Every other Tuesday, the Innovation Institute features a technology or collection of technologies from its portfolio of impactful innovations available for licensing or strategic partnering. This week we feature a device co-developed by innovators from Pitt and CMU that quickly and accurately diagnoses ear infections and prevent over-prescription of antibiotics. The technology is spearheaded by Alejandro Hoberman, MD, Executive Vice Chair of Pediatrics, Vice Chair of Clinical Research, University of Pittsburgh. Automated Diagnosis of Acute Ear Infections SUMMARY: More than 20M prescriptions per year = $2B direct and $2B indirect costs Up to 50% of ear infection diagnoses are wrong Only 75% accuracy with experienced clinicians There is a need for simple, reliable clinical decision support to improve AOM diagnosis and reduce unnecessary antimicrobial therapy.
The Innovation Institute recently awarded grants from the Chancellor’s Gap Fund to four Pitt innovation teams working on small molecule drug discovery projects. The funds will enable experiments to validate their innovations and stimulate the interest of potential external investors or industry partners. Established by Chancellor Gallagher, the Gap Fund has proven effective in moving promising Pitt innovations forward on the path to commercialization, such as the universal CAR T cell receptor system developed by Jason Lohmueller, assistant professor of surgery and immunology. Lohmueller received a Gap Fund award in 2021 to help achieve critical experiments that resulted in the licensing of the technology to Pittsburgh-based cell therapy company, Coeptis Therapeutics. “The Chancellor’s Gap Fund has been instrumental in helping Pitt innovators avoid the ‘valley of death’ for their innovations by providing funding for critical de-risking experiments or the development of prototypes,” said Peter Allen, Executive Director, Inventor Engagement and New Ventures at the Innovation Institute.
Apollo Neuroscience is a spinout from the University of Pittsburgh that began in 2018. The company has developed a wearable device and software platform technology that delivers patented vibration patterns, Vibes (TM), that are scientifically shown to increase resilience, helping you to relax, sleep well, focus, and stay energized by sending gentle sound waves to any location on the body.
Pitt innovators exploring entrepreneurship have many resources to assist them on their journey to impact through commercialization. None may be as valuable as the corps of volunteer mentors who give their time freely to help them navigate the often unfamiliar terrain. The 2023 Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship James "Chip" Hanlon Volunteer Mentor of the Year, Jan Berkow, is emblematic of the characteristics of an innovation mentor. Jan is the program manager for commercialization at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Military Medicine Research, where he is responsible for bringing to market U.S. Department of Defense-funded advanced medical technologies.
Continuing our recognition of Pitt Innovators feted at the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship's Celebration of Innovation on April 25, 2023, at the Petersen Events Center Campus View Club, we feature the 2023 Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award recipient, William Wagner. The Marlin Mickle Outstanding Innovator Award is presented to a Pitt faculty member who has achieved a sustained commitment to innovation throughout a distinguished career. Dr. Wagner is Director of the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine as well as Distinguished Professor of Surgery, Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh.