UC Denver Technology of the Month:

Novel Type I Diabetes Auto-Antigen: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Uses Thereof

CU-Boulder Technology of the Month:

Sanofi Pasteur Licenses Vaccine Technology from University of Colorado, Naval Medical Research Center

A vaccine technology developed jointly at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine and the Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) was recently licensed to Sanofi Pasteur, a world leader in the vaccine industry. Sanofi plans to develop the technology into a new vaccine protecting against enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), a group of bacteria that causes serious gastrointestinal infection and watery diarrhea. Sanofi Pasteur will continue to develop the technology under a research agreement with NMRC.

Flashback Technologies to Commercialize CU Cardiovascular Monitoring Technology

TTO recently completed a license agreement with Flashback Technologies, LLC for CU technology enabling fast, non-invasive detection of acute blood loss volume and prediction of cardiovascular collapse in emergency situations. Hemorrhagic shock - physical shock caused by rapid blood loss - is a leading cause of death on the battlefield and in civilian trauma settings. Flashback's first product, CipherSensor, analyzes real-time physiological data such as blood oxygen level and blood pressure to detect subtle hemodynamic changes in real-time. CipherSensor's algorithms quickly and accurately detect the early-onset of blood loss, continuously estimate blood loss volume, and predict a patient's individual risk for cardiovascular collapse. The technology will enable medical professionals to quickly identify bleeding patients and triage them to an appropriate trauma center. (Read the full press release.)

AmideBio Expands Alzheimer's Disease Partnership with University of Colorado

BOULDER, Colo. - April 14, 2010 - The University of Colorado and AmideBio, LLC have completed an agreement creating a research collaboration with a CU-Boulder lab, and giving AmideBio an option to newly-discovered drug candidates for Alzheimer's disease. Research under the new sponsored research agreement with the lab of Michael Stowell, Ph.D. (an associate professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology) will use a novel screening process to find compounds that affect the interaction between two proteins believed to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The agreement gives AmideBio an option to new compounds that are discovered using this screen, which Stowell believes will be useful in treating the disease.

University of Colorado 14th Among Universities in 'Patent Power'

IEEE Spectrum's annual U.S. patent survey, 2010 Patent Power, reviewed over 1000 world organizations to find out who owns the most influential patent portfolios. According to Spectrum, the analytic methodology "goes beyond patent counts to emphasize how frequently a company's patents are cited by other patents." Within the category of Universities/Education/Training, the University of Colorado ranked 14th, immediately behind Stanford and MIT. (Click here for 'patent power' scorecards sorted by categories.)

TTO to Respond to White House Technology Commercialization Request

The university technology transfer community has received a request for information from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, asking for input on how to support the commercialization of federally-funded research. Special interest has been given to Proof of Concept centers. CU TTO will prepare a White Paper response to the RFI which will be posted on our website upon submission. 

ARCA Raises $6.8M in Q1 of 2010, Announces Issued Patent for Bucindolol

CU licensee ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically targeted therapies for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, announced that during the first quarter of 2010, through its previously established equity distribution agreement, it raised net proceeds of approximately $6.8 million through the sale of 1,075,000 shares of ARCA common stock in open market. The company also recently announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a patent on methods of treating heart failure patients with bucindolol based on genetic testing.

RXi Pharmaceuticals and miRagen Therapeutics Announce Formation of microRNA Research Collaboration

Rxi Pharmaceuticals Corporation and CU licensee miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics, announced in April that they have entered into a research collaboration. Under this agreement, the parties will evaluate the potential utility of RXi's proprietary rxRNA™ technology against specific miRNA targets of interest to miRagen in the cardiac and neuromuscular disease areas.

SomaLogic Using Aptamers to Build Better Tool for Biomarker Research

Using a comparatively new technology that has been largely untouched by proteomics researchers, CU licensee SomaLogic has developed an array-based method that company officials said could move protein biomarkers closer to use in the clinic.

CU Cancer Center Researchers Get $3.5M Grant to Test Lung Tumors for EGFR Biomarkers 

Finance Student Assistant Doug Melroy

Doug Melroy joined the TTO team in February, and is pursuing an interest in finance and entrepreneurial start-ups. He is involved with various financial projects including ongoing royalty compliance audits and capital raised tracking. Doug will graduate from the Leeds School of Business at CU in May 2011 with an MBA with concentrations in Entrepreneurship and Finance. In his spare time, Doug enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, camping, rugby, snowboarding, and grilling out.

