ANNUAL REPORT
2015
KUIC Impact LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT The past year has been one of growth and improvement for KU Innovation and Collaboration (KUIC). The goals for FY15 were 1) implementation of transparent processes for technology transfer and 2) the development and launch of an entrepreneurship program and culture at KU. Progress toward these goals has been significant. Technology commercialization now has extensive standard operating procedures in place. The triage of disclosure and patenting decisions are now based on a data-driven, transparent process. Faculty comprise the new IP Committee and use these data to make patent decisions on behalf of KU. Integration of two existing systems has resulted in a robust marketing platform that oers a strategic solution to technology promotion and outreach. This has resulted in an increase in both executed disclosures and license agreements to all-time highs at KU. Industry sponsored research at KU is also at an all-time high of over $14M. This growth demonstrates the research excellence at KU, the commitment of the university and the new partnerships forged during this year. KU has been recognized by both the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU) and the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) for the impact the university has had in innovation and economic engagement. This report describes both the metrics and examples therein that demonstrate the role KU plays in the economic growth of the region. Our team is dedicated to moving technologies discovered at KU to the market to transform the lives of people across Kansas and the world.
Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Interim President, KU Innovation & Collaboration
“
The University of Kansas continues to transform discoveries into new products and technologies that grow the economy and benefit society.”
Bernadette Gray-Little Chancellor
About KUIC INNOVATION + COLLABORATION + ENTREPRENEURSHIP Part of KU’s mission includes growing economic prosperity. In pursuit of this mission, KU educates leaders that businesses and communities need, helps create the jobs they will fill, and the companies at which they will find employment. KU is committed to turning discoveries into companies and jobs, and will continue to serve as a draw for businesses. This is key to KU’s mission and an important element of our strategic plan Bold Aspirations. Bold Aspirations embodies how KU values a culture of entrepreneurship among its faculty and students. Over the past four years, KU has expanded the commercialization of its technologies, built infrastructure to support corporate partnerships, enhanced the culture of entrepreneurship on campus, and increased partnerships with businesses. This has advanced university priorities by creating an integrated infrastructure that has mitigated barriers and provided a faculty-friendly environment.
“
As a national, public, research university, KU has a special responsibility to those we serve. Society stands to benefit from our discoveries, but so do our students – the next-generation workforce.”
James Tracy
Vice Chancellor for Research
“
KUIC leads the university as it fulfills its ambitious economic development mission. Working with private-sector companies, KUIC extends the university throughout Kansas and around the world.”
Richard Barohn
Vice Chancellor for Research, KU Medical Center
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“
In the near future, unmanned aircraft systems will be a multibillion dollar industry within the U.S., with uses in agriculture, film and photography, package delivery, search and rescue, and much more. However, avoiding airborne collisions is a safety hurdle that must first be overcome.”
Lei Shi, EECS Ph.D. Candidate, Inventor
UAVRadars, LLC DRONE COLLISION AVOIDANCE RADAR SYSTEM technology improves. Seeing
(SBIR) Assistance Program.
this rising need and a ripe
The latter led to a NASA SBIR
market, Shi went public with his
award to the company. His
sense-and-avoid radar in 2014.
business now occupies space
He had been researching radar
in the Bioscience & Technology
technology as a KU graduate
Business Center on KU’s West
assistant since 2010, when many
District. The work is far from
Lei Shi is a doctoral engineering
still considered drones the stuff
over. With the funding he
student turned entrepreneur.
of science fiction.
received, Shi continues to refine
With so many unmanned aircraft crowding the skies, avoiding collisions will become a priority.
Shi and his faculty adviser, Dr.
— and shrink — his collision
Christopher Allen, professor
In 2015 Shi launched a startup,
avoidance radar. It’s now hand-
of electrical engineering and
UAVRadars LLC, leveraging
sized but ultimately will be much
computer science, have co-
many resources across KU
smaller. The NASA award has
invented a miniature radar
including the KU Catalyst
provided critical funding for this
system that will help small,
student business incubator
development work and validates
unmanned aerial vehicles —
program and KUIC’s Small
the technology.
UAVs — sense what’s around
Business Innovation Research
them and avoid collisions. The timing couldn’t be better. Although 30,000 drones are expected to take off by 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration is limiting commercial drone permits until collision-avoidance 2
2015 is the year of agriculture drones, according to Fortune magazine. The legalization of drones is expected to create an additional $80 billion for the U.S. economy between 2015 and 2025, with agriculture being the largest chunk of that number. That’s good news for Kansas and its agricultural, aerospace, and technology industries. Economists predict the state will be No. 7 on the list of states that will see gains as drones take to the skies.
Proof of Concept FUNDING DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PRODUCTS The KU Proof of Concept (POC) funds development of projects that demonstrate a technology’s market viability to potential investors and partners. POC projects consist of a defined set of milestones that, when completed, help overcome a specific hurdle to an innovation’s transfer to the market. Eligible projects include those in which the university has applied for intellectual property protection in the form of a provisional patent application within the past five years. POC projects are competitively awarded. The 2015 recipients were:
LISA FRIIS AND PAUL ARNOLD
Department of Mechanical Engineering; Department of Neurosurgery The invention uses direct current electrical stimulation to accelerate bone fusion and healing. A recent pilot study using sheep was successful. The POC award will be used to improve manufacturing methods and help identify other targeted orthopedic applications.
LAIRD FORREST
Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry The invention, nanohyaluronan rapamycin (NanoTor), targets breast cancer stem cells and delivers an anticancer agent with unique efficacy. These cells resist conventional chemotherapy and radiation, which causes recurrence after treatment. NanoTor treats tumors and also prevents metastasis.
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
The invention is a miniature radar-based device for use in unmanned aerial vehicles and designed to prevent airborne collisions. The POC award will be used to overcome hardware limitations, such as processing power and detection range, and support continuing commercialization development.
STEPHEN WALLER Department of Infectious Diseases
The invention uses anchored, adjustable wires attached adhesively to the skin to close large wounds. This reduces the risk of the wound re-opening. promotes healing, and reduces surgical scarring. The POC award will support the development of research and pre-production prototypes and testing.
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Partnerships INSPIRING INNOVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION STIMULATING ENTREPRENEURSHIP University partners, such as the Center for Entrepreneurship at the KU School of Business and the School of Engineering, assist in creating programs to help stimulate entrepreneurship among our students and faculty. Events and activities with our university partners include A Celebration of Innovation Startup Showcase and Startup School@KU that serve to drive an entrepreneural culture at KU. EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES The Bioscience and Technology Business Center (BTBC) is the economic development partner of KU. BTBC provides business assistance and space to our startup companies. We collaborate on business attraction, talent, and entrepreneurship educational programming. The KU Endowment Association partners with us to enhance the University’s engagement with companies.
REGIONAL ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM KUIC has established a new partnership with Pipeline, a fellowship program that provides a rigorous year-long business development program for 10-12 high-potential entrepreneurs each year. The partnership enables KU to facilitate a more direct relationship between university researchers and Pipeline’s entrepreneurs, which in turn encourages the transfer of KU discoveries into new consumer products and startups. Additionally, the partnership means all KU-affiliated entrepreneurs can now apply to become Pipeline fellows.
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Capstone Program TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT & STUDENTS
“
I never thought as a KUME student I could use my skills to design bandages for the medical industry. As the project developed, I saw more clearly how mechanical engineering techniques can be used in all industries. It’s an exciting conclusion to my mechanical engineering studies at the University of Kansas.” Phillip Shields, Senior Engineering Student
KUIC has an ongoing need to further develop technologies in order to attract the attention of companies that will ultimately bring them to the market. Mechanical Engineering developed an industry-sponsored capstone project program in 2012 that has involved over 23 companies sponsoring 40 projects. In January of 2015, a partnership was established between the Department of Mechanical Engineering and KUIC to tap into student expertise to do important development work, while students gained valuable experience through the Capstone program.
Beginning with ideas generated by faculty inventors, mechanical engineering students first consider alternative designs, and then refine their concepts. Working with the inventors, the most promising designs are subsequently developed. Ultimately, prototypes are built that demonstrate the feasibility and efficacy of the students’ solutions. Included as part of the projects are detailed cost analyses to ensure that the concepts are economically, as well as technically viable. The 2015 projects include: • Development of minimally invasive devices to screen for esophageal cancer. • Design of new protective barriers to eliminate infections associated with use of venous and arterial catheters. • Synthesis of technologies to develop innovative bandages that will reduce post-operative infection of healing wounds.
