Zhang passes US patent bar

May 11, 2015 Comments (0) News

Qian ZhangOMAHA, Neb. (May 11, 2015)—UNeMed technology development specialist, Qian Zhang, PhD, recently passed the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s patent bar exam and is now a registered patent agent.

“I’m very excited to be registered as a patent agent,” said Dr. Zhang, who is now the fifth full-time staffer to have passed the patent bar. “It has been one of my goals.”

As a patent agent Dr. Zhang can now draft, file and prosecute patent applications for UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Born in Linyi, China—a city of 10 million near the northern end of the Yellow Sea coast—Dr. Zhang attended graduate school at the UNMC where she earned a doctorate in cancer biology in 2011. She also holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Dr. Zhang first joined UNeMed as a licensing associate in 2011, where she helped evaluate and bring UNMC innovations to the market. Dr. Zhang also plays a role for UNeMed in developing international markets, particularly in China.

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ProTransit wins ‘Buzz of BIO’ contest

May 5, 2015 Comments (0) News

OMAHA, Neb. (May 6, 2015)—ProTransit Nanotherapy, an Omaha biomedical startup formed around technology invented at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, recently won an online competition that will give it a rather large megaphone.

buzzofBIOwinnerThe victory means ProTransit Nanotherapy will gain two rare chances for international exposure at the world’s largest biomedical exposition when the BIO International Convention convenes in Philadelphia next month.

ProTransit Nanotherapy won the “Buzz of BIO Technologies of Tomorrow” category by a wide margin, unofficially finishing with 892 votes, more than 150 better than the runner-up’s final tally of 736.

As part of the prize package, ProTransit CEO and co-founder Gary Madsen, PhD, will get an opportunity to deliver a company presentation to a global audience of potential investors, and then sit down in one-on-one partnering meetings with potential industrial partners and investors. Dr. Madsen will also receive free admission to the annual convention for a total package worth about $4,500.

PTNT_MUG_madsen_11262014

Dr. Madsen

But the added value of the exposure itself is difficult to pin down.

“It would be nearly impossible to get this type of exposure given the international focus of the meeting,” Dr. Madsen said via email. “There is no other venue where this type of exposure can be obtained.”

Dr. Madsen said that without the prize, he and his company would not have been able to attend the conference as even mere spectators, let alone gain the level of exposure the presentation and partnering meetings will deliver.

Dr. Madsen, the former Entrepreneur in Residence for UNeMed, co-founded ProTransit in 2013 with former UNMC researcher and inventor Vinod Labhashetwar, PhD, who is now at Cleveland Clinic.

Dr. Labhashetwar developed a novel nanoparticle that can deliver antioxidant enzymes to the deepest layers of skin where they can prevent and perhaps undo some of the damage caused by free radicals. The technology could be incorporated into current skin care products and make them far more effective at things like preventing skin cancer, wrinkles and blemishes.

In the future, ProTransit will also be developing similar products for treatment of serious ailments like spinal injuries and stroke.

UNeMed is the technology transfer and commercialization office (TTO) for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. UNeMed serves all UNMC researchers, faculty and staff who develop new biomedical technology and inventions, and strives to help bring those innovations to the marketplace.

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Intelligent Design: Smarter research for smarter drugs

May 1, 2015 Comments (0) Blog

by Charles Litton | April 30, 2015

Many drugs have the same problem.

They often bumble around, interacting with whatever tissue they meet, blind to the difference between diseased and healthy tissue.

That’s why, when a medication stumbles into enough healthy cells, a wide range of toxic and sometimes scary side-effects are often the result.

dongwang2_LOMaking smarter drugs is certainly possible—if you have about a decade to kill and a few hundred million of spare change lying around. But an intelligent and skilled researcher could save a lot of time, energy and increasingly rare grant funding by looking for ways to improve existing drugs.

It sounds like a simple enough process: If “simple” also includes things like successfully landing a rover on Mars or understanding on a molecular level the complex intricacy and interaction of molecules within human physiology.

A pharmaceutical chemist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Dong Wang, PhD, is that rare breed of scientist that makes this kind of research sound easy. He’s a drug designer of sorts, looking for ways to help the tried and tested drug molecules to improve their ability to differentiate the good from bad.

