CU Tech Transfer Monthly Newsletter

February 2015

What's Inside

Tech Spotlight

Employment

People

Top News

CU Technology in the News

CU Research Highlights

Upcoming Events

Innovation in the News

Parting Quote

Links

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Tech Spotlight

Biotechnology of the Month:

Oxygen Microbubbles for Extrapulmonary Ventilation: a Treatment for Short- and Long-Term Hypoxemia

Physical Sciences Tech of the Month:

Low Energy, Low Temp Flash Sintering of Ceramics

➤View more CU technologies available for licensing and partnering on Tech Explorer.

Recent Patents

Systems and methods for creating aberration-corrected gradient index lenses

Methods of flash sintering

➤Browse more recently issued patents on Tech Explorer. Not all issued patents are available for licensing.

Employment

Director of Tech Transfer, CU Anschutz

Life Sciences Licensing Associate

➤Bookmark this link to viewopen CU Tech Transfer positions .

People

CU Tech Transfer Welcomes Dipika Singh, Licensing Associate

Dipika Singh joined CU Tech Transfer as a licensing associate in its CU Denver|Anschutz office in January 2015. Previously, Dipika interned at CU Tech Transfer's Boulder office, where she was responsible for marketing and commercializing a diverse group of technologies. As a student intern she also actively assisted CU startups with marketing strategies, business development plans, and proof of concept study plans. Dipika has an undergraduate and a master's degree in biological systems engineering from the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Her master's thesis was published in the Journal of Analytical Biochemistry. Post-graduation, she worked in a neuroscience lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center; her work here resulted in an invention that has been successfully commercialized. Additionally, her contribution to this lab made possible top quality publications that are published in high impact journals such as Nature Protocols. Her research experience is in the areas of tissue engineering, biomaterials, gene delivery, molecular biology, and neuroscience. Dipika is currently in the process of finishing her MBA in finance and entrepreneurship from University of Colorado's Leeds School Business.

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

Top News at CU Tech Transfer

20 Years of CU Startups

CU Tech Transfer believes that startups can be a key vehicle to translate academic inventions into commercial goods and services that benefit the public. Through startup formation, federal and private funding can be attracted to move a research project through important product development milestones. Startups are also an engine for local economic development and job creation, and success in this area demonstrates value of university research to the broader community (as well as helping recruit and retain high-quality faculty).

Since 1994, more than 140 companies based on CU research have spun off from CU's four campuses - click the image above for a printable poster highlighting CU's history of startup creation and sustainability over the past 20 years (1994-2014). CU startups enjoy a higher survival rate than the average small business nationwide - read more about why CU startups succeed in this coverage by BizWest and this Technology Transfer Tactics article, or visit our Starting a Company at CU page for FAQ's and an overview of the processes and resources involved in starting a company based on CU research.

CU Technology for Thinner Electronics Commercialized by Kelvin Thermal

Kelvin Thermal Technologies and the University of Colorado have executed an exclusive license agreement that will allow the company to develop and market thermal management technologies that could enable the development of ultra-thin and flexible smartphones, wearable electronics and other commercial and military systems. A group of CU-Boulder researchers led by Y.C. Lee has developed an ultra-thin, flexible thermal "ground plane," a flat heat-transfer device as thin as a credit card that can be mounted on electronic devices. This new approach to thermal management replaces conventional materials like graphite, copper and aluminum. Its ultra-thin profile takes up less space in smartphones and other small systems, and its flexibility enables the development of flexible smartphones and wearable devices. See also:

CU-Boulder professor's team pushes for ultra-thin smartphones, wearable tech.

CU-Boulder Technology Could Make Treatment and Reuse of Oil and Gas Wastewater Simpler, Cheaper

Engineers at CU-Boulder have invented a simple process that can simultaneously remove salts and organic contaminants from the wastewater generated by oil and gas operations, all while producing additional energy. The new technique, which relies on a microbe-powered battery, is at the core of BioElectric Inc. (BEI), a company founded to commercialize the invention.

Mile High Ophthalmics Joins University of Colorado to Launch Device Easing Cataract Surgery

A new device designed to perform safer, more effective cataract surgery is going on the market following a licensing agreement between the University of Colorado and Mile High Ophthalmics LLC. A research group led by Malik Kahook, M.D., of the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus (Department of Ophthalmology), has developed a ring-shaped device to enhance the surgeon's ability to complete a perfectly round and centered opening in the capsule during cataract surgery, improving outcomes and reducing side effects of the surgery.

