Frankel Innovation Initiative Winners Announced
$3 Million Awarded to Six Different Projects
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Fast Forward Medical Innovation has awarded $3 million in funding to six biomedical research projects in the second round of the Frankel Innovation Initiative - a $20 million gift from the Maxine and Stuart Frankel Foundation to support the research and development of life-saving therapies at Michigan Medicine, in collaboration with other institutions.
The winning projects are U-M faculty-led, cover a range of disciplines, and have the potential for rapid clinical application and groundbreaking impact.
The projects focus on biomedical innovations that could quickly advance cutting-edge therapies and bring novel approaches to improving health into the hands of clinicians and scientists. Funded projects include:
- Prosthetic hand that uses signals from the brain to move and sense – Paul Cederna, M.D. (U-M) and Cynthia Chestek, Ph.D. (U-M)
- Device to filter blood and treat sepsis in children – David Humes, M.D. (U-M) and Stuart Goldstein, M.D., FAAP, FNKF (Cincinnati Children's Hospital)
- Development of a novel catheter for the removal of clots in small arteries of stroke patients - Aditya S. Pandey, M.D. (U-M) and Albert Shih, Ph.D. (U-M)
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System to keep donor organs alive outside the body – Alvaro Rojas-Peña, M.D. (U-M) and Robert H. Bartlett, M.D. (U-M)
- Cell therapy for premature ovarian insufficiency – Ariella Shikanov, Ph.D. (U-M)
- Device to help predict preterm birth – Molly J. Stout, M.D., MSCI (U-M), Methodius Tuuli, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. (Brown University) and Peinan Zhao, Ph.D. (Washington University in St. Louis)
Researchers presented their proposals to the Frankels and a Scientific Advisory Committee of world-renowned scientists and technology development professionals external to U-M.
“The second round of the Frankel Innovation Initiative resulted in another impressive group of quality projects that have the exceptional ability to impact health care around the world,” says Bradley Martin, Ph.D., Director, Fast Forward Medical Innovation. “U-M is a leader in biomedical innovation and the winning projects showcase the groundbreaking research that takes place here every day. Each of these projects has the tremendous potential to be on a path to achieve life-saving results.”
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Cheers to the Latest Kickstart Winners |
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The new Kickstart teams are:
Cagri Besirli, M.D., Ph.D.
U-M - Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Novel PKM2 Activators for Photoreceptor Neuroprotection: Identifying a Clinical Candidate
Kelsey Boersma, M.P.H.
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
mobileM.A.T. General Movement Assessment Application
William Weitzel, M.D.
U-M - Internal Medicine (Nephrology)
Vascular Ultrasound Diagnostic Tool
Part of the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub, Kickstart Awards offer early-stage funding to biomedical researchers across the state of Michigan. The award is aimed to enhance the commercial potential of a technology owned by any Michigan-based non-profit to the point of demonstration of utility and offers possible inclusion in the MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub or other research funding programs.
Questions? Contact Bradley Martin, Ph.D., Director, Fast Forward Medical Innovation, at bradmart@umich.edu. |
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Commercialization Education |
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Sign Up for November 16 Innovation Studio |
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Looking for feedback and input on your biomedical innovation? Join the FFMI team for Innovation Studio, virtual office hours that give life science innovators of all levels the chance to address project needs, challenges, or questions. Participants can get individual feedback on:
- innovation concepts
- opportunities for commercialization education
- funding resources
- any other innovation concerns that faculty, staff, or trainees may have
The Innovation Studio is available for 30-minute consultations via Zoom every third Tuesday of the month. The next available consultations will take place Tuesday, November 16, between 2:00pm-3:30pm. Space is limited.
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FFMI/FCVC Innovation Academy Now Accepting Applications |
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The FFMI/FCVC Aikens Innovation Academy is currently accepting applications/inquiries for its Winter 2022 course, beginning in February. The Aikens Innovation Academy provides innovation and entrepreneurship education, mentorship, and funding for Frankel Cardiovascular Center faculty, staff, and trainees with any innovation (clinical value or commercial potential) affecting cardiovascular care.
The 2022 course will be virtual. Enrollees will leave with enhanced knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship concepts, as well as a well-developed pitch for resources. They will also receive mentorship and an opportunity for early-stage development funding. Visit the FCVC Innovation Program page to see past Innovation Academy enrollees.
