coal-fired power plant emissions. ION's breakthrough technology, developed by CU-Boulder Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering researchers Jason Bara, Dean Camper, Richard Noble and Douglas Gin, is the first to successfully integrate ionic liquid solutions into carbon capture and emissions control technology. (See also: Five Questions for ION's CEO, Daily Camera; Chemicals To Help Coal Come Clean, Chemical Engineering News).

Illumasonix Licenses University of Colorado Blood Flow Visualization Technology
Illumasonix, LLC, an early-stage medical device company headquartered in Colorado, has executed an exclusive license with the University of Colorado (CU) for a non-invasive method to provide quantitative information on complex blood flow in the treatment of vascular disease. The technology being developed by Illumasonix was invented by Dr. Robin Shandas, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder and of Pediatrics and Cardiology at the University of Colorado Denver. It uses both ultrasound and FDA approved microbubbles to track blood flow, providing real-time assessment of blood flow and detecting blockages.

Software Company ASR to Develop CU Advanced Patient Care Software
Medical software company Analytical Research Systems, Inc. (ASR) and the University of Colorado announced that ASR has secured an exclusive license to advanced patient care software developed at the University of Colorado. The technology covered in the license agreement was developed and implemented by ASR President David Spiegel, a professor of medicine at the UC Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. ASR will use the licensed technology to further the development of its new electronic medical record product, asrSynapseTM, designed specifically for small-to-medium-sized independent physician practices as a convenient, cost-effective medical record solution.

Job Corner

TTO Seeks Chemistry/Chemical Engineering Licensing Associate

TTO is seeking a Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Licensing Associate for its Boulder office.  The Licensing 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).
Spotlight On:

CU-Boulder Technology of the Month:

CU2346B - Power-Optimal Attitude Control for Spacecraft

 

UC Denver Technology of the Month:

CU1206H - Peptide-Based Vaccines for Influenza, SARS, HIV and Ebola Viruses

 

CU Licensee Company of the Month:

Mentor InterActive, Inc., based in Boulder, CO, was founded in 2004 by faculty members of the Center for Computational Language and EducAtion Research (CLEAR; known at that time as the Center for Spoken Language Research) at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The company, which is managed by Hank Kaplan, Chairman/CEO, Brian Kohn, President/COO and Eric Feiner, EVP Marketing and Sales, publishes and markets interactive software based on the proven Foundations to Literacy reading program developed at CLEAR through a license granted by the University of Colorado. Mentor also holds licenses from CU for speech recognition and facial animation technologies.


Mentor InterActive has signed a licensing agreement with Nintendo of America Inc. to develop My Virtual Tutor™: Reading for Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ video game systems. My Virtual Tutor™: Reading makes learning to read fun, affordable and portable. With the help of Mentor InterActive's proprietary virtual tutor, children can conquer early reading through individualized, adaptive learning exercises and interactive books. Mentor Interactive has partnered with FillpointSVG, a leading distribution service and Internet fulfillment provider in the video game industry for sales and distribution of My Virtual Tutor™ Reading for Nintendo DS. The first products in the My Virtual Tutor™: Reading line were well-received at the recent E3 video game industry trade show, and will debut in September 2009 at leading retailers throughout the US and Canada. The series will be comprised of three titles created for children in Pre-K through Second Grade.
CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News

miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. Accomplishes Funding Milestones and Secures Series A Extension
CU licensee miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA) based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced the achievement of several key milestones resulting in the approval of the second tranche of last year's $8M Series A financing. In addition, miRagen secured a $4 extension of the Series A, bringing the total funding of the Series A financing to $12M.

Biovitrum Selects Megapharm as Distributor in Israel
Biovitrum AB has entered an exclusive distribution and marketing agreement with Megapharm Ltd. allowing Biovitrum's products Kineret� (a CU-developed treatment for rheumatoid arthritis) and Kepivance� to be commercialized in Israel.

Avigen Considers $3M Acquisition by MediciNova
CU licensee Avigen is contemplating an acquisition deal that would see its takeover by MediciNova just months after it seemed liquidation was on the cards if a previous $20.5 million buyout proposal  by Biotechnology Value Fund (BVF) failed. The merger of MedicaNova and Avigen would combine further clinical development of ibudilast (Avigen's AV-411 and MediciNova's MN-166) for the potential treatment of neuropathic pain, drug addiction, and multiple sclerosis (MS).

