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SEPTEMBER 12, 2019
Training & Events
It's A Goooaaalll!
Researchpalooza 2019 Hits the Innovation Target
Thanks to everyone for visiting FFMI at this year's Researchpalooza. It was a beautiful day and the crowd came in droves to kick the soccer ball and hit a bullseye.

Our team enjoyed meeting many faculty and staff that stopped by our booth to talk about U-M's wide variety of biomedical commercialization programs and funding opportunities designed to help "Hit Your Innovation Goal."

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!
Funding
Mi-TRAC for Life Sciences RFP Available - Proposals Due October 10
Have a hot concept in the realm of biomedical devices, diagnostics, therapeutics, or digital health/IT that would be a great candidate for commercialization?

Mi-TRAC Awards are part of the  MTRAC for Life Sciences Innovation Hub. Made possible by the  Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and co-managed by FFMI
and the  U-M Office of Technology Transfer, the awards provide
mid-stage, translational research funding and resources for
proof-of-concept and late-stage translational studies with a high potential of commercial success.

Innovators from all schools at the University of Michigan, other institutions of higher education, non-profit research centers, and hospital systems across Michigan are eligible to submit projects for funding consideration. Mi-TRAC Awards provide one year of funding in the range of $100K-$250K per project, with cost-sharing required.

Questions? Contact Michelle Larkin, Director of Commercialization Programs, at  [email protected]
or 734-615-7886.
Join FFMI at Translational and Startup Funding Fairs on
October 22
FFMI is excited to be part of a translational funding fair and a startup funding fair that will be held on Tuesday, October 22, from 1:00pm-3:00pm at the Michigan League, prior to the Office of Technology Transfer's annual Celebrate Invention event.

The FFMI team will be there to talk about the groundbreaking funding programs and opportunities we offer to biomedical researchers at the University of Michigan and across the state, including Mi-TRAC, Mi-Kickstart, the Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund, the U-M Therapeutic Innovation Fund, and the FFMI/FCVC Innovation Programs.
Commercialization Education
Sign Up Today! FFMI fast PACE 4-Week Course for Early-Stage Projects Begins Friday, September 20
Do you have an innovative idea? Are you looking for funding, collaboration, and mentorship? The 11th cohort of the FFMI fast PACE course kicks off on Friday, September 20.

The 4-week course is designed to equip biomedical faculty and researchers with the knowledge and tools to navigate the initial process of commercialization.
FFMI/FCVC Innovation Academy Now Accepting Applications
The FFMI/FCVC Aikens Innovation Academy is currently accepting applications/inquiries about its Winter 2020 class, which starts in January. The Aikens Innovation Academy is open to FCVC faculty, staff, and trainees with any innovation (clinical value or commercial potential) affecting cardiovascular care.

Along with the 10-week course on innovation concepts and pitch development, the Aikens Innovation Academy provides mentorship and an opportunity for early-stage development funding. Visit the Aikens Innovation Academy course page to view the syllabus and to enroll.
MI-Pitch Club Offers Unique Learning Opportunity
MI-Pitch Club is a monthly networking event and pitch competition where U-M students, faculty, and trainees from different schools and disciplines can come together and solve real medical problems and compete for prizes ($$$). Each month is sponsored by a different department or unit at Michigan Medicine or UM. Sponsors select the medical design challenge and serve as judges for the pitch competition.

The next MI-Pitch Club event is:
Tuesday, October 8
5:00pm-7:30pm
Pizza House
618 Church Street
Food & non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Cash bar.
The Design Challenge Competition will begin at 5:15pm
The October Design Challenge will feature select teams from the Frankel Cardiovascular Center Innovation (FCVC) Challenge. The competition will focus on creating novel solutions for improving patient access at the FCVC so patients can see a provider within two weeks.
Business Development
U-M Enters Into New Consortium Deal
In August, U-M was accepted as a full member of the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC). This will bring 10 new clinical trials to U-M, and be a dramatic benefit for the Pediatric Neuro-Oncology programs, its investigators, and patients.

The FFMI Business Development team initiated the collaboration discussion with the consortium leaders.
Procter & Gamble Looking to Collaborate in the Area of Aging
Procter & Gamble (P&G) has been a good U-M collaborator for many years. P&G is now interested in aging, and they're looking to develop solutions that resolve the simultaneous needs of aging adults and their caregiving ecosystem.

