Check out OTM’s inaugural newsletter, Innovation Insights, Summer 2024 edition. Subscribe here to receive future issues direct to your inbox.
OTM Newsletter, Innovation Insights
Author: Leslie Roettger
WashU among top 100 granted patents in U.S. (Links to an external site)
Washington University in St. Louis was ranked among the top 100 U.S. universities granted patents in 2023, according to a report released June 4 by the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
OTM’s Malcolm Townes featured in Technology Transfer Tactics
Malcolm Townes, PhD, MBA, innovation fund manager for Washington University’s Office of Technology Management wrote a column for the May issue of Technology Transfer Tactics, a monthly newsletter developed by Tech Transfer Central. Townes’ column, “TRL scale is a useful if imperfect tool for TTOs” was in response to the article “Technology Readiness Level Scale: […]
OTM goes to BIO 2024
The Office of Technology Management recently attended Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) International Convention from June 3 – 6, 2024. As the largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology worldwide, the BIO International Convention annually attracts leaders in biotechnology and pharma for several days of programming and networking opportunities. The OTM team met with more than 100 investors […]
Physician-scientists receive Scholar-Innovator award (Links to an external site)
Recognized for innovative research with potential clinical impact
Zayed Receives WashU Gap Fund Award
Mohamed Zayed, MD, PhD, MBA, a professor of surgery, radiology, molecular cell biology, and biomedical engineering at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received a Washington University Gap Fund award to perform translational work to de-risk and mature technology related to the Aorto-Iliac Fenestrated (AIFEN) Stent System, a fenestrated balloon expandable stent system […]
Office of Technology Management to mentor Mizzou on commercialization (Links to an external site)
Washington University selected to support Mizzou in accelerating translational research
DiPersio receives innovation award (Links to an external site)
Oncologist recognized for developing new therapies for blood cancers
WashU Celebration of Inventors 2024
On April 25, 2024, the Office of Technology Management hosted the seventh annual Celebration of Inventors, an event to honor and recognize Washington University inventors, researchers and faculty entrepreneurs. Honorees included 2023 United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) awardees; National Academy of Inventors Fellows and Senior Members; and the recipient of the 2024 Chancellor’s […]
2024 Women in Innovation & Technology Symposium
The Office of Technology Management hosted their annual Women in Innovation & Technology Symposium on April 11, 2024. The event was a day of learning and networking for women academics interested in technology commercialization. Featured speakers for the event included representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office; national venture capital consultants; Washington University […]
OTM Office Hours: Licensing Technology from Tech Transfer Offices for your Startup – A National Perspective
The Office of Technology Management hosted a special edition of the monthly Office Hours educational series on April 11, 2024 immediately following the annual Women in Innovation & Technology Symposium. The event featured three national tech transfer experts for a panel discussion titled, “Licensing Technology from Tech Transfer Offices for your Startup – A National […]
Washington University in St. Louis to serve as University of Missouri – Columbia’s mentor institution on NSF ART grant
WashU will serve as the mentor institution to the University of Missouri – Columbia (MU) as part of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Accelerating Research Translation (ART) program. NSF announced in late 2023 the first-ever Accelerating Research Translation (ART) awards to empower academic institutions to accelerate the pace and scale of translational research that […]
OTM Women in Innovation & Technology Symposium featured in The Source
OTM’s recent Women in Innovation & Technology Symposium was featured in WashU’s The Source under “The View From Here 04.22.24“.
Washington U tech transfer unit hits milestone: 100 faculty-founded startups (Links to an external site)
WashU faculty selected as 2024 Scholar-Innovator Award recipients from Harrington Discovery Institute
Juliane Bubeck Wardenburg, MD, PhD, and Russell Pachynski, MD, are among 10 physician-scientists nationwide named as recipients of the Harrington Discovery Institute 2024 Scholar-Innovator Award. The scholar awards support breakthrough new treatments for heart disease, autoimmune disorders, cancer, infectious disease, inflammation, and rare diseases using small molecule, nucleic acid, vaccine, biologic, and gene therapies. Bubeck […]
Obituary: Philip Needleman, emeritus trustee, longtime benefactor, 85 (Links to an external site)
Ones to Watch: St. Louisans driving disruption in a range of industries (Links to an external site)
These entrepreneurial St. Louisans are taking novel approaches that are reshaping a range of sectors in ways large and small.