“There are a lot of beautifully designed drug molecules out there,” said Dr. Wang, a professor in the UNMC College of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. “This is about using them in a better way.”

Dr. Wang’s research interests have a particular focus in musculoskeletal issues, which can be anything from broken bones, joint replacement and osteoporosis to rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and even spinal injuries.

Dr. Wang’s work is commonly known as a prodrug design approach. He repackages a known “therapeutic warhead” into a new, more focused delivery mechanism. The reduced side-effects might be similar to the way laser guided missiles eliminated the wide-scale collateral damage of World War II carpet bombing raids.

“We want to make the drug work better, work more efficiently, and restrict them from causing harm,” said Dr. Wang.

By making drugs smarter, Dr. Wang hopes to remove a significant amount of the associated side-effects. If his successes are as dramatic as some of his early tests suggest, then his approach could arm physicians with familiar treatments that are more potent and much less harmful to patients.

Several of his prodrugs have attracted wide industrial interests from across the globe, including a new design on an existing lupus treatment. By encapsulating a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid, dexamethasone, in a targeted delivery vehicle, Dr. Wang said his animal tests showed near-100 percent effectiveness at preventing dangerous kidney inflammation, lupus nephritis, which can lead to kidney failure.

In testing lupus animals already presenting with nephritis, his formulation eliminated the inflammation in about 80 percent of the animals, and in the remaining 20 percent his version of treatment still reduced the condition to a more mild form. Dexamethasone alone only stopped further progression of nephritis, and did virtually nothing to reduce it, Dr. Wang said.

Dr. Wang cautioned that such dramatic results are not typical for all of his designs, but improving what already exists in a safe and cheaper way to improve the effectiveness of existing treatment strategies.

“Using intelligent design you can dramatically change the landscape, and provide the physician a better alternative to treat the patient,” said Dr. Wang. “And the health care cost may also be significantly reduced.”

Charles Litton is the communications associate at UNeMed Corporation, the technology transfer and commercialization office for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He can be reached at charles.litton@unmc.edu or 402-559-2468.

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Make ProTransit Nanotherapy the “buzz” of international BIO conference

April 15, 2015 Comments (0) News

OMAHA, Neb. (April 15, 2015)—ProTransit Nanotherapy, an Omaha startup based on technology and innovation developed at UNMC, has the opportunity to gain international exposure if it gains enough votes in an online contest.

PTNTBIO, one of the world’s largest international biotechnology conferences, is hosting the “Buzz of BIO,” where the company receiving the most votes will win the rare opportunity to deliver a company presentation to industry leaders at the next BIO convention, to be held in Philadelphia on June 15-18.

A company presentation at BIO would provide ProTransit Nanotherapy unique access to the international biotech community at the conference and the opportunity to generate additional partnering meetings with the world’s largest biomedical firms. The presentation will also be promoted through BIO’s website and printed promotional pieces.

To vote, visit https://convention.bio.org/buzzofbio/voting.aspx and select ProTransit Nanotherapy in the “Technologies of Tomorrow” category (companies are listed alphabetically).

Anyone can vote once per day—once for each email address—until polling closes at 4 p.m. on April 21.

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Entrepreneur Legal Clinic startup talk is April 17

April 15, 2015 Comments (0) News

LINCOLN, Neb. (April 15, 2015)—A free seminar detailing the elements of a successful startup founder will be offered Friday, April 17, in Lincoln, Neb.

Hosted by the Entrepreneurship Legal Clinic at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Law, “Startup Founders: Who to Choose, When to Choose Them, and How to Incentivize Success,” will be held at Union Bank Catalyst at 9:30-10:30 a.m.

The presentation will be delivered by clinic student attorneys, Shannon McCoy and Matthew Dunlop who will discuss key legal issues that all new businesses and startups should consider. There will be a particular emphasis on selecting the right co-founders, distributing ownership and the best incentives that can lead startups closer to success.

A local startup, The Doughnut Hole, will provide guests with a complimentary snack. To ensure there is enough food for everyone, please RSVP to eclinic@unl.edu.

