ANNUAL REPORT 2026
page 27
Innovator of the Year Bryan Berger is determined to make food safer and students smarter.
Where Research Gets Real
Launching UVA-Born Ideas into the Marketplace OUR MISSION: To grow and guide UVA innovations while improving lives on Grounds and around the world.
Accelerate
2
We connect and promote innovations to our partners and industry
Protect
We navigate the legal and patenting process to protect ideas developed at UVA
Engage
We work with creators to discover an innovation’s smartest path to IMPACT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Develop
We provide resources and expertise to support the entrepreneurial and investment process
04 Welcome 06 LVG Staff 07 FY26 Performance 12 FY26 Patents 14 LVG Seed Fund 18 Inside LVG 21 New Ventures 22 Startup Spotlight 24 UVA Research 27 Innovator of the Year
e
IMAGE: 2025 INNOVATOR OF THE Y E AR BRYAN BERGER
Welcome lab discovery to commercial opportunity. This program is expanding the pipeline of UVA based ventures and strengthening Virginia’s innovation ecosystem. Also playing a role is our Enterprise Studio, an entrepreneurial hub that is a partnership between LVG and UVA Innovates. More than 130 projects—many at the earliest stages—are now receiving guidance from seasoned industry and startup advisors. New educational programs are emerging, and LVG is preparing to scale this model to support even more founders, researchers, and students ready to transform their ideas into real world solutions.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
It was a landmark year for the University of Virginia Licensing & Ventures Group—one defined by breakthrough science, bold new ventures, and the unmistakable momentum of a research enterprise accelerating innovation at every turn.
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Statistically-speaking, 2026 was one of LVG’s best years. We saw 226 new intellectual property disclosures—a 35% increase over the previous year and well above the five-year average. Even more exciting: 55 new lead inventors contributed disclosures, a roughly 40% increase. Many are new faculty members, signaling a growing culture of innovation across UVA’s research community and a strong foundation for future breakthroughs.
Few accomplishments better capture the life changing potential of UVA innovation than when, in November, the Food and Drug Administration approved the drug ziftomenib for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. Two UVA affiliated ventures achieved major milestones during the year. Nanochon, an LVG Seed Developed by Kura Oncology from patents and Fund company, successfully treated its first patient research originating at UVA and the University of in a first in human clinical study for its 3D printed Michigan, the approval was amazing news for patients Chondrograft™ implant—an important step toward and their loved ones. transforming cartilage repair. Meanwhile, Cerillo, founded in 2016, was acquired by Hamilton Company, The scientific breakthrough, which you can read all bringing new investment, expanded reach, and job about on page 22, also served as a powerful reminder growth to Charlottesville. These successes highlight the of why all of us at UVA LVG do this work: to create strength and growth of UVA’s startup ecosystem. impact and improve lives. To this end, LVG continues to work closely with UVA’s One of the mechanisms we use to accomplish this Office of the Vice President for Research to streamline mission is the Lab to Launch program—an accelerant and modernize processes that support industry for new ventures that began in partnership with the sponsored research. By making agreements more Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation and the transparent and responsive to business timelines, state’s six research universities in 2025. In just six we are strengthening UVA’s corporate engagement months, LVG executed three Lab to Launch fast track strategy and opening new pathways for impactful licenses, giving founders a clear, streamlined path from collaborations.
WELCOME
Board of Directors One of the highlights of the year was honoring 2025 Innovator of the Year Bryan Berger, whose company, Lytos, is poised to reshape global food systems. His work exemplifies the creativity, ambition, and societal impact that define UVA’s innovation community. You can read all about Bryan’s entrepreneurial journey on page 27. None of our progress would be possible without the unwavering support of the LVG Board and the broader UVA community. Your guidance, partnership, and commitment fuel our mission every day. Thank you for taking the time to explore our 2026 Annual Report. We hope you feel as inspired reading it as we felt bringing these stories to life. Wahoowa!
Paul Cherukuri UVA Chief Innovation Officer Donna and Richard Tadler University Professor of Entrepreneurship Peter M. Grant II (COL ’78, DARDEN ’86) Chair Founding Partner, Anchormarck Holdings LLC Erik L. Hewlett, M.D. Professor Emeritus, Medicine, Infectious Disease and International Health UVA School of Medicine John S. Lazo, Ph.D. Pharmacology, UVA School of Medicine Chief Scientific Officer, KeViRx, Inc. Jeffrey R. Martens UVA Senior Associate Dean for Research Lori L. McMahon, Ph.D. UVA Vice President for Research The Honorable Paul R. Michel, J.D. (LAW ’66) Former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Ron Newbold, Ph.D. CEO, Empire Discovery Institute Richard Tadler (McIntire, ’78) Former Chairman, TA Associates Kwame Ulmer (M.S. ENGR ’98, DARDEN ’15) Principal, Ulmer Ventures Jennifer L. West Dean, Nancy and Neal Wade Professor of Engineering and Applied Science UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science
RICHARD W. CHYLLA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I N S I D E LV G
Leadership
LVG Staff Robert J. Creeden Managing Director, UVA LVG Seed Fund & New Ventures
Joshua P. Mauldin Director, Licensing
Jill Simandl Director of Finance and Operations
Jim Zuffoletti Enterprise Studio Managing Director
Cortney L. Mushill Licensing Manager
Jay Hyun-Jung Lee Licensing Associate
Johnathon Dooley Licensing Associate
Lakshmi Narayanan Licensing Analyst
Vince Gray Licensing Analyst
Matthew D. Rannals Senior Venture Associate
Dawn Kidd Commercialization Program Manager
Sari Rizek Information & Compliance Manager
Elizabeth Boucher Office Manager & Executive Assistant
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Robert J. Decker Senior Patent & General Counsel
Operations
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Legal
Seed Fund & New Ventures
Licensing
Richard W. Chylla Executive Director
Whitelaw Reid Manager of Strategic Communications
Mary Anderson Agreement & Compliance Manager
2026 PERFORMANCE
2026 Performance University of Virginia research, across disciplines, schools and institutes on Grounds, yields discoveries and inventions with commercial potential every year. LVG engages these ideas and stewards them toward the marketplace through evaluation, business development, patent protection, transactions with new and existing companies and seed fund investments to yield returns for UVA and enrich and improve lives.
