A UNIT OF THE U-M MEDICAL SCHOOL OFFICE OF RESEARCH
May 22, 2018
Upcoming Events :
EVENT   DATE WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Researchpalooza
 Wednesday,
August 8, 2018
11:00am-2:00pm
Circle Drive in front of Med Sci I		 Researchers, students, faculty, and more can join the FFMI team at Researchpalooza, a fun event that spotlights the labs and offices here to serve you at U-M.

FFMI team members will be available to talk to you about U-M's wide variety of biomedical commercialization programs and funding opportunities. 
Seeking the Singularity in Healthcare: Digital Innovation for Impact
Thursday, 
October 18, 2018
1:00pm-5:30pm
BSRB Khan Auditorium and ABC Seminar Rooms

Networking mixer to follow		 Faculty, staff, students, and biomedical innovators working on digital health technologies and those interested in learning about the health IT system and collaboration opportunities can attend this symposium that focuses on the growing and inevitable intersection of technology and healthcare. This half-day event is hosted by Joyce Lee, M.D., M.P.H., Robert Kelch Professor of Pediatrics, FFMI Health IT Faculty Champion. 

CLICK HERE to learn more and RSVP. 
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Triple Negative Breast Cancer Dual Inhibitor Wins Biomedical Innovation Cup
U-M team Sofia Merajver, M.D., Ph.D., and Matthew Soellner, Ph.D., nab top prize at shark-tank style event

Biomedical Innovation Cup winners, Sofia Merajver, M.D., Ph.D. and Matthew Soellner, Ph.D.
A new drug in development using a dual inhibitor technology for Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the only subset of breast cancers that doesn't have an FDA-approved targeted therapy, was chosen by a panel of investors as the winning project at Fast Forward Medical Innovation's 2018 Biomedical Innovation Cup on May 16. The annual pitch was held in conjunction with the premier venture event, the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium.

The mechanistically novel dual c-Strc/p38 kinase inhibitor that has been shown in disease models to slow the progression of TNBC took the top prize at the standing-room only event. It beat out other innovation projects from a group of life science clinicians and researchers whose projects were a part of the U-M Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) for Life Sciences Innovation Hub, supported in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). 

CLICK HERE to read the full article.
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Sign Up Today for FFMI fastPACE
Courses start September 2018

Do you have an innovative idea? Are you looking for funding, collaboration, and mentorship? FFMI is launching the 9th cohort of the FFMI fastPACE course on September 21, 2018. To date, 158 project teams have completed this 4-week biomedical commercialization course designed to equip biomedical faculty and researchers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the initial process of commercialization.

During the course, teams work with experienced mentors to share and review projects, provide constructive feedback, and offer peer support. FFMI fastPACE is tailored to accommodate your busy schedule, blending in-person and online education to help faculty researchers and clinicians prepare a successful business case for funding and development partnerships.

For more information, visit the FFMI fastPACE website or email [email protected].
biotech
Biotech Career Exploration Program Examines Career Options and Skill Building 

The Biotech Career Exploration Program is designed to educate, train, and provide career exposure to many aspects of biotechnology outside of the traditional academic tenure-track faculty position. As part of the program, themed career panels offer participants an inside look at non-academic careers from experts in each area sharing advice and experiences.  

To date, the career panels have focused on University Administration, Staff, and Support; Consultant/Nonprofit and Government/Other; and Small Biotech Startups.

The next panel will take place on Friday, June 15 from 9:30am-10:30am, and will focus on large corporations. 


For more information, contact Jon Servoss, FFMI Commercialization Program Manager.
symposium
Symposium Spotlights Diagnostic Technologies, Development Resources, and Collaboration Opportunities

On Wednesday, May 9, over 50 faculty, staff, and students attended the Commercialization of Diagnostic Innovations Symposium. The event focused on successful commercialization of diagnostic innovations, including clinical utility, intellectual property protection, regulatory routes, and success stories. 

