An innovative new commercialization partner has arrived at Emory University; DRIVE (Drug Innovation Ventures at Emory, LLC). DRIVE is a new public-private drug development enterprise and not-for-profit entity separate from, but wholly owned by Emory, that will expand the capabilities of traditional academic drug research, combining the expertise of Emory scientists with a proven business and management team. DRIVE will provide the financial, business, project management, and regulatory expertise to move drugs through lead optimization and pre-clinical testing and into proof-of-concept clinical trials. Its ultimate goal is to transition scientific discoveries more rapidly, effectively, and efficiently. Emory OTT is excited to have this new avenue available to move discoveries forward from the lab to the market. Universities have typically had difficulty moving promising projects through this stage of development often referred to as the “Valley of Death.” Technologies with proof-of-concept clinical data will have significantly more value and less risk and can then be out-licensed to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, partnered with foundations or government entities, or spun-out into newly formed companies financed by venture capital firms. DRIVE will finance its initial efforts with $10 million in funding received from the monetization of royalties associated with the HIV drug emtricitabine
Continue readingCategory: Education
Another Successful FastTrac Closes – Congrats & Thanks!
After two months and six full days of course work another FastTrac® TechVenture™ course concluded. There were 36 budding entrepreneurs from Emory, Georgia Tech, Morehouse School of Medicine, and University of Georgia who participated. The course taught researchers and aspiring entrepreneurs about the nuts and bolts of running a new business, familiarizing them with start-ups and preparing them to work with business leaders and investors. The group heard from five presidents/CEOs, three VPs/COOs, an executive recruiter, a patent attorney, and a venture capitalist. Donovan Moxey, a 3D animation software company co-founder led weekly class discussions. Congratulations to our Graduates: Heather Bara, Gregory Berns, Beau Bruce, Austin Cape, Amanda Caster, Ping Chen, Sharath Cholleti, Felmont Eaves, Ernesto Escobar, Baowei Fei, Douglas Friedman, Christopher Gillig, Cengiz Gunay, Michael Hellerstein, Brantley Herrin, R. Chris Hopkins, Erin Keller, David LaBorde, Renhao Li, Brandon Miller, Jonathan Neff, Susan Nicholas, Chantel Nicolas, Modele Ogunniyi, Omotunde Olubi, Muralidhar Padala, Amir Rezvan, Felipe Sarmiento, Jennifer Sherer, Mark Spivak, Kelvin Suggs, Srini Tridandapani, Erika Tyburski, Lawrence Wilson, Daqing Wu, and Kevin Woods. Thank you to our speakers and mentors for volunteering your time! Speakers: Barry Brager, Tom Callaway, Robert Crutchfield, Charlie Deignan, Richard diMonda, Sherry Knowles, Vince La Terza,
Continue readingAIA – First Inventor to File
On September 16, 2011, President Obama signed the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, known as the AIA, into law. The purpose of this act was to modernize the United States patent system, and as a result several provisions have been implemented that change the way patents are regulated. On March 16, 2013, the eighteen-month anniversary of the signing of the act, the third and most prominent phase of implementations went into effect. Consequently, The United States now operates under a First Inventor to File (FITF) system, a major change from the previous First to Invent system. Up until March 16, 2013, U.S. law focused on who first conceived of an invention, rather than who filed the patent application itself. Under the AIA, the new focus shifts to whether a “first filer” obtained, or could have obtained, the invention from a “later filer.” Most researchers are familiar with a need to document their conception dates and keep appropriately witnessed notebooks. This requirement was not eliminated in the AIA, but expanded. At the same time, this change does include some provisions which allow another applicant that files a patent for the same invention to show that the first filer derived the invention from
Continue readingKauffman is Back!
Due to the resounding success of previous sessions, we’re offering the Kauffman FastTrac TechVenture course again. The course is designed to help science-based entrepreneurs transform their grand ideas into flourishing businesses. Both aspiring and current entrepreneurs will learn about the nuts and bolts of running a business from other entrepreneurs all across the country. Participants will explore market research analysis, financial planning, team building, intellectual property, and business management, among other topics. Each topic will be taught by a different startup executive or an experienced entrepreneur. Much of the course material comes from the Kauffman Foundation, which supports educational programs promoting entrepreneurship across the country. It will include guest speakers, facilitated discussions, and coaching sessions. The Kauffman course with Emory OTT is being offered in collaboration with the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center, Atlanta’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute, and SBA.gov (Small Business Administration). The course will take place on Emory’s campus in 6 day sessions over 7 weeks. Donovan Moxey, CEO of Interactive Multimedia Solutions, Inc. will be facilitating.
Continue reading