The power of persistence: Bridging the gender gap in patent applications (Links to an external site)
WashU’s economic impact totals $8.8 billion (Links to an external site)
University supported 54,380 jobs; drew $978 million in research funding to the region
WashU named a top 100 patent-producing university (Links to an external site)
Chen, Silva named senior members of National Academy of Inventors (Links to an external site)
Hong Chen, Jon Silva, both in biomedical engineering, are honored as rising leaders in their fields
NAI Welcomes 124 New Emerging Innovators (Links to an external site)
Women in Innovation & Technology program hosts session on resiliency
On February 8, 2024, the Women in Innovation & Technology (WIT) program hosted a special virtual event, “The Resilient Inventor/Entrepreneur: Managing Your Mindset”. In this live Zoom session, Dr. Sharon Milgram, Director of the NIH’s Office of Intramural Training and Education, provided practical, hands-on guidance to managing common mental barriers that can keep women academic […]
2023 Top 100 Worldwide Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents by the National Academy of Inventors (Links to an external site)
WashU awarded up to $20M to create portable device to scan for eye diseases (Links to an external site)
High-tech imaging tool could be used in other medical fields
Welcome to the Wall 2023: Celebrating WashU Faculty Startups
On December 7, 2023, the Office of Technology Management celebrated the third annual Welcome to the Wall, an event recognizing and celebrating WashU faculty startup companies. After a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, OTM was pleased to once again hold this celebration in person. In 2023, OTM was proud to make the milestone of […]
University’s technology, innovation hub celebrates 100th faculty startup (Links to an external site)
Office of Technology Management fuels entrepreneurial spirit
Haroutounian Receives WashU Gap Fund Award
Simon Haroutounian, PhD, MSc, an associate professor of anesthesiology, chief of the Division of Clinical and Translational Research in the Department of Anesthesiology, and chief of clinical research at the Washington University Pain Center, received a WashU Gap Fund award to help advance technology that predicts the onset of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in patients treated […]
Needleman program seeks proposals (Links to an external site)
The Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization provides funding for researchers developing promising new therapeutics, helping them progress to early-stage clinical trials. A second call for proposals is now open. The submission deadline is March 15. Learn more here (WUSTL Box login required).
Washington University and Deerfield Management launch VeritaScience to drive drug discovery (Links to an external site)
Washington University and Deerfield Management announced the launch of VeritaScience, a new private R&D collaboration designed to advance the discovery, clinical development and commercialization of promising therapeutic and diagnostic candidates with potential to benefit human health.
Awardees announced for Needleman innovation, commercialization program (Links to an external site)
The university’s recently established Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization (NPIC) will provide critical funding to help move research toward early-stage clinical trials and commercialization. The first three awardees are Carl DeSelm, MD, PhD, John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD, and Kory Lavine, MD, PhD.
University launches new era of progress in neuroscience (Links to an external site)
Understanding the brain and nervous system is one of the most pressing challenges in medicine. To meet this challenge, WashU Medicine has built and is opening the Neuroscience Research Building, a 609,000-square-foot facility expected to be among the nation’s premier neuroscience research hubs.
Team to develop breathalyzer test for COVID, RSV, influenza A (Links to an external site)
COVID-19, RSV and influenza A are the most predominant of seasonal viruses, each transmitted through aerosols and droplets that are easily spread indoors. A team of researchers at Washington University is developing an inexpensive, handheld breathalyzer that could make rapid screening a step closer to reality.
