The MedTech Commercialization Project Development Team (PDT), launched in 2021, is a strategic innovation hub. Known as the “Device Think Tank” until recently, this innovative resource brings together experts in the fields of medical technology development, entrepreneurship, Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding, regulatory processes and business from a variety of Indiana CTSI partners. These resources help researchers bring new discoveries to commercialization.
For researcher Bob Bacallao, MD, this meant an opportunity to explore the feasibility of the project he spent over a decade developing: a technology that can reverse acute kidney injury caused by insufficient renal blood flow.
Bacallao, a Professor Emeritus at Indiana University School of Medicine, initially intended to use this therapy in patients. But recently, Bacallao pivoted to focus the application of this innovation on donor kidneys—potentially increasing the number of kidneys available for transplantation by a significant margin.
“Currently, 30% of kidneys recovered from deceased donors are not used, which amounts to about 5,000-6,000 kidneys per year in the United States,” he explained. “If we can improve these kidneys so that they are acceptable for transplant, we can get more people off dialysis.”
Kara Garcia, PhD, M.Eng, who is the program manager for the MedTech Commercialization PDT, recalled Bacallao describing his difficulty in convincing grant reviewers of the feasibility and safety of his project. “We suggested mathematical modeling as a solution to overcome this hurdle,” she said.
A PDT member put Bacallao in touch with Charles Babbs, MD PhD, in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University, and “his mathematical model of medical intervention was able to validate that the method works,” Bacallao said.
In addition to providing Bacallao with problem-solving solutions and connections, the MedTech Commercialization PDT also provided additional support—some of it financial. After his initial presentation, Bacallao returned twice for further guidance, with one visit resulting in $10,000 to bridge the theoretical gap from his current work in rodents to large animal and human studies.
Bacallao stressed that the PDT is a great resource for any researcher considering commercializing their discovery. It’s important to get advice on the business case for commercialization, he said.
“The CTSI resources can help identify how one’s findings can find a commercial avenue. My suggestion to my colleagues is to consider the potential for commercialization of their work. At the very least have your findings evaluated for patentability [by the MedTech Commercialization PDT],” he said.
To date, Bacallao is one of 31 innovators to take part in the MedTech Commercialization PDT. Applications have come from faculty at the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and Indiana University, as well as community clinicians seeking to connect with scientific or engineering expertise, according to Garcia, who is also Indiana CTSI Navigator for IU School of Medicine-Evansville.
The ideas brought to the PDT have spanned across multiple areas of focus, from pediatrics to Alzheimer’s, and even hygiene and wellness. “New ideas come from diverse places, including those working in all roles in hospitals and clinics,” said PDT co-chair Thomas O’Sullivan, PhD, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame.
As co-founder of NearWave, he brings his own experiences with technology commercialization to those researchers who are seeking help from the PDT.
“The MedTech Commercialization PDT has an enormous opportunity to help clinicians and researchers translate innovative concepts, whether it’s providing advice, connecting them with technical assistance and entrepreneurs, or providing seed funding,” he said. “We’ve had great success in helping inventors all across the state, particularly outside of the main CTSI campuses.”
O’Sullivan said that the PDT is unique in that its goal is to help researchers and clinicians advance their ideas and research results from the lab into commercial ventures.
“This is the only path that innovative medical technologies can take to ultimately improve patient care,” he said. “I am excited to not only learn about the incredible medical technology development across the state of Indiana, but to also have a role and guiding investigators to that next step.”
He looks forward to growing and establishing a collaborative entrepreneurial medical technology ecosystem that engages universities with public and private partners across the state, he said.
Interested researchers can learn more on the MedTech Commercialization PDT website, where they can fill out a simple application form to get started, or reach out to Garcia directly via email.
Related:
“Drug Development to Commercialization PDT” offers investigators feedback, funding, and expert advice” – February 14, 2024