7 52 83 226 263 $689K $18.9M $4.50M
New Ventures
U.S. Patents Issued
Licensing Deals
Invention Disclosures
Patents Filed
Invested from the LVG Seed Fund
Leveraged by the LVG Seed Fund
Annual Revenue
2026 PERFORMANCE
Invention Disclosures
6%
SCHOOL OF DATA SCIENCE
7%
COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Department of Chemistry
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32%
ENGINEERING
School of Engineering and Applied Science Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Architecture Darden School of Business McIntire School of Commerce
4% OTHER
2026 PERFORMANCE
In FY26, UVA innovators brought forward 226 ideas and discoveries with the potential to improve lives.
4%
UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION & RESEARCH
45%
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & HEALTH SCIENCES UVA School of Medicine School of Nursing Center for Diabetes Technology UVA Health System Support Department of Biomedical Engineering Division of Cardiovascular Medicine Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics Department of Pharmacology Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences
2%
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION & HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
F Y26 PE R F O R MAN C E
Industry Partners LVG executed 83 commercial transactions with industry partners from around the world.
8
Licensing Deals
Virginia / 14 California Massachusetts Pennsylvania
United States / 64
New York
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
New Jersey
10
Connecticut Texas North Carolina
France
Canada
India
United Kingdom
Japan
World / 5
F Y26 PE R F O R MAN C E
Industries Represented
Biotech
Nonprofit
Communications
Pharmaceuticals
Electronics
Quantum Computing
Government, Healthcare
Research Reagents
Life Sciences
Semiconductors
Marketing
Therapeutics
Medical Devices
University
Mobile App Development
UVA Translational Research Funds
The Licensing & Ventures Group plays an integral role in UVA’s sophisticated translational research infrastructure. Translational research involves moving knowledge and discovery gained from the basic sciences to its application in clinical and community settings. UVA has four ongoing philanthropically funded translational research programs that support biomedical innovation. While each fund has different parameters and oversight, all proposals are evaluated on their potential path to delivering improvements in healthcare.
Coulter Translational Research Partnership
Ivy Biomedical Innovation Fund
LaunchPad for Diabetes
Accelerating Innovation Fund
Year Founded
2006
2008
2009
2024
Applications
297
369
173
31
Projects Funded
132
80
105
12
F Y 2 6 PA T E N T S
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
52 U.S. Patents Issued
12
US Patent Number
Title
Inventors
12,351,809
Tissue-Specific Promoters in Plants
Kudithipudi (Altria), Chengalrayan; Shen (Altria), Yanxin; Xu (Altria), Dongmei; Timko, Michael P.; Rabara, Roel Collamat
12,440,587
Particles Functionalized With Imageable Radioisotopes and Methods of Making and Use Thereof
Stone, James R.; Neumann, Kiel D.; Dreher (Not UVA), Matthew Robert
12,589,182
Occlusive Implant Compositions
Herr*, John C.; Klibanov, Alexander L.; Eisenfrats, Kevin Simon
12,616,656
An Adventitial Painting Modality of Local Drug Delivery to Abate Intimal Hyperplasia
Kent, Kenneth Craig; Guo*, Lian-Wang; Shirasu, Takuro; Wang, Bowen; Gong (Wisconsin), Shaoqin; Yodsanit (Wisconsin), Nisakorn
12,582,613
Biomimetic, Reactive Oxygen Species-Detonable Nanoclusters for Anti-Restenotic Therapy
Kent, Kenneth Craig; Guo*, Lian-Wang; Wang, Bowen; Shirasu, Takuro; Gong (Wisconsin), Shaoqin; Zhao (Wisconsin), Yi
12,663,356
Multiplexed On-Chip Impedance Cytometry System and Method
Swami, Nathan; McGrath, John; Varhue, Walter; Fernande Honrado, Carlos Manuel; Farmehini, Vahid; Liu, Yi
12,533,464
LQG Artificial Pancreas Control System and Related Method
Patek, Stephen D.; Breton, Marc D.
12,582,772
LQG Artificial Pancreas Control System and Related Method
Patek, Stephen D.; Breton, Marc D.
12,433,545
Method, System and Computer Readable Medium for Assessing Actionable Glycemic Risk
Patek, Stephen D.
12,623,019
System, Method, and Computer Readable Medium for Dynamic Insulin Sensitivity in Diabetic Pump Users
Breton, Marc D.; Jiang, Boyi; Fabris, Chiara
12,462,912
System and Method for Physical Activity Informed Drug Dosing
Breton, Marc D.; Patek, Stephen D.; Ozaslan, Basak
12,629,471
Method and System of Closed Loop Control Improving Glycemic Response Following an Unannounced Source of Glycemic Fluctuation
Breton, Marc D.; Garcia-Tirado, Jose; Lv, Dayu; Corbett, John; Colmegna, Patricio; Diaz-Castañeda, Jenny L.
12,558,040
Using an Online Disturbance Rejection and Anticipation System to Reduce Hyperglycemia
Corbett, John; Garcia-Tirado, Jose; Colmegna, Patricio; DiazCastañeda, Jenny L.; Breton, Marc D.
12,474,377
System and Method for Integrating Diode Sensors on Micromachined Wafer Probes
Weikle, II, Robert M.; Xie, Linli; Cyberey, Michael E.; Nadri, Souheil; Bauwens, Matthew F; Lichtenberger, Arthur Weston; Barker, Nicolas Scott
12,401,323
Low Power Receiver and Related Circuits
Moody, Jesse; Dissanayake, Anjana; Calhoun, Benton H.; Bowers, Steven M.
12,403,128
Compositions and Methods for Blocking Sodium Channels
Patel, Manoj; Rivara, Mirko
12,366,579
Sulfur-Heterocycle Exchange Chemistry and Uses Thereof
Hsu (TX Univ), Ku-Lung; Hahm, Heung Sik; Toroitich, Emmanuel; Brulet, Jeffrey W.; Borne, Adam L.; Libby, Adam Herman; Yuan, Kun
12,356,994
Antipathogenic Polypeptides
Berger, Bryan W.; Eckersley, Evan L.
12,351,606
Compositions and Related Methods for Modulating Transcriptional Activation by Incorporating Gag Motifs Upstream of Core Promoter Elements
Timko, Michael P.; Rushton, Paul J.; Bokowiec, Marta T.
