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TTO Monthly Newsletter

Volume 9 ~ Issue 1 ~ July 2012       

What's Inside
Tech Spotlight
Recently at TTO
CU Technology in the News
Student Connection
People
Upcoming Events
Innovation in the News
Parting Quote
Links

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Spotlight On:

 

Biotechnology of the Month:

 

Target for Metabolic Syndromes, and Nascent Small Molecule Discovery Program 

 

 

Physical Sciences Tech of the Month:

 

Dual Cure Polymer Systems for Use in Biomedical and Optical Applications 

 

 


*To view more CU technologies available for licensing and partnering, go to Tech Explorer.

Recently at TTO

Advanced Conductor Technologies to Develop CU High-Performance Superconducting Cable

Advanced Conductor Technologies and the University of Colorado recently completed an exclusive option agreement to allow the company to develop high-temperature superconducting cables that could be an enabling technology for high-current, DC power transmission and for the next generation of high-field magnets. The technology portfolio covered by the option was developed by Danko van der Laan, a physicist with appointments at CU-Boulder and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). High-temperature superconducting (HTS) cables were initially developed for metropolitan electrical networks because of their economy, reliability, and large transmission capacity. Van der Laan has developed a technique to make thinner, more flexible HTS cables that can carry the same (or greater) current. These more-compact cables have immediate applications in electrical grids and scientific and medical equipment; they may also enable HTS power transmission for military applications. (Read the full press release.)

 

TTO Announces August 17 Deadline for BDEG Project Summaries

Under the State of Colorado's Bioscience Discovery and Evaluation Grant (BDEG) Program, CU researchers are eligible for awards of $50,000 to $200,000 for commercial proof-of-concept (POC) work; eligible fields include therapeutics, diagnostics, medical devices, platform technologies, and biofuels. Interested researchers must submit a short Project Summary to TTO by August 17, 2012, as well as an Invention Disclosure if one is not already in place. The deadline for the application itself is September 7, 2012. Applications and more information are available online For questions, please contact your invention case manager at TTO; if you do not have one, then please contact Rick Silva, 303-724-0222 (CU Denver|Anschutz) or Kate Tallman, 303-492-5732 (CU-Boulder, UCCS).

 

Now Available: Updated Biotechnology Pipeline Summaries

We've updated our biotech pipeline overview documents, which provide a quick, high-level summary of active CU programs developing new drug targets, therapeutics, diagnostics and medical devices. Please visit our Tech Explorer page and use the links under 'View Our Pipelines' to review this updated info.

 

Webinar: Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship 

Dr. Stein Sture (Vice-Chancellor for Research at CU-Boulder) and Tim Bour (Executive Director at Innovation Center of the Rockies) will present a webinar on July 31 highlighting CU-Boulder initiatives (in partnership with ICR) to encourage and facilitate faculty entrepreneurship. This webinar is one of a series hosted by the National Council for Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2). Registration is free.

 

Ten CU Research Groups Receive Tech Commercialization Grants from State of Colorado 

Ten CU research projects were recently selected to receive grants through Colorado's Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program (BDEG-Co). The State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade began the BDEG program in 2007, providing proof-of-concept grants to move promising CU biotechnologies closer to market readiness, as well as early-stage matching "seed" grants to enable the development and commercial validation of technologies that are licensed from Colorado research institutions by Colorado based start-up companies (learn about 2011-12 grants to CU licensees under this program). CU research projects that have received (or will soon receive) funding in the 2011-12 round:

  • Christopher Bowman, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, CU-Boulder, for inexpensive, highly-efficient synthetic nucleic acids for use in nanoassembly, biodetection and other biofunctional applications.
  • Heide Ford, Department of Pathology and Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Andrew Thorburn, Department of Pharmacology, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for a novel biomarker to predict treatment response in solid tumors.
  • Robert Garcea, BioFrontiers Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CU-Boulder, for a next-generation vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV).
  • Richard Johnson, Department of Medicine (Renal Diseases & Hypertension), CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for a novel treatment to prevent acute kidney injury following surgery or use of radiocontrast agents.
  • Malik Kahook, Department of Ophthalmology, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for an implanted device to reduce intraocular pressure and treat glaucoma.
  • Uday Kompella, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for a new drug to treat "wet" age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  • Leslie Leinwand, BioFrontiers Institute, Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, CU-Boulder, for novel drugs to protect from cardiac disease.
  • David Wagner, Department of Medicine (Pulmonary Sciences & Critical Care Medicine), CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for a drug to prevent/reverse high blood sugar in type-1 diabetes.
  • Xiao-Jing Wang, Department of Pathology, CU Anschutz Medical Campus, for a drug to treat oral mucositis, a common side effect of radiation therapy.
  • Hang (Hubert) Yin, BioFrontiers Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CU-Boulder, for more sensitive biomarkers for metastatic cancers and other diseases in body fluids.
CU Technology and Licensee Companies in the News

