University of Colorado
Technology Transfer Office
Monthly Newsletter
January 2010 - Vol 6, Issue 7
TTO Logo & CU Logo
What's Inside
Spotlight
Today at the TTO
CU Technology in the News
People
Upcoming Events
CU Resources
Innovation in the News
External Resources
Parting Quote
Links
 
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Spotlight On:

CU-Boulder Technology of the Month:

 

Stabilized Liquid Antibody Formulations for Parenteral Administration

 

UC Denver Technology of the Month:

Stimulation of Apoptosis using Novel Potent Tight Junction Protein Modulators

Today at the TTO

TTO Announces Annual Award Winners

On January 20, TTO will present its eighth annual awards to CU researchers and companies working on the development of treatments for infectious diseases, programs to help recovering trauma victims,  human eyecare, human medical devices and children's literacy. Winners include:


Robert T. Batey; Inventor of the Year, CU-Boulder.


Robert S. Hodges; Inventor of the Year, UC Denver.

Mark E. Rentschler; New Inventor of the Year, CU-Boulder.

Malik Y. Kahook; New Inventor of the Year, UC Denver.

Charles C. Benight; New Inventor of the Year, CU-Colorado Springs.

GlobeImmune, Inc.; Bioscience Company of the Year.

Mentor InterActive, Inc.; Physical Sciences/Engineering/IT Company of the Year.
 
Fitzsimons BioBusiness Partners, Michael Artinger, Director; Business Advisor of the Year.


AmideBio Licenses Peptide Manufacturing Technology from CU

CU and AmideBio, LLC have executed an exclusive license agreement allowing the company to develop, manufacture and commercialize peptides  based on the work of Michael Stowell, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology at CU-Boulder. The CU technology is a method for manufacturing recombinant proteins and peptides (molecules which are similar to proteins but smaller). These types of molecules are often key for treating diseases that cannot be addressed using conventional chemical therapeutics, but the field has historically been limited by challenges such as economical manufacturing and delivery. CU's technology circumvents these problems, particularly those associated with longer and more complex proteins, by leveraging a proprietary recombinant strategy that is economically viable and environmentally sustainable. (Read more.)


CU-Boulder Ranked #6 for Cleantech Entrepreneurialism

The Cleantech Group went looking for the best places in the country for "collaboration between academics, businesses and investors." CU-Boulder's entry at position six notes the re-launched Renewable & Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), as well as ION Engineering and OPX Biotechnologies, two cleantech companies recently created based on CU technology.

 

TTO Releases Updated 'Starting a Startup' Guide

The CU Technology Transfer Office (in conjunction with the CU-Boulder Entrepreneurial Law Clinic and Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.) is pleased to present an updated and revised edition of Starting a Startup: Successfully Managing the Dynamics of a New Company (PDF). This guide provides an introduction to academic technology entrepreneurship, covering issues ranging from university intellectual property and conflict of interest policies to the logistics of forming a new company based on CU technology. The guide was originally presented in January 2009 as a working paper.

 

AgriHouse Completes Exclusive License for CU Water Management Technology

Agri-biotech company AgriHouse, Inc. recently executed an exclusive license with CU for intelligent leaf sensor technology enabling more precise control of water use in farming and greenhouses. AgriHouse, headquartered in Berthoud, Colo., is developing leaf sensors to measure and monitor plant moisture demands and other plant physiological sensing applications. The company's SG-1000 Leaf Sensor is being used by researchers working in plant growth, as well as in commercial greenhouses; in addition to saving water and preventing loss of plants, the leaf sensor allows for direct measurement of plant hydration, replacing current monitoring technologies that direct watering indirectly from indicators such as soil moisture and air temperature. (Read more.)

 

Podcast: Commercialization Resources at the Boulder Innovation Center

W3W3 radio spoke with Tim Bour, Executive Director of the Boulder Innovation Center (BIC), and Kate Tallman of the CU tech transfer office, about commercialization resources available to CU inventors and entrepreneurs via the BIC.

CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News

GlobeImmune Raises $17.5M as it Heads toward Phase III

Louisville, CO-based GlobeImmune has hauled in a $17.5 million Series E round, which was led by Generali Financial Holding and BSI SA. Recently GlobeImmune, a CU licensee, reported promising Phase IIb data for GI-5005 as a treatment for hepatitis C and a pact with Celgene to discover new cancer therapies.