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Tech transfer boot camp set for June

April 13, 2015 Comments (0) News

by Charles Litton, UNeMed

unemed tech transfer boot campOMAHA, Neb. (April, 13, 2015)—A week-long boot camp training program will be offered in June for those interested in technology transfer and related fields away from the research bench and other scientific pursuits.

UNeMed, the technology transfer and commercialization office for the University of Nebraska Medical Center, will host the program as a way to help more UNMC researchers and students gain a wider range of skills and experience to match their scientific knowledge and training.

The course will be held June 15-19, meeting every day at 8-11 a.m.

The program is designed to provide information across a range of technology transfer relevant areas, including:
• Evaluating new inventions
• Intellectual property law
• Marketing and commercialization
• Contract negotiation

Rather than provide a series of lectures, UNeMed’s tech transfer boot camp will dive into more hands-on activities that will highlight real-word situations and help illustrate key aspects of the technology commercialization process.

Cost is free, but space is limited. Applications to participate will be accepted until May 5th.
More information about the program and the application process can be found at https://www.unemed.com/bootcamp.

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ScanMed climbs to national leader of MRI innovation

April 1, 2015 Comments (0) News

by Charlie Litton, UNeMed

OMAHA, Neb. (March, 25, 2015)—Long before Nebraska’s largest city landed on any national top 10 lists for its startup scene. Long before the state carved out incentives and initiatives to promote high-tech business growth and development. Long before anyone thought Nebraska was a good place to start a biomedical company, there was Randy Jones and his ideas for better MRI scanners.

ScanMed founder and CEO Randy Jones, PhD, looks over one his prototypes for an MRI scanning coil that will help physicians finally get detailed images of a patient’s lung tissue. (Photo: Charlie Litton)

ScanMed founder and CEO Randy Jones, PhD, looks over one his prototypes for an MRI scanning coil that will help physicians finally get detailed images of a patient’s lung tissue. (Photo: Charlie Litton) 

Jones, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering, founded ScanMed of Resonance Innovations in his basement as a four-man operation in the mid-1990s: Back when most other medical device companies were running to biomedical hubs like Cleveland or Minneapolis.

Jones stuck with Nebraska, and it’s finally starting to pay off.

In the last three years, his business has exploded to a multimillion dollar company with a growing national reputation for rebuilding, repairing and developing new and innovative coils for magnetic resonance imaging scanners, or MRIs. After 10 tumultuous years of innovations, breakthroughs and setbacks, ScanMed’s next generation of coils—and its burgeoning repair service—has finally turned the proverbial corner with more than 30 employees and a three-year facility expansion that has grown from 5,000 to 15,000 square feet.

Already, that space could soon start feeling cramped.

“All the conditions were right, finally,” Jones said. “It’s still a little underutilized, which is good because we’re still growing. And this year is going to be a tremendous growth year.”

Jones said the company enjoyed a 99 percent growth in 2013, and used that momentum to expand operations in 2014. In 2014, ScanMed cut into its growth rate with more than $1 million investment in product development and additional hardware.

A key piece of nearly exponential growth was a 2012 buy-in from the state. With a $500,000 matching seed investment, ScanMed became the first company to receive investment funds from Invest Nebraska, a public-private venture development organization funded in part by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Invest Nebraska focuses on fostering high-growth, high-paying industry startups and small business in Nebraska.

“The fact that we got a lump sum of real capital was real helpful,” Jones said, “because we were able to buy, or at least put down deposits on, a lot of necessary equipment to get to our next growth plane.”

Just two-and-a-half years later, in December 2014, a private strategic investor bought out Invest Nebraska’s interest—at an undisclosed, but tidy profit—and sent ScanMed sailing into the future.

Jones said the infusion of cash from Invest Nebraska and other investors helped ScanMed install a 3D printer and one of the nation’s few fully-functioning MRI scanners not attached to a hospital or university. The scanner alone—a used version of General Electric’s most popular model—cost about $600,000 to purchase and install, and Jones said he already has plans to add to his arsenal a popular Siemens version.

Having a scanner on-site frees Jones and his team from renting scanner time at a local hospital. Now, they can test at will the kind of innovative products that are at the core of Jones’ passion for the business.

