CU-Boulder Technology of the Month:
 

Improved Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) for Higher Energy Conversion Efficiency

CU-Colorado Springs Technology of the Month:

Ultrasensitive Biochemical Sensing Device for Development of Drugs and Diagnostics

TTO's Learning Laboratory: The Student Connection

Dane Voboril, Research Intern, Venture Capital

Dane Voboril, a second-year MBA student at the CU-Boulder Leeds School of Business, recently joined the TTO team as Research Intern for Governor Ritter's Advisory Committee on Venture Capital Investment (announced September 2010). Dane will assist members of the advisory committee with analysis to be used for policy recommendations focused on increasing the amount and quality of strategic investments in Colorado in the life science, cleantech, and aerospace industries. Dane has a B.A. in Economics from Vanderbilt University. Prior to attending Leeds, he owned and operated multiple locations of a retail franchise concept in his hometown of Atlanta, GA. He hopes to pursue a career in the renewable energy or venture capital industries after finishing his MBA.

Recently at the TTO

CU Announces Annual Technology Transfer Awards

TTO will host its annual awards ceremony tonight, honoring six faculty researchers, two companies founded on university research, and several members of the local entrepreneurial community. The awards will follow a panel discussion focused on the state of Colorado's venture capital community, moderated by Rex O'Neal, executive partner at Faegre & Benson LLP; panelists will include Jim Linfield of Cooley LLP (PDF), Richard Duke of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development, and David Allen of TTO. Faculty and companies recognized this year represent three of CU's four campuses, and are developing technologies ranging from biofuels and hybrid aircraft engines to novel treatments for cancer, heart disease and eye disease. This year's award winners include:

Ryan T. Gill, Inventor of the Year, Boulder. Gill, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, is developing new tools and applications for directed evolution of genomes. In particular, his work focuses on metabolic engineering for sustainable bio-diesel and bio-gasoline production. Technology from the Gill lab has formed the basis of OPX Biotechnologies, a venture-backed Boulder company making renewable bio-based chemicals and fuels that are lower cost, higher return and more sustainable than existing petroleum-based products.

Malik Y. Kahook and Naresh Mandava; Inventors of the Year, Anschutz Medical Campus.Kahook, an associate professor of ophthalmology, and Mandava, chair of ophthalmology,work on novel treatment for eye diseases including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and retinal detachment.

Jean N. Koster, New Inventor of the Year, Boulder.A professor of aerospace engineering, Koster has done work expanding the concepts of hybrid vehicles to airplanes; his team's research is the foundation of a new company, Tigon EnerTec.

Dan Theodorescu; New Inventor of the Year, Anschutz Medical Campus.Theodorescu, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center, has demonstrated efficacy of a new class of drugs in the treatment or bladder, prostate and lung cancer and successfully formed a collaboration team to pursue new compounds to take into clinical trials.

Rory A. Lewis; New Inventor of the Year, Colorado Springs. An assistant professor of computer sciences, Lewis developed a social medial platform for addiction recovery that is now optioned to Syberenety, Inc., a Colorado Springs startup company which won a Phase I SBIR award to develop the technology.

miRagen Therapeutics; Bioscience Company of the Year. miRagen Therapeutics (based in Boulder, Colo.) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients' lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease. miRagen has raised $12M in capital from several top-tier venture firms.

Sundrop Fuels; Physical Sciences/Engineering/IT Company of the Year. Sundrop Fuels (based in Louisville, Colo.) is a solar gasification-based renewable energy company developing a technology to turn any type of plant material into ultra-clean, affordable liquid transportation fuel for use in today's automobiles, diesel engines and aircraft. In September 2009, Sundrop began operations at an 80 kW (thermal) solar research facility in Broomfield; the company plans to build a full-scale commercial plant capable of producing 100 million gallons of fuel a year by 2015.

Lauren C. Constantini; Business Advisor of the Year. Constantini has over 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and is a recognized leader in the area of central nervous system (CNS); she is a frequent participant in review and strategy sessions used to move forward development of CU technologies and start-up companies.

Mikhail "Misha" Plam; Serial University Startup Entrepreneur Award. Plam has built a distinguished career on successfully bringing university innovations to market. He has founded three companies based on inventions from the University of Colorado: AmideBio, BiOptix Inc. and Sievers Instruments (acquired by GE).

James C. T. Linfield; Colorado Technology Infrastructure Leadership Award. Linfield is a partner in the Cooley LLP Business department and Partner-in-Charge of their Colorado office; he serves on the advisory boards of numerous CU entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives, and is among the leaders promoting new initiatives and collaboration strategies in Colorado.

