INNOVATION GUIDE - Affinity Connection - Home IPS Book Final_web.pdfWelcome to the Innovation Guide, a first look at 40 disruptive Penn State innovations. Penn State researchers explore

Venture & IP ConferenceOctober 6 & 7, 2016

A first look at 40 disruptive Penn State technologiesINNOVATION GUIDE

222

Welcome

Welcome to the Innovation Guide, a first look at 40 disruptive Penn State innovations.Penn State researchers explore and expand the limits of scientific knowledge

every day. Our investigators advance society’s knowledge, educate the next

generation of leaders, and contribute to product innovation in a broad array of

fields. The Invent Penn State initiative represents Penn State’s first-ever program

to organize and nurture these activities across our commonwealth system.

Penn State’s research expenditures totaled $836 million for the 2015–2016

fiscal year, marking the sixth consecutive year topping the $800 million mark.

The university has a diverse research portfolio, which re ects our broad base of

expertise across all domains.

This Guide provides you with an introduction to 0 of Penn State’s inventions

across a variety of fields of research dive in and get a glimpse of how our

scientists are working to improve the future of human health, design and

implement future materials and systems, and so much more.

In this guide you will find an introduction to the technologies, an assessment of

the potential market applications for the invention, and contact information for

how you can continue a discussion with the right people at Penn State who can

guide a research or investment collaboration.

The goal of Invent Penn State is to nurture and develop the university’s massive

potential to contribute to economic development in Pennsylvania, throughout

the U.S., and beyond.

Neil SharkeyVice President for Research, Penn State University

Invent Penn State is a Commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success. Invent Penn State blends entrepreneurship- focused academic programs, business startup training and incubation, funding for commercialization, and university-community collaborations to facilitate the challenging process of turning research discoveries into valuable products and services that can enefit Pennsyl anians and human ind

This publication is available in alternative media on request.

Penn tate encourages ualified persons ith disa ilities to participate in its programs and acti ities If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact 814-753-4235 in advance of your participation or visit.

Penn tate is an e ual opportunity, affirmati e action employer, and is committed to pro iding employment opportunities to all ualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

U.Ed. RES 17-503

3

Table of Contents

Advanced Materials Innovation Low-Temperature Method for CVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Low-Temperature Sintering Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Metasurface Wearable Antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Seamless Architecture: Innovative Material Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Technology for Oil Spill Recovery and Clean-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Tunable Biomimetic Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Ultra-Tough Fibers and Films for Smart Textiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Agriculture & Biological InnovationDietary Supplement to Aid Malaria Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Food Security Social Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Handheld Plant Health Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Natural Food Colorant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

A Safe & Effective Bed Bug Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Drug Discovery / Therapeutic Boronic Compounds for Use as Therapeutic Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Brain Injury Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Compounds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Injection-Free Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Metastatic Cancer & Auto-Immune Disease Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

A New Approach to Fatty Liver Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

N G2D Inhibitors to Treat Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases . . . . . . .23

Rapid Dry Eye Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Education Tech Bullying Prevention and Social Emotional Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Simulation Software for Improved Orthopedic Surgical Procedures . . . . .26

Energy Innovation Efficiently Converting Waste CO2 to Electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

High-Energy Capacitors for Miniaturization & Efficient Storage . . . . . . . .28

Multi-Energy Optimized Process for Chemical Reactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Powering the Internet of Things with Waste Heat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Safer, More Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVELNEXT STEPS

COLLABORATIONLICENSINGINVESTMENT 6




COLLABORATIONINVESTMENT LICENSING 5























44

Medical Devices Bioabsorbable Foam for Wound Care and Tissue Engineering . . . . . . . . .32

Flap ack Surgical Retractor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Subarachnoid-to-Sagittal Sinus CSF Drainage System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Sustained-Release Protein Therapy for Tissue Regeneration . . . . . . . . . . .35

Thorascopically Assisted Rib Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Medical Diagnostics Advanced Virus Detection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Diagnosing Barrett’s Esophagus Stages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Diagnostic Protocol to Identify Chromosomal Instability . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

High-Affinity Aptamers for Targeting Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma . . . . . . 0

Polymeric Labels for Amplified Detection of Biomarkers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Software, Data Analytics, and Research Tools Aesthetic uality Inference Engine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Laser Ablation Tomography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Model for Predicting Autism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

How to Use the GuideNext StepsAt the top corner of each technology profile, you ill see the opportunity type for the technology highlighted in orange: Investment, Licensing, or Collaboration.

Researchers/company seek outside investment for further development.

Researchers/company seek outside licensing for part or all of technology. Researchers/company seek outside talent or collaboration with existing firms to further development/extend application.

Technology Readiness LevelAlso at the top of each profile is the Technology eadiness Le el T L for each technology

The Technology eadiness Le el T L scale is used to descri e the maturity of a technology, and consists of 9 levels. This scale was developed by NASA in the 1970s to assess the maturity of a technology prior to integrating this technology into a system.

ach le el designates the stage of de elopment of a technology, from the initial idea le el to the full deployment of the product in the mar etplace le el The le els are descri ed at right














TECHNOLOGY READINESS LEVELNEXT STEPS

Technology Readiness Level DescriptionsLevel 1 Basic Research: Basic principles are

observed and reported

Level 2 Applied Research: Technology concept and/or application formulated

Level 3 Critical function, proof of concept established

Level 4 Laboratory testing of prototype component or process

Level 5 Laboratory testing of integrated system

Level 6 Prototype system erified

Level 7 Integrated pilot system demonstrated

Level 8 System incorporated in commercial design

Level 9 System ready for full scale deployment

Beyond 9 Mar et introduction

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

continued

Table of Contents

Contact rad ope Office of Technology Management

[email protected] 814.865.6277 | otminfo psu edu5

High Pressure Chemistry for Electronic Devices

Layering of high speed Pt-Si photodiodes into extreme aspect ratio pores

Technology Summary: e researchers have developed a method for conformally coating substrates with semiconductors at lower temperatures than is possible with conventional chemical vapor deposition (CVD). e deposited semiconductor can inltrate very small voids and spaces so that it is possible to deposit onto very large areas within static, rolled-up substrates.

Application and Market Utility: ere are many potential applications for low-temperature CVD methods in electronics and optics, medical devices, and multiple manufacturing technologies.

Patent Status and Licensing: e inventive process is early-stage and applicable to multiple manufacturing technologies. e Penn State Research Foundation will provide additional information about the IP status and availability for commercialization.

Next Steps: e researchers are interested in collaborating with partners interested in applying the technology to specic elds of use. Contact the Penn State Oce of Technology Management for additional information.

Keywords• Low-temperature CVD• Coating Irregular Substrates

Research LeadJohn V. Badding, PhDProfessor of Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science and Engineering

Badding has been a David and Lucile Packard Foundation Fellow, a NSF National Young Investigator, and was the winner of the 2015 Faculty Scholar Medal.

Research Website http://chem.psu.edu/directory/jvb2

Platform Qualities• Lower deposition temperatures• Conformal coating• Infiltration into nanoscale oids• Deposition onto ery large area e i le

substrates in a single step

Low-Temperature Method for CVD COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

Eberly College of ScienceContact

rad ope Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

6

Low-Temperature Sintering Process

Comparative sintering results of the technology (CSP), conventional sintering (CS), two-step sintering (TSS), rate-controlled sintering (RCS), spark-plasma sintering (SPS),

micro a e sintering M , and ash sintering

6

Technology Summary: Most sintering processes occur at high temperatures >1000˚C. is technology is a protocol to achieve dense ceramic solids at extremely low temperatures (< 300˚C) via integrating particle, particle-uid interface control, and external pressure to allow the cold sintering process (CSP). CSP uses a transient aqueous environment to eect densication by a mediated dissolution-precipitation process. ese temperatures enable co-sintering of ceramic materials with other materials such as thermoplastics to develop unique composites and new functionalities in a single step process.

e researchers have reduced the technology to practice using over 50 compositions, including advanced ceramics such as BaTiO3 and ZrO2, which are used extensively in electronic devices, among many other applications.