“
We are delighted to collaborate with KUIC in our capstone activities. This type of partnership is, to my knowledge, unique in academia. It is also testimony to the value our students can add to the early-stage design of potentially disruptive commercial products.” Ted Bergman, Chairman of Mechanical Engineering
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“
PKD has been considered untreatable with symptoms leading to kidney failure in approximately one half of patients by the age of 60. ”
Darren Wallace, Department of Medicine and the Kidney Institute
Progress for Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients NOVEL COMPOUNDS COULD LEAD TO NEW THERAPY Currently there are no available therapies to treat the cellular mechanisms responsible for PKD.
of Kansas Medical Center are working on developing a method to treat PKD that specifically targets and inhibits two key cellular mechanisms that cause
Facts about
PKD
The average sized human kidney is .25 to .35
aberrant proliferation of the Autosomal Dominant Polycystic
fluid-filled cysts.
Kidney Disease (PKD) is a lethal, hereditary disorder. Fluid filled
Using PKD cells in three
cysts form in the kidneys and
dimensional cultures, the
continue to grow unabated,
proposed treatment, utilizing
leading to massively enlarged
novel boron-based compounds,
kidneys, loss of renal function,
has shown a reduction in
and death of the patient. The
cyst formation and growth of
disease is caused by mutations
existing cysts. As a result, this
in two genes that code for
method could lead to a clinical
polycystin-1 and polycystin-2
breakthrough in the field of PKD
[PKD1 and PKD2 respectively].
that could positively impact the lives of millions of people who
Drs. Darren P. Wallace and
are afflicted with this disease.
Polycystic kidneys can weigh OVER 30 pounds and be as large as a football. 1 out of 500 people have PKD - that‘s
12.5
million people worldwide regardless of age, gender, or race
Bhaskar C. Das at the University Source: PKD Foundation
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Reversing Diabetic Neuropathy TREATMENT APPROACH WITH NOVOLOGUE MOLECULES has been conducted in the field
new research at KU as it
of DPN, little to no success
further develops the existing
had been previously observed.
technologies. Novologues
However, utilizing small
would represent a first-in-class
molecules developed in the Blagg
approach toward treating a
Laboratory, the Dobrowsky team
condition that affects 60 to 70
Brian Blagg, professor of
was able to conduct intricate
percent of patients with diabetes.
Medicinal Chemistry at KU,
studies that produced exemplary
The results clearly demonstrate
and Rick Dobrowsky, professor
preclinical data to support the
that this novel approach toward
of Pharmacology & Toxicology
use of such compounds for the
the treatment of DPN is unique
at KU, have developed a set of
treatment of DPN. The research
and groundbreaking for those
novologue molecules that are
was supported by NIH funding
suffering from neuropathy.
capable of reversing diabetic
and gave a boost to KU’s ongoing
peripheral neuropathy (DPN).
efforts to develop the next
For KU, as with most
DPN is a common complication
generation of novologues.
universities, technology
First-in-class solution to a complication that affects 60%-70% of diabetic patients.
of diabetes that presents as
“
developed in-house and
muscle weakness, numbness,
In 2010, the two professors
licensed to outside companies
and tingling in the limbs.
presented results on the use of
generates revenue that in turn
Novologues include a broad
the lead novologue against DPN,
is reinvested to fund additional
group of compounds that
which led to several patented
commercialization activity and
are emerging as an attractive
discoveries culminating in KU’s
related research. The discoveries
approach for treatment of
largest license agreement with
of Profs. Blagg and Dobrowsky
cancer and neurodegenerative
a pharmaceutical company.
add a great value to KU’s overall
diseases. While much research
The company expects to fund
economic development mission.
Experiments with the lead compound are successfully progressing toward regulatory approval. The lead compound, once approved by the FDA, will significantly improve the quality of life for millions of diabetic neuropathy patients all over the world.”
Rick Dobrowsky, Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology
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2015 Metrics
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81 INVENTION DISCLOSURES +23% OVER FY14
PATENTS FILED
79th in the world among universities receiving U.S. patents
50 PATENTS ISSUED 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
in license income Source: 2014 AUTM Licensing Survey. Survey reflects FY14 data.
+32% FY14 FY15
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44th in the U.S.