OPXBIO Recognized for "Renewable Chemical Product of the Year"

The Biofuels Digest Award for Product of the Year (renewable chemicals) went to CU licensee OPX Biotechnologies for its work in reducing the production cost of bioacrylic by more than 85% in its pilot production process, using sugars and syngas as feedstocks. The awards, first established in 2008, recognize excellence in the research, development and commercialization of biofuels, renewable chemicals and bio-based products.

Samsung, RealD to Show Brighter 3D TV Tech

Samsung and 3D specialist RealD announced a plan to jointly develop a technology called RDZ that they say will mean brighter 3D TVs that work with 3D glasses used in RealD-equipped movie theaters. RDZ will work with current RealD glasses at full brightness and HD resolution and also work with 2D viewing. In 2007, RealD acquired CU licensee ColorLink, which helped develop the optical filter technology underlying RealD's theater displays.

Zostavax Cuts Risk of Shingles by Half, Researchers Find

Older adults who were given Merck & Co.'s Zostavax vaccine (based on a patent held jointly by CU and Merck) cut in half their risk of developing shingles, a rash triggered by the same virus that causes chickenpox, researchers said, buttressing an older study. The vaccine was approved for sale in the U.S. in 2006, for patients ages 60 or older. Those who received the vaccine reduced their risk 55 percent, according to a study published in January in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Study Demonstrates InDevR's Virus Counter Effectiveness

A blind study to test the effectiveness of a new virus quantification method developed by CU licensee InDevR gives hope for a faster, more reliable and greatly improved method of virus quantification. Scientists said the new, rapid assay - which represents an alternative to a 70-year-old tedious plaque titer methodology - would streamline research and development efforts for vaccine manufacturers, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and researchers worldwide.

ColdQuanta Lands $1M Contract

CU licensee ColdQuanta Inc. has landed a multiyear contract valued at more than $1M from the Office of Naval Research to create a device that could be used to make measurement instruments more precise. ColdQuanta currently produces the RuBECi, a device which simplifies the process of generating Bose-Einstein condensates.

Company Spotlight: Micron Technology, Inc.

In 2009 Micron acquired CU licensee DisplayTech to snag their FLCOS (Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology which allows them to essentially fabricate a projector onto a piece of silicon. This enables the production of cheap pico-projectors which can be embedded into portable electronics such as laptops or cellphones.

Colorado Eye Disease Firm 2C Tech Moves to O.C.

Two University of Colorado eye surgeons (Jeffry Olson, associate professor of ophthalmology and retinal surgeon, and Naresh Mandava, professor and chairman of ophthalmology) created CU licensee 2C Tech Corp. to commercialize the treatments they had developed for diseases that cause blindness including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinitis pigmentosa. The company recently recruited a new CEO and relocated to California.

OMNI Bio Pharmaceutical Awarded Patent for Preventing Anthrax Infection

CU licensee Omni Bio Pharmaceutical, Inc. recently announced that U.S. Patent No. 7,850,970, entitled "Inhibitors of Serine Protease Activity and Their Use in Methods and Compositions for Treatment of Bacterial Infections," was issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on December 14, 2010. This patent covers inhibition of all forms of Bacillus anthracis infection (commonly known as anthrax) using one or more of four new peptides made up of 10 linked amino acids. These peptides and peptide combinations may act by preventing entry of infective components of anthrax into cells of a subject and therefore prevent anthrax infection.

Some Cancer Drugs May Block Cellular Cross Talk, Not Kill Cancer Cells

A class of drugs thought to kill cancer cells may in fact block "cross talk" between the cancer cell and normal immune cells, resulting in reduced cancer growth and spread - a discovery that could significantly alter the way cancer drugs are evaluated in the future. Researchers at the University of Colorado Cancer Center demonstrated the discovery in bladder cancer, in a study published in December in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

AmideBio to Present at TIDES Conference

TTO Announces Temporary Licensing Associate

TTO is happy to announce that it has hired Sarge Salman as a temporary licensing associate position in its Boulder office. Sarge will help manage CU's growing portfolio of bioscience technologies by evaluating invention disclosures for patent and market potential and providing input into patent filing decisions. His technology transfer experience spans the physical and life sciences as well as renewable energy/cleantech sectors, most recently at the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar). Sarge received an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Biology from Colby College, and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from Colorado State University.

Gov. Bill Ritter To Head Center For The New Energy Economy At CSU

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced in early January that he will become director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University upon leaving office. Ritter, who decided a year ago that he would not seek a second term in office, has staked his reputation on enacting policies to support renewable energy production in Colorado. Ritter leaves office on January 11 when Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, also a Democrat, gets sworn in.