Application and Market Utility: e process shows promise for a diverse range of chemistries (oxides, carbonates, bromides, uorides, chlorides and phosphates), multiple crystal structures, and multi-material applications. e properties of selected CSP samples are demonstrated to have physical properties essentially equivalent to samples made by conventional thermal sintering.

e technology could have widespread application in a variety of materials and would also provide a clear roadmap to guide future studies on ultra-low-temperature ceramic sintering, ceramic materials integration, printable electronics, bulk ceramics, and sustainable manufacturing processes for electro-ceramics, mechanical components, and refractories.

Patent Status and Licensing: Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for details.

Next Steps: Further collaboration and investment is sought via the Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics to target this technology to one or more of its relevant elds of application. Please coordinate contact through the OTM.

Keywords• Binary, Ternary, Quaternary Compounds• Cold Sintering Process• Dense Ceramics• Thermodynamics

Research LeadClive A. Randall, PhDProfessor of Materials Science and Engineering; Director, Materials Research Institute

Randall was Director for the Center for Dielectric Studies between 1997 and 2013, and in 2013 formed a new center as Co-Director, the Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics, for which he still serves as Technical Advisor.

Research Websites https://www.mri.psu.edu/https://www.cdp.ncsu.edu/

Platform Qualities• Reduces energy requirements to produce

fully dense sintered materials.• Exploits nanoparticulate material

properties to optimize sintering conditions

• Establishes a benchmark for sustainable manufacturing processes for the electronics and materials processing industries

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

College of Earthand Mineral Sciences

Contact Matthe mith Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL6

7

Metasurface Wearable Antenna

Above: Robust antenna performance when mounted on various platforms (application shown is for wearable medical sensors); Below right: Flexible materials (PDMS/AgNW composite)

Technology Summary: e eld of body area network (BAN) systems is predicted to be a huge market in the near future due to widespread applications ranging from health care, wearable computing, battle eld survival, and sports body monitoring. e antenna is a key element of the system, and it signicantly aects the overall device performance. is new antenna technology provides a novel approach to achieving a low-prole, conformable, wearable antenna using a metasurface concept for 2.4 GHz body area network applications.

While the antenna represents an essential component in any body area network communications system, it has also been the limiting factor due to its large size (especially the ground plane) as well as its low radiation eciency. is technology removes these limitations and opens the doors to lower-power, more compact, and more practical body area network systems.

Application and Market Utility: e researchers anticipate a wide variety of applications in wearable technology, including (1) wearable medical devices, (2) wearable sports related devices, (3) wearable devices for Internet of ings (IoT) (including smart buildings/cities), (4) wearable computing devices, (5) wearable devices for reghters and emergency workers, and (6) wearable devices for the military.

Patent Status and Licensing: US Patent Applications 14/462,780; 14/747,350; and 62/278,043. Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for further information.

Next Steps: e research team seeks further licensing, collaboration, and investment opportunities in order to target this technology to one or more of the six application areas mentioned above.

College of EngineeringContact

illiam o en Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

Keywords• Wearable Antenna• Body Area Network• Military and Medical Research

Research LeadDouglas Werner, PhDMcCain Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering

Werner is an internationally recognized authority on antenna theory and design, including conformal and wearable antennas.

Research Website http://cearl.ee.psu.edu/projects/project7-1.html

Platform Qualities• Wearable antenna with extremely small

form factor and lo profile capa le of highly efficient off ody communications

• Performance is robust to bending and well-isolated from the typical loading effects of the human body

• Design can e easily modified to employ e i le material systems including, ut

not limited to, polymers and textiles

8

Seamless Architecture: Innovative Material Interfaces

The progressive transitioning interface between glass-foam (left) and glass (right) is seen both in the specimen’s color image, and in its Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

8

Technology Summary: When there are two building materials placed next to one another, there must be a joint that addresses air-tightness, water-tightness, load bearing, and/or multiple other requirements. Conventionally, joints are created by introducing a third element that either mechanically fastens the two components or uses an adhesive to create a bond between them. As a result, the coordination is complicated and dicult, many aspects can fail, and the seal is never guaranteed. ere is a need for elimination of as many mechanical joints as possible without undermining functionality. e technology is a seamless/transitioning interface(s) between various materials and/or building components that can introduce a progressive transition (a gradience) between these materials.

Application and Market Utility: is technology is developing simultaneously in three funded areas of focus: (1) the development of sustainable materials, processes, and practices; (2) providing solutions for building in harsh conditions where impermeability between and through surface materials is required; and (3) further development and modication of additive manufacturing technologies in the building industry and production of seamless architecture.

e technology has many potential applications in the arts, industrial design, and particularly architecture, permitting construction scenarios never imagined before in the creation of spatial conditions, surface conditions, and insulation against sound, water, moisture, gases, or air. Patent Status and Licensing: Patent pending (provisional patent led). e technology is available for licensing through the Oce of Technology Management.

Next Steps: e team’s immediate plans include continued design and engineering of composite materials, repeating previous kiln-casting experiments using additive manufacturing technology, and scaling up the technologies.

Keywords• Impermeable Joints• Seamless Architecture• Additive Manufacturing

Research LeadsShadi Nazarian, M.Arch.IIAssociate Professor of Architecture

Nazarian’s interdisciplinary research, experimentations, and competition entries have been recognized with prestigious peer-reviewed awards, such as those from the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA), the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), the Austrian Cultural Institute, and the Peace Garden Design Competition.

Carlo Pantano, Paolo Colombo, Mauro Marangoni

Research Websiteshttps://stuckeman.psu.edu/faculty/shadi-nazarianhttps researchgate net profileShadi_Nazarian

Platform Qualities• Uses environmentally friendly processes• Seamlessly joins opaque and transparent

materials without intermediate component, frame, or mechanical joint

• Encourages streamlining production and use of GP composites in the building industry

• Highlights the possible applications of additive manufacturing in the arts, industrial design, and architecture

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

College of Arts and Architecture


[email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

9

Technology for Oil Spill Recovery and Clean-up


Petrogel absorbs petroleum products (e.g., oil spills), accumulating up to 45 times its weight in hydrocarbons.

Technology Summary: e investigators have developed and patented a new polyolen-based hydrocarbon super-absorbent polymer (Petrogel®) that can eectively transform a maritime oil spill into a oating solid (oil-swelled gel), ready for collection (recovery by skimmer) and rening as regular crude oil, with no special disposal requirements and no residual waste in natural resources.

Application and Market Utility: ree standard methods are commonly deployed to combat an oil spill on the open sea today, including booms and skimmers, dispersants, and in situ burning. ese methods are either ineective or have deleterious environmental consequences. Most of the spilled oil is wasted, becoming pollutants in the air and water. Small fractions that are recovered generate a large quantity of solid and liquid waste. e technology provides a system for collection and reuse or recycling of spilled hydrocarbons.

Patent Status and Licensing: e technology is protected by multiple patents and patent applications: (1) USP 9,109,057 “Methods and materials for hydrocarbon recovery,” (2) Pending US Patent Application 14/801,414, (3) Pending US Patent Application 14/857,440, and (4) Pending US Patent Application 15/237,283.

Trademark registration has been attained for PETROGEL (for Organic Absorbents in the Nature of Polyolens for the Containment, Collection and Recovery of Hydrocarbons). US Trademark Registration No. 4,768,875 (2015). Patent Cooperation Treaty PCT/US2015/043576.

Next Steps: e investigators seek a partner with engineering and marketing expertise, and nancial resources necessary to commercialize Petrogel® products.