12,575,196
Mid-Infrared Avalanche Photodiodes with Low Dark Currents
Jones, Andrew H.; Campbell, Joe C.
12,443,866
Sequential Pattern Mining with the Micron Automata Processor
Wang, Ke; Sadredini, Elaheh; Skadron, Kevin
12,351,522
Thermal and/or Environmental Barrier Coating System
Chamberlain (RR), Adam Lee; Opila, Elizabeth J.; Ridley, Mackenzie
12,391,764
System and Method for the Development of CD30 Bispecific Antibodies for Immunotherapy of CD30+ Malignancies
Medin (MCW), Jeffrey A.; Lum, Lawrence G.; Oldham (MCW), Robyn A.; Thakur, Archana
12,351,639
Anti-CD30 Antibodies and Methods for Treating CD30+ Cancer
Medin (MCW), Jeffrey A.; Faber (MCW), Mary L.; Tate (MCW), Everett R.; Oldham (MCW), Robyn A.
12,521,033
Method and System for Low-Field MRI Denoising with a Deep Complex-Valued Convolutional Neural Network
Dou, Quan; Wang, Zhixing; Feng, Xue; Meyer, Craig H.
12,347,665
Rapid Identification and Sequence Analysis of Intact Proteins in Complex Mixtures
Hunt, Donald F.; English, Ann Michelle; Ugrin, Scott Andrew; Bai, Dina L.; Shabanowitz, Jeffrey; Syka (Not UVA), John E.
F Y 2 6 PA T E N T S
US Patent Number
Title
Inventors
12,545,739
Compositions and Methods for Making and Using Bispecific Antibodies
Tushir-Singh, Jogender; Bhatnagar, Sanchita
12,551,888
Devices and Methods for Extraction, Separation and Thermocycling
Landers, James P.; DuVall, Jacquelyn; Le Roux, Delphine; Root, Brian; Mills, Daniel; Nelson, Daniel A.; Tsuei, An-Chi; Thompson, Brandon L.; Li, Jingyi; Birch, Christopher
12,667,321
Time-of-Flight Positron Emission Tomography (TOFPET) Assembly and Related Method Thereof
Majewski, Stanislaw; Kundu, Bijoy; Tsoumpas (Leeds), Charalampos
12,570,981
Compositions and Methods for Regulating Myelination
Gaultier, Alban; Fernandez-Castaneda, Anthony
12,384,812
Proton Activated Atomic Medicine
Rich, Tyvin A.; Pan, Dongfeng; Chordia, Mahendra D.
12,643,867
Compositions and Uses Thereof
Hsu (TX Univ), Ku-Lung; Franks, Caroline Elise; Hahm, Heung Sik; Brulet, Jeffrey W.; Huang, Tao
12,343,428
Compositions and Methods for Cancer Treatment
Kester*, Mark; Da Costa Pinheiro, Pedro Filipe; Shaw, Jeremy
12,559,448
Methods for Functionalization Hydrocarbons
Gunnoe, Thomas B.; Groves (Princeton), John T.; Goddard, III (Cal Tech), William A.
12,564,419
Surgical Incision Apparatus and Related Methods Thereof
Hossack, John A.; Mehta, Nishaki
12,624,020
Compositions and Methods for Preparing and Using Azetidines
Hsu (TX Univ), Ku-Lung; McCloud, Rebecca L.
12,371,444
Methods of Making MOFS, Systems for Synthesizing MOFS, and Methods of Coating Textiles with MOFS
Giri, Gaurav; Huelsenbeck, Luke
12,479,766
Functional Barrier Coating and Related Methods Thereof
Wadley, Haydn N. G.; Deijkers, Jeroen A.
12,352,767
Compositions and Methods of Diagnosis and Treatment for Neurological Diseases
Kipnis, Jonathan; Da Mesquita, Sandro
12,480,960
Compositions and Methods for Predicting Lung Function Decline in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Noth, Imre
12,590,083
Inhibitors of Spinster Homolog 2 (SPNS2) for Use in Therapy
Lynch, Kevin R.; Kharel, Yugesh; Santos (VTECH), Webster L.; Peralta (VTECH), Ashley; Fritzemeier (VTECH), Russell G.; Foster (VTECH), Daniel
12,600,858
Ion Selective Membranes for Organic Electrochemical Processes
Koenig, Jr., Gary M.; Geise, Geoffrey M.; McCormack, Patrick M.
12,410,554
System and Method of Accelerating Polymer Fiber Stabilization via Irradiation Treatment
Li, Xiaodong; Gao, Zan; Zhu, Jiadeng; Murty, Yellapu V.; Brown, Kenneth; Bumgardner, Clifton
12,376,824
Methods, Systems, and Computer Readable Media for Utilizing a Therapeutic Ultrasound Device to Perform Mitral Valve Decalcification
Robinson, Austin A.; Kramer, Christopher M.; Hossack, John A.; Rodriguez Lozano, Patricia Fiorella
12,654,167
Perfusable Hydrogel Microchannel Shell and Methods Thereof
Swami, Nathan; Varhue, Walter; Christ, George J; PeirceCottler, Shayn; Rane, Aditya
12,551,885
Storage of Corrosive Materials on a Fiber-Based Fluidic Device and Related Methods Thereof
Landers, James P.; O’Connell, Killian
12,564,359
Systems, Methods, and Computer Readable Mediums for Performing Dynamic Positron Emission Tomography
Quigg, Mark S.; Kundu, Bijoy; Massey, James C.; Seshadri, Vikram
12,667,252
System and Method for Visual Field Rapid Assessment
Solenski, Nina J.; Allende, Jeffrey Ashe; Dirghangi, Arjun
12,404,221 B2
Methods of Arene Alkenylation
Gunnoe, Thomas B.; Jia, Xiaofan; Frye, Lucas Isaac
12,496,767
Digital Assembly of Spherical Hydrogel Voxels to Form 3D Lattice Structures
Cai, Liheng; Zhu, Jinchang
12,488,671
Systems and Methods for Context-Aware Anxiety Interventions
Teachman, Bethany; Barnes, Laura; Boukhechba, Mehdi
12,487,306
System and Method for Variable-flip-angle 3D Spiral-in-out TSE/SPACE Using Echo-reordering and Concomitant Gradient Compensation
Wang, Zhixing; Ramasawmy (NIH), Rajiv; Javed (NIH), Ahsan; Mugler, III, John P.; Meyer, Craig H.; Campbell (NIH), Adrienne E.
12,410,245
Compositions and Methods for Detecting and Regulating Fibronectin-Integrin Interaction and Signaling
Barker, Thomas H.; Moretti, Leandro; Cao (GA Tech), Lizhi; Nicosia (GA Tech), John
LV G S E E D F U N D
LVG Seed Fund With 14 investments across eight portfolio companies and more than $16 million in outside co-investment, the LVG Seed Fund marked another year of growth. In our ninth year of operations, the UVA LVG Seed Funds continue to support innovation from the university, attract outside investors to UVA and achieve a return on our investments. While the market remains hesitant for non-AI companies, our portfolio companies continued to grow, with many achieving operational milestones and attracting new partners. Overall, the Seed Funds made 14 investments in eight of the 12 portfolio companies and received milestone payments on Mission Secure, which exited the portfolio last year.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Executing on our goal of attracting outside investment, we maintained our track record of working with strong coinvestors. In the past year, our co-investors invested more than $16M, sustaining our 14-1 leverage on total Fundinvested dollars. National funds such as Genoa Capital, Arboretum Ventures, Lumira Angelini Bio Sciences, 3B Future Health Ventures, Cultivate (MD) Capital, Mountain State Capital, Ecophora Ventures and Sante Ventures continued their participation in follow-on rounds by supporting our portfolio companies.
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This year, we welcomed our ninth cohort of secondyear students from UVA’s Darden School of Business to work with us in our Due Diligence in Seed Fund course, and we accepted our eighth summer of Darden interns from the Darden Venture Fellows Program. The Fund is fortunate to realize significant benefits from these students, while students gain the real-life experience of an investment fund associate. Matt Rannals, Principal, continues his outstanding work for the Fund, while also leading our ever-growing I-Corps program. Matt has achieved national instructor status and, along with our I-Corps Hub Coordinator Dawn Kidd, has grown the program with an average cohort of 20 faculty and graduate student teams representing technologies from disciplines across Grounds.
Our EIRs were active with technology development, taking on direct management roles with UVA technologies that have become companies. Andrew Krouse and Jeff Tennery continue their roles as CEOs of Navion Neurosciences and Warm Health, respectively. The balance of the eight-person EIR team continues mentoring faculty and graduate students with their ongoing technology advancement of UVA research. Our EIRs are active participants in the core program and will adopt teams for outside program office hours and one-on-one mentoring, further supporting LVG, faculty and graduate students who want to accelerate their discoveries from the lab to the market. They also are active with our I-Corps team and lead teams in our “white board sessions.” Through their efforts, we currently have two opportunities that are targeted for Investment Committee review in the next few months.
BOB C RE E DE N MANAGING DIREC TOR
LV G S E E D F U N D
As noted, many of our portfolio companies continue to make solid progress including: Navion, (formerly GenEp), founded by Dr. Manoj Patel from the UVA Department of Anesthesiology in collaboration with Andrew Krouse, is working on development of a novel dual sodium channel inhibitor for the treatment of epilepsy and chronic pain. Navion has made strong scientific progress and is close to a significant milestone. The company has recently had an initial closing of $2.5M on a targeted round of $5M, with Lumira Angelini BioSciences Ventures and 3B Future Health Ventures leading the rounds. One of our earliest portfolio companies, Tear Solutions, is in Phase II trials for neurotrophic keratitis. The company currently has five sites enrolling and is targeting the end of the year for completion. The company brought Dr. Amir Shojael and Dr. Louis Alpern on the board. Both are highly respected in the ophthalmology space and have previous experience in drug development and business development. We are joined by Middleland Capital, Virginia Tech Carillion Fund, Drakon Capital and VIPC. Ceres Nanosciences continued to deliver innovative products based on its proprietary Nanotrap® technology to capture, concentrate and preserve low abundance analytes from any sample. The company is considered the leader in wastewater testing, with more than 30 sites across the U.S. using their particles. Introducing two new products over the last six months has resulted in the company doubling its first half revenue over 2025. Nanochon, founded by UVA alum Dr. Benjamin Holmes, has developed a 3-D printed, orthopedic, load-bearing implant that provides a scaffold for cartilage tissue growth. The company has just completed its first procedure on humans and is continuing to enroll patients in the trial. In early 2024, we were excited to announce our fourth exit from Fund I. Mission Secure was acquired by Service Now, a Virginia cybersecurity company focused on protecting clients in energy, defense, maritime and critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. The transaction had an upfront payment with future milestones, the last of which was distributed in July. Our Seed Fund Investment Committee continues to be the Fund’s greatest asset. These individuals, all UVA graduates, and partners at larger venture firms, continue to assist us
Investment Committee Gerry Brunk (COL ’90), Managing Director, Lumira Capital Peter M. Grant II, Partner (COL ’78, DARDEN ’86), Anchormarck Holdings Dayna Grayson (ENGR ’99), Co-founder and General Partner of Construct Capital Kristin Gunther (DARDEN ’09), Principal, Revolution Growth Lori L. McMahon, Ph.D. Vice President for Research, UVA (ex-officio) Dr. Anthony Natale (COL ’94) Partner, Amzak Health Dr. Mitchell Rosner CEO, UVA Health; UVA Executive Vice President for Health Affairs (ex-officio)
in evaluating opportunities and providing experience and guidance for the portfolio, and are a significant reason for the Fund’s success to date. Looking forward, we anticipate the market to open somewhat but still face challenges for the seed investments. We remain excited to make additional investments from Fund II, while continuing to commit to our current portfolio and fulfill our role in commercializing UVA innovation across Grounds.
LV G S E E D F U N D
LVG Seed Fund Portfolio
Merand Pharmaceuticals is developing a novel microRNA therapeutic (MicroRNA93 or miR93), shown to promote angiogenesis, to treat patients suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a progressive circulatory issue affecting over 200 million people globally. UVA Inventor: Dr. Brian Annex, M.D. Syndicate Partners: VTC Ventures
BrightSpec is a life science instrumentation company offering fast, precise analysis of trace level chemical components for applications in R&D, pharmaceuticals, fine chemicals, food and advanced manufacturing sectors.