New CU Tech Transfer Website Launched

Our new, streamlined, easier-to-use website has launched, featuring improved sections dedicated to CU researchers and members of the business community! Please visit www.cu.edu/techtransfer to take a look, and be sure to update any old links to content within the site.

Impact: CU Technology + Licensees in the News

CU Technology Providing Hope for Patients with Liver Disease

About 15 million to 30 million people in the United States, and at least 500 million worldwide, suffer from chronic liver disease. At this point, methods of monitoring liver disease and treatment effectiveness can only be done in the later stages or can involve risky and invasive procedures prone to sampling error. These tests provide little comfort and reassurance to patients with early stage liver disease. However, a promising new test developed at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and HepQuant LLC, one of 141 startup companies formed on the basis of CU technology since 1994, seeks to change that.

MiRagen Aims to File Two INDs in '15, Go Public in '16

CU licensee miRagen Therapeutics is gearing up to file investigational new drug applications for up to two of its proprietary microRNA drug candidates before the end of this year. In doing so, the company is laying the groundwork for clinical studies that it hopes will generate proof-of-concept data around its therapeutic approach in order to woo investors for a planned initial public offering next year.

OPX Bio Wins $2M DOE EERE Grant

CU licensee OPX Bio is one of seven recipients of Department of Energy grants to support innovative technologies advancing bioenergy development. The company will receive up to $2M to develop production of cost-competitive fatty acid derivatives (which can readily be converted into high-performance lubricants and synthetic oils) from cellulosic sugars via novel metabolic engineering pathways.

New Study Offers Possibility of Drugs to Treat Addiction

A research team led by the University of Colorado Boulder has discovered a mechanism in the brain that is key to making cocaine seem pleasurable, a finding that could lead to a drug treatment for fighting addiction. The research team found that blocking the ability of cocaine to bind to Toll Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) dramatically reduces the rewarding effects of cocaine. Previous research in the lab of CU-Boulder Professor Linda Watkins, the senior author of this study, has shown that a drug known as (+)-naltrexone, can be used to keep opioids from binding to TLR4; CU startup Xalud Therapeutics

is currently moving (+)-naltrexone toward human clinical trials.

Pipeline: CU Research Highlights

Cancerous Chromosome "Bumper" Repair Depends on More than Mutation in Bladder Cancer

A study published in the journal SCIENCE by University of Colorado Cancer Center looks inside human bladder cancer cell lines and patient genetics to understand the influence of TERT gene mutations, which reactivate telomerase (which plays an important role in causing cancer). The study may help doctors and researchers mark especially aggressive bladder cancers, allowing them to recommend appropriate treatments and improve patient outcomes.

Potential Therapies for Infant Muscle Weakness

A recently published study by a University of Colorado School of Medicine researcher and her colleagues suggests potential therapies for central core disease, a condition that can delay development of motor skills such as sitting, crawling and walking in affected infants.

"Slide Rule" Technology Could Help Make Kindles Better for the Blind

CU-Boulder's Shaun Kane recently spoke with TeleRead about how a prototype he created could be used to make Kindle e-readers more accessible to visually impaired readers.

CU-Boulder-Created App First to Use Gesture for Language Learning

The game Nano Nano for mobile devices, created by two University of Colorado Boulder graduate students and released in January, is the first app to incorporate gesturing with language learning -- for good reason.

CU Researchers and Startups Receive Advanced Industry Grants from State

Two CU research groups and two CU startups were among the entities receiving nearly $1.8 million from the latest round of Colorado's Advanced Industry Accelerator Grant Program. A project led by CU-Boulder's Alan Weimer got $90,000 for direct ink writing using particle ALD core/shell precursors for net-shape fabrication of 3D advanced ceramic structures, and a project led by CU-Boulder's Ivan Smalyukh received $135,000 for switchable plasmonic nano particles codispersion for smart window application. CU startup KMLabs received $200,000 for a project based on fiber laser technology for use in the bioscience and electronic industries, and CU startup Tusaar received $150,000 for a proprietary chemical process that it has developed to extract metals from various sources.

Upcoming Events

Colorado Springs New Technology Meetup

February 26, Colorado Springs

This ongoing event provides a forum for technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase the new (especially web-based) technology developing in the southern Colorado tech community. Five companies have five minutes each to demonstrate their new technology, followed by five minutes for Q&A from the audience.

BioBootCamp 2015

February 26-27, Denver

Attendees will learn valuable information from experienced entrepreneurs about how to build a company designed to commercialize bioscience technologies while avoiding dangerous pitfalls that are typically encountered along the way. There is no fee for this program. However, applicants must apply for admittance. Hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).