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

Keywords• Oil Recovery• Polyolefin a sor ent• Super-absorbent

Research LeadT.C. Mike Chung, PhDProfessor of Polymer Science in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Chung was previously on the Senior Research staff at Exxon Corporate. Research Website http://www.matse.psu.edu/directory/faculty/tc-mike-chung

Platform Qualities• High oil-absorption capacity• Fast kinetics• No water absorption• Easy recovery from water surface and

transport to storage tanks• Recovered oil can be processed as regular

crude• Cost effective and economically feasible• Scaled up to multi-pound quantities

Petrogel®


[email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5

10

Tunable Biomimetic Materials

Structural repetitive proteins (SRP)-coated fabric self-heals. From left: Step 1: fabric with hole, Step 2: wet fabric and patch in a drop of water, Step 3: self-healed fabric

10

Technology Summary: Recombinant structural repetitive proteins (SRP) are a thermoplastic biodegradable material with a variety of tunable properties, which is competitive with high-end synthetic petroleum-based plastics. e material is semi-crystalline and can be made rigid or so, exhibiting very high tensile strength. Among other applications, the team seeks to develop smart textiles which are multi-capable and can be used in a variety of applications, while being environmentally friendly and ecient. Application and Market Utility: Current applications under consideration include: a self-healing, high-strength textile; a wet adhesive for medical/surgical uses; and cosmetic uses. e material has the advantage of being eco-friendly. Polymers like those in SRPs can be manufactured into polyelectrolyte coatings, made up of positively and negatively charged polymers, to impart various functions, such as clothing that degrades toxins from pesticides. Patent Status and Licensing: IP is owned by the Penn State Research Foundation and is available for eld-limited licensing. e technology is protected by US patent applications 15/137,999 “De novo Structural Protein Design for Manufacturing High Strength Materials” and 14/774,410 & 14/850,001 “Compositions and Methods Related to Proteins Capable of Reversible Transition to a Melt.” Next Steps: e research group is interested in participating in the commercialization of the technology, and is seeking early-stage funding and research collaboration for investigation of commercial applications.

Keywords• Biomimetic Materials• Medical Device• Biological Coating• Biopolymer • Wound Dressing• Self-healing Materials

Research LeadMelik Demirel, PhDDirector of the Center for Advanced Fiber Technologies (CRAFT); Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics

Demirel has a decade of experience in biosensors and nanomaterials. His achievements have been recognized, in part, through his receipt of a Young Investigator Award, an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, an Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter Junior Fellowship, the Pearce Development Professorship at Penn State, and a Boeing Distinguished Speaker Award.

Research Websitewww.personal.psu.edu/mcd18

Platform Qualities• Tunable family of recombinant proteins • Naturally derived to improve

biocompatibility• Physical properties can e modified to

enhance ductility and tensile strength

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL6



11

Ultra-Tough Fibers and Films for Smart Textiles

Photographs and scanning electron microscopy images of the transparent, super-stretchable, and super tough graphene o ide O films of different thic nesses

Technology Summary: e researchers have produced robust graphene oxide (GO) bers with complex architectures and exceptional mechanical and electrical properties. e GO bers have extremely large elongation to fracture (up to 76%), high toughness (up to 17 J/m3), and attractive macroscopic properties, such as uniform circular cross-section, smooth surface, and great knotability.

Application and Market Utility: e GO bers can be used for smart textiles and as a heating element. e lms could be used for thin transparent coatings on dierent hydrophilic surfaces.

is technology can save a considerable amount of energy for lm formation. It can be even coupled to take advantage of low-grade waste heat. e technology could also be used to produce specialty carbon bers and GO membranes for gas and organic solvent separation technology.

Patent Status and Licensing: US patent 9,284,193. Inventors: M. Terrones, R. Cruz-Silva, A. Morelos-Gomez, M. Endo, N. Perea-Lopez, A.L. Elias. “Method for preparing super-tough large area graphene oxide lms, graphene oxide bers and electrically conductive graphene bers.”

Next Steps: e researchers seek to bring the GO lm and ber technology from research to commercial applications and need investment to develop a pilot scale manufacturing laboratory and to develop potential applications that can have commercial success. Contact the Oce of Technology Management for material samples.

Keywords• Graphene Oxide (GO)• Smart Textiles• Gas Separation Technologies• Fiber Composites

Research LeadsMauricio Terrones, PhDProfessor of Physics, Chemistry, and Materials Science & Engineering

Terrones has previously collaborated with industry partners to build an IUCRC, named ATOMIC, meant to develop novel 2-D graphene materials.

Ana Laura Elias Arriaga, PhDResearch Associate, Physics

Nestor Perea-Lopez, PhDResearch Associate, Physics

Research Website https://sites.psu.edu/terronesresearch/

Platform Qualities• Can be used for thin transparent coatings• Energy-saving• Super-tough• Super-stretchable• Uniform circular cross-section, smooth

surface, and great knotability

Eberly College of Science

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3


12

Dietary Supplement to Aid Malaria Recovery

Kaplan–Meier survival curve shows that all animals on the standard diet die within 8 days of infection. Animals on the custom diet survive to the end of the experiment.

12

Technology Summary: is technology is a new dietary supplementation that increases malaria survival while simultaneously preventing iron deciency. Use of this dietary supplement addresses two major global health concerns at once, since malaria and iron deciency are oen present in the same populations. In children, both iron deciency and cerebral malaria can result in irreversible neural damage, which has far-reaching negative social and economic impacts in areas where these two maladies are common.

Application and Market Utility: ere is debate regarding the use of iron supplements in areas where the risk of malaria is high; some argue that iron deciency protects against malaria by limiting the number of red blood cells that a parasite can infect. e problem is that iron deciency brings about a number of problems, such as poor cognition, decreased motor skills, increased risk of heart problems and decreased growth rate in children. is technology is designed to manage iron status, thus minimizing the problems associated with iron deciency without increasing the eect of malaria infection.

Because iron deciency is the most common nutritional deciency aecting 1.62 billion people worldwide, and almost 200 million cases of malaria occurred in 2013, this technology addresses two urgent global health needs.

Patent Status and Licensing: PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US15/64903, led December 10, 2015 (Based on US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/090,663, filed December 11, 2014) Title: “Medical Food for the Treatment of Malaria and/or Iron Deficiency.”

Next Steps: e researchers are interested in developing a licensing, collaboration, and/or investment relationship that will quickly result in a clinical study for the technology.

Keywords• Malaria • Dietary Supplement• Iron Deficiency

Research LeadJames Connor, PhDDistinguished Professor of Neurosurgery, Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Pediatrics; Vice Chair of Neurosurgery Research; Director, Center for Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Connor has over 30 years of research experience in iron and biology, has started t o companies, and has significant experience working with industry.

Research Website https://www.huck.psu.edu/users/james-connor

Platform Qualities• 100% survival in animal model of malaria

compared to 0% on a standard diet or on an iron deficient diet

• Limits the in ammatory response associated with malaria without limiting iron availability

• Because iron is available and in ammatory response is lunted, neurological and cognitive development is normal

• Alleviates the trade-off between conse uences of iron deficiency and increased risk of malarial infection

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4

College of MedicineContact Da id ado s i Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

13

Food Security Social Network

Sample page from PlantVillage online resource guide for plant disease

Technology Summary: PlantVillage is a platform that automatically diagnoses plant diseases using computer vision tools and machine learning algorithms. It connects people growing food with the largest social network of crop health solutions. e algorithms for classifying diseases have been shown to work with a 99% accuracy. e researchers collected 150,000 images to train such algorithms. e algorithms are also now being developed on phones. e social networking platform is currently four years old and has over three million users. e annual growth rate for the platform is 250%.

Application and Market Utility: ere are 76 land grant institutions as well as multiple Agricultural Research Stations operated by the USDA both in the USA and abroad (to control accidental import of diseases and pests). Each research center requires point-of-care diagnosis and the opportunity for model transfer.