Marketing Student Assistant Zach Herscovici

Welcome to Matt Pink, Bioscience Licensing Associate

TTO is pleased to welcome Matt Pink as a new Licensing Associate starting in March 2010. Matt has over 9 years of bench research in the areas of molecular biology, pharmacology, and neuroscience. He is a recent Ph.D. graduate of the Neuroscience Program at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine; his first-author publication is currently being revised for submission to the journal Science. In the spring of 2009, Matt was an intern at the UC Denver TTO, where he assisted in crafting marketing materials for new bioscience technologies available for licensing.  Prior to attending graduate school Matt received his B.S. in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Podcasts: TTO Award Winners

W3W3 radio spoke with Robert Hodges (UCD Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics; John Stewart Endowed Chair in Peptide Chemistry) about his research on a universal influenza vaccine, and with Robert Batey (UCB Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry) about his work with RNA riboswitches. W3W3 also interviewed Charles Benight (UCCS Professor of Psychology) about his development of web-based trauma recovery programs.

UCCS Still Benefits as Researcher Leaves for Texas A&M

A top research faculty member at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs working on treatments for cancer, HIV and other autoimmune diseases has moved to Texas A&M University to gain access to a $3B state-funded cancer research fund. Karen Newell, who had been the Merkert Professor of Biology and director of the UCCS Institute of Bioenergetics, will continue to oversee the research effort at UCCS, which retains the patent rights to compounds and therapies developed by her research. Viral Genetics, a small California-based company that has licensed much of the results of Newell's research, plans to establish locations in both Colorado Springs and Georgetown, Texas, to support her research efforts.

CU-Boulder Professor Nominated to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

In March President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate CU-Boulder professor (and Nobel Laureate) Carl Wieman as Associate Director for Science, Office of Science and Technology Policy. Wieman currently divides his time between the University of British Columbia and CU. At each institution, he serves as both the Director of Collaborative Science Education Initiatives aimed at achieving widespread improvement in undergraduate science education and as a Professor of Physics.

Six CU-Boulder Professors Win NSF CAREER Awards

Six University of Colorado at Boulder faculty have been selected to receive National Science Foundation CAREER Awards, one of the nation's most prestigious honors directed toward young faculty. The awards, which come with a five-year grant ranging from $400,000 to $530,000, are a great boost to faculty in establishing integrated research and educational activities while helping to address areas of important need.

Entrepreneurs Unplugged: With Howard Diamond, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Consulting, Inc.

April 19, CU-Boulder

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

TTO Faculty Seminar: Drug Targets, Screens, and Early-stage Drugs - Commercialization Strategies

April 22, CU-Boulder

This seminar hosted by TTO and the Colorado Institute for Molecular Biotechnology (CIMB) will offer strategies and perspectives on commercializing early-stage biomedical technologies, focusing on drug targets, drug screens/selection platforms, early-stage drugs, and other therapeutic platform technologies. This event is free and open to CU faculty from all campuses, RSVP required.

Outsourcing Colorado: A Look at Northern Colorado's Contract Research, Manufacturing and University Core Labs

April 26, Embassy Suites, Loveland

This CBSA-hosted event offers education and resources on local partners and vendors to assist with research, development, testing and manufacture of products. Featuring a keynote address by Woody Emlen, co-founder of CU licensee Taligen.

CBSA Career Fair
April 28, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden

Recruitment in the biotechnology field is thriving: Here is your chance to connect with over 30 bioscience companies and partners seeking to educate you on the industry in Colorado and add showcase the career possibilities in the industry.

Silicon Flatirons Conference: Patents and Free & Open Source Software

April 29, CU-Boulder

Both patents and open source have been credited with a great deal of technology innovation. But when the two meet in a single system, they may conflict. How does the open source mode of open, collaborative sharing mesh with patent's exclusion rights and controlled licensing?

Biobootcamp 2010
April 29-30, Holland & Hart, Denver

Designed to help you jump start your new life science idea or company, this experience will provide you with not only a comprehensive overview of how to get your venture started, but will provide you with exposure to experienced bioentrepreneurs and a nationally acclaimed faculty. Application required.

RETool: Opportunities in the New Energy Economy - Energy Efficiency

April 30, 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.

Cleantech Incubation at CU: Market Assessment Project Presentation

May 4, location TBA, Boulder

Learn about CU's new cleantech incubation program and the results of our first set of market assessments with industry experts on 7 exciting technologies. The Market Assessment Program (MAP) is a joint initiative of the Tech Transfer Office and the CU-Boulder Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI) aimed at helping CU researchers understand market and technology development needs for successful commercialization.

Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group

May 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.

22^nd Annual Colorado Capital Conference

May 12, Denver Athletic Club, Denver

"Entrepreneurship in 3-D: How to Build and Strengthen Your Business from All the Right Angles." Attended by a "who's who" of regional VCs, angel investors, entrepreneurs of every shape and size, technologists, pundits, and business leaders, the Rockies Venture Club invites you to attend the 22^nd Annual Colorado Capital Conference.

C2B2 Professional Short Course

May 12-14, Boulder

Short Courses hosted by the Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels (C2B2) offer comprehensive training for industry and research professionals. Courses explore the latest innovations and developments from the bioenergy fields and provide an exceptional setting for educational growth.

Colorado Green Tech Meetup

May 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.

TTO Faculty Seminar: Biomarker Development: Best Practices for Successful Commercialization

May 20, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora

Save the date - this seminar hosted by TTO will present best practices in the development of biomarker intellectual property, including perspectives from faculty, industry and IP law. This event is free and open to CU faculty from all campuses; RSVP required.

UC Denver Med School Launches Stem-Cell Center

In late March, UC Denver's School of Medicine announced that its stem-cell research and treatment programs have been placed under a new regional center. CU's Charles C. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology aims to draw more private and federal research funding for the university's stem-cell programs, as well as to advance stem-cell treatment through a partnership with the Colorado Prevention Center, a nonprofit medical research and disease prevention organization.

Governor Congratulates University on ARRA Funding for Smart Grids

Bioscience Gets Boost from Grants

State grants are funding new university laboratories in Aurora, Boulder and Fort Collins - filling what bioscience veterans say has been a gap in turning promising research into new pharmaceuticals and successful companies. The idea is to yield more mature drug technology from the campuses, increasing the odds that researchers' companies can find investors and get drugs to market.

US Health Bill Promises Changes for Biomedical Researchers

The historic health-care bill that passed the US House of Representatives on March 21 establishes a new competitive grant program at the NIH. Called the Cures Acceleration Network (CAN), this provision was written into the law by Senator Arlen Specter (Democrat, Pennsylvania). It will authorize as much as US$500 million annually for speeding the translation of basic discoveries into treatments.

Biotechs, VCs Shoot, Score with Health Care Reform

The legislation gives brand-name biotech drug developers 12 years of data exclusivity. That provides VCs and other investors in these companies a greater hope of recovering their investments - beyond patent protection -assuming their drugs are approved.

Health Reform Will Set Off Biotech Tax Credit Rush

New research credit, capped at $1 billion, should be a bonanza for some small and medium-sized firms and their investors.

Podcast: SBIR Grants Leading to Commercialization in Colorado
SBIR is a federally mandated program to fund small businesses doing leading edge, high risk research and development. Russ Farmeris the founder and president of PBC, Inc, a national expert in the SBIR program. Larry and Russ had a discussion with Cliff Brown, President, CEO and principal owner of ADA Technologies, a recipient of numerous SBIR grants totaling millions of dollars.

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

New Space Agency and International Space Centre for UK

A new £40M International Space Innovation Centre (ISIC) at Harwell is at the heart of Government plans to support Britain's growing space sector. ISIC will be supported by £12m from BIS' Strategic Investment Fund.

Australia Launches $40M Growth Capital Fund for Innovative Startups

Entrepreneurs Lose Clout as VC Funds Get Stingier

Most local venture funds are standing pat not only because the economy is weak, but also because they're no longer in fund-raising mode. Having invested most of their funds, the firms have shifted to the nurturing, or "harvesting" stage, to try to improve investment returns.

Recovery Act Funding Boosts FY2009 Federal R&D to an Estimated $157B, 12% over FY 2008 Total

Federal agencies have reported a preliminary total budget authority of $157 billion for federally funded research and development in FY 2009, an increase of 12.2% in current dollars over FY 2008 actual appropriations of $140 billion - click the link above for detailed FY2009 preliminary totals.

NSF: Growing Share of U.S. R&D Done by Small Businesses
Between 2003 and 2007 R&D spending at U.S. small businesses increased by 38.8 percent, according to a recent National Science Foundation InfoBrief. During that period the share of U.S. R&D done by firms with fewer than 500 employees increased from 17.9 percent to 18.7 percent. R&D intensity at small firms also increased from 3.1 percent of company sales revenues to 8.6 percent. (Read the NSF InfoBrief "Indicators of U.S. Small Business' Role in R&D".)

New Chief of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office David Kappos Calls for Reform

"Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable."

William Pollard, American physicist