But the business wouldn’t have survived this long without a repair service division that “carried” ScanMed during a downturn in the medical device industry in 2008 and 2009.

“There were almost no new equipment purchases in almost two years,” Jones said “What does that do to a medical device company? You just die and go away.”

ScanMed paid the bills and survived the lean years with an MRI coil repair service that now fulfills orders from across the world. The repair service accounts for about half of ScanMed’s business, but it was the innovations that inspired ScanMed’s beginning. And it appears more innovation will pave its future.

ScanMed has developed innovative coils that focus an MRI’s powerful imaging technology on specific body parts. ScanMed products can show physicians problems in areas that previously remained elusive. Jones said he has an imaging coil that can accurately detect prostate cancer, and another that can read the notoriously difficult-to-see soft tissue in the lungs—which could have a profound impact on how physicians treat and diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD.

“Having survived all the nasty stuff that we have survived,” Jones said, “I feel pretty comfortable with where we are.”

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Antimicrobial peptide work goes on with $1.8 million from NIH

March 17, 2015 Comments (0) News

From UNMC Today

by Elizabeth Kumru, UNMC

OMAHA, Neb. (March 17, 2015)—Engineered peptides may soon be the therapy of choice against nasty bacterial and viral infections, as well as cancer and HIV.

Guangshun (Gus) Wang, PhD, assistant professor, pathology/microbiology, received a five-year, $1.88 million RO1 grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to extract the most critical parameters and design and optimize potent antimicrobial peptides, basically, templates for a new generation of antimicrobials.

He’s going after the life-threatening “superbugs” that have the ability to escape the killing power of traditional antibiotics. The ESKAPE pathogens are Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the Enterobacter species.

Dr. Wang

Dr. Guangshun (Gus) Wang, PhD

Peptides are naturally occurring tiny proteins that present a vast improvement over traditional antibiotic medications in that bacteria are far less likely to develop resistance to treatment.

“This is an exciting time especially since the pipeline for novel therapeutics to treat drug-resistant infections is dry. This is a novel way to approach this problem,” Dr. Wang said.

His work began to be noticed in 2004 when he went live with his massive peptide database, which now contains more than 2,500 peptides from a wide variety of sources, from human, animal and insect to fungi, fish and plant.

The Antimicrobial Peptide Database (APD) facilitates naming, classification, statistical analysis, search, prediction and design of novel antimicrobials with desired properties. It is the most comprehensive in the world, has received more than two million web hits and has been cited in more than 700 journal articles and patents.

With this NIAID grant, Dr. Wang has expanded his laboratory capabilities to test cytotoxicity in human cell lines and in vivo efficacy in animal models and is designing new compounds for UNMC’s center for Staphylococcal research.

Two years ago, Japan-based Taisho Pharmaceutical Company contracted Dr. Wang to make a new set of peptides to kill a particular bacterium that can only be treated now by one drug that has bad side effects, said Joe Runge, J.D., senior licensing specialist, UNeMed Corporation, the technology transfer and commercialization arm of UNMC.

“This is a new paradigm of peptide intervention,” he said. “More peptides will eventually become drugs. Dr. Wang uses information in his database and leverages his expertise to custom make peptides. It’s a perfect example of direct and applied biotechnology.

“He’s at a point in his career where he can do amazing things,” Runge said.

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Biopharma symposium enters second year, set for April 7-8

March 12, 2015 Comments (0) News

OMAHA, Neb. (March 12, 2015)—In a step to improve dialogue, research collaboration and student learning objectives, UNMC’s College of Pharmacy is sponsoring the second annual Biopharmaceutical Research and Development Symposium April 7-8, 2015. The symposium will bring together leading academic researchers with biopharmaceutical industry scientists for a day-and-a-half of seminars, round-table discussions and networking opportunities.

This symposium will feature invited speaker presentations from leading scientists in biopharmaceutical industries and academia. In addition, 3-4 graduate students and postdocs will also give an oral presentation. Graduate students are also encouraged to make poster presentations.