Food security is a massive area of investment at local, state, federal, and international levels that typically involves substantial sums donated by philanthropic organizations (e.g., Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Buett Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation). Congress recently passed the Food Security Act that authorized $1 billion for President Obama’s Feed the Future program.

Last year, $4.1 billion was invested in agriculture start-ups, which was a 98% increase from 2014. Agriculture accounts for 10% of GDP (globally) but has only received 3.5% of investment, which suggests a high potential for growth.

Patent Status and Licensing: None. PlantVillage promotes free dissemination of information to improve agricultural production worldwide.

Next Steps: e research team seeks collaboration and social-entrepreneur investment to expand the reach of the PlantVillage resource.

Keywords• Food Security• Remote Plant Disease Diagnosis• Pest Control• Predictive Data

Research LeadsDavid Hughes, PhDCo-Founder Assistant Professor of Entomology and Biology

Hughes’ primary expertise is in infectious diseases, having worked in 11 countries on 5 continents.

Marcel Salathé, PhDCo-Founder

Research Websitewww.plantvillage.org

Platform Qualities• Machine learning algorithms that allow

computers to diagnose plant diseases • Social network around crop health• Allows massively scalable dissemination

of highly predictive data

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL9

College of Agricultural SciencesContact Da id ughes Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

14

Keywords• Plant Health• Crop Disease• Portable Spectrometer• Smartphone Spectrometry• Spectral Data Analysis

Research LeadsZhiwen Liu, PhDCTO and Co-FounderProfessor of Electrical Engineering

Perry Edwards, PhDCEO and Co-Founder

Victor Bucklew, PhDCo-FounderSenior Optical Engineer

Research Website www.atoptix.com

Platform Qualities• Ability to detect and discern between

multiple plant stressors (e.g., nutrient, water, and disease states)

• Uses the plant as a gauge stick to determine agro-chemical application rates, in contrast to an indirect soil measurement or subjective visual inspection

• Non-destructive optical measurement in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and near infrared (near-IR) wavelength range (450–1000 nm)

• Device connects with a smartphone and is operated through an intuitive smartphone app

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

Handheld Plant Health Sensor

Atoptix prototype plant health sensor

Technology Summary: Atoptix is developing a handheld smartphone-based plant health sensor that can provide real-time quantitative measurements of crop nutrient levels and water stresses, as well as early agging of diseased plants not yet visually distinguishable. e plant health sensor is built o of a patented miniature, low-cost, and yet high-resolution spectroscopy platform. e spectrometer technology was originally developed by Atoptix co-founders at Penn State. e sensor is unique as it essentially uses the plant as the gauge stick for determining agro-chemical application rates, in contrast to a nearby soil measurement or a subjective visual inspection approach. Application and Market Utility: e handheld plant health sensor is designed for use in the precision agriculture market, capturing optical measurements from the leaf of a plant that can be used to diagnose the plant’s overall health and provide recommendations for optimizing care. In discerning whether a plant suers from a nutrient deciency, a water stress, or a disease pressure, the sensor provides a means for farms to better manage and substantially save agro-chemical and irrigation resources. Additionally, the ability to time stamp and geo-stamp spectral data through integration with smartphones enables the development of an extraordinary spectral database, at a scale never before possible. Such a capability brings the power of “BIG” data analysis around a myriad of applications in the agricultural and environmental markets.

Atoptix’s current focus is to bring a product to market for early disease diagnosis in high-value crops, particularly for diseases without a cure, such as the deadly citrus greening disease (Huanglongbing). Atoptix has developed functional prototypes of the plant health sensor and is currently performing eld testing with the devices to demonstrate the early diagnostic capability.

Patent Status and Licensing: e core spectrometer technology was patented by Penn State (US Patent 8,861,086 and foreign patents pending). Atoptix has an exclusive license agreement with Penn State for the technology. Next Steps: Atoptix is seeking investment to perform nal stages of R&D, engage customers, develop the manufacturing process, and build/release its products.



TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL7TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL6

15

Natural Food Colorant

Sample of current AvoColor range

Technology Summary: AvoColor is derived from the seed of the avocado and represents a disruptive innovation in “natural” food colors, as no other alternative shares its unique product attributes. e introduction of AvoColor and similar compounds will bring a novel class of safe food colors to the industry. e commercialization of AvoColor will dramatically accelerate the elimination of articial colors from foods.

Application and Market Utility: e food color market is currently at $2 billion and growing, split nearly evenly between articial and natural colors. Natural colors will signicantly outpace the growth of articial colors going forward. e researchers predict that the product market potential, due to its favorable stability attributes and cost, may expedite the demise of the articial food color market.

Current colors can meet nearly 50% of the food color demands. erefore, at least 50% of the $2 billion market is addressable market/market potential.

Patent Status and Licensing: Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/250,684 [Characterization of a Natural Orange Pigment Found in Hass Avocado (Persea americana) Seed for Use as a Natural Food Colorant.]

Next Steps: Persea Naturals LLC has been formed to commercialize the AvoColor product line. e company has conducted product testing with a major manufacturer. e product will be manufactured using methods standard in the food processing industry, and the products will be exempt from FDA certication. e company seeks commercial relationships to accelerate market introduction of its product line, and expects to complement this eort with continued research to expand its product oerings.

Keywords• Natural Food Colorant• Red-orange-yellow Hue• Avocado Seed

Research LeadsGregory R. Ziegler, PhDProfessor of Food Science in the College of Agricultural Sciences; Director of Graduate Studies

For 28 years, Ziegler has taught and conducted research on food process engineering.

He was formerly employed by H.J. Heinz as a food technologist responsible for product and process development, and has consulted for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Robert J. HicksCEO

Platform Qualities• Water-soluble natural food color of red-

orange-yellow hue• Heat, light, pH, and O2 stable• More vibrant than most other food colors

of natural origin• Derived from avocado seeds, which are

currently a waste product of the avocado industry

• AvoColor has been tested by a major natural food color company with encouraging results

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

College of Agricultural SciencesContact Matthe mith Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5

16Contact Matthe mith Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

A Safe & Effective Bed Bug Treatment

Technology Summary: ConidioTec aims to provide a nontoxic, reliable, and cost-eective solution for bed bug remediation (AprehendTM), and oer the rst preventative treatment for use in the hospitality industry to protect against the introduction and establishment of bed bugs and their transmission to guests. Application and Market Utility: When bed bugs cross the treated barrier, infective fungal spores stick to the body of the bug and are carried back to the harborage (cracks and crevices where bed bugs hide), where they are spread among the bed bug population. Bed bugs that come into contact with the fungal spores will become infected and die within 4–7 days. e long-lasting spray residue maintains eective control for over three months and can be used to prevent the establishment of bed bug populations in hotels and public spaces.

A pest control operator conducting a single remediation treatment with AprehendTM would reduce its operational costs by 33% and gain new market opportunities against this growing epidemic. In 2015, the revenue for chemical products used in bed bug control in the US was approximately $236 million.

Patent Status and Licensing: Jenkins, N.E., Barbarin, A., Rajotte, E.G., omas, M.B. (2012). “Compositions and methods for bed bug control using entomopathogenic fungi.” US Patent Application 14/810,137. ConidioTec has licensed the technology from Penn State Research Foundation and has registered the trademark AprehendTM.

Next Steps: e company is awaiting regulatory approval from the EPA and anticipates it will begin commercial sale of the product by the end of 2016.

Keywords• Bed Bug Remediation• Pest Control• Nontoxic Biopesticide

Research LeadNina Jenkins, PhDSenior Research Associate, Department of Entomology

She has been researching and developing biopesticides for over 20 years and collaborated in the development of Green Muscle for locust and grasshopper control, now owned by BASF.