Slate Bio. Inc. is developing paradigm-shifting engineered cytokines for immune modulation that induce persistent remission in Lupus and other autoimmune diseases. Slate’s product, SLT-518, is the first bi-specific engineered fusion of IL-2 to IL-33, and is uniquely positioned to improve the lives of those with autoimmune diseases.
UVA Inventor: Brooks Pate, Ph.D. (COL ’87)
UVA Inventor: Rahul Sharma, Ph.D
Syndicate Partners: Genoa Ventures, Arboretum Ventures
Syndicate Partners: Epidarex Capital
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Direct Spinal Therapeutics, Inc.
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Ceres Nanosciences is a life sciences company focused on incorporating its novel Nanotrap® particle technology into a range of diagnostic products and workflows with the ultimate goal of providing better patient outcomes. The Nanotrap® particle technology can improve diagnostic testing by capturing, concentrating and preserving low abundance analytes from biological samples. UVA Founder: Ross Dunlap (COM ’96) Syndicate Partners: Greybird Ventures, Pactolus Ventures
Direct Spinal Therapeutics, Inc. is a medical device company developing a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) product-platform to enhance treatment for chronic back pain and other spinal cord injuries. UVA Inventor: George Gillies, Ph.D. (ENGR ’76, ’80)
Nanochon is developing a novel implantable device for patients with limited mobility due to injury and joint pain. Nanochon’s Chondograft is a functional cartilage implant made through a unique combination of synthetic nanomaterial and 3D-printing that harnesses the capacity of stem cells to self-repair tissue at the site of injury in the joint. UVA Inventor: Benjamin Holmes, Ph.D. (SEAS ’09) Syndicate Partners: cultivate(MD) Capital Fund
TearSolutions’ first-in-class therapy is a synthetic form of the protein lacritin, called Lacripep™, which targets the causes of dry-eye disease. The company completed Phase II clinical trials in 2020, which focused on patients with Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome.
Navion is a genetic epilepsy company focused on first-in-class ion channel modulators for treatment resistant genetic epilepsies. Navion is bringing a precision medicine approach to epilepsy by targeting newly identified gain of function (GOF) mutations.
UVA Inventor: Gordon Laurie, Ph.D.
UVA Inventor: Manoj Patel, Ph.D
Syndicate Partners: Middleland Capital, Santen Ventures
Syndicate Partners: Angelini Lumira Biosciences Fund, 3B Future Health Fund
LVG Seed Fund II
Exits
Angara has optioned a platform technology comprising a library of powerful probes for activity-based protein profiling, a unique means to measure the functional state of large numbers of enzymes in native biological systems that allows for identification of new drug targets and determination of inhibitor selectivity.
Founded to commercialize research conducted by UVA Engineering Professor Barry Horowitz, Ph.D., Mission Secure is a leading control system cybersecurity company. The company’s patented MSi Platform and cyber advisory services protect clients in the energy, defense, autonomous systems, maritime and critical infrastructure industries prepare for and protect against cyber-attacks.
UVA Inventor: Ku-Lung Hsu, Ph.D.
Acquired by: Service Now in 2025
CytoRecovery’s technologies are unique in their ability to sort, enrich, and recover cell populations in their native, untouched state, allowing confidence in downstream culture, analysis and use in biomedical research. Current application targets span oncology, neurology, regenerative medicine and more. UVA Inventor: Nathan Swami, Ph.D. Syndicate Partners: VTC Ventures
Founded by Brendon Richardson (COM ’88) to commercialize global scale geospatial analytics, the company’s earthAI technology uses machine learning, big data computing and Earth-Observing satellites to easily access, analyze and extract actionable insights about the planet, providing global understanding for local impact. Acquired by: NuView in 2024
Vasarya Therapeutics is developing targeted treatments for fibrotic disorders. Our novel therapeutic paradigm targets proteins that are only exposed in fibrotic tissue, allowing for inhibition of disease progression while avoiding toxicity associated with current, systemic standard of care therapies. UVA Inventor: Tom Barker, Ph.D. Syndicate Partners: Portal Innovations
Warm Health Technology, Inc. is the sole licensee of PositiveLinks (PL), an evidence-based clinic-centered engagement in care program that employs a tailored smartphone app with an embedded digital social support community to help people living with chronic conditions reach their care goals. UVA Inventors: Dr. Rebecca Dillingham and Karen Ingersoll
Founded to commercialize research conducted by Boris Kovatchev, Ph.D., Marc Breton, Ph.D, and the Center for Diabetes Technology at the UVA School of Medicine. Acquired by: Dexcom, Inc. in 2018
Founded to commercialize a novel cardiovascular device to improve surgical accuracy developed by UVA Associate Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine Scott Lim, M.D. Acquired by: Keystone Heart in 2020
I N S I D E LV G
Enterprise Studio Transform Research into Market Impact Enterprise Studio supports faculty, research staff, and graduate researches across all schools to navigate the path from discovery to commercialization—through structured advising, pathway analysis, and targeted resources.
MANAGING DIRECTOR
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Jim Zuffoletti
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Jim is a serial founder and executive with broad leadership and operating experience from co-founding businesses, business units and foundations from zero to one and beyond. He has experience with exits ranging from asset sale, divestiture to deka-corn IPO.
ADVISORS
Fritz Knabe
Startup Software Engineering Leader & Advisor
Jim Daniero
Surgeon-Scientist | Co-Founder & CMO | Tenured Associate Professor
Margaret Sande
Associate Chief Medical Officer— Patient Safety & Quality, University of Virginia Medical Center
I N S I D E LV G
How Enterprise Studio Works A structured, stage-based system that integrates advising, pathway analysis, and targeted resources to move research from lab to market.