This symposium will provide a unique opportunity for the faculty, post-docs, and graduate students at all nearby University of Nebraska campuses (UNMC, UNO and UNL), Creighton University and other local universities and colleges to have discussions with scientists from industries on the topics of mutual interest

The symposium registration is free. To register or view a complete list of events, times and speakers, please visit https://www.unmc.edu/pharmacy/programs/symposium/index.html

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Preview: Glancing ahead at what 2015 might bring

February 20, 2015 Comments (0) News

*Editor’s Note: Before we got too deep into 2015, we wanted to scan through our pipeline for a few highlights that have the greatest potential to make headlines this year. Most of our technologies are still in early stages of development, so we have to work hard to stow our excitement about all the potential they hold. Other technologies are closer, but still aren’t quite ready for prime time—Yet. But here are a few things that are really close. Things we hope to tell the world a lot more about before the end of 2015.

by Tyler Mueller, UNeMed | Feb. 20, 2015

COPD detection: Is there an app for that?

UNeMed is in advanced talks with a commercial partner to use a chronic obstructive pulmonaryCOPD Detection Platform Hardware disease (COPD) detector in the largest ongoing clinical study of COPD exacerbation. The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Jenna Yentes, PhD, designed the device to detect signs of COPD, the narrowing or destruction of lung tissue. The device measures the relationship of a user’s walking and breathing patterns or biorhythms. Using these biorhythms, the user can be alerted to early signs of exacerbation, the flare-up of symptoms that speeds up the destruction of lung tissue.

A blood test for the heart

An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha—Dan Anderson (left), Michael Duryee (right) and Geoff Thiele (not pictured)—believe they found a way to determine who will develop potentially deadly heart disease with a simple blood test.

A team of collaborators are working on an international study to further prove and validate the authenticity of a blood test as a viable assessment of the risk of heart attacks. A molecule found in a person’s blood may signal an important distinction between coronary artery disease and heart attacks. A simple, inexpensive blood test could determine the presence of the molecule, malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde or MAA, -indicating a higher risk of heart attacks. The discovery of the molecule could alert patients to their risk level before they become susceptible. The inventors are also analyzing the biology of MAA for an even more precise test.

An answer for pancreatic cancer treatment resistance

natarajan2Amarnath Natarajan, PhD, received a University of Nebraska Proof of Concept grant to further his research on “13-197,” a pancreatic cancer drug. Pancreatic cancer is the most lethal form of cancer with roughly 45,000 diagnosed people a year. About 43,000 of them will die within five years of diagnosis. Existing treatments, when successful, only last a certain amount of time before a patient develops resistance to treatment. “13-197” has shown promise in tests with few side effects. Using the grant, Dr. Natarajan hopes to develop new and improved analogs of 13-197 to improve its potency and effectiveness.

Laparoscopic training: High-tech quality, low-tech cost

UNeMed is working with industry experts to design an advanced prototype of a portable laparoscopic simulator for FDA testing to simulate advanced surgical models but in a low-cost, low-tech environment. The portable laparoscopic training simulator can be used virtually anywhere, making the training for minimally invasive surgery that much easier. The simulator eliminates the space and equipment requirements of a typical laparoscopic setup, making nearly any space a usable training spot at a fraction of the cost. Included software will provide feedback to surgeons so they can better understand areas in need of improvement.

Protect the healing hands

Radux Devices is working on FDA approval and distribution on two technologies focused on safety and efficiency during surgeries that require X-ray imaging. In the summer of 2014, Radux received from the University of Nebraska a proof of concept grant that funded additional tests that hope to prove the reduced risk of radiation to the hands of physicians during surgery and improved workflow. The first product, the ARRESS (attachable radiation reduction extension support sheath,) is an extension sheath that keeps physicians farther from the radiation field and improves workflow. The second product, the Lock-Block, is a portable radiation shield that connects to the sheath extender.

UNeMed incubator will boost growing biotech industry

UNeMed is in the process of putting together a program that will nurture and support early-stage biotech startups. Similar to other incubator programs across the country, UNeMed’s incubator will bring together as many resources as possible into one physical space so that UNMC-borne technologies and startups have all the tools and resources needed to succeed. A more detailed announcement hopefully will come soon, but the incubator could include a physical lab space on UNMC’s campus, providing a new company with rare access to all the facilities, expert faculty, skilled staff and other resources such as mentors, advisers and potential collaborators.