Website www.aprehend.com

Platform Qualities• Nontoxic, long-lasting biopesticide• Extensive proof-of-concept testing

completed• Currently under review by EPA for

regulatory approval

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL8

College of Agricultural Sciences

17

Boronic Compounds for Use as Therapeutic Drugs

Targeting Cysteine Sulphenic Acid in the Oxidized State of PTP

The approach is to trap the phosphatase in its inactive state (oxidized state) with boron compounds so that the PTP cannot reverse back to the active cysteine state. This would increase the phosphorylation le el of the do nstream proteins the specific PTP targets, and impact the

specific signaling path ay

Technology Summary: A collaboration between Penn State and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has identied promising boron-based compounds that can eectively trap phosphatases from the LAR/PTP-sigma/PTP-delta subfamily of the transmembrane PTP. ese phosphatases play important roles in neuronal development and pathnding, and they are potential targets for treatment of diabetes. ese phosphatases can switch between the active and non-active forms by changing their redox states.

e investigators found that the boronate-compounds can trap the phosphatases when the proteins are in the oxidized state but not in the reduced state of the proteins. is allows one to chemically manipulate the activity of the phosphatases by keeping the proteins in the oxidized state for a prolonged period of time. Furthermore, this specic interaction between the boronate-compounds and the oxidized state of the LAR/PTP-sigma/PTP-delta phosphatase subfamily can be useful for characterizing the redox regulation of other phosphatases, such as distinguishing the outcomes of cysteine-oxidation in PTPs.

Application and Market Utility: e subject technology may be useful for discovering and developing therapeutic drug compounds for treating human disease, including nerve injuries and therapeutic angiogenesis in diabetes mellitus. e technology may have utility for biotech companies that develop assays to monitor the redox regulation of the PTP family or other sulfenic acid-regulated proteins.

Patent Status and Licensing: is technology is available for licensing, but additional research is required. Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for further information.

Next Steps: e research team is interested in exploring research collaboration with eld-specic investigators through licensing or joint research.

Keywords• LAR/PTP Oxidation• Redox Regulation of Phosphatases• Diabetes Treatment

Research LeadsStephen J. Benkovic, PhDEvan Pugh University Professor and Eberly Chair in Chemistry

Benkovic’s research group is engaged in a variety of projects connected by the general theme of understanding enzyme catalysis at various levels. He has successfully commercialized several of his inventions.

Nicholas Tonks, PhDProfessor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

Research Website http://sites.psu.edu/benkoviclab/

Platform Qualities• A broad portfolio of target compounds

and analogues • Methods for attaching PTP samples to

beads that allow separation of oxidized proteins for analytical purposes

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL2

Eberly College of ScienceContact

on uss Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]


Brain Injury Treatment

Brain Injury and Alzheimer’s Disease Model

The technology initiates in situ transformation of reactive glial cells into functional neurons.

Technology Summary: e researchers are developing both gene therapy and drug therapy to regenerate a variety of specic neurons to treat brain/spinal cord injury and neurological disorders, such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, ALS, etc. Initial focus will be on stroke and spinal cord injury. ere are currently two products in the pipeline: (1) Tissue-injectable NeuroD1 AAV particles for gene therapy and (2) A cocktail of chemical compounds for drug therapy.

Application and Market Utility: Currently available drugs to treat brain/spinal cord injury or other neurodegenerative disorders have limited ecacy. Stem cell therapy based on cell transplantation can potentially generate new neurons, but faces serious side eects such as immunorejection and tumor formation. e technology’s direct in vivo conversion technology is making use of the brain’s internal glial cells to regenerate functional neurons in situ, without any cell transplantation involved. erefore, this innovative technology sidesteps the hurdles facing stem cell therapy. is technology makes it possible, for the rst time in history, to reverse glial scar back to neural tissue, leading to a revolution for brain repair. Patent Status and Licensing: Chen has an active research lab and has formed NeuExcell Therapeutics as a commercial complement to his academic work. Contact the Office of Technology Management to discuss licensing and collaboration opportunities.

Next Steps: Chen and his team have recently finished a set ofexperiments in mice and rats, demonstrating successful brain repair andfunctional recovery after stroke using NeuroD1-mediated in vivo reprogramming technology. NeuExcell is seeking $3 million as series A funding to complete pre-clinical requirements in order to file an IND with the FDA.

Keywords• Brain and Spinal Cord Repair• In Situ Glia-to-Neuron Conversion

Research LeadGong Chen, PhDProfessor and Verne M. Willaman Chair in Life Sciences; Lab Head of Charles H. “Skip” Smith Life Sciences Laboratory

Chen’s lab at Penn State has over $7 million in research funding for continuous work on brain and spinal cord repair, which will gen-erate further patents related to the newly invented technologies.

Research Website http://bio.psu.edu/directory/guc2

Platform Qualities• Direct in vivo glia-to-neuron conversion

for brain and spinal cord repair• Gene and drug therapy

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

LICENSING/SUBLICENSING

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

NeuExcellTherapeutics


19

Keywords• Drug Discovery• Antibiotics • T Target Identification

Research LeadsKenneth Keiler, PhDProfessor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Keiler has worked on trans-translation for 20 years, and holds three patents on inhibition of this pathway and others. He has collaborated with Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, and Microbiotix on drug development projects. Stephen Benkovic, PhDEvan Pugh University Professor and Eberly Chair in Chemistry

Research Website http://sites.psu.edu/keilerlab/

Platform Qualities• Trans-translation is required in all

bacteria, creating a broad-spectrum target• Technology includes assay compatible

with HTS for inhibitors• Top identified inhi itors ill pathogens

with a MIC < 100 ng/ml• Target-based resistance occurs with

frequency less than 1 in 109

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Compounds

Inhibitor structures and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values for selected pathogens

Technology Summary: e researchers have developed methods and compositions of matter relating to inhibitors of the tmRNA pathway. ese potential therapeutics have antibacterial activity with broad species specicity, including B. anthracis and other pathogens of military and civilian interest. Identied compositions have been demonstrated to kill bacterial pathogens when added exogenously. Proof-of-concept animal testing is underway. Application and Market Utility: Antibiotic-resistant infections are increasingly dicult to treat and cost $20 billion per year in direct healthcare costs. e subject antibiotics provide a new target for antibiotics and new chemical scaolds with potent ecacy that can be used to treat infections in humans and/or animals. e researchers’ top inhibitors are as eective as antibiotics in clinical use. ey do not exhibit cross-resistance with any existing compounds. Patent Status and Licensing: Available patent protection includes: (1) USP 8,975,288, “F2 Derivatives as Antibacterial Agents,” (2) USP 8,962,550, “Identication of Inhibitors of a Bacterial Stress Response.,” and USP 8,637,267, “Antibacterial and Plasmid Elimination Agents.” Contact the Oce of Technology Management for further information. Next Steps: Late-stage preclinical and clinical testing is required to bring these new antibiotics to market.

Contact Lidia o o Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL2


20

Injection-Free Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

A green uorescently la eled P D peptide formulated as an eye drop and applied topically to the eye (cornea). Within 2 hours, the peptide can be traced back to the retina where pathologies

occur in diabetic retinopathy, AMD, and other blinding diseases.

College of Medicine

Technology Summary: In both diabetic retinopathy (DR) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD), patients’ vision is compromised by cell death, inammation, growth of abnormal blood vessels, and edema. Most available drugs tackle blood vessel complications in late stage AMD but ignore the earlier-occurring pathological events. Panoptek erapeutics has designed proprietary PEDF-derived small peptides to address inammation and angiogenesis that result in cell death and vascular leakage. is novel topical diabetic retinopathy treatment provides safer, more eective, and noninvasive PEDF peptide treatment at both the early and late stages of the disease.