People

Podcast: Dr. Sara Honn Qualls, CU-Colorado Springs New Inventor of the Year
W3W3 radio spoke with Sara Honn Qualls about her research into family development in later life and clinical interventions, and the development of neurological wellness and assessment tools for elderly care management.

UCCS Professor Joins $5M GM Advanced Battery Research Group
Gregory Plett, an associate professor of engineering at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, is joining three UM engineering faculty members and a team of engineers at General Motors as part of a five-year, $5Mn award that established the GM/UM Advanced Battery Coalition for Drivetrains, which will accelerate development of advanced battery technology for use in future electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and extended range electric vehicles.

UC Denver Cancer Researcher Receives Coveted HHMI Award
University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine cancer researcher Jianfu Chen has been named a Damon Runyon Fellow and Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellow. This fellowship provides promising young scientists with independent funding ($140,000 each) to work on innovative projects. Dr. Chen studies molecular mechanisms of gene-folic acid interactions, determining whether folic acid may have a role in cancer prevention.

Do you know of a recent award, new position or transition of interest to the CU tech community? Please send information to [email protected].
TTO's Learning Laboratory: The Student Connection

Anschutz Summer Legal Interns
Angela Morrison joined the TTO in May after finishing her first year of law school at the University of Colorado.She is helping to analyze bio-based intellectual property and licensing opportunities for both the Boulder and Anschutz TTO offices. Angela has more than eight years of laboratory research experience from both academia and industry, in the United States and Australia.  She earned a B.S. in Cellular and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan and an M.S. in Molecular Biology from Colorado State University, and plans on practicing intellectual property law after completing her J.D.

Mike Biggs is currently a student in the MBA program at UC Denver, completing a dual specialization track in entrepreneurship and sustainability management. Mike has a BS in mechanical engineering from UC Berkeley and, prior to his graduate work, worked for 15 years in the medical device industry.  At the TTO, Mike applies his mix of technical and business expertise to assist startup companies with market opportunity analysis, business model development, and financial modeling. Leveraging his technical background, MBA, and work at the TTO, Mike is looking for opportunities to work with startups in biotech or cleantech.

Annmarie Cording is a third year law student at the University of Colorado School of Law. Annmarie joined TTO in May 2008, and conducts prior art and patent justification research on new CU bioscience technologies.  She also drafts license agreements and other IP-related contracts. Before coming to the University of Colorado, Annmarie received a B.A. in Biology-Psychology from Immaculata University in Pennsylvania.  Annmarie is interested in Colorado's biotech industry and start-up environment, and plans to pursue a career in entrepreneurial law after she graduates in 2010.

Upcoming Events

Reznick Group's Annual Renewable Energy Conference

July 27-29, Inverness Hotel & Resort, Englewood

The 2009 symposium will explore the critical relationship between technology and business in creating the infrastructure needed to further develop the electric vehicle. Additionally, it is designed for leaders looking to improve their understanding of renewable energy technologies, transactions, valuations and business issues and capital structures.

 

CBSA BioBreakfast
July 29, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Financing a bioscience company has always presented challenges, but in these difficult times finding funding is becoming more challenging than ever. During the July BioBreakfast, learn from the experts on where to find funding, their predictions on the future of financing, and advice on how to garner funds for your company.

 

Call for Applications: NREL Industry Growth Forum

July 31

National Renewable Energy Laboratory is pleased to invite you to apply to the upcoming 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum in Denver. Join the ranks of sustainable energy companies who have gleaned windfall funding and focused expertise from within the catalytic atmosphere of the Forum - to learn more and to access the application process, please visit the website.

 

Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group
August 4, 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.

 

CBSA Finance Seminar
August 6, Republic Plaza, Denver
Hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), details and registration online.

 

2009 North American Biochar Conference

August 9-12, CU-Boulder

The conference is designed to advance our understanding of the policy, business, scientific, and technical opportunities and issues implicated by the large-scale usage of biochar as both a sequestration agent and soil amendment.