Two CU-Boulder Faculty Members Elected 2010 AAAS Fellows

Two University of Colorado at Boulder faculty members have been elected 2010 fellows of the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science. The new AAAS fellows are Professor William "Ned" Friedman of the ecology and evolutionary biology department (honored for important contributions to the study of angiosperm evolutionary development biology) and Professor Veronica Bierbaum of the chemistry and biochemistry department, the Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy and JILA, a joint institute of CU-Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (honored for distinguished contributions to the field of mass spectrometry).

CU-Boulder's Leeds School of Business Names Dean

David L. Ikenberry, associate dean in the College of Business at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has been named dean of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder effective March 1, pending approval by the CU Board of Regents. Ikenberry succeeds Interim Dean Manuel Laguna after a national search. Laguna has served as interim dean of the Leeds School of Business since November 2009, succeeding Dennis Ahlburg, who accepted the presidency of Trinity University in San Antonio.

Workshop: How to Write Successful SBIR & STTR Applications

January 18-20, Bioscience Park Center, Aurora

Optimize your chances of tapping into over a billion dollars from NIH, NSF, DOD and DOE by attending this 2.5 day workshop hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). View info online or request an application.

CBSA BioBreakfast: SBIR/STTR Funding Update

January 19, Anschutz Medical Campus

From changes in SBA guidelines, to pending reauthorization, to new commercialization assistance programs, the federal SBIR/STTR program has not stayed static.  Join us for an overview of what has been happening in the past year at the various agencies and what might be on the horizon for the SBIR/STTR program in 2011.

Intellectual Property & Entrepreneurial Opportunities Resulting from Basic Science Research

January 20, CU-Boulder

This presentation (hosted by the Rocky Mountain section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers) will focus on several examples taking technology from a laboratory curiosity to a commercial market development. The challenges associated with the process will be discussed with an emphasis on the value of IP, fundamental understanding, knowing the competition and perseverance to succeed. Speaker: Alan Weimer, CU professor of Chemical engineering and founder of ALD NanoSolutions and Copernican Energy, now part of Sundrop Fuels. Info and RSVP: Martin Vorum, 303-384-7414.

Entrepreneurs Unplugged: Pete Sheinbaum, Founder and CEO of Mandelbrot Project

January 24, CU-Boulder

Silicon Flatirons, ATLAS, and ITP present Pete Sheinbaum as our featured entrepreneur with moderator Brad Feld.

RETool: Session I - Renewable Electric Power

January 28, CU-Boulder

An intensive, four-day certificate program offered by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder that provides an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies and policies. Participants may take all four courses to earn a RETool Renewable Energy Certificate, or may take courses individually.

Planning for 2011: Your Evolving IP Strategy

January 28, Omni Interlocken, Broomfield

Life science and green energy companies rely heavily on an effective intellectual property portfolio. Changes in the law and general trending has a profound effect on the success of these companies. Join the Colorado BioScience Association as Cooley assembles a panel of IP experts to discuss the hottest recent developments a number of pressing issues as they relate to life science and green energy intellectual property.

BioScience Day at the Capitol

February 2, Colorado State Capitol Legislative Services Building, Denver

Join the Colorado BioScience Association for the 3^rd Annual BioScience Day at the Capitol BioBreakfast. Hear from our state legislators on their preview for the 2011 legislative session, learn about the CBSA's proposed legislation helping the bioscience industry, and listen as BIO describes the federal healthcare plan and other national issues impacting the industry.

Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup Group

February 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.

Entrepreneurs Unplugged: Nicole Skogg, CEO of SpyderLynk

February 7, CU-Boulder

Silicon Flatirons, ATLAS, and ITP present Nicole Skoff as our featured entrepreneur with moderator Brad Feld.

Conference: The Digital Broadband Migration: The Dynamics of Disruptive Innovation

February 13-14, CU-Boulder

The Internet ecosystem - consisting of network providers, application developers, content creators and end users - continues to be a source of disruptive innovation. It provides enormous benefit to consumers everywhere while continuing to present significant challenges to existing business models and to policymakers and regulators. Silicon Flatiron's 2011 Digital Broadband Migration Conference, entitled "The Dynamics of Disruptive Innovation," will focus on the sources and nature of these disruptive advances, how they can be nurtured rather than stifled, and how any negative consequences for consumers can be minimized or averted.

CPIA Quarterly Meeting: U.S. Patent System Changes

February 16, ATFilms, Boulder

Join the Colorado Photonics Industry Association at their first 2011 quarterly meeting focused on the topic "U.S. Patent System Changes - Hopes and Problems for Small and Large Businesses."