Application and Market Utility: More than 10 million Americans suer from visual impairment caused by diabetes and AMD, with an expected 26x increase by 2050. 11% of adults with diabetes have visual impairment. Currently, there is no cure or eective biological treatments for diabetic retinopathy. Panoptek erapeutics’ proprietary topical peptide technology has the following potential advantages over competing products: (1) addresses problems of both early and late stage DR and AMD; (2) is easy to manufacture; (3) is noninvasive; (4) can be used as needed by patients and at dierent doses; (5) can safely be applied at home; (6) is easy to dierentiate its composition; (7) costs ~50% less than competing drugs; (8) is synergistic with other ocular treatments; (9) is likely eective for other retinal diseases.

Patent Status and Licensing: Patent application titled “Functional Peptide Analogs of PEDF” led September 12, 2014 (Serial No.: 14/484,689). Next Steps: In vitro studies are completed and preclinical studies are ongoing. Panoptek erapeutics aims to develop PEDF peptides for other types of blinding retinal diseases. e company seeks licensing, collaboration, and/or investment partnerships.

Keywords• Diabetes• Diabetic Retinopathy• Age-Related Macular Degeneration• Blinding Diseases• PEDF Peptide Treatment

Research LeadsJoyce Tombran-Tink, PhDFounder and CSOProfessor of Neural and Behavioral Science, Professor of Ophthalmology

Colin J. Barnstable, DPhil

Research Website https profiles psu edu profilesdisplay/113420

Platform Qualities• Delivered topically or by slow release

implants instead of injections directly into the eye

• Therapeutically active small molecules derived from a native protein in the eye

• Multi-hit peptides that reduce hallmark pathologies in DR and AMD, including cell death, in ammation, lood essel growth, and leakage

• Low systemic safety issues• Synergistic with other symptomatic

treatments• Has preventative and restorative potential• Likely effective for other retinal diseases,

including geographic atrophy and uveitis

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5

Panoptek Therapeutics

Contact Da id ado s i Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

21

Helios Biotechnology

Pharmaceuticals, LLC


COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4

Keywords• Metastatic Cancers• Breast Cancer• Liver Cancer• In ammation• Auto-Immune Disease• Pharmaceutical• Therapeutic Target

Research Leads

Yanming Wang, PhD Co-Founder, Associate Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Nestor Perea-Lopez, PhDDirector of Engineering

Gong Chen, PhDCo-Founder, Penn State Associate Professor of Chemistry

Research Website http://research.chem.psu.edu/chengroup/Home.html

Platform Qualities• o el platform for identification of a

broad range of anti-cancer therapeutic strategies

• In vitro and in vivo models have been created and validated

• Target compounds have been synthesized and tested

Effect of PAD4 Inhibition on Genome Regulation and Tumor Growth

Figure A demonstrates the effect of YW3-56 on histone (H3) citrullination. In Figure B, the growth inhibition of in vivo tumors by YW3-56 and two FDA-approved chemotherapy agents (SAHA and

Doxorubicin) is represented.

Technology Summary: e technology includes novel small molecule inhibitors that target the PAD4 enzyme for the treatment of cancer and auto-immune diseases. As a regulator of the genomic histone code, misregulation of PAD4 has been implicated in a wide range of cancers. PAD4 post-translational protein citrullination is also tightly linked to chronic inammation. Application and Market Utility: Proof-of-concept studies has been demonstrated in cell culture and mouse models. e inventors have an in-depth understanding of inhibitor compound structure, mechanism of action, and in vivo localization.

Primary studies focused on inhibitor eects on cancer progression. Pre-clinical results demonstrate an induction of autophagy and selective reduction of tumor cell growth following inhibitor (YW3-56) treatment. Knocking down PAD4 activity genetically or pharmacologically additionally reduces cell behaviors critical for new tissue colonization, including cell adhesion, migration, and invasion. Data also suggests that PAD4 inhibitors may be used as adjuncts to increase ecacy of previously FDA-approved cancer therapies, including SAHA.

First intended indications include breast cancer and post-surgical suppression of tumor growth in the liver. Both show promising results in in vivo mouse models. Patent Status and Licensing: IP, including US Patent US8710039 B2, is owned by the Penn State Research Foundation. Helios Biotechnology Pharmaceuticals, LLC, anticipates receiving an exclusive license to the IP. Next Steps: To drive company growth, Helios seeks a Chief Operational Ocer or Business Development Manager. Wang and Chen will remain active in PAD4 therapeutic development as scientic advisors.

Metastatic Cancer & Auto-Immune Disease Treatment


22Contact Lidia o o Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

A New Approach to Fatty Liver Disease

Illustration of fatty liver disease

Technology Summary: Heliome’s patent pending, orally-delivered, potent, tissue-selective, small molecule therapies represent a paradigm-shiing approach for combatting fatty liver disease. Heliome’s operational model is lean, highly ecient, and focused on the expedited clinical development and commercialization of new fatty liver disease drugs. With this approach and exciting new technology, Heliome expects to become a leading company in developing tissue-selective drugs.

Application and Market Utility: Currently, 1.5 billion adults in the world are overweight; 500 million adults are considered obese. is global obesity epidemic is dramatically increasing the incidence of metabolic disorders—diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and hyperlipidemia. e PSU/NIH FXR antagonist technology could be developed to treat these disorders worldwide. In the US, there are > 30 million adults with NASH; of those, > 14 million exhibit symptoms of liver brosis, a scarring of the liver. Advanced liver brosis causes liver failure, which necessitates liver transplant. Currently, there is no approved treatment for NASH.

Many companies are developing therapies for metabolic diseases such as NASH, but all are systemic treatments, meaning the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream; systemic drugs have a higher likelihood of side eects. Heliome’s FXR antagonist technology targets the FXR receptor in the gut, and the drug is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream. is could be a superior therapeutic approach as it minimizes potential side eects. e primary human-therapeutic market applications being pursued are: Diabetes: $32 billion by 2017 | NASH: $30 billion by 2025 | Hyperlipidemia: $15 billion in 2013.

Patent Status and Licensing: (1) US Provisional Patent Application No. 61/861,109, “Inhibitors of the Farnesoid X Receptor and Use ereof in the Prevention of Weight Gain” [HHS Reference No. E5082013/0US01] (2) US Provisional Patent Application No. 62/004,436, entitled “Methods of Treating or Preventing Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” [HHS Reference No. E5082013/1US01] (3) PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/49460, “Inhibitors of the Farnesoid X Receptor and Uses in Medicine” [HHS Reference No. E5082013/2PCT01] (4) Various national-stage lings. Contact the Oce of Technology Management for more information.

Next Steps: e company is currently building a pipeline of drug targets and lead molecules. It anticipates licensing additional IP from Patterson’s lab at Penn State, and potentially lead molecules from pharma companies. e company is also raising $5–10 million in funding.

Keywords• Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)• FXR Antagonist• Obesity • Diabetes

Research LeadAndrew Patterson, PhDAssociate Professor of Molecular Toxicology

Patterson has more than 10 years of drug metabolism and toxicology expertise and has published more than 70 original, peer-reviewed publications.

Platform Qualities• Tissue specific small molecule drug

platform• Targeting metabolic diseases• Developing low-side-effect human

therapeutics

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3


Heliome

23

Keywords• NKG2D Inhibitors• Cardiovascular Disease• Metabolic Disease• Diabetes Research

Research LeadNa Xiong, PhDAssociate Professor of Immunology, Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences

Xiong’s research interest primarily concerns tissue- resident immune cells in various local tissues and their roles in tissue specific immune homeostasis and in ammation, particularly understanding molecular mechanisms regulating migration and functions of tissue specific immune cells under homeostatic conditions and in tissue-specific immune in ammatory diseases

Research Website http://vbs.psu.edu/directory/nux1

Platform Qualities• Detection of soluble NKG2D ligands in

lood to predict immune in ammatory status in type 2 diabetes patients

• Antibody blockage of NKG2D/ligand interaction to treat type 2 diabetes and associated complications

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL2NKG2D Inhibitors to Treat Cardiovascular & Metabolic Diseases

Aortic Plaque in Experimental Mice

Figure A shows whitish plaque regions in mice with NKG2D (left) or without NKG2D (right), feeding on a Western diet. Figure B shows high-plaque regions stained with red oil.