P&G wants to address hard problems in a dignified way to improve Activities of Daily Living. Areas of immediate interest include:
  • De-risk Showering & Improve Personal Hygiene
  • Care (including UTI management)
  • Hydration Detection & Management
  • Skin Health Management
  • Improved Mobility & Fall Prevention

If you have research in any of these areas and are interested in talking with P&G, please contact Debra Grega at [email protected] or 734-764-7815 for additional information.
Out & About with FFMI
FFMI Is Excited to Welcome Two New Team Members!
Emilija Mitrikeska, M.D., joins FFMI as the Cancer Center Industry Alliance Manager. Prior to joining FFMI, Emilija worked for the U-M Rogel Cancer Center. She brings over 10 years of experience working with oncology clinical trials.

Emiilija received her M.D. from the Medical School at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Macedonia.

In her spare time, Emilija enjoys spending time with her family.
Matt Okoneski is the new Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund Analyst (MBVF). Matt comes to FFMI and the MBVF most recently from the U-M Coulter Translational Research Partnership Program, where he served as Project Manager. While there, Matt assisted in the development and commercialization of several new medical device product concepts by ensuring that projects hit key milestones, conducting market analysis, and managing budgets. Matt also has experience working in the medical device and in-vitro diagnostics industry in various roles, including medical education, post-market FDA compliance, and R&D for Medtronic, Boston Scientific, and others. He received a Master's degree in Medicinal Chemistry from U-M in 2013.

Outside of the office, Matt enjoys being outdoors in the summer and playing numerous sports. He also has interests in SCUBA diving, tabletop games, musical theater, and stand-up comedy.
Bulletin Board
miLead Consulting Offers Unique Opportunity for Graduate Students and Postdocs - Applications Due September 24
miLEAD Consulting is now accepting applications for Fall 2019. miLEAD is a nonprofit organization for graduate students and postdocs at the University of Michigan interested in careers in biotech, consulting, policy, and beyond. It provides consulting services to companies throughout Michigan and offers an excellent opportunity
for participants to grow their business acumen and gain
first-hand knowledge about how the biotechnology industry (and others) works. Applications are due Tuesday, September 24. No prior experience is required.

Join us for our Recruitment Social at Bar Louie at 5:30pm on Tuesday, September 17. You'll have the opportunity to socialize with current miLEAD members and enjoy FREE food and drinks!
MCIRCC "Re-Imagining Critical Care Series" Focuses on Customer Discovery
The Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care (MCIRCC) welcomes David Olson, Ph.D., Mentor-in-Residence, U-M Office of Technology Transfer, to discuss "Innovation Fundamentals: Customer Discovery in Critical Care."

September 30
3:00pm-4:00pm
NCRC Research Auditorium
Refreshments provided
FREE!

The MCIRCC Reimagining Critical Care Series brings together U-M faculty and other national experts to explore combining the fundamentals of
innovation with the tremendous opportunities that exist in critical care to improve outcomes.
Michigan Drug Discovery RFP Now Available

Applications will be accepted through October 11.

Up to $75,000 per award is available, with the expectation that most of the awarded funds will be used in U-M core laboratories to accelerate the drug discovery process. Up to $5,000 of the award can be used for work and supplies outside of the pre-approved cores.
Medical Devices in Academic Research Symposium
The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research is sponsoring a Medical Devices in Academic Research Symposium that will focus on new developments in medical device regulation and investigator initiated research.

Wednesday, October 16
8:00am-5:00pm
NCRC
Research Auditorium, Building 10

The sessions will provide relevant, timely information to advance research, including IVDs in precision medicine, artificial intelligence, design controls, and study reimbursement.
Register Now for the 2019 Joyce Massey TBI Summit
The 2019 Joyce Massey TBI Summit brings together leading scientists and key opinion leaders to present cutting-edge research, exchange ideas, and discuss the future of traumatic brain injury research.

Friday, October 18
8:00am-4:00pm

We encourage investigators from all disciplines and career levels to join us to learn about current research barriers and the future direction of research.
Our Collaborators
U-M Tech Transfer
MEDC
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.
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.