 

Sundrop Fuels Emerges from Stealth with 1 Bgy Solar Biofuels Project

CU licensee Sundrop Fuels is a solar gasification-based renewable energy company with headquarters in Louisville, Colorado.  The company's advanced high-temperature solar gasification process turns almost any kind of plant material into electricity or liquid transportation fuel.

 

Sony, RealD in 3-D Equipment Partnership

In December Sony Corp. announced a partnership with RealD (who acquired CU licensee ColorLink in 2007). Under the terms of the agreement, Sony will license some of RealD's technology and equipment, such as 3-D eyewear, which can be used with Sony TV screens and other equipment intended to create a three-dimensional viewing experience.

 

ARCA Expands Scope of Beta-blocker

CU licensee ARCA biopharma Inc. has submitted a request for a special protocol assessment, or SPA, with the FDA for the design of a clinical trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of the biopharma's beta-blocker Gencaro. ARCA wants to test the drug on approximately 3,000 patients with chronic heart failure who have the genotype that appears to respond most favorably to Gencaro. (See also: ARCA Biopharma on verge of patent approval.)

 

SFC Fluidics Working on Mobile Brain Injury Device

Awarded a $5 million federal contract in September, CU licensee SFC Fluidics continues to work on the development of a handheld device that would make possible on-site diagnosis of traumatic brain injury within minutes of head trauma. Such a device surely would be welcomed not just on battlefields and ball fields, but emergency rooms, too.

 

MediciNova Completes Acquisition of Avigen

MediciNova, Inc.announced in December that it has completed its acquisition of Avigen, Inc. following approval of the transaction by each of MediciNova's and Avigen's stockholders yesterday. Completion of the transaction permits MediciNova to combine the companies' broad neurological clinical development programs based on ibudilast (MediciNova's MN-166 and Avigen's AV411, developed for pain and opioid withdrawal indications in collaboration with CU researchers).
People

Three CU-Boulder Faculty Members Elected AAAS Fellows for 2009

Three CU-Boulder faculty members have been elected fellows of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science for 2009. The new AAAS fellows are John Cumalat (physics), Thomas Johnson (integrative physiology) and Diane McKnight (civil, environmental and architectural engineering).


Four CU-Boulder Professors Win $750,000 Department of Energy Early Career Research Awards
Four University of Colorado at Boulder professors will receive $750,000 grants under the Department of Energy's new Early Career Research Program -- the most awards received by any university in the nation. The four recipients are Michael Hermele, Alysia Marino and Tobin Munsat of the department of physics and Arthi Jayaraman of the department of chemical and biological engineering.


OPX Appoints Mike Rosenberg VP of Business Development
OPX Biotechnologies Inc. (OPXBIO), a renewable biochemical and biofuel company, announced the appointment of Michael J. Rosenberg as vice president of business development. Mike brings 24 years of alternative energy and environmental business experience.


Seven CU-Boulder Research Efforts Cited in Discover's Top 100 Science Stories for 2009

Seven research efforts involving the University of Colorado at Boulder were among the top 100 science stories of the year selected by Discover Magazine -- ideas and breakthroughs that are reshaping our understanding of the world, according to the publication.


Do you know of a recent award, new position or transition of interest to the CU tech community? Please send information to [email protected].
Upcoming Events

TTO Annual Awards Banquet

January 20, Tivoli Turnhalle, Denver

The 8th annual TTO awards dinner will be held on January 11, 2010 at the historic Tivoli Turnhalle in Denver. This event celebrates people and companies that exemplify the outstanding year experienced by technology transfer at CU. For information about purchasing a table, please contact Lynn Pae at [email protected] or 303-735-0550.

 

Entrepreneurs Unplugged: Ryan Martens and Tim Miller of Rally Software

January 25, CU-Boulder

Entrepreneurs Unplugged is a meeting place where faculty, students and community members with technical backgrounds learn about and get involved in entrepreneurship.

 

CBSA BioBreakfast: Bioscience Day at the Capitol

January 27, Colorado State Capitol, Denver

Hear from our state legislators on their preview for the 2010 legislative session, learn about the CBSA's proposed legislation helping the bioscience industry, and listen as BIO's Patrick Kelly describes the federal healthcare plan and other national issues impacting the industry.

 

RETool: Opportunities in the New Energy Economy - "Renewable Power"

January 29, CU-Boulder

The rapid growth of renewable energy is a bright spot in a troubled economy. Get ahead of the curve - take an intensive, four-day certificate program surveys renewable energy technologies and policies and points the way to a bright and sustainable energy future.