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UNMC, Nebraska Medicine yield large economic footprint

February 17, 2015 Comments (0) News

Study reports economic impact of $4.2 billion annually

by Tom O’Connor, UNMC

OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 16, 2015)—UNMC and its primary clinical partner, Nebraska Medicine, have a combined $4.2 billion annual impact on Nebraska’s economy, a study released today indicates.

Durham Research CenterThe study, completed by nationally recognized consulting firm Tripp Umbach, shows that the Med Center not only contributes to the state’s well-being in health care, but also is a major player in driving its economy, said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.

“Our work impacts Nebraskans every day. Although our primary goal is to improve the lives of Nebraska through clinical care, education, research and community outreach, we’re proud to be such a strong contributor to the state’s economy and take that responsibility seriously,” said Dr. Gold, who also serves as chairman of Nebraska Medicine’s advisory board.

Tripp Umbach studied fiscal year 2013-2014, and its study includes UNMC, Nebraska Medicine, and the work that those organizations’ employees do for affiliates such as the VA Medical Center and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center.  Since 1995, Tripp Umbach has completed economic impact studies of all 130 medical schools and 400 teaching hospitals for the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

“It’s clear that UNMC and Nebraska Medicine have a significant impact on the economic health and well-being of our state. The education, research and patient care happening here attracts talent to Nebraska, produces a skilled workforce, leads to new products and innovations, and improves the quality of life for people around the state and the world,” said University of Nebraska Interim President James Linder, M.D. “I could not be more proud of the economic, educational and health benefits that UNMC and Nebraska Medicine bring to Nebraska.”

Of the $4.2 billion impact, $1.8 billion was through direct expenditures for goods and services by UNMC, employees, students, out-of-state patients and visitors. The remaining $2.4 billion came in the form of indirect spending within Nebraska, meaning the businesses and individuals that received direct payments from the medical center and its affiliates then respent their money within the state.

“It takes strong pillars to support a thriving state and local economy, and two of Greater Omaha’s most powerful are based – literally – at the city’s core,” said David Brown, president and CEO of the Greater Omaha Chamber. “UNMC and Nebraska Medicine are an undeniable force in terms of economic impact, job creation and workforce development; phrases we revere at the Chamber because we know they equate to lives improved and enhanced access to prosperity city-, region- and statewide.”

Dr. Gold noted that a key benefit of the Med Center, economically, is attracting fresh dollars to the state’s economy and keeping dollars from leaking out of the state to other academic health centers.

For instance, the Tripp Umbach report concluded that two clinical service lines – cancer and transplantation – have an economic impact of $377.8 million and $139.1 million, respectively, on the state’s economy.

“Programs such as these serve a double benefit by keeping money in the state’s economy and attracting dollars to the Nebraska economy from other regions of the country and internationally,” Dr. Gold said.

Other findings of the report included:

  • UNMC and Nebraska Medicine created and supported 28,927 Nebraska jobs in fiscal year 2013-2014.
  • UNMC and Nebraska Medicine generate $99.1 million per year in state and local taxes (i.e. dividends, fines/fees, sales, property, real estate, motor vehicle, licensing and other taxes).
  • UNMC graduates working throughout Nebraska generate an economic impact of $3.9 billion. Based on profession, physicians have a $2.7 billion impact or $1.3 million per graduate, followed by dentists ($534 million total/$750,000 per grad), pharmacists ($339.9 million/$300,000 per grad), advanced practice registered nurses ($147 million/$250,000 per grad), physician assistants ($134.7 million/$250,000 per grad), and physical therapists ($111.4 million/$200,000 per grad).
  • The combined impact of two service lines (cancer and transplant services) at UNMC and Nebraska Medicine totals $516.9 million (direct and indirect spending).

The study showed that about $1 in every $25 in the Nebraska economy is generated by UNMC/Nebraska Medicine, and the Med Center generates one in every 35 jobs in the state.