GlobeImmune Files for IPO of Up to $69 Million 

CU licensee GlobeImmune Inc. filed plans for an initial public offering of up to $69M as the biopharmaceutical company looks to raise funds to advance its infectious disease product candidates. The company focuses on developing treatments for cancer and infectious diseases based on its Tarmogen platform. (See also: GlobeImmune Reports Phase 2b Results for GI-4000 in Combination with Gemcitabine Following Surgery.)

 

Sobi Files Kineret Application with FDA for NOMID Indication 

The US Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has received an application from Sobi (Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, previously known as Biovitrum) for Kineret� (anakinra) for the indication of neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). Kineret was developed at CU, and is marketed internationally by Sobi following a license agreement with Amgen.

 

Bacteria-Produced Acrylic May Propel OPX 

CU licensee OPX Biotechnologies Inc. spent four years genetically modifying industrial bacteria and coaxing them into producing acrylic at commercial scale - enough for the company to be a supplier to the $10 billion worldwide market for acrylics. And in developing its bio-acrylic technology, OPX Bio is laying the groundwork to get bacteria to make products for an even bigger market - biofuels.

 

Clean Urban Energy Releases Enhanced Smart Grid Platform 

Clean Urban Energy (CUE), an energy storage and smart grid technology provider, has released its next generation platform, featuring an interactive dashboard and new energy management modules. The core CUE platform (licensed from CU in 2011) connects HVAC operations in commercial buildings with electric grid operations to take advantage of energy market opportunities.

 

Study: Shingles Vaccine OK for Biologic Drug Patients 

Although some have suggested that patients receiving medication for immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis may be at increased risk of herpes zoster shortly after receipt of the vaccine, an analysis that included nearly 20,000 vaccinated Medicare beneficiaries finds that the live zoster vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of HZ. ZOSTAVAX� was developed at CU in partnership with Merck, and approved for sale by the U.S. FDA in 2006.

 

Omni Announces Type 1 Diabetes Trial Results 

Omni Bio Pharmaceutical announced the most recent results from its human clinical trial in Type 1 diabetes, a pilot study to test the safety and efficacy of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) as a treatment in Type 1 diabetes, commonly referred to as "juvenile diabetes." Omni has licensed several new uses of AAT from the University of Colorado.

 

MedShape Raising $8M 

CU licensee MedShape Inc., which has developed a shape-shifting material to aid orthopedic surgeries, is seeking $8 million, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The Atlanta-based biotech has raised about $2.5M of the $8M, the SEC filing noted.

 

CU Research: RAL Associated with Aggressive Prostate, Bladder and Skin Cancers 

From metastasis in bladder cancer, to seminal vessel involvement in prostate cancer, to shortened survival in squamous cell carcinoma, a recent study led by CU Cancer Center director Dan Theodorescu shows that RalA and RalB are associated with aggressive cancer characteristics in human tumors. Click here for a summary (PDF) of Dr. Theodorescu's approach to targeting the two Ral (Ras-like) GTPase proteins, RalA and RalB, for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

 

CU-Boulder Physicists Use Ultrafast Lasers to Create First Tabletop X-ray Device 

An international research team led by the University of Colorado Boulder has generated the first laser-like beams of X-rays from a tabletop device, paving the way for major advances in many fields including medicine, biology and nanotechnology development.

 

CU Research Group Develops New Test to Distinguish Cancer After Positive Lung CT Scan 
Lung CT has recently been shown to lead to a 20 percent reduction in mortality. But the sensitivity of CT means that 96 percent of the nodules detected are, in fact, benign. New research from the CU Cancer Center takes an important step toward a non-invasive test to determine which nodules discovered by lung CT are benign and which are malignant and require treatment. 

TTO's Learning Laboratory: The Student Connection

Tyler Boschert is a second-year J.D. student at the CU School of Law, and joined TTO's Boulder licensing group in May 2012. His work for TTO is primarily concerned with commercial viability analysis and contractual and licensing issues for technologies in the fields of optics and electronics, with some additional projects in chemical and biological engineering and materials science. He holds a B.S. in chemical engineering and economics from Northwestern University, and expects to be admitted to practice as a patent agent before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in September 2012. Upon graduating from law school in May 2014, he plans to pursue a career in entrepreneurial law.