 

CBSA + CSIA 2009 Annual Wine Tasting
August 13, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver

This event attracts hundreds of key decision-makers. With an expected attendance of more than 300 technology and bioscience professionals again this year, this event will take professional networking to a new level. Hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and the Colorado Software and Internet Association (CSIA).

 

Colorado Green Tech Meetup

August 13, 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.

 

Colorado Alternative Energy: A Workshop on Opportunities

August 29, CU-Boulder

This fall`s event will spotlight the economic and employment growth areas surrounding alternative energy and the new energy economy.  Five speakers will present their organizations' efforts to promote alternative energy business, including representatives from the Governor's Energy Office.

 

Toy and Game Designers' Workshop

August 29, CU-Colorado Springs

The 2nd annual Toy and Game Designers' Workshop hosted by UCCS will be held on August 29, 2009 at the Upper Lodge on the UCCS campus.  Workshop participants will hear presentations on topics ranging from concept generation and evaluation to attributes of good games and trade shows to protecting ideas as well as presentations on prototyping, working with an agent, marketing, and video game creation. Sponsored by the UCCS El Pomar Institute for Innovation and Commercialization (EPIIC).

 

To have your event featured here, please send an email to [email protected].
Innovation in the News

Colorado Boasts 3 Cities in Milken Institute's North American High Tech Top 50
A new study from the Milken Institute shows three Colorado metro areas (Denver-Aurora, Boulder and Colorado Springs) ranking in the top 50 of the "North America High Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge Based Industries Ranking" (full report).

Evolution of VC Industry Shifting to International and Cleantech Investment
The global economic downturn has many venture capitalists altering strategies, including reducing investment levels in the short term, according to the 2009 Global Venture Capital Survey by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and the National Venture Capital Association (PDF). The survey, which measured the opinions of more than 700 venture capitalists worldwide, also shines headlights into the post-recession landscape, predicting that the cleantech sector is poised to become the leading investment category and that the globalization of the venture capital industry will intensify.

Roundup: University, Community, State, National and International Initiatives

Venture Funds Rising for Georgia Tech Startups
In late June, the Georgia Research Alliance announced that its GRA Venture Fund has raised $11.25M from venture capital investors to help startup businesses incubated in the GRA's VentureLab commercialization program, a public-private effort to create new technology-based companies out of local university research. The funds will be matched by $7.5M provided by the State of Georgia, for a total of $18.75M.

New Model for Funding Support to Small Businesses Passes Tennessee Legislature
The "Tennessee Small Business Investment Company Credit Act" was sent in early July to Gov. Phil Bredesen for his signature. The legislation, designed to create a pool of at least $84M in capital, utilizes a competitive process to select several venture capital funds to make direct investments in small business headquartered in Tennessee. These venture capital funds can be for-profit or non-profit partnerships, corporations, trusts, or limited liability companies.

External Resources

New Social Network Serves Student Entrepreneurs
Two students at the NYU School of Business recently launched FledgeWing, a new social network that aims to connect aspiring student entrepreneurs with one another as well as with mentors, investors, and industry professionals.

Useful Stats: Inventors per 1,000 Residents (1980, 1990, 2000, 2005)
The methods of measuring the "innovativeness" of a region take many forms - using data made available through the Office of the University Economist at Arizona State University, Boulder is ranked 3rd in the number of patent inventors per capita by metro area (with 2.53 inventors per 1,000 residents). (View the full data table.)

Building Today's Platform Company
For entrepreneurs developing innovative technology, the platform business model is making a comeback.

Parting Quote

"In this environment, it pays to be either a very early-stage investor or a very late-stage investor. The classic Series B round, where a business is still finding its legs and remaining capital requirements are at best an estimate, carries more risk given higher burn rates and the climate's uncertainty around future financings. So, we're seeing reduced investment levels as firms either invest smaller sums in very early-stage companies, or invest traditional sums in fewer and much later-stage companies. The middle ground has been largely vacated."

Steve Fredrick, general partner of Grotech Ventures, in the 2009 Global Venture Capital Survey (PDF)

University of Colorado's Office of Technology Transfer Mission Statement

The mission of the CU Technology Transfer Office is to aggressively pursue, protect, package,
and license to business the intellectual property generated from the research enterprise,
and to serve faculty, staff, and students seeking to create such intellectual property.

(303) 735-3711
[email protected]

http://www.cu.edu/techtransfer