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FFMI fastPACE Kicks Off 15th Cohort |
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The 15th cohort of the FFMI fastPACE Course is in full gear with six project teams (five medical devices, one therapeutic), from U-M, Kettering, and Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
This groundbreaking, four-week program provides a real-world learning experience for researchers exploring the commercial viability of a biomedical technology. The course shows clinician-researchers and biomedical research scientists how to successfully put their ideas on viable paths to commercialization through a process of accelerated business planning and customer discovery.
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Lilly Presents BioNet Large Molecule Partnering |
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Do you need some modification to a large molecule of interest for your research? On Friday, October 29, Lilly will be describing BioNet, their large molecule partnering program which includes antibodies, phage display, protein expression and modification, and much more.
Friday, October 29
Noon
Webinar
Sign up today and learn how you can leverage their expertise.
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Congratulations to Emilija Mitrikeska on New Business Development Role |
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FFMI is excited to announce that our own Emilija Mitrikeska is the new FFMI Associate Director, Business Development. Prior to this position, Emilija was the FFMI Cancer Center Alliance Manager.
In her new role, Emilija connects U-M faculty and industry partners to further innovative research. She will use her wealth of experience and knowledge to achieve successful collaborations and help facilitate and lead business discussions with company sponsors.
Way to go, Emilija!
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U-M Office of Technology Transfer is Now Innovation Partnerships |
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The University of Michigan recently announced the launch of Innovation Partnerships, a reorganized unit that consolidates, builds on, and incorporates the work of the rebranded Office of Technology Transfer and certain elements and staff of the former Business Engagement Center.
Fast Forward Medical Innovation will continue to work with our former Office of Technology Transfer colleagues to provide high-quality resources and support to researchers with the goal of bringing cutting-edge, innovative projects to market and positively impacting patient health.
Questions about how FFMI and Innovation Partnerships will work together to support your research? Contact Bradley Martin, Ph.D., Director, Fast Forward Medical Innovation. |
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Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Still Accepting Research Projects |
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The Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) is still accepting research project proposals for the 2021-2022 school year. Researchers receive research support from undergraduate research assistants, while UROP pays student wages for those who are eligible through the work-study program and provides academic credit options.
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LHS Collaboratory October Session: Making Sense of Unstructured Data |
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The theme for the 2021-2022 LHS Collaboratory seminar series is "Data and the Learning Health System" and features speakers David A. Hanauer, M.D., M.S., FACMI, FAMIA, and VG Vinod Vydiswaran, Ph.D.
Tuesday, October 19
12:00pm-1:30pm
The session will cover methods and techniques for interpreting and converting unstructured text into useful research data using Natural Language Processing and information retrieval. Attendees will hear directly from researchers about how they have used these methods and tools to enhance their research by accessing and harnessing the power of unstructured data.
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Apply Now for MICHR's Pathway Awards |
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Do you need to obtain preliminary data that will strengthen an extramural grant application and help you establish your long-term research goals? To support faculty along their career trajectories, the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) is offering two funding mechanisms – Pathway to First Grant and Pathway to Independence. These awards are intended to support investigators who need to collect additional data to competitively pursue their first extramural grants (such as NIH K or R21) or larger independent grants (such as NIH R01 or similar).
Application Deadline: Monday, October 25
Applications for these awards are open to faculty from all campuses, schools, and colleges at the University of Michigan, as well as partners affiliated with community and patient coalitions and groups, nonprofit organizations, government, and other agencies outside U-M.
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Funding Opportunity Supports Community Health Research in the State of Michigan |
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Are you interested in research that addresses community health priorities in Michigan? Apply now for the Statewide Building Capacity for Research and Action (SBCRA) funding opportunity provided by MICHR's Community Engagement Program.
Application Deadline: Friday, November 5
Applicants may request up to $5,000 for partnership development activities, partnership sustainability activities, and dissemination of research project findings. Each application must have at least two partners: an academic partner who is affiliated with a college, school, or university (not limited to the University of Michigan) and a community partner who is affiliated with a non-academic community organization or group.
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To better navigate the complexities of the U-M biomedical research enterprise, visit the Research Project Lifecycle. This interactive tool provides an overview of the resources available to you, not only within the Medical School Office of Research but also across the University of Michigan.
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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.
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