 

Nicolette Goulart joined TTO's system administration group as an intellectual property assistant in November 2011; she supports the patent team in creating, managing and updating TTO's extensive patent database. She currently studies chemistry at CU-Boulder, and plans to apply to law school following graduation in December 2012.

People

Steve Herschleb Selected as Access 2012-2013 Venture Fellow

Access Venture Partners has added Steve Herschleb to their team as a Venture Fellow.  Steve is an electrical engineer and an MBA candidate at the University of Colorado.  He has served as a fellow at CU Cleantech, where he worked closely with TTO, and has spent time as an engineer in the automotive industry.

 

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

Unreasonable Climax 

July 20-21, CU-Boulder

Come hear 22 stories of trial, triumph and massive human impact at the Unreasonable Climax (presented by Boulder's Unreasonable Institute). This two-day event starts with a day of entirely unreasonable workshops, conversations and activities with the community in Boulder and culminates in Macky Auditorium, where  entrepreneurs deliver a TED-style talk about themselves, their ventures and their definition of progress in our time. Learn more and register to attend. 

 

Startup Colorado Legal Roundtable 

July 24, Denver

Startup Colorado has a new offering: the Startup Colorado Legal Roundtable. The Roundtable is an opportunity for early stage startups to participate in a free, invite-only discussion with several of Colorado's leading business law firms: Faegre Baker Daniels, Baker Hostetler, Dorsey & Whitney, and Sheridan Ross. The idea is simple: promising entrepreneurs get together with a handful of law firm partners to discuss common startup legal issues. If you are interested in participating, please contact Austin Chambers for an application form.

 

CID4 oHours: How to Form Your Bioscience Company 

July 24, CU-Boulder

CID4 is holding its Boulder edition of oHours Session #1: How to Form Your Bioscience Company, with session host Rick Duke - RSVP required. oHours provides private, confidential, one-on-one meetings, hosted by domain experts who are versed in successfully starting and running life science companies.  

 

CBSA Accelerator Opening and Welcome Reception

July 25, Bioscience Park Center, Aurora

Join the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) in officially opening the newly-expanded Accelerator building, and toasting the companies graduating out of the incubator and moving into new space designed especially for their needs. There will be tours and opportunities to meet growing Colorado biotech companies, as well as a wine & cheese reception to welcome CBSA's new president and CEO, Steve VanNurden. RSVP required. 

 

Webinar: Encouraging Faculty Innovation and Entrepreneurship 

July 31, virtual

Dr. Stein Sture (Vice-Chancellor for Research at CU-Boulder) and Tim Bour (Executive Director at Innovation Center of the Rockies) will present a webinar on July 31 highlighting CU-Boulder initiatives (in partnership with ICR) to encourage and facilitate faculty entrepreneurship. This webinar is one of a series hosted by the National Council for Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer (NCET2). Registration is free.

 

CTA 8th Annual Wine Tasting 

July 31, Governor's Residence, Denver

The annual Colorado Technology Association Wine Tasting is one of the year's most anticipated events. With great food, wonderful Colorado wine and an evening dedicated to pure networking, this year will be no exception. This event attracts hundreds of key decision-makers. With an expected attendance of more than 400 technology professionals again this year, this event will take professional networking to the next level.

 

Tech Transfer Office Hours @ Caruthers 

August 1, CU-Boulder

Representatives from the Technology Transfer Office will be on-hand to meet one-on-one with members of the CU research community. If you have questions related to research commercialization, please stop by, have a donut or cup of coffee and get some information. The August 1 session is a great opportunity to get details about our fall Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant (BDEG) solicitation.

 

Boulder/Denver New Technology Meetup 

August 7, 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.

 

SoPE: Stories from the Trenches from 3 Physician Entrepreneurs

September 6, COPIC Auditorium at Lowry, Denver
The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) helps healthcare professionals get their ideas, discoveries and inventions to market by providing them with education and connections to people and capital. This chapter meeting features stories from 3 physician entrepreneurs; RSVP and CoPE (free or premium) membership required. 

 

Save the Date: BioWest Conference 2012 

September 11, Marriott City Center, Denver

The BioWest Conference is a one-day event attended by more than 500 industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors and entrepreneurs. Registration now open.

