--- title: Innovation Institute Blog (7) description: Discover cutting-edge research, groundbreaking innovations, and entrepreneurial insights at the University of Pittsburgh Innovation Institute Blog. Explore transformative ideas in technology, healthcare, and more from leading experts and pioneers in academia and industry. Stay informed, inspired, and connected to the forefront of innovation at Pitt. (7) --- [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Menu Close - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Become A Mentor](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/mentor/) ##### Connect with Us - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/pittinnovates) - [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pittinnovates) - [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pitt-innovation-institute) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pittinnovates/) [Skip to main content](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/page/7#main) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) [Innovation Institute](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/ii/) Search for: Search Choose Research Site: Research Sites Pitt Research (main) Research Computing Research Protections Sponsored Programs Trade Compliance - [About](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/) - [Who We Are](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/who-we-are/) - [Annual Reports](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/annual-reports/) - [Startups/Success Stories](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [News](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/about/news/) - [Blog](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/) - [Innovation Institute Newsletters](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt_impact_newsletter/) - [Staff Directory](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/staff-directory/) - [Programs](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Program Listings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/program-navigator/) - [Events](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/events-competitions/) - [Navigate Our Offerings](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/navigate-our-programs-step-1/) - [Resources](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-ii-resources/) - [For Inventors](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/for-inventors/) - [Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) - [Intellectual Property](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/) - [Inventor’s Guide](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/2021-inventors-guide/) - [Create A Startup](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/key-resources/#anchortag-create-startup) - [Funding](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/funding/) - [For Industry](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Partner with Pitt](https://www.oiep.pitt.edu/) - [Search Technologies](https://upitt.resoluteinnovation.com/explore) - [Explore Pitt Startups](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-startups/) - [Licensing Templates](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/licensing-templates/) - [Contact](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/contact/) - [Get Involved](https://go.innovation.pitt.edu/get_involved) - [Submit Invention Disclosure](https://www.innovation.pitt.edu/invention-disclosure/) # Blog ## [Pitt Startup Check-in: Ocugenix](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/startup-check-in-ocugenix) October 31, 2023 Company Receives Clearance for Phase I Safety Trial for Treatment of Macular Degeneration. Alan Wells and Cecelia Yates have collaborated on and off for nearly two decades at the University of Pittsburgh developing a class of synthetic proteins that act as switches to turn off the wound healing process. Now, after nearly 7 years of pre-clinical work, the company co-founded and launched from their research has entered a Phase 1 clinical trial with its therapy for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration, also known as wet-AMD. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/startup-check-in-ocugenix) ## [Pitt Innovation Challenge Rewards Solutions for Healthcare Problems](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-innovation-challenge-rewards-solutions-for-healthcare-problems) October 16, 2023 Three Pitt innovation teams each received $100,000 awards to continue on the path from the lab to market at the 10th annual Pitt Innovation Challenge (PInCh) sponsored by the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-innovation-challenge-rewards-solutions-for-healthcare-problems) ## [Tech Tuesday: A Sustainable Alternative to Plastic](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/sustainable-alternative-to-plastic) September 5, 2023 Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute highlights a technology or a set of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnerships. This week, we feature a sustainable plastic alternative to conventional plastic, addressing the urgent issue of plastic pollution, including the notorious "Pacific trash vortex" - a massive garbage plastic dump island in the ocean. It is estimated that the Pacific Ocean alone is burdened with over 1.8 million pieces of plastic, forming massive floating patches that pose a severe environmental threat. These plastic fragments, known for their durable molecular structures, take centuries to degrade, with microplastic particles being discovered even in the deepest oceanic depths and within various aquatic species. The technology is spearheaded by Eric Beckman, PhD, Distinguished Service Professor, Swanson School of Engineering and Susan Fullerton Shirey, PhD, Associate Professor, Swanson School of Engineering. SUMMARY: While recent biologically derived materials lack the necessary physical durability for commercial applications, molecular engineering offers a new approach. By creating temporary connections between polysaccharides (carbohydrates or sugars), Pitt researchers can produce robust films that resemble plastics. When these materials come into contact with saltwater, the chains break down after several days, resulting in harmless byproducts that do not endanger living organisms. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/sustainable-alternative-to-plastic) ## [Pitt and UPMC Partner to Advance Promising Therapeutics Research](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-and-upmc-partner-to-advance-promising-therapeutics-research) August 31, 2023 UPMC Enterprises Translational Sciences and the University of Pittsburgh Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship are teaming on a second request for proposals for sponsored research projects in specific therapeutic areas. We are highlighting the two projects funded in the first RFP. We previously featured a project to develop a therapy for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a debilitating neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatments. Now we feature a gene therapy from the lab of Dwi Kemaladewi, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. [Read More](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/pitt-and-upmc-partner-to-advance-promising-therapeutics-research) ## [Tech Tuesday: Improved Pre-clinical Models for Osteoarthritis](https://blog.innovation.pitt.edu/tech-tuesday-improved-pre-clinical-models-for-osteoarthritis) August 22, 2023 Aging along with inflammation, infection, and trauma can all cause damage to joint tissue resulting in arthritic disorders. These disorders can be debilitating, significantly impacting on quality of life. 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