$9.9 MILLION
LICENSE REVENUE
40
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STARTUPS
7
STARTUP COMPANIES
New
Located in the BTBC
25%
LICENSE AGREEMENTS EXECUTED
128
CORPORATE PARTNERS Engaging multiple ways across KU
$14.2 MILLION INDUSTRY SPONSORED RESEARCH
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Technologies* BY SECTOR BIOTECHNOLOGY Human Toll-like Receptor 8-Selective Agonistic Activities in 1-Alkyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-amines Specialized Immunonutrition Benefits to Cancer Surgery Patients Abcb6 Antibody
CREATIVE WORKS Insta-sim Family Employment Awareness Training (FEAT) TBRS Submax App Promoting Refugee Women’s Health in Resettlement Eating Pathology Clinical Outcomes Tracker (EPCOT)
ENERGY-ENVIRONMENT System for User-involved, Information-aware, Controlbased Battery Charging
ENGINEERING Annular Aerial Vehicles and Methods of Use Arched Aerial Vehicles and Methods of Use 3D Printing of Metals Feather-Bearing Ball Aerial Vehicles and Methods of Use Navigation for Small UAVs Using Ground-Based Broadcast Transmitters Metal Catalyst Free Chemical Vapor Deposition of Bi-layer Graphene on Dielectric Substrates
FOOD Fits: Food Groups
Method and Application of Induction of Aircraft External Surface Vibration
FOOD Fits: Grocery Store Tour
Spherical Aerial Vehicle with Folding Propulsors
FOOD Fits: Food Portions
Peaked Aerial Vehicle
FOOD Fits: Nutrition Fact Labels
Rotating Oblate Aerial Vehicle
Health Literacy Calculator
Shrouded Aerial Vehicle
Health Literacy Calculator
Changeable Aerial Target
DIAGNOSTICS
Aerial Target
Steroidal Probes for Oncogenic Cytochrome P450 17A1 that Achieve Selectivity over Adverse Effect-associated Cytochrome P450 21A2
Convertible Aerial Target
In Vivo Measurement of Brain Ascorbate Increase via Intravenous Infusion of Pharmacologic Ascorbate using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Method and Apparatus for Enhancement of Aerial Vehicle Pilot Training
DRUG-DELIVERY Proximity-driven Modification of Protein Lysine Residues Ethylene Glycol-linked Dimers of Cholesterol as Stabilizers of Liposomes Drug Delivery Compositions and Methods Tissue Reprogramming via Microvesicle Transport
Rectanguloid Aerial Vehicle
Circular Aerial Vehicle Spherical Aerial Vehicle and Methods of Use 3-dimensional Ad-Hoc Localization System A Novel Polymerizable Amine Co-initiator for Dental Application Self-returning Unmanned Aircraft using Self-DGPS Biomolecule/Carbon Nanostructure Nanohybrids for Highperformance Optoelectronics
*Invention disclosures received by KUIC in FY15
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ENGINEERING, cont. Turbomachinery Tip Flow Control using Leading-edge to Tip Aspiration Rhodium Sulfide Catalyst with Electrically Conductive Bridge between Catalyst and Support Catalytic Synthesis of Dicarboxylic Acids from Biomass based Feedstocks
MEDICAL DEVICES
THERAPEUTICS Antibiotic Activity of Iron Sequestering Polymers Micelle Sequestrant Polymers for the Sequestration of Bile Acids, Cholesterol, and Fat in the GI Tract Compounds Inhibiting Musashi Proteins A Protective Antigen Platform Based on Fusion of the Tip and First Translocator Proteins of Type III Secretion Systems of Gram Negative Bacteria
Cardiotocography - Transducer Attachment Device
Chemical Compounds for Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease, Cooley’s Anemia and certain β-thalassemias
Method and Apparatus for Producing Enhanced Cavitation Activity in Soft Tissue
Rationally Designed Human TLR8-selective Agonists
Method and Apparatus for Image-directed Nerve Growth Achieving Paste-Like Rheological Behavior Prior to Crosslinking Hydrogels Tongue-Palate Speech Pressure Appliance
RESEARCH TOOLS Viral-free and Animal-free Safe and Efficient Method of Generating Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) from Human Somatic Cells Recyclable Magnetic Co/C Hybrid ROMP Oligomeric Phosphonyl Dichloride (Co/C-OPC) as a Novel and Selective Scavenge High Throughput Permeability Assays for Drug Discovery Development of a Plasmid that is Stable Without Required Selective Pressure for In Vivo Studies of Bacterial Pathogens
SOFTWARE Medical Evaluation App : “ME”
Neuroattenuated Herpes Simplex Virus Syntheses, Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Poly-TLR Agonists Hyaluronic Acid Conjugation of TLR7/8 Agonists for Lymphoid Tissue Delivery Sulfonamidebenzamides as Inducers of Apoptosis in Kinetoplastid Parasites Adjuvantic Activitiesof Amphotericin B as TLR-2 and TLR-4 Agonist Antigen-Drug Conjugates (AgDCs) Material for Treatment of Bone Fractures 4-Methoxyestrogens Can Modulate Lipid and Cholesterol Profiles Highly Potent Mu Opioid Receptor Ligands Derived from Salvinorin A TGX221 Analogs for Prostate Cancer Treatment