 

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

Innovation in the News

Denver Chosen for Coveted U.S. Patent & Trademark Satellite Office 

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced in July that Denver would be one of three locations for its new satellite offices. The expansion into the Mile High City is expected to bring hundreds of patent examiner jobs as well as a considerable number of related positions, and an anticipated economic impact of $440 million in the first five years of operation. And area leaders say the patent office will further breed and expand Colorado's already enviable high-tech and innovation economy.

 

In Confidence Survey, VCs Sound Lukewarm about Biotech 

Biotech looks weak in the eyes of many venture and private equity investors. In a confidence survey from Deloitte and the National Venture Capital Association, respondents lacked faith in the future of the biopharma industry, and the low confidence bodes poorly for an industry already suffering from dwindling VC dollars. See also: Who's Still Active Among the Early-Stage Biotech VCs? 

 

China Changes Patent Law in Fight for Cheaper Drugs 

China has overhauled parts of its intellectual property laws to allow its drug makers to make cheap copies of medicines still under patent protection in an initiative likely to unnerve foreign pharmaceutical companies. The action will ring alarm bells in Big Pharma, since the country is a vital growth market at a time when sales in Western countries are flagging.

 

CID4 and Rockies Venture Club Announce Collaboration to Speed Growth of Colorado Life Science Companies 

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) recently announced a collaboration with the Rockies Venture Club (RVC) that's designed to leverage the organizations' complimentary assets and capabilities with a mission to accelerate high-quality, early-stage Colorado life science company financings.

 

Colorado Competes: One Year Later 

This new report from the office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet details Senator Bennet's work in response to the 2011 Colorado Competes report that identified ways to promote Colorado's economic competitiveness through a greater focus on innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

 

Opinion: What's Wrong with COI? 

Financial "conflicts of interest" should not be so quickly condemned. Industry relationships are unequivocally beneficial.

 

Denver Leaders See Chance to Build Tech Haven 

Overlooked in national tech circles, Denver business leaders and entrepreneurs are quietly working together to bolster the city's profile. They're planning events such as Denver Startup Week to showcase and connect the city's young technology companies. They're establishing cash and other awards to help foster their growth. They're trying to create a community where budding and seasoned entrepreneurs would want to live and work and can easily collaborate and share ideas. In short, Denver is taking a page from Boulder, a city to which it plays second fiddle despite having six times the population.

 

DU Partners with Innovation Center of the Rockies to Commercialize Inventions 

The University of Denver Office of Technology Transfer has formed a partnership with the Innovation Center of the Rockies (ICR) to help commercialize inventions and intellectual property developed by DU researchers. ICR has existing relationships with the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines and Colorado State University.

 

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

 

$20 Million W Fund, Focusing on Research Spinouts, Open for Business 

The W Fund (a new investment fund for university spinouts in Washington state) is officially ready to start cutting checks - and it's already started investigating promising research projects from colleges and government R&D labs around the state. Officials say the $20M fund is expected to invest in 20 or more startups by 2016.

 

U. of Maryland to Count Patents and Commercialization in Tenure Reviews
The University System of Maryland is about to adopt a new policy to formally give credit in tenure and promotion decisions for faculty work that leads to patents and other intellectual property applied in technology transfer. Maryland follows Texas A&M University and about two dozen other institutions that now formally recognize such activities for tenure.

 

New Pennsylvania Law Expands Research Commerciliazation Opportunitees at State Universities 

To give the 14 state-supported universities included in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) the ability to raise more revenue, new laws clear the way for professors to "commercialize" their research to financially benefit both themselves and their university. Other Pennsylvania univerisities like Penn State are part of a separate system and were not affected by the new laws, which remove a conflict-of-interest rule that had prevented PASSHE faculty from commercializing their research.

 

Ohio Releases Research Commercialization Report 

The Ohio Board of Regents assembled a Technology Transfer and Commercialization Task Force to produce a "Conditions Report," which provides a blueprint for dramatically improving the collective execution of research commercialization activities among Ohio's 14 research universities, 24 regional branch campuses and 23 community colleges. View the report (PDF).

Parting Quote

"I think the way to use these big ideas is not to try to identify a precise point in the future and then ask yourself how to get from here to there, like the popular image of a visionary. You'll be better off if you operate like Columbus and just head in a general westerly direction. Don't try to construct the future like a building, because your current blueprint is almost certainly mistaken. Start with something you know works, and when you expand, expand westward."

 

Paul Graham, programmer, entrepreneur and venture capitalist.

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