STAGE 1
STAGE 2
STAGE 3
STAGE 4
Discovery
Validation
Formation
Growth
Initial consultation to assess technology readiness and market potential
Customer discovery and pathway analysis to define commercialization route
• Technology assessment • Market opportunity scan • Idea to Impact Guide
• Regional I-Corps • Discovery interviews • Pathway memo
Entity formation, IP strategy, and initial venture structuring
Funding strategy, scale support, and ecosystem connections
• C Corp formation • Licensing negotiation • Seed Fund access
• SBIR/STTR support • Investor connections • Business development
Typical Engagement Structure
6–18
Bi-weekly
20–30
Months typical duration
Advisor check-ins
Discovery interviews expected
Engagement length varies by venture complexity and stage
Regular meetings with assigned advisors and expert office hours
Customer validation milestone for pathway analysis
KEY DELIVERABLES FOUNDERS RECEIVE
• Commercialization Pathway Memo
• Market Opportunity Assessment
• Funding Strategy Roadmap
• Licensing Agreement Support
• Grant Application Guidance
• Investor Introduction Support
I N S I D E LV G
Entrepreneurs in Residence
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Our cohort of EIRS includes leaders who are UVA alumni, founders and investors who possess business acumen, industry experience with early tech commercialization, strategic planning and fundraising. Two of the EIRs in our first cohort successfully launched and sold UVA startup companies.
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RO B I N H U M E
H E L E N B OY D
Robin has more than 20 years of deep scientific, strategic and operational experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, including early and late-stage drug development and commercialization. Robin is recognized as a forward thinker in R&D strategy
Helen has nine years of experience in the energy industry, working in various finance positions at different subsidiaries of the Royal Dutch / Shell Group in both the U.K. and the U.S. Helen’s experience at Shell included working in corporate strategy, shipping
J I M P OW E R S
A N D R E W K RO U S E
Jim has more than 30 years of experience launching and building life science companies, evolving their business strategies, leveraging platform technologies and recruiting outstanding teams. Jim recently retired after 13 years serving as HemoShear Therapeutics’ first Chairman and CEO.
Andy has more than a decade of biotech investing and leadership experience with a track record of success as the founder and CEO of Tau Therapeutics, LLC, Xdynia LLC and venture-backed Cavion, Inc.
J E F F T E N N E RY
MIKE RAKER
Jeff is an innovative technology executive with more than 30 years of leadership in mobile and digital media. He is the founder and visionary of Moonlighting, a leading blockchain ondemand hiring platform and one of the fastest growing freelance marketplaces in the world.
Mike is a technology executive with experience in large defense primes to startups/scale-ups in markets across the globe, including but not limited to the U.S., the U.K., Australia and NATO, including FOCI mitigation. He is experienced in developing innovative technology-driven business strategies.
LESLIE J. WILLIAMS Leslie is a 25-year biopharmaceutical veteran and an experienced biotech CEO and board of directors’ member. She has experience in healthcare, management, business development, commercial product development and marketing and venture capital.
New Ventures Avant Genomics Holding, Inc.
NFOSYS, Inc.
Avant Genomics’ mission is to empower early cancer detection and therapeutic monitoring through the automation of critical sample preparation steps, enabling precise and accessible diagnostics for better patient care.
NFOSYS is developing a fiber optic, light-based, flow and oxygenation platform technology for the protection of the spinal cord and brain. U VA I N V E N T O R : T H O M A S F L OY D
U VA I N V E N T O R S : R E N N A N O U W A I R I A N D R A C H E L L E TURIELLO
BitCel, LLC BitCel is developing a technology that arms immune cells with bispecific antibodies to create in vivo specific cytotoxic cells for targeting cancer.
ReVolt Energy Corporation ReVolt’s mission is to recover solar infrastructure materials (Si, Ag, Al, Cu) at near total purity levels. Their unique approach allows them to deconstruct solar panels sustainably without creating problematic by-products. U VA I N V E N T O R : E T I E N N E C A D E S T I N
U VA I N V E N T O R : L A R R Y L U M
FLOW4POWER FLOW4POWER is developing innovative technologies for fluid energy systems and marine engineering applications. By combining computational modeling, experimental validation and industry collaboration, the company is advancing cost-effective, scalable solutions for next-generation energy infrastructure. U VA I N V E N T O R : E R I C L O T H
Stellula Therapeutics Stellula Therapeutics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation gene therapies for rare and devastating neurological disorders. Their lead program, STEL8, uses advanced gene editing technology to target SCN8A Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy (SCN8A-DEE) -- a severe pediatric genetic disorder caused by mutations in the Nav1.6 sodium channel. U VA I N V E N T O R S : M A N O J PAT E L A N D C A E L E Y R E E V E R
Motion Insight, Inc. Motion Insight is developing a complementary examination for assessing upper extremity function in people with cervical myelopathy. U VA I N V E N T O R : K E W A N G
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
Startup Spotlight
22
UVA lab’s new gene therapy may end pediatric seizures A company founded by a UVA professor and an alumna is developing a therapy for a rare pediatric epilepsy disorder.
2026 PERFORMANCE
When University of Virginia graduate student Caeley Reever came across the word “stellular”—“little star” in Latin—she and UVA anesthesiology professor Manoj Patel knew they had the perfect name for their startup company.
C A N YO U TA K E U S T H R O U G H T H E S C I E N T I F I C B R E A K T H R O U G H T H AT L E D T O T H E D I S C L O S U R E O F YO U R I N T E L L E C T U A L P R O P E R T Y T O T H E U VA L I C E N S I N G & VENTURES GROUP?
Stellula Therapeutics is centered around developing a gene therapy for a rare pediatric genetic epilepsy disorder, SCN8A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.
Using a mouse model, we demonstrated that treatment with a base editor effectively eliminated seizures and significantly improved survival compared to untreated mice. Importantly, the molecules we designed have successfully directed the base editing machinery specifically to the disease-causing base change, enabling precise correction of the mutation without detectable editing at other sites. This method also limits potential side effects underlying the disease.
“The name reflects the inspiration behind the company and the children living with this disorder,” Patel said. “To us, every child affected by this disease is a little star—unique, resilient and deserving of the opportunity for a healthier future. “The name serves as a reminder of the patients and families who motivate our work each day and our commitment to developing therapies that could transform their lives.” Patel shared more about the company’s origins, its mission and the potential impact of its work.
These findings provided strong proof-of-concept that our guide RNAs and base editing approach can precisely target and correct the underlying genetic cause of SCN8A-DEE, highlighting the potential of this strategy as a transformative therapy for severe genetic epilepsies.