Technology Summary: e technology inhibits certain biological molecules that have been discovered to be up-regulated in patients and animals with cardiovascular diseases associated with type 2 diabetes and involved in the vascular inammatory process and plaque formation. Specically, the researcher injected antibodies that block functions of the biological molecules into an animal model for atherosclerosis.

Because of the direct inhibition of the plaque formation, the researcher believes that this technology oers a more eective, safer treatment than current statin therapeutics.

Application and Market Utility: e technology is in the early development stage, with identication of a potential drug target for treatment of type 2 diabetes and associated complications. Given the prevalence of diabetes in Western society, an eective drug to reverse the eects of diabetes mellitus would have a potential market value in the billions of dollars.

Patent Status and Licensing: Patents pending in US (No. 14/850,688), Canada, and Europe. Issued patents in Australia, China, Russia, and Japan.

Next Steps: Development of the technology as a drug would require large investment; the researchers are also interested in developing collaborations that would accelerate development of a diagnostic assay using the technology’s biomarkers as a complementary product extension.

College of Agricultural SciencesContact Matthe mith Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]


Rapid Dry Eye Treatment

Schirmer’s Test in diabetic and normal rats with dry eye given one drop of topical (A) NTX (n=7) or (B) vehicle (n=5) to cornea

Technology Summary: e technology is an eyedrop formulation that rapidly treats dry eye using naltrexone to block the opioid growth factor(OGF)-opioid growth factor receptor(OGFr) system.

Modulation of the regulatory axis OGF-OGFr impacts a number of diseases, including diabetes, cancer and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, bromyalgia, Crohn’s and IBD. OGF is a small molecule, chemically termed methionine enkephalin, that eectively inhibits proliferation of more than 40 human cancer cell lines, and has been eective in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials for pancreatic and liver adenoma cancers.

Application and Market Utility: OGF is currently being used for treatment of HIV/AIDS in third-world countries. Blockade of this regulatory pathway accelerates cell replication, and thus use of the novel blocking formulation is eective for treatment of signicant complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, including dry eye, corneal keratopathy, and delayed repair of full-thickness wounds (e.g., diabetic foot ulcers).

Patent Status and Licensing: e IP embodied by this innovation is protected by a far-reaching portfolio of patents and patent applications, drawn to both methods of treating dry eye, as well as compositions for practicing this invention (as exemplied by issued US patent 8,314,118, and published PCT application WO 2010129145 A3).

Next Steps: Company seeks collaborators to assist in completion of development activities leading to establishment of GLP manufacture of a novel formulation with the active ingredient of naltrexone for use in treating dry in both human and animal (primarily horses and dogs) applications.

Keywords• OGF-OGFr Axis Regulation• Diabetic Retinopathy• Ocular Research• Dry Eye

Research LeadsPatricia McLaughlin, DEdProfessor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences; Director, Graduate Program in Anatomy

Ian S. Zagon, PhDProfessor of Neural of Behavioral Sciences

Joseph W. Sassani, MDProfessor of Ophthalmology and Pathology


Platform Qualities• Novel formulations are safe• Formulations are inexpensive, stable • fficacy of naltre oneformulations are

compara le or surpass the efficacy of standard care

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL7

College of Medicine

ZoeGenics

25

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL9

Project TEAM Starter Kit

A few of the items in a Project TEAM starter kit that is provided to a participating school

Technology Summary: Project TEAM provides schools a holistic approach to decreasing bullying and other antisocial behaviors in order to create an improved, more collaborative climate. e school-wide programming includes curriculum, materials, training, and soware that meet state laws and mandates on bullying and social emotional learning. e programming seeks to instill in students the six foundations of (1) helping others, (2) positive change, (3) anti-bullying, (4) problem solving, (5) resiliency, and (6) leadership.

Application and Market Utility: Schools are mandated by law to have training and a plan for bullying prevention. A combination of bullying prevention and social emotional learning models makes Project TEAM cost eective and appealing to schools.

Project TEAM curriculum and materials are currently being used in elementary schools. Other potential markets for Project TEAM include nonprot organizations and other organizations that work with children, as well as professional development trainings for teachers to earn Act 48 credits (Pennsylvania-mandated Continuing Professional Education). Patent Status and Licensing: Project TEAM was copyrighted in 2012 and trademarked in 2015. is technology has been licensed to TEAMology—a start-up company. Next Steps: With the development of Project TEAM’s web-based soware, there is an opportunity to create a rst-of-its-kind technology to provide educators a sharing space, interactive games for students to use in and out of the classroom, and lesson plan builders, along with other capabilities. Project TEAM is seeking collaboration and investment to roll out the next stage of web-based soware.

Keywords• Anti-bullying• Teacher Education• Curriculum• Social Emotional Learning• Educational Technology

Research Leads

Richard J. Hazler, PhDCo-Principal InvestigatorProfessor in Charge of Counselor Education and Coordinator of the Elementary School Counseling Program

JoLynn V. Carney, PhDCo-Principal Investigator

Linsey Covert, MEd Director of Project TEAM

Research Website https://ed.psu.edu/project-team

Platform Qualities

• Reports of reduced bullying in current schools

• ignificant gains in students school connectedness for bottom 25% who initially reported low connectedness

• Reports of strong sense of belonging in current schools

Bullying Prevention and Social Emotional Learning

College of EducationContact

on uss Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

26Contact Da id ado s i Office of Technology Management [email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected]

Keywords• Surgical Simulator• Orthopedic Surgery• Surgical Algorithm

Research LeadsGregory Lewis, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation

Both lead investigators’ collaborative research has been funded by the AO Foundation, the PA Department of Health, and industry. Lewis has coauthored 35 scientific papers related to orthopaedic

iomechanics, including fracture fi ation and joint replacement.

J. Spence Reid, MDProfessor and Chief, Orthopaedic Trauma

Reid is principal investigator for the Penn State Core Center for the DoD-funded Major Extremity Trauma Research Consortium.

Research Website http://www.pennstatehershey.org/web/ortho/research/overview

Platform Qualities• Functional software prototype• Simulates physical loading based on

thousands of combinations of hardware, materials, and patient data

• Incorporates multivariate data visualization and optimization techniques

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4 Simulation Software for Improved Orthopedic Surgical Procedures

Program models clinical data to allow optimization of surgical techniques

Technology Summary: is technology utilizes computer-based engineering to simulate and optimize bone fracture repairs through the use of interactive, three-dimensional models personalized for each patient. is technology draws on big data and uses robust statistical methods to generate personalized models of fractured bones that orthopedic surgeons can use to enhance patient outcomes. Prior to surgery, this technology presents surgeons with the fracture repair designs most likely to result in optimal patient outcomes. An interactive model shows how the recommended repair design will impact distribution of physical forces on the implants and bone as it heals. e technology features a training module that orthopedic residents can use to learn how their choice of fracture repair design impacts the risks of complications following surgery. Application and Market Utility: In orthopedics, mechanics play an important role in determining clinical outcome—implants can fail inside the body, and stability greatly aects healing—but these 3-D mechanics can be complex. Surgeons operate on patients based largely on experience and intuition, sometimes leading to suboptimal treatments, revision surgeries, and time ineciencies in planning and procedure execution in the operating room. is soware enables improved quality and eciencies in fracture xation and potentially other procedures.

