Each year, Emory researchers push the boundaries of innovation, developing groundbreaking technologies with the potential to change the world. When these technologies are patented, licensed, and brought to market, it marks a significant milestone in advancing research and real-world impact.
On April 17, 2025, Emory OTT hosted the Tech Partnership Forum: Technology, Partnering & Faculty Honors. Since the event’s inception in 2007, it’s changed names and locations, and it’s grown to host more than 150 people. But even as it’s evolved, our annual event has always highlighted exceptional faculty contributions to innovation and commercialization.
It was an especially remarkable year, as OTT also celebrated its 40th anniversary of creating impact at Emory. Executive Director Todd Sherer marked the occasion in a speech with references to the office’s creation following the passage of the Bayh-Dole Act, our former building lovingly called The Tech Shack, and stats that prove Emory tech transfer’s impact. We also rolled out new swag, including 40th anniversary-branded screen cloths and custom napkins, and refreshed our displays of Emory researchers and products.
But the biggest change this year happened on stage. We expanded our annual honoree event to include a Technology Showcase, providing a platform for emerging discoveries and industry collaboration. In this session, Emory researchers and start-up teams pitched their technologies, offering valuable insights into the future of innovation and partnership opportunities.
The presentations included:
- Khalid Salaita, PhD: Mechanosensor Platform to Diagnose Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
- Chunhui Xu, PhD: Small molecules for cardioprotection
- Jay Patel, PhD: CartiSana: Guiding Volumetric and Functional Cartilage Repair
- Farzad Fereidouni, PhD: Intra-Operative Pathology: The Triple Trouble
- Philip Santangelo, PhD: Hyperpotent formulations for lung delivery of nucleic acids and Next generation prophylaxis against nerve agents
Following the pitch presentations, OTT recognized teams of faculty innovators with four awards.
This year’s honorees were:
Innovation of the Year – Therapeutic Strategy to Preserve Muscle Mass During Weight Loss
- Todd Golde, MD, PhD; Yong Ran, PhD
Deal of the Year – Cambium Oncology
- Edmund Waller, MD, PhD; Anna Morris, PhD; Cynthia Giver, PhD; Jian-Ming Li, MD; Mohammad S. Hossain, PhD; Simon Blakey, PhD; Yiwen Li, MD; Ronnie Funk, MD
Start-Up of the Year – Aligos Therapeutics
Significant Event of the Year – NephroDI Therapeutics
We heartily congratulate all of the presenters and awardees. Thank you for doing the work that leads to positive impact on the university and the world.
Learn more about the Tech Partnership Forum and see all past honorees here.