W H AT W A S T H E I M P E T U S F O R S TA R T I N G YO U R C O M PA N Y ? Over the years, I have had the opportunity to meet children and families affected by SCN8A-DEE. The disease is devastating and life-altering, and tragically, many affected children do not survive into adulthood. These experiences became the driving force behind the creation of Stellula Therapeutics: to develop a potentially transformative treatment that addresses the root genetic cause of disease and, ultimately, could cure affected children. Because SCN8A-DEE is a rare disorder, with an estimated incidence of approximately 1 in 52,000 individuals, there has historically been limited interest from the pharmaceutical industry in developing therapies for this patient population. Stellula Therapeutics was founded to help fill this unmet need by advancing precision gene-editing therapies for SCN8A-DEE and other severe rare genetic epilepsies.
W H AT A R E T H E C O M PA N Y ’ S S H O R T- A N D L O N G -T E R M GOALS? Our short-term goal is to complete a few additional studies and finalize partnerships that will enable the next stage of our platform’s development. Following this, we intend to raise the capital necessary to conduct the preclinical toxicology and safety studies required prior to initiating a first-in-human clinical trial. Our long-term vision is to expand this precision geneediting platform beyond SCN8A-DEE by developing targeted solutions for additional genetic conditions caused by disease-causing, single-nucleotide variants. Ultimately, we aim to build a scalable therapeutic platform capable of addressing a broad range of severe monogenic disorders with high precision and lasting benefits.
W H Y I S G E N E T H E R A P Y A G O O D S O L U T I O N? Because SCN8A-DEE is caused by a defined single-gene mutation, it is a strong candidate for precision gene therapy. Base editing offers a strategy to directly and permanently correct the disease-causing DNA change. In this approach, specific molecules are used to find the location of the incorrect gene mutation and restore the normal sequence. Unlike conventional treatments that primarily suppress seizures, base editing targets the underlying genetic cause of disease. If successful, this approach could provide a one-time, disease-modifying or potentially curative therapy for patients with SCN8A-DEE. More broadly, it may serve as a model for treating other severe monogenic epilepsies and genetic disorders caused by single-nucleotide, disease-causing variants.
HOW HAS THE LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP HELPED YO U? LVG helped us file a patent, helped us learn about potential customers through their I-Corps program and even made an investment from the Seed Fund that allowed us to complete experiments in the lab. They have been instrumental in guiding us through the process of securing a license and navigating the early stages of company formation and technology commercialization. Their support has helped us better understand the translational and business aspects required to move this technology from the laboratory toward clinical application.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
UVA research leads to new lifeline for leukemia patients
24
A husband-and-wife team turned their lab work into an FDA-approved drug for acute myeloid leukemia.
After repeated unsuccessful cancer treatments, even the strongest patients can lose hope. But former University of Virginia professors Tomasz Cierpicki and Jolanta Grembecka are working to restore hope for people facing the deadliest form of blood cancer. In November, the Food and Drug Administration approved their drug, ziftomenib, for patients with recurrent or treatment-resistant acute myeloid leukemia with an NPM1 gene mutation. Acute myeloid leukemia is a deadly blood cancer primarily seen in people over the age of 68. More than 22,000 Americans develop the condition each year, and more than 11,000 die, according to the American Cancer Society. But those numbers could be on the decline, thanks to Cierpicki and Grembecka. “What Tomasz and Jolanta started in a UVA research lab two decades ago is now saving lives,” UVA Licensing & Ventures Group Executive Director Richard W. Chylla said. “This is precisely the type of outcome we hope for with all of the work that comes through our office here at (Licensing & Ventures Group), and an example of the work we expect to be accomplished at the (Paul and Diane) Manning Institute (of Biotechnology).” Natives of Poland, Cierpicki and Grembecka—who are married and are now professors at the University of Michigan—met while in graduate school at Wroclaw
University of Technology in Poland. While there, they began thinking about research aimed at developing new drugs to help cancer patients.
“
Ziftomenib is a long-awaited and desperately needed new option for patients for whom other treatments have failed, for patients left with no hope. . . . It’s a wonderful achievement.” mark esser, manning institute
“It was a dream, but at the time, we didn’t realize it could actually become a reality,” Grembecka said. “Nobody could foresee the future,” Cierpicki said. In 2008, while working as assistant professors in UVA’s Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics under mentor John Bushweller, the couple homed in on menin inhibitors, a class of targeted therapies used primarily to treat acute leukemias. “We really value what John Bushweller did. He allowed us to have some independent work,” Cierpicki said. “And we were quite lucky that we got funding that could support what was needed to initiate and then continue the menin inhibitor project.” There were many late nights. “To some degree, it helped that we were married and worked together to support each other, but one of the issues is that when you work with your spouse, your work-related conversations continue even after you get home, so sometimes that is maybe too much,” Cierpicki said. “We would sometimes start a conversation at midnight with an idea that couldn’t wait until the next day,” Grembecka said. “But on the positive side, we could closely collaborate with each other and use our complementary expertise while working on different aspects of the same project.” Those conversations paid off. In 2009, the menin inhibitors that would eventually lead to the development of ziftomenib were patented through a collaboration between the UVA Licensing & Ventures Group and the University of Michigan Innovation Partnership Office. The drug acts blocks a key protein that drives leukemia, allowing cells to become healthy white blood cells instead of cancer cells. “Ziftomenib is a long-awaited and desperately needed new option for patients for whom other treatments have failed, for patients left with no hope,” said Mark Esser, the head and chief scientific officer of the Manning Institute. “It’s a wonderful achievement by Drs. Grembecka and Cierpicki.” Grembecka said she and her husband have learned of patients who have had several unsuccessful treatments for their leukemia, only for the disease to go into remission after just one cycle of ziftomenib. “The FDA approval of ziftomenib is deeply rewarding, as the drug is now available to all patients who may need it,” Grembecka said. “It’s very inspiring to us as well. We feel even more motivated to continue our efforts.” Cierpicki smiled when reflecting on his time at UVA. “I believe academic drug discovery plays a very important role, particularly in rare diseases where industry interest may not be a primary priority,” he said. “Continuing these efforts is therefore essential.”
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
THE
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Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year Award The highest honor bestowed on University of Virginia innovators, the Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year award recognizes an individual or team each year whose research discovery is making a major impact. Named for UVA Professor Emeritus Dr. Richard F. Edlich and Christopher J. (“Goose”) Henderson, a veteran of privately owned financial services businesses, the award is a tribute to their enduring support of and commitment to the University and its innovators.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
Celebrating Impact Through Innovation
2024
Craig Meyer, Ph.D. Silvia Blemker, Ph.D. Joseph Hart, Ph.D.