“The work we do to educate next generation health care providers, advance research of critical health issues and treat patients from around the world will always be our top priority,” said Dr. Gold, “but it’s both humbling and gratifying to know how connected and significant that work is in keeping a strong Nebraska economy.”

Nearly half of Nebraska’s physicians, dental professionals, bachelor-prepared nurses and allied health professionals have graduated from UNMC. As an academic health science center, UNMC offers patients world-class health care backed by the latest research innovations and practiced by faculty training the next generation of health providers.

Tower cranes dot the landscape as the medical center continues construction work, in Omaha, on the $323 million Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, the Lauritzen Outpatient Center, the Lozier Center for Pharmacy Sciences and Education/UNMC Center for Drug Discovery, and, in Kearney, the UNMC/UNK Health Science Education Complex.

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UNMC, UNL receive additional $2.8 million from U.S. Army for robotic telesurgery research

February 13, 2015 Comments (1) News

OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 13, 2015)—The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have received $2.8 million from the U.S. Army to continue work on robotic telesurgery research. Coupled with the $1.4 million award the group received last year, it brings total current funding to $4.2 million.

The funds awarded from the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity are being used to produce and test a miniaturized, remotely controlled surgical robot. The robots could enable a surgeon in a remote battlefield area to perform complex, lifesaving surgery with the aid of an expert surgeon potentially thousands of miles away.

Dmitry Oleynikov, M.D., director of the Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery and the Center for Advanced Surgical Technology at UNMC, is the principal investigator of the grant. Shane Farritor, PhD, UNL professor of mechanical and materials engineering, is co-principal investigator of the grant.

Researchers say the mini robots have the capability to provide basic diagnosis and triage of internal injuries in war zones or in a remote area where medical facilities aren’t immediately available. The robot can be inserted into the patient via a tiny incision, through the mouth or another natural orifice and be controlled by a surgeon in a remote location. The device would transmit live video images so surgeons could identify the trauma and serve as a “remote first responder.”

“As the military disperses surgical facilities so patients receive care where they are stationed, it’s important to maintain and improve outcomes by making the most sophisticated diagnostic and interventional care as widely available as possible,” Dr. Oleynikov said. “Our work can be a force multiplier for expert surgical capability in areas where it’s not possible to deploy limited medical personnel and resources.”

Dr. Farritor said the collaboration between UNL and UNMC makes the project special and provides the opportunity to make a real impact. “Besides the direct benefit to the Army, our robots can help in civilian clinical applications such as colon resection and other areas of general surgery,” Dr. Farritor said.

 

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick MD 21702-5014 is the awarding and administering acquisition office. This work is supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs under Award No. W81XWH-14-1-0058. Opinions, interpretations, conclusions and recommendations are those of the author and are not necessarily endorsed by the Department of Defense.

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Mirsalis will discuss ‘War on Infectious Diseases’

February 13, 2015 Comments (0) News

OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 13, 2015)—Jon Mirsalis, PhD, the Managing Director of the Bioscience Division and Executive Director of Translational Development at SRI International in Menlo Park, Calif., will present an hour-long seminar next week in the Durham Research Center auditorium.

Dr. MirsalisHis talk, “A New Paradigm for Engaging the War on Infectious Diseases,” is set to begin at noon on Tuesday, Feb. 17. Mirsalis is an internationally recognized expert at developing drugs for infectious diseases. He is expected to discuss efforts to overcome recent cutbacks in funding for research and development with a growing trend toward private-public partnerships. He will focus on the growing need for vaccines and therapeutics, and will present new models for discovering and developing them.

The author of more than 200 publications and abstracts, Dr. Mirsalis has been involved in developing more than 50 different therapeutics, and manages two major programs with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center’s College of Pharmacy is hosting the event.

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‘Free Lunch*’ provides career advice for scientists…and free lunch

January 30, 2015 Comments (0) News

by Tyler Mueller, UNeMed

OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 30, 2015)—UNeMed president and CEO Michael Dixon, PhD, told an audience of 111 grad students and postdocs they should be open and curious about alternative opportunities and subjects during UNeMed’s “Free Lunch*” panel discussion Thursday.

freelunch2“You don’t have to be a master of one thing,” he said. “You can be involved in multiple things.”