The Digital Broadband Migration: Examining the Internet's Ecosystem

January 31-February 1, CU-Boulder

This year's conference will examine an array of issues, including: the dynamics of market structure and opportunities for innovation; governance challenges around issues involving cooperation, such as the issues around interconnection between network providers and network provider and application developers; and the business models that sustain content in an environment where many content creators (newspapers, for example) are sustaining to find a source of revenue to stay in business.

 

Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup
February 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.

 

Crash Course: Intellectual Property for Entrepreneurs

February 3, CU-Boulder

Jason Haislmaier (Partner, Holme Roberts & Owen LLP) assists emerging and established companies in licensing and other transactions relating to the commercialization and procurement of technology and intellectual property, with a special concentration on open source software licensing and compliance. Part of the CU New Venture Challenge.

 

Writing Successful SBIR & STTR Grant Applications for Federal Agencies

February 3-5, Bioscience Park Center at Fitzsimons, Aurora

This three-day intensive workshop is hosted by the Fitzsimons Development Authority. The first two days will focus on NIH grants, with an additional 3rd day focusing on DOD, DOE and NSF grants. Information and RSVP online.

 

Colorado Green Tech Meetup

February 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.

 

Venture Capital and Private Equity for Renewable and Sustainable Technologies

February 18-19, Grant Hyatt, Denver

This two-day conference will provide an overview of topics related to financing for cleantech businesses. Topics include: Financial Ingredients to Developing a Renewable Energy Project, What Lenders Look for in Renewable Energy Projects, and Federal and State Grants.

To have your event featured here, please send an email to [email protected].
CU Resources

Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Research Core

The Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design (BERD) program is part of the Colorado Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CCTSI). The BERD program is a resource that provides biostatistical consultation and collaboration to investigators and trainees across the CCTSI campuses and affiliated hospitals. Administered by the Colorado Biostatistics Consortium (CBC), the BERD also provides training and mentorship in biostatistics and study design. Services offered: Biostatistical collaboration/consultation; study design, including sample size/power calculations; data analysis; manuscript preparation; and biostatistics training and education. 

 

For more information about the Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Design program, please visit http://cbc.uchsc.edu or contact John Neal, 303-724-4370.
Innovation in the News

Colorado and the New Health Technology

Colorado is a prime location to develop the bioscience economic sector. The state has a uniquely entrepreneurial population and a highly educated workforce. Its geographically central location places it in an advantageous position for future economic development and growth. The scenery and lifestyle attract top-quality talent. Most importantly, Colorado has a vision for the future.

 

Patent Wait Lengthens to 3.7 Years on Average

In a development worrisome to inventors nationwide, the average time it takes for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to issue a patent lengthened again in 2009 - to 3.7 years, from 3.5 years in 2008.

 

Measuring the Returns to R&D
A new working paper available from the National Bureau of Economic Research asserts that the rates of return for R&D are "usually higher than those to ordinary capital" and social returns "are almost always estimated to be substantially greater than the private returns" - both conclusions supporting an increasing role for public research investment. The survey also finds lower rates of return for government-funded R&D versus private R&D. Prepared as a chapter for the Handbook of the Economics of Innovation, the December 2009 NBER Working Paper is available for purchase at:
http://www.nber.org/papers/w15622.

 

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

 

Tennessee Governor Pledges State Money for Energy Research

Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee, a Democrat, announced plans in January for a new partnership between Oak Ridge National Laboratories and the University of Tennessee that he says could attract as many as 400 new graduate students and double the university's research budget.


External Resources

Colo. Tech Investors Eligible for Tax Credit in 2010

The Colorado Innovation Investment Tax Credit provides an income tax credit for investing entities that make investments during calendar year 2010 in small, innovative Colorado companies that are involved in research and development or manufacturing of new technologies, processes and/or products. (More info.)

 

The Great Venture Capital Fund-Raising Slump Of 2009

A continued lack of liquidity and increasingly bad 10-year track records took a toll for venture capital firms in 2009, leading to far less commitments by limited partners.

 

Coming to Terms: Understanding VC Term Sheets

Term sheets should always be used in complex investment transactions - especially those involving venture capital investors or other institutional investors. This Bioentrepreneur article provides a guide through the key steps in drawing up a term sheet.
Parting Quote

"An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest."

 

Benjamin Franklin, American statesman, author and inventor.


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