2023
Timothy Showalter, M.D.
2022
Marc Breton, M.D.
2021
Amy Mathers, M.D.
2020
Rebecca Dillingham, M.D. Karen Ingersoll, Ph.D.
2019 2018 2017 2016
Lee Ritterband, Ph.D. Jeffrey Elias, M.D. Brooks H. Pate, Ph.D. John A. Hossack, Ph.D. N. Scott Barker, Ph.D. Arthur W. Lichtenberger, Ph.D. Robert M. Weikle II, Ph.D.
2015
Benton H. Calhoun, Ph.D. James A. Smith, Ph.D.
2014
J. Randall Moorman, M.D. Douglas E. Lake, Ph.D.
2013
Marcia A. Invernizzi, Ph.D.
2012
Robin A. Felder, Ph.D.
2011
Boris P. Kovatchev, Ph.D.
2010
Kevin R. Lynch, Ph.D. Timothy L. Macdonald, Ph.D.
2009
John P. Mugler, Ph.D. James R. Brookeman, Ph.D.
2008
George T. Rodeheaver, Ph.D.
2007
Wladek Minor, Ph.D.
2006
George T. Gillies, Ph.D.
2005
Benjamin M. Gaston, M.D. John F. Hunt, Ph.D.
2004
Haydn N.G. Wadley, Ph.D.
2003
William A. Petri Jr., M.D., Ph.D. Barbara J. Mann, Ph.D.
2002
Joel M. Linden, Ph.D.
2001
Doris Kuhlmann-Wilsdorf, Ph.D.
2000
Ronald P. Taylor, Ph.D.
1999
John C. Herr, Ph.D.
1997
Richard L. Guerrant, M.D. Timothy L. Macdonald, Ph.D.
1996
Jessica J. Brand Patrice G. Guyenet, Ph.D. Richard D. Pearson, M.D. Janine C. Jagger, Ph.D.
1995
Donald F. Hunt, Ph.D. Jeffrey Shabanowitz, Ph.D. George C. Stafford Jr., Ph.D
1994
Gerald L. Mandell, M.D. Gail W. Sullivan
1993
Joseph Larner, M.D., Ph.D.
1992
Robert M. Berne, M.D. Luiz Belardinelli, M.D. Rafael Rubio, Ph.D.
INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR
Determined to Make Food Safer and Students Smarter UVA engineering professor Bryan Berger is advancing solutions to protect the food supply while immersing students in real-world innovation.
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
I N N OVAT O R O F T H E Y E A R
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One of Bryan Berger’s favorite things to do as a kid was tag along to his father’s office. His father, an electrical engineer, worked at nuclear power plants in Illinois, Arizona and Alabama. Berger would watch his dad take apart control valves and then reassemble them. And when his dad busted out blueprints of the power plants, well, that’s when a young Berger really had fun. “I’d color the nuclear reactor blueprints in with crayons,” Berger said, smiling. “I just found all of it fascinating. “I was fascinated by all aspects of science. I was sort of a nerdy science kid.” Berger, at heart, still is. It’s what led him to study chemical engineering as an undergraduate and later, when he got his doctorate. It led him to teaching, and then to starting a company whose aim is to safeguard the public from contaminated food.
I N N OVAT O R O F T H E Y E A R
It is for his entrepreneurial efforts that Berger—a University of Virginia professor of chemical and biomedical engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science—was named the UVA Licensing & Ventures Group’s 2025 Edlich-Henderson Innovator of the Year. “I care deeply about protecting our environment, so it is there for future generations to enjoy; this means we have to think about ways of food production that are sustainable and safe,” Berger said. “With a projected 9 billion people to feed by 2050, this is a major challenge, even more so when we look at the cumulative impacts of agrochemical inputs on our food, water and soil.” Berger’s protein-based biotechnologies form the basis of his startup, Lytos Technologies. Founded in 2018, the company’s goal is to make food safer, creating green, sustainable alternatives that improve the quality and safety of the food we eat while protecting the soil and water that produce it. In 2019, with the help of LVG, Lytos licensed Berger’s patented novel biofungicide technology. Today, that technology, along with other key inventions developed in Berger’s UVA Engineering lab, enables the detection and removal of foodborne pathogens, protects animal health and reduces food spoilage.
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Bryan and his company are poised to transform food systems as we know them in multiple ways. His vision for the future is inspiring to our entire team here at LVG.” richard chylla
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA LICENSING & VENTURES GROUP
I N N OVAT O R O F T H E Y E A R
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I N N OVAT O R O F T H E Y E A R
“
I care deeply about protecting our environment, so it is there for future generations to enjoy; this means we have to think about ways of food production that are sustainable and safe.” b r ya n b e r g e r
“Bryan and his company are poised to transform food systems as we know them in multiple ways,” Richard W. Chylla, LVG’s executive director, said. “His vision for the future is inspiring to our entire team here at LVG.” Berger’s technologies have attracted interest from companies producing crop protection and animal health products, as well as growers and makers of specialty agricultural goods, such as apples, cider and wine. “Bryan is a shining example of our school’s mission to make the world a better place through engineering for the greater good and our commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial culture,” Jennifer West, dean of the UVA School of Engineering and Applied Science, said. Berger is currently working with the United States Department of Agriculture and industrial and academic partners across the U.S. to find a solution to fire blight, a disease that affects apples. “Farmers use antibiotics as a treatment, but there is a lot of concern about the antibiotics being applied directly to trees in the field,” Berger explained. “We’re working on replacements to those antibiotics or things that would augment, mitigate or reduce the use of these antibiotics during pre-harvest.” Berger, who opened a 4,000-square-foot facility in Waynesboro last summer, said the most remarkable aspect of his work with the USDA, industry and other academic groups has been the opportunity to allow UVA students to gain hands-on experience. “It’s a great way for students to see how what they’re doing in the lab can translate into a biotechnology solution to an unmet need,” Berger said. “It entails what I think is critical for higher education right now—getting these students to think about how what they’re doing integrates into solving urgent problems in critical industries like food and agriculture.”
UVA LVG ANNUAL REPORT 2026
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