The panel discussed how their career paths began, and what led them to working at UNeMed, the technology transfer office for UNMC. The panel also gave advice on how others might follow a similar path. Along with Dr. Dixon, the panel included UNeMed vice president and director of marketing and licensing, Steven Schreiner, PhD, and UNeMed licensing associate, Agnes Lenagh, PhD

The UNMC Postdoc Association co-sponsored the event.

All three speakers said they originally had no intention of working in the tech transfer market. Dr. Lenagh said she thought about becoming a teacher or joining the Peace Corps while working in the labs. Dr. Lenagh said the monotony of lab work started to wear her down, working with the same data every day. Dr. Dixon agreed, saying “it couldn’t get more basic than what I did.” Then Dr. Lenagh heard about a UNeMed internship.

Working in tech transfer gives Dr. Lenagh the opportunity to learn about new discoveries and inventions each day.

“With tech transfer,” she said, “you get to see what other people are doing and are a part of the process.”

Dr. Schreiner expanded on the process, saying much of the time in the beginning is spent looking for similar inventions or technologies. If a similar product exists, UNeMed works with the researcher to find a way to improve or differentiate it from the existing technology. If there is an opportunity to make the technology a reality, UNeMed will look for it.

“We don’t pick winners and losers,” he said. “The market does.”

Even when a product might not be popular with companies, Dr. Schreiner emphasized the discussion doesn’t end there. UNeMed looks for other opportunities with the company to try to find something else to work on together.

When asked about internship advice, Dr. Lenagh stressed a need for students to take initiative.

“You gotta’ be outgoing and you can’t be shy,” she said. “You have to love what you do.”

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Andersen joins UNeMed as contracts specialist

January 23, 2015 Comments (1) News

by Tyler Mueller, UNeMed

Jeff AndersenOMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 23, 2015) — UNeMed announced today the addition of lawyer Jeff Andersen, J.D., as a contract specialist.

Andersen will assist researchers at University of Nebraska Medical Center by protecting their work and findings. When information is shared between labs or other entities, Andersen creates protective agreements, such as confidentiality and material transfer agreements. These agreements are common tools that protect researchers, inventors and their discoveries as they work to build collaborations that can help further their work.

“We are incredibly fortunate to recruit someone with his expertise and knowledge to the team,” UNeMed president and CEO Michael Dixon said. “He is an outstanding addition to UNeMed. We’re looking forward to the insight that he will bring.”

Andersen will perform the duties and responsibilities previously held by Jack Mayfield, who passed away unexpectedly in October.

Andersen graduated from Creighton University in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He then obtained his J.D. in 2000, also at Creighton. He obtained his registration to practice before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2003.

Andersen has spent much of his career in intellectual property law. He previously worked for Baird Holm, LLP, where he was involved with starting their patent practice section.

Before that, Andersen specialized in patent prosecution at Advent IP, LLP, and Suiter Swantz, PC, LLO.

Andersen said he knew several UNeMed staffers before joining the team. At various networking events, he met Dixon; Joe Runge, Business Development Manager; and Jason Nickla, Director of Intellectual Property.

“They have always spoken very highly of UNeMed and made it sound like a great place to work for,” Andersen said. “I wanted to learn a different side of the IP business. Working at UNeMed gives me that opportunity. I’m excited to be a part of it.”

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New biomedical institute to grow university research, tech transfer

January 9, 2015 Comments (0) News

(From a University of Nebraska press release)

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 8, 2015)—The University of Nebraska is launching a new biomedical technology institute that will position NU as a leader in key areas of research and development and expand opportunities for faculty, staff and students to partner with the private sector, commercialize their discoveries, and help grow the state’s workforce and economy.

The Nebraska Advanced Biomedical Technology Innovation and Discovery Institute, approved by the Board of Regents in November, will be jointly led by the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebraska at Omaha. The two campuses already have collaborative programs in place in critical areas like bioinformatics, robotics, biomechanics, simulation and visualization and other areas, and through the new institute will expand partnerships with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska at Kearney and other public and private institutions.

Read the full release here.

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