Commercial development of my own research discoveries: More personal stories Of former NIH scientists

Thursday, November 07, 2013 — Concurrent Symposia Session II
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.	FAES Academic Center lower-level Classrooms 1 and 2

Co-chairs

Steven Ferguson, OD
Todd Chappell, OD

Program

Long before NCATS, CTSA, and similar program supporting the translational aspects of science came to NIH, many intramural investigators fulfilled a vision of seeing their science become part of patient care by leaving NIH to start or co-found their own companies. By practicing translations science of the "DIY (do-it-yourself) variety", these investigators have been able to achieve major personal, scientific, and professional goals as well as have important clinical and economic impact for their science. In Maryland alone, more than 50 of the founders of local bioscience companies spent some time as NIH intramural scientists. Without this talent from the NIH intramural program, this region would not have one of the top concentrations of bioscience companies in the country. This mini-symposium will feature presentations from a variety of distinguished former NIH scientists who became company founders and who will share the story of their science and passion for bringing it forward for development.

Trophogen: Developing super-agonists and antagonists of cystine knot growth factors for infertility and cancer
Bruce Weintraub, NIDDK

Clarassance: Biopharmaceuticals based on the unique and enigmatic secretoglobin family of proteins
Aprile Pilon, NICHD

Glycomimetics: Glycobiology treatments for sickle cell disease and various cancers
John Magnani, NIDDK

Vanda Pharmaceuticals: Treatment of central nervous system disorders such as schizophrenia
Mihael Polymeropoulos, NHGRI