Frankel Innovation Initiative Winners Announced
$3.3 Million Awarded to Four Different Projects
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Fast Forward Medical Innovation has awarded a combined $3.3 million in funding to four biomedical research projects in the inaugural 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:
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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)
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System to keep donor organs alive outside the body – Alvaro Rojas-Pena, M.D. (U-M) and Robert Bartlett, M.D. (U-M)
- 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 help predict preterm birth – Molly Stout, M.D., MSCI (U-M), Methodius Tuuli, M.D., M.P.H., M.B.A. (Indiana 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.
“We were extremely impressed with the high-caliber projects presented at the Frankel Innovation Initiative selection meeting,” says Thomas F. Bumol, Ph.D., Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee, Executive Vice President of the Allen Institute, and Director of the Allen Institute for Immunology in Seattle. “U-M is a leader in translational medicine and at the forefront of biomedical innovation. We believe the winning projects possess the potential to have a tremendous impact on health and patient care around the world.”
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Cheers to the Latest Kickstart Winners
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The new Kickstart teams are:
Shinichi Fukuhara, M.D.
U-M Cardiac Surgery
Aortic septotomy device to create optimized landing zones during endovascular aortic repair for chronic type B aortic dissection
Karthik Ramani, M.D.
U-M Nephrology
Investigator-initiated study to determine the effect of a novel method to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections using nitric oxide donor-based anti-microbial balloon inflation fluid for urinary catheters
Yannis M. Paulus, M.D.
U-M Ophthalmology and Visual Services
KalEYEdoscope Home Monitoring for Macular Degeneration
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 Sara Risch, Biomedical Innovation Specialist, at johnssar@umich.edu or 734-764-5598.
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Life Science Startups Continue to Fundraise and Accelerate Growth Through Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund
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The Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund (MBVF) funds the most promising U-M spinouts in the life sciences as the first institutional capital. The goal is to catalyze fundraising and accelerate the growth of these potentially life-changing technologies and drugs.
Recent updates to MBVF-funded companies include:
ONL Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that develops therapeutics to protect the vision of patients with retinal disease, resumed their clinical trial in Australia. They also announced a $40M Series B to close by early November. Bios Partners has committed $25M+, and ONL Therapeutics is in discussions with a number of partners to fill out the additional round. MBVF will participate in the current series B.
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Commercialization Education
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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 2021 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 2021 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 13th Cohort
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The 13th cohort of the FFMI fastPACE Course is in full gear with 15 project teams (four therapeutics, eight devices/diagnostics, three health IT). The teams are led by 14 faculty members, along with 19 postdocs and graduate students, from U-M, Wayne State University, Michigan Tech, Grand Valley State University/Spectrum Health, Louisiana State University, and Louisiana Tech.
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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New Video Provides the Basics of Opportunity Sizing When Developing an Innovation
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Check out FFMI's new Opportunity Sizing Basics video that teaches you how to measure the potential financial impact of your innovation.
Prospective funders and collaborators will need to know what opportunity exists prior to committing time, money, and additional resources for further development.
This video walks you through how to conduct your opportunity sizing exercise and begin to establish the commercial potential of your innovation.
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LHS as a Driver of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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The October 2020 LHS Collaboratory will share lessons from health advocates working on the front lines to make healthcare and health more equitable. These thought leaders and do-ers will illuminate the transformative power of LHSs - and the diverse and inclusive communities of interest that are collaborating to realize them.
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
11:30am-1:00pm
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Student Award Program - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
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The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation offers $3,000 stipends for Michigan-based M.D. and
Ph.D. students who pursue their studies with an aim to improve healthcare. This virtual conversation with Senior Program Officer and University of Michigan alumna Myra Tetteh, facilitated by Colleen Sherman from the Michigan Medicine Foundation Relations team, will explain the program’s purpose, timeline, and how to apply. Applications must outline a project which may involve conducting applied research, piloting programs, demonstrations, and evaluations as part of one’s studies.
Virtual Conversation: Wednesday, October 21, 2020
2:30pm-3:30pm
RSVP by noon on October 21
2021 Award Applications Timeline:
Application Portal Opens: TODAY, Thursday, October 15, 2020
Submission Deadline: Friday, January 29, 2021
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7th Annual Protein Folding Diseases Initiative Symposium
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The 7th Annual Protein Folding Diseases Initiative Symposium will take place on:
Thursday, October 29, 2020
12:00pm-3:00pm, via Zoom
The Zoom link will be sent out to registrants on October 28.
This year's keynote speakers are Luke Wiseman, Ph.D., Associate Professor in the Department of Molecular Medicine at Scripps Research, and Susan Ackerman, Ph.D., Investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Steven W. Kuffler Chair of Biology, Neurobiology Section, and Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego Medical School.
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Physician Investigator Research Awards and Investigator Initiated Research Awards - Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
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Join Senior Program Officer and University of Michigan alumna, Myra Tetteh, from the Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Michigan Foundation for a conversation with Colleen Sherman from the Michigan Medicine
Foundation Relations team. Dr. Tetteh will explain the difference between the Physician Investigator
Research Awards, a grants program which provides funding of up to $10,000, and the Investigator
Initiated Research Awards, which are capped at $75,000. We will discuss the intent of each program,
their differences, and provide tips on how to successfully apply to the Foundation for research funding.
Attendees are encouraged to ask questions.
Virtual Conversation: Thursday, October 29, 2020
12:30pm-1:30pm
RSVP by 11:00am on October 29
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Plan Ahead for Broader Impacts
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For researchers planning for Broader Impacts, several U-M units can serve as a "front door" to public engagement, including facilitating projects with K-12 schools, local non-profits, museums, and an array of external partners around the state. This webinar will describe how researchers can leverage campus experts and resources to develop compelling, dynamic, and successful Broader Impacts or public engagement project plans.
Friday, November 20, 2020
1:00pm-2:30pm
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Great Lakes Discovery RFP Now Open
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Through Great Lakes Discovery, the healthcare investment firm Deerfield Management has committed up to $130 million in initial funding to support promising U-M translational research in all therapeutic areas. This collaboration will provide operational support and may make additional capital investments into spin-off companies that emerge and show commercial potential.
Virtual Information Session: Wednesday, October 21, 2020
3:30pm
CLICK HERE to register and receive login information.
DEADLINE: November 30, 2020
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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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