U-M has established the Renal Pre-Competitive Consortium (RPC2) with several pharmaceutical companies, including AstraZeneca and Eli Lilly and Company. The consortium will develop and use large-scale data exploration to identify new treatment targets for chronic kidney disease.   

The RPC2 is led by U-M nephrologist Matthias Kretzler, M.D., and brings together subject-matter experts and scientific leaders, as well as support from across the industry.  

"We have to find ways to bring new therapies to our patients, faster," Kretzler says. "The RPC2 gives us the opportunity to combine large-scale clinical and molecular data exploration with the development expertise of the pharmaceutical industry."

CLICK HERE to read the full article.  

Put your novel idea on the path to success by joining FFMI's next Early Tech Development Course, beginning Friday, March 11.  

This 4-week course is designed to give you the knowledge and tools to navigate the initial process of innovation and commercialization.
CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up! 

On Thursday, January 28, FFMI helped host a visit from Eli Lilly and Company. Members of the Eli Lilly External Innovation team and Diabetes Drug Hunting team met with U-M investigators studying metabolic disease research.   

The goal of the visit was to identify opportunities for research collaborations and drug discovery partnerships. A post-doc networking dinner was held after the event.  

The Fast Foward Gastrointestinal (GI) Innovation Fund kicked off at the end of 2015, and the submissions came pouring in. The three-year, $500,000+ fund is supported by a donation from entrepreneur alumna Mary Petrovich and matched by the U-M Medical School's Department of Internal Medicine and its Division of Gastroenterology, as well as the College of Engineering, where Ms. Petrovich received her undergraduate degree.

FFMI received a total of 19 submissions - 15 Tier 1 applications and 4 Tier II applications - that cover an array of prospective GI care innovations. FFMI, the Office of Tech Transfer, and the GI Fund advisory board will review the proposals and award decisions will be made in mid-March. 

Are you interested in learning more about using human-centered design thinking to develop healthcare solutions for the future? Then register today for the HealthDesignBy.Us Design Thinking Bootcamp for Health.   

Monday, February 22, 2016

1:00pm-4:00pm

North Quad, Room 2435

105 S. State St. 

University of Michigan School of Information 

This workshop is open to the U-M community and the public. CLICK HERE for more information and to register.    

On Wednesday, February 3, MichBio hosted the Michigan Bio-Industry Growth Summit in Lansing.  

The half-day event featured a number of panels focused on using Michigan's unique assets and strengths to transform the state into a biosciences powerhouse.  

Politicians and bio-industry leaders from Michigan and around the country discussed shaping policy, entrepreneurial success and strategies, business agendas, and industry challenges.

A networking reception followed the event.

The U-M Medical School recently published revisions to its Industry-Sponsored Speaking Policy. CLICK HERE to learn more. 

The Fast Forward Medical Innovation team at the University of Michigan Medical School works to accelerate innovation and commercialization of research at its inception, collaborate with commercial partners via novel models, and enhance medical education by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at all levels. We help UMMS faculty and strategic partners collaborate, with the ultimate goal of accelerating research and technology to improve human health. To connect, email us or call 734-615-5060.