Curiel, Janetka named fellows of National Academy of Inventors (Links to an external site)
David T. Curiel, MD, PhD, and James W. Janetka, PhD – both of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis – have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). The recognition represents the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors.
2023 Women in Innovation & Technology Luncheon
The Office of Technology Management’s Women in Innovation & Technology program brings together WashU’s women academic researchers to celebrate their achievements in technology commercialization and showcase successful role models. This year’s annual luncheon on November 8th, hosted by the Office of Technology Management and sponsored by McKelvey School of Engineering, featured keynote speaker, Lan Yang, […]
Device for noninvasive brain biopsies via blood draw moves closer to market approval (Links to an external site)
FDA grants WashU-based technology ‘Breakthrough Device’ designation
Jiang Receives WashU Gap Fund Award
Shu “Joy” Jiang, PhD, MSc recently received an award from the Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) Gap Fund. The award will enable Jiang and her collaborator, Graham Colditz, MD, DrPH to perform translational work to de-risk and mature technology they developed for identifying pathologic characteristics in histopathology images. “Pathology has become fundamental to modern medicine […]
Biotech industry leader to helm WashU drug development accelerator (Links to an external site)
Shripad Bhagwat, PhD, a drug development expert with decades of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, has been named the inaugural senior director of the Needleman Program for Innovation and Commercialization (NPIC) at Washington University in St. Louis.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Technology Management
The Office of Technology Management aims to create an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment around patenting, commercialization, and entrepreneurship by offering programming, targeted outreach, and resources accessible to all. A key component of OTM’s DEI efforts is a dedicated staff position charged with launching programming focused on increasing entrepreneurial awareness, education, and action among underrepresented […]
WashU OTM attends AUTM University
Washington University Office of Technology Management staff attended AUTM University in Kansas City October 4-6, 2023 to learn best practices and new strategies from seasoned technology transfer experts. As a professional development opportunity for technology transfer professionals, AUTM University is offered through AUTM, a non-profit organization that supports and advances technology transfer worldwide. Gina Smutz, […]
Avidan, England, Miller elected to National Academy of Medicine (Links to an external site)
Membership is one of highest U.S. honors in health and medicine
Gordon receives Albany Prize (Links to an external site)
One of 3 researchers honored for their research on how microbiomes function
WashU Gap Fund Makes First Two Awards
Washington University in St. Louis recently launched a fund to facilitate the commercialization of technologies created by its researchers. The Gap Fund, operated by the Office of Technology Management (OTM), has made its first two awards to WashU researchers to support the advancement and commercialization of technologies to improve maternity outcomes and treat diabetes. “The Washington […]
‘She Leads’ to empower women through panels, presentations (Links to an external site)
The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis will host the 2023 “She Leads Symposium @ WashU” from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 20 in Knight Hall’s Emerson Auditorium.
Noninvasive, ultrasound-based brain biopsy is feasible, safe in people (Links to an external site)
Sonobiopsies generate genetic, molecular data to inform treatment decisions for brain diseases
WashU leads new multi-omics production center for NIH research consortium (Links to an external site)
Researchers will analyze materials from six disease study sites across US
Academy honors six university faculty (Links to an external site)
Profiles in Innovation: Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized annually from September 15–October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Here we profile two Washington University faculty members and how their Hispanic and Latino backgrounds have helped shape their academic careers and approach to innovation. Jonathan Silva, PhD: Professor, Department of Biomedical […]
Welcome to the Wall: An event to celebrate WashU faculty startup companies
How do you tell the story of a company? 50 companies? 100? For the Washington University Office of Technology Management (OTM), one way of sharing the story of WashU innovation is commemorating every WashU startup company with a custom logo sign affixed to the walls of OTM’s office lobby in the Cortex Innovation District. The […]
O’Brien wins awards at national pitch competition (Links to an external site)
Christine O’Brien was awarded both the People’s Choice and Judges Award at the 2023 Equalize Pitch Competition