CBSA Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Symposium

February 17, location TBA

The Colorado BioScience Association will host this program discussing the top issues impacting the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry today, including how to prepare for the impacts of heath care reform, pitfalls in drug development strategies, and the industry outlook for 2011.

RETool: Session II - Understanding Smart Grids

February 18, CU-Boulder

An intensive, four-day certificate program offered by the Deming Center for Entrepreneurship at CU-Boulder that provides an in-depth look at renewable energy technologies and policies. Participants may take all four courses to earn a RETool Renewable Energy Certificate, or may take courses individually.

Save the Date: Entrepreneurship Under the Microscope

March 9, CU-Boulder

Hosted annually by TTO and the Leeds School of Business' Deming Center for Entrepreneurship, this luncheon recognizes and celebrates innovation and commercialization around the CU campus and beyond. Meet and network with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and business community members, and learn about CU faculty entrepreneurship successes. Speakers will include Larry Gold, professor of molecular, cellular and developmental biology; Amy Cosper, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur.com; and OPX Biotechnologies, a venture-backed CU-Boulder spinoff company making renewable bio-based chemicals and fuels. CU faculty and staff register here; all others may purchase tickets for $30 here.

From the Beginning: Study Traces 10 Years of New Drugs to Their Origins

Nearly half of the drugs approved by the FDA from 1998 to 2007 originated with biotech companies or academia; 31% of "scientifically novel" drugs in the 10-year review originated with universities.

Boulder Innovation Center Explores Taking Model Statewide

The Boulder Innovation Center is exploring whether it can take its model of matching scientific researchers with business experts statewide. The center, which has partnerships with TTO and the Colorado School of Mines, works with the schools to commercialize technology their faculty and research staff develop.

8th Continent Business Plan Competition 2011

Showcase your idea. Fuel your venture. The 8C Business Plan Competition challenges students in business, engineering and science to collaborate in creating business plans that utilize aerospace-derived technology that has immediate commercial application here on Earth. $40,000 in prizes will be awarded including cash and in-kind services, including an unforgettable ride in zero-gravity! Deadline for entries is March 1.

TechStars Boston Draws Fewer Investor Dollars than Boulder

Backers of TechStars Boston are hoping 2011 will be better. In its first two years in Boston, investors have shown markedly less interest in the program's graduates than they have in Boulder, where TechStars was founded, four years ago.

Fostering Innovation: Presidential Commission Releases Report on Synthetic Biology

In a first report on synthetic biology, the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues has called for the U.S. government to foster and promote innovation in this emerging field while also taking precautions to avoid misuse of the technology.

COMPETES Act Reauthorized

In early January President Barack Obama signed the reauthorization of the COMPETES Act, extending the federal competitiveness initiative that provides funding for numerous science, STEM education and commercialization programs. Though the final bill represents a significantly scaled-back version of the legislation passed in May by the House, the final version will allow the programs introduced in the COMPETES Act to continue for another three years.

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

Virginia Gov Proposes $25M Research and Technology Fund

A $25M fund providing grants for tech commercialization, matching funds for research, and funding to attract "star" researchers to Virginia's universities is a key component of Gov. Bob McDonnell's $54 million Opportunity at Work agenda presented to lawmakers as part of his amendments to the 2010-12 budget.

Imperial College Deal With Investors Seeks to Stimulate Tech Transfer in Britain
The investor-owned technology transfer company of Imperial College London expects to raise about $215M in a private stock offering in London this month, and will use the capital to back new companies spun off from Imperial as well as from the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford and from University College London.

Drug Approvals Slipped in 2010

The Food and Drug Administration approved about 21 drugs in 2010, a relatively modest figure that shows the pharmaceutical industry hasn't yet escaped its drought in recent years. A few potential blockbusters won approval during the year, but some of the most highly anticipated new products got delayed into next year or beyond. That partly reflects a tougher environment at the FDA, with regulators stepping up their scrutiny of safety issues in drugs for obesity, diabetes and other conditions.

Venture-Backed Exits Rebound in 2010

After two years of stagnancy, venture-backed company exits improved dramatically in 2010, according to the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA). The increase was driven by a record-breaking market for acquisitions and the best quarter for initial public offerings (IPOs) in ten years (read the NVCA report).

Record Number of Clean Technology Venture Deals in 2010, Total Investment Up 28%

The Cleantech Grou recently released preliminary 4Q 2010 results for clean technology venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India, totaling $7.8B across 715 deals. Cleantech venture investment was up by 28% compared to 2009 ($6.1B), making 2010 the second highest year for investment after 2008 ($8.8B).

Bioentrepreneur: Streamlining Your Business for Success

"Innovation is the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form."

Watts S. Humphrey, software innovator