Boulder New Technology Meetup

March 3, Boulder

This ongoing event provides a forum for technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase the new (especially web-based) technology developing in the Boulder tech community. Five companies have five minutes each to demonstrate their new technology, followed by five minutes for Q&A from the audience.

Tech Transfer Office Hours

March 4, 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.

SoPE Colorado Chapter Meeting

March 5, Denver

The Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SoPE) is a global biomedical and health innovation and entrepreneurship network helping doctors and other health professionals get their ideas to market. Members include entrepreneurs, service providers, investors, industry partners, academics and others interested in biomedical and health innovation.

Digital Manufacturing & the Next Revolution: An Industry/University Workshop

March 13, Boulder

The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII), CU-Boulder and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) are hosting a workshop that will illustrate how DMDII is developing and demonstrating cutting-edge digital technologies to reduce the time and cost in advanced manufacturing.

Angel Capital Summit

March 16-18, Denver

The Angel Capital Summit is an annual conference that connects investors with entrepreneurial companies seeking funding. The conference includes education benefiting both angel investors and entrepreneurs, networking segments, pitches with VC commentary and Venture Bucks awards. The Angel Capital Summit is hosted by the Rockies Venture Club.

PrIME Health Collaborative Monthly Meetup

March 18, Colorado Springs

The PrIME Health Collaborative is a growing community of 500+ health care executives, physicians, entrepreneurs, investors and technologists embracing Digital Health technologies as a path toward achieving the Triple Aim of improved health and greater patient engagement at a lower per-capita cost. Together, we're building the Colorado Digital Health Ecosystem and establishing Colorado as a leading hub nationally for digital health innovation.

CSU Agriculture Innovation Summit

March 18-20, Fort Collins

Agriculture is primed to tackle global challenges and CSU's Summit will pave the way for understanding what agriculture will look like in the next 10, 20, or even 50 years.

Denver New Technology Meetup

March 19, Denver

This ongoing event provides a forum for technologists and entrepreneurs to showcase the new (especially web-based) technology developing in the 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: Simple Energy Founders Yoav Lurie and Justin Segall

March 31, Boulder

Entrepreneurs Unplugged is a meeting place where faculty, students and community members with technical backgrounds learn about and get involved in entrepreneurship. In particular, the program offers students and faculty an opportunity to learn how a successful startup is created as well as an opportunity to network. Each Entrepreneurs Unplugged meeting features food, drink and - most importantly - an experienced entrepreneur to discuss his/her start-up experiences. Hosted by Silicon Flatirons and ATLAS - register online.

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

Innovation in the News

The Mile-High View: Colorado's Innovation Ecosystem

Two Colorado Cities Among Top 10 Innovation Hubs
Boulder (#2) and Fort Collins (#6) are included in America's Most Innovative Cities, NerdWallet's guide for understanding where the impact of tech funding, innovation and startup activity is the strongest. One key takeaway: Universities are key. Every area in the top 10 is located near a major university, suggesting that higher education and innovation are closely linked.

Colorado Digital Tech Just Had its Best Year Ever
Colorado tech companies increased their funding and exit totals in 2014, making it the best year on record for the state's digital tech economy.

President Obama Calls for $1B Increase in NIH Funding in 2016 Budget
President Obama released his proposed 2016 budget, calling for a sharp increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health and an end to sequestration cuts. President Obama also has called for $7.7B in funding for the National Science Foundation, an increase of more than 5% over its 2015 funding; more than $5.3B for the Department of Energy's Office of Science; and $755M for the National Institute of Standards and Technology laboratories.

4 Charts Show that Stronger Intellectual Property Protections Mean a Stronger, More Innovative Economy
Countries are started to realize that protecting IP means stronger economies. According to the Global Intellectual Property Center's International IP Index (GIPC Index), research has found "a robust relationship between strengthening levels of IP protection and an increase in different economic benefits such as foreign direct investment (FDI), technology transfer, job creation, and economic development."

Parting Quote

"Twenty-first century businesses will rely on American science and technology, research and development. I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine - one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. So tonight, I'm launching a new Precision Medicine Initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes, and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier."

U.S. President Barack Obama, in his January 2015 State of the Union address.

University of Colorado's Office of Technology Transfer Mission Statement

The CU Tech Transfer Office provides patent and other commercialization support to researchers at CU's four campuses, and serves as a liaison for industry partners interested in commercializing CU technologies.

[email protected]
http://www.cu.edu/techtransfer