Investor, industry, and academic experts in the commercialization of diagnostic innovations including Timothy Cornell, M.D., Associate Professor, Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases; Jan Garfinkle, M.B.A., Founder and Managing Director, Arboretum Ventures; and Braden Robison, M.B.A., Chief Operating Officer, Seraph Biosciences, Inc., shared insight into the diagnostic commercialization path. 

Attendees also heard first-hand accounts and success stories from academic innovators, Kalyan Handique, Ph.D., Co-Founder, HandyLab, Inc.; Ulysses Balis, M.D., Co-Founder, ThioMon; and Mark Burns, Ph.D., Co-Founder, New Blood Vital Signs.  The event wrapped up with a panel discussion targeting resources for academic diagnostic development.
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On the Road with FFMI

Connie Chang, FFMI Interim Executive Director, moderated a panel,  Navigating the Commercialization Pathway , at the MedHealth Summit in Detroit on April 19.  

Brad Martin, MTRAC for Life Sciences Commercialization Program Director, was part of a panel, Resources for Academic Diagnostic Development, at the Commercialization of Diagnostic Innovations Symposium on May 9.

Connie Chang and Brad Martin attended the Bloom Burton Health Care Investment Conference in Toronto.

Michelle Larkin, Biomedical Innovation Specialist, facilitated an IT/Software/Tech Company Presentation session at the Michigan Growth Capital Symposium on May 16. 
latest
Latest News from Project Teams Who Received FFMI Funding, Training, and Support

FFMI Faculty Champion, Joyce Lee, was quoted in a New York Times article,  "How a Low-Carb Diet Might Aid People With Type 1 Diabetes."

MTRAC Awardee and Monroe-Brown Seed Fund recipient, Genomenon, recently announced two significant partnerships with Veritas Genetics and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals.

FFMI fastPACE graduate and FFMI fullPACE participant, Prachi Shah, M.D., and her research about children's success in school, were part of an article in Business Insider. 

Path of Excellence in Innovation & Entrepreneurship third-year medical student, Taylor Novice, was spotlighted in the May 2018 edition of Medicine at Michigan for her involvement in the Path and her work on the project Hot Spot Smart Socks for Patients with Diabetes. 

Path of Excellence in Innovation & Entrepreneurship student, Michael Moore, was highlighted in the annual Made at Michigan annual report. for his involvement with MedKairos. 
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Connect with Experts in Biomedical Research
Join BRCF at the Cores Technology & Services Showcase

Join the Biomedical Research Core Facilities (BRCF) and dozens of their partners as they highlight the latest advancements and equipment offerings in biomedical research.

This year, the keynote speaking session is with Core Expert User Award Winner, Sundeep Kalantry, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Human Genetics. The keynote will take place from 11:00am-12:00pm in Forum Hall in Palmer Commons.

Thursday, June 7
Exhibit Hall Open: 11:30am-2:00pm
Keynote: 11:00am-12:00pm
Palmer Commons, 4th Floor


The Showcase includes:
  • FREE lunch from Pizza House
  • Giveaways and prizes, including a free tote bag at check-in for the first 250 attendees
  • Dozens of tables featuring BRCF Cores and their partners!
For more information, visit the event website.
Questions? Contact Nicole Bonomini.
news
In Other News

The Medical School Office of Research is proud to announce the second annual Camille Mrozowski Award for Service Excellence in Research. Open to any U-M Medical School administrative research staff, this award will honor Camille's memory and celebrate the awardee at a fall reception. CLICK HERE to submit an application. 

The Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care (MCIRCC) will host Leo Celi, M.D., as part of the MCIRCC Seminar Series on Wednesday, June 20, from 3:30-5:00pm in the NCRC Research Auditorium, Building 10. Dr. Celi will present "The Challenge of Medical Artificial Intelligence." CLICK HERE to RSVP.

 
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Fast Forward Medical Innovation is part of the Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the U-M Medical School community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.