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INNOVATION INSIDER
October 2025
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ESTATE WHISKEY ALLIANCE® HONORED
WITH JUDGE'S AWARD
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The Estate Whiskey Alliance (EWA) received the Judge’s Award at the 2025 University Economic Development Association (UEDA) Awards of Excellence.
The national recognition honors programs demonstrating outstanding economic development initiatives, research, and accomplishments in talent, innovation, place and engagement.
Landon Borders, director of Estate Whiskey Alliance, accepted the award during UEDA’s Annual Summit in Huntsville, Ala.
The award underscores EWA’s mission to advance estate-produced whiskey, strengthen university and industry partnerships and drive regional economic growth through collaboration.
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“CRACKING THE CODE:
Phil Sharp & the Biotech Revolution”
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The University of Kentucky community was invited to the premiere of the documentary film “Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp & the Biotech Revolution” on October 23 at the Kentucky Theatre. The screening was followed by a discussion on UK biotech research, innovation and commercialization.
Directed by Bill Haney and narrated by actor Mark Ruffalo, “Cracking the Code” chronicles the life of Nobel laureate Phil Sharp, from humble beginnings on a Kentucky farm to the groundbreaking discovery of RNA splicing at MIT that launched the biotechnology industry.
Sharp’s story is a lesson in perseverance and the real-world impact of basic science. Despite challenges such as dyslexia and a family background without formal education, his determination led him to the forefront of research.
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UK INNOVATORS HONORED AT
PATENT PALOOZA! 2025
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UK Innovate celebrated the achievements of innovators across campus at Patent Palooza! 2025.
These researchers, entrepreneurs and industry partners all drive intellectual property creation, commercialization success and entrepreneurial growth at the University of Kentucky. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, UK saw the most patents issued, the most licenses executed and the second-most inventions disclosed in UK history.
In FY 2025, 29 teams completed Launch Blue’s UAccel program, and more than 100 UK innovators were issued 61 patents, had 40 licenses and options executed for their innovations, and received four Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) awards.
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U.S. PATENTS ISSUED
SEPTEMBER 2025
12,409,171 Pharmaceutically active pyrazolo-pyridone modulators of DCN1/2-mediated cullin neddylation
Innovators: Rodney Kip Guy, Jared T. Hammill, Hoshin Kim, Daniel Charles Scott, Brenda Arlene Schulman, Bhuvanesh Singh
12,427,343 Cradle and feedback mechanism for automated device alignment in radiation therapy
Innovator: Janelle A. Molloy
12,421,481 Photon-induced accelerated enzymes and bioactive compounds accumulation in barley during malting
Innovators: Akinbode A. Adedeji, Al Fadhi Y. Al Khaled
LICENSES AND OPTIONS
SEPTEMBER 2025
ArtemiFlow GmbH
Innovators: Kerry Gilmore, Kristen Hill, Jill M. Kolesar, Adam Jeffrey Maust, Anthony McDowell, Peter Seeberger, Fred Ueland
The Regents of the University of New Mexico
Innovators: Justin Todd Burus, Pamela Hull, Lee Park
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LAUNCH BLUE ANNOUNCES FALL 2025
UACCEL QUICK START + I-CORPS COHORT
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Launch Blue selected 15 teams to participate in the 12-week Fall 2025 UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps program. UAccel provides experiential learning opportunities for higher education innovators exploring the market potential of their technologies and solutions. [Learn more about the current cohort.]
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Interested in bringing your research to the real world? Launch Blue’s UAccel + I-Corps program helps innovators take technology from the lab to the marketplace. Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort open November 17. [Learn more about the UAccel program.]
Watch a recording of our virtual panel with past UAccel Quick Start + I-Corps participants to learn how the program can help move your ideas forward. [Watch now.]
| | STUDENTS CAN TURN IDEAS INTO IMPACT THROUGH MICRO-CERTIFICATION PROGRAM | | |
The Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Micro-Certification introduces students, staff and faculty to innovation and research commercialization outcomes.
This self-paced, online program features modules on research impact, entrepreneurship and translating discoveries into real-world solutions. Whether you are new to research or seeking to broaden your impact, this micro-certification offers valuable insight into turning ideas into results.
“This micro-certification is designed to lay a strong foundation for anyone interested in creating and launching effective solutions to real-world problems,” said Laura Halligan, Launch Blue executive director.
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2025 Midea America Small Appliances Innovation Competition
The 2025 Midea America Small Appliances Innovation Competition is seeking groundbreaking ideas in small appliance design with a focus on innovation, emerging technologies, connectivity and energy efficiency.
Competition Prizes
Qualifier Round: Eight finalists will receive $250 each and advance to the final round.
Final Round:
• 1st Place – $3,000
• 2nd Place – $2,000
• 3rd Place – $1,000
Submission deadline: December 1, 2025
For more details and official rules, visit the competition website.
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