Silence the Smoking
2-(Arylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-6-carboxamide Derivatives and their use as Antagonists of Kappa Opioid Receptor-mediated Signaling
Curb your APPetite
Ciclopirox Prodrug for the Treatment of Bladder Cancer
Environmental Space-Time Machine
Noviomimetics as C-terminal Hsp90 Inhibitors
Resident Rank: A Web-based Interview Evaluation Software
Novel Boron Containing HIF (Hypoxia-Inducible-Factor) Inhibitors
NiDAN Electronic Exchange for Assessment of Candidates for Transportation
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Innovation & Economic Prosperity DESIGNATED CAMPUS In 2015, the University of Kansas earned a prestigious distinction for its leadership in fostering local and regional economic development. The Association of Public and Land-grant
participation in encouraging economic engagement
Universities (APLU) named KU to its 2015
among peer institutions.
class of Innovation & Economic Prosperity Universities. KU is one of only 18 institutions
KUIC acted as a convener of University assets
nationwide chosen this year, joining just 30
in economic engagement. Accomplishments
others selected since the program began in 2013.
were highlighted in education and workforce development, innovation and technology
The APLU designation followed a thorough
commercialization, and community engagement.
self-study that included extensive regional stakeholder input. The application then went
The designation acknowledges KU’s work with
through a rigorous independent review process.
public and private sector partners in their states
Scoring was based on a range of criteria
and regions to support economic development
emphasizing universities’ development of their
through a variety of activities, including innovation
economic engagement enterprise, their planning
and entrepreneurship, technology transfer, talent
efforts around economic engagement, strategic
and workforce development, and community
communications around these efforts and
development.
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Board of Directors The KUIC board of directors is comprised of 15 members and is chaired by the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of Kansas. Members are leaders from the university and industry representing both large and small companies throughout the region. The board serves to guide the activities of KUIC and provide overall governance of the organization.
Members Jeffrey Vitter, Ph.D., Chair
Kevin Hahn, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Tim Siskey, Treasurer
Sara Mary Hall, M.Sc.
Chief Financial Officer University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute
Chief Executive Officer Orion BioScience Inc.
Kim Barksdale, Secretary
Joseph Heppert, Ph.D.
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor University of Kansas
Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President NextSource Biotechnology, LLC
Deputy Director, Human Resources & Corporate Secretary University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research University of Kansas
Richard Barohn, M.D.
Professor University of Kansas Medical Center
Vice Chancellor for Research University of Kansas Medical Center
Lisa Stehno-Bittel, Ph.D.
Cory Berkland, Ph.D.
James Tracy, Ph.D.
Solon E. Summerfield Distinguished Professor University of Kansas
Vice Chancellor for Research University of Kansas
Jamie Caldwell, M.B.A
Michael Webb, M.B.A.
Executive Director University of Kansas Medical Center Research Institute
President and Chief Executive Officer Allegro Diagnostics
E. LaVerne Epp, J.D.
Steffani Webb, M.B.A.
Executive Chairman Bioscience & Technology Business Center
Vice Chancellor of Administration University of Kansas Medical Center
Doug Girod, M.D.
Executive Vice Chancellor University of Kansas Medical Center
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Back row (from left): Matt Koenig, Bethany Scothorn, Tricia Bergman, Chance Hoskins, Chris Hanson, Michael Patterson, Bridget Stull and Chelsea Nuttall Front row (from left): Aswini Betha, Rajiv Kulkarni, Julie Nagel, Julie Murray, Claire Sabin. Not pictured: Laura Irick and Mary Ann Roesner.
Bioscience and Technology Business Center 2029 Becker Drive, Suite 142 Lawrence, KS 66047 Phone: (785) 864-6401
kuic@ku.edu
KUMC Research Institute 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Suite 229 Fairway, KS 66205 Phone: (913) 588-5711
kuic.ku.edu