Patent Status and Licensing: US provisional patent application #62/168,128PCT International Application: ‘Individualized preoperative planning system and method.’ Next Steps: e technology is in the late research and development stage and has been reduced to an operational prototype. e research team is pursuing commercialization partnerships with industry.

College of Medicine

27

Keywords• Reducing Emissions• Fossil Fuel Power Plants• Waste CO2• Carbon Offsets • Electricity Production

Research LeadsBruce E. Logan, PhDKappe Professor of Environmental Engineering

Logan is Director of the Engineering Energy & Environmental Institute at Penn State, and a member of the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He has worked with several large established companies as well as start-ups, and has directed the construction and operation of two pilot scale systems for water treatment.

Christopher Gorski, PhDAssistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Taeyoung Kim, PhDPostdoctoral Scholar

Research Website http://www.engr.psu.edu/ce/enve/logan/

Platform Qualities• p gradient o cell produced an

average power density of approximately 1 W/m2, which was nearly 200 times higher than values reported using previous approaches

• Uses only inexpensive and benign materials, significantly lo ering the costs relative to other technologies

• Electrode materials are made from manganese oxides that can be readily synthesized in the laboratory

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3Efficiently Converting aste CO2 to Electricity

chematic of the p gradient o cell for con erting O2 into electricity The o cell consisted of two MnO2 electrodes (black) divided by a nonselective membrane (orange) placed between channels. The channels were simultaneously fed by 1 M NaHCO3 solutions with a low pH value

(7.7, dark blue) and high pH value (9.4, light blue) that were generated by sparging CO2 and air.

Technology Summary: One method of reducing global carbon dioxide emissions is to increase the eciency of energy recovery from fossil fuel combustion. is can be accomplished by exploiting the CO2 concentration dierence between ambient air and exhaust gases created by combusting fossil fuels, which theoretically contains an enormous amount of energy. Previously developed systems to capture this energy have faced two challenges: (1) low densities of power production and (2) the need for expensive materials. is new technology is a pH-gradient ow cell that can be used to overcome these two challenges by producing a much higher power density using only inexpensive materials. is technology can convert CO2 waste streams into electrical power, which would increase the energy eciencies of fossil fuel power plants.

Application and Market Utility: e technology would be employed at power plants that combust fossil fuels. Previous work has estimated that the theoretical total amount of potential energy that is produced from CO2 emissions annually is approximately 1,570 TWh, which is more than one-third of the total US electricity demand in 2015 (4,094 TWh). If the researchers can capture a signicant fraction of this energy in a cost-eective manner, this technology would have broad applications both nationally and globally. Patent Status and Licensing: Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for more information.

Next Steps: e research team is studying the underlying mechanisms of the process to improve the system before scaling up. ey are seeking material scientists to help develop electrode materials, and investment to further develop the technology.


[email protected] 814.865.6277 | [email protected] of Engineering

28Contact


High-Energy Capacitors for Miniaturi ation Efficient Storage

igh energy and po er densities ere achie ed in nanocomposite ismuth inc nio ate films that can be processed on polymer substrates.

Technology Summary: is technology provides a high dielectric energy storage density via bismuth zinc niobate lms grown by chemical solution deposition. Energy densities exceeding 40 J/cc have been achieved, with good retention of properties to 200˚C. e energy densities are substantially higher than other materials, enabling device miniaturization. is technology enables weight reduction and miniaturization of components for power electronics.

Application and Market Utility: ere are numerous applications for which higher power and energy density capacitors are required, including electric vehicles, power electronics, and medical devices such as heart debrillators. Most materials store modest amounts of energy, and so must be physically large. e much higher energy densities achieved in these novel lms enable miniaturization. Patent Status and Licensing: US Utility Patent Applications 14/708,392 and 15/207,653. Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for more information.

Next Steps: ere is currently no manufacturing line for these capacitors. e researchers are seeking licensees, collaborators, and investors to conduct additional research to scale up.

Keywords• Energy Storage• Miniaturization• Lightweight Materials• Capacitors

Research LeadsSusan Trolier-McKinstry, PhDFlaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering and Electrical Engineering

Trolier-McKinstry codirects the industry university cooperative research Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics.

Elizabeth Michael-Sapia, PhD

Research Websites https://www.cdp.ncsu.edu/https://www.mri.psu.edu/trolier-mckinstry-susan

Platform Qualities• Thin film ismuth inc nio ate

pyrochlores can be prepared by chemical solution deposition

• Energy densities up to 67 J/cc • Good temperature stability achieved

through use of a nonferroelectric base composition

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5


29

Keywords• Chemical Production• Dual-energy Processing• Reduced Catalyst Usage

Research LeadsMatthew Kropf, PhD

hief Technical Officer

After receiving his PhD in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Penn State, Kropf continued research and commercialization in partnership with A E Resources to scale up his MEOP technology as a post doctoral research assistant at Penn State.

Chris GettyPresident

Website www.aeresource-inc.com

Platform Qualities• Process offers significant production

savings over current methods—on the order of 25%

• ecause of its efficient targeting of energy, the MEOP system uses only 662 BTU/gallon, a savings of 4,250 BTU/gallon vs. traditional methods

• Cuts catalysts up to 60%

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5

College of Engineering

Multi-Energy Optimized Process for Chemical Reactions

Effect of Ultrasonic Stimulation of Biodiesel Reaction

Ultrasound energy assists the reaction process by creating a reaction emulsion that has small, uniformly dispersed reaction droplets. This droplet emulsion increases the reaction surface area

and is ideal for microwave heating.

Technology Summary: Multi-energy optimized processing (MEOP) optimizes chemical reactions by focusing microwave and ultrasound energy at the point of the reaction. e technology more particularly relates to methods and apparatuses which utilize microwave and ultrasound energy to enhance chemical reaction rates, successfully demonstrated for the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. e result is a more ecient and streamlined approach to the production of a multitude of organic chemical products.

e technology relates generally to chemical reactions and processes, and in particular to a method of enhancing the rate of a chemical reaction and to apparatuses for carrying out the method. e methods are also useful for production of reaction products of esterication and/or transesterication reactions including fatty acid alkyl ester. Application and Market Utility: MEOP directly addresses the speed and energy requirements of organic chemical reactions. Because MEOP uses energy only at the point of the chemical reaction, it is cost-eective and ecient. MEOP will be sold as a modication to existing plants or as a complete operating system to new production facilities. e technology applies to a variety of feedstocks and should have utility in reducing production costs for both virgin and recycled materials. Patent Status and Licensing: US Patent 8,052,848 B2, issued on November 8, 2011. A E Resources is the licensee. Next Steps: A E Resources has advanced the technology from research, through bench-top, to a fully scaled unit ready for commercialization. e company is currently seeking collaboration and investment to operate a commercial-scale MEOP plant, manufacture units, retrot for sale, and develop the next application for the technology.


30Contact


Keywords• Energy Harvesting and Storage• Heat Sink• Powering Wireless Sensors

Research LeadAman Haque, PhD, MBA Co-FounderProfessor of Mechanical Engineering

Haque’s core expertise is in design and fabrication of miniature systems. He is the co-founder of Impulse Technology, a company that offers service in materials characterization down to nanoscale and develops products that exploit micro- and nanoscale phenomena.

Website http://impulse-technology.com/

Platform Qualities• Lo cost, high efficiency • Lightweight• Scalable

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4 Powering the Internet of Things with Waste Heat


Conventional Heat Sink vs. Subject Technology

Low-temperature energy harvesting technology will allow heat sinks to shrink by an order of magnitude.

Technology Summary: e researchers are developing a thermoelectric energy harvester that will require no heat sink to produce enough power to run wireless sensors from very low temperature dierentials. Existing products require heat sinks that are about 10 times the size of the harvester itself.

If successful, this product will require one-tenth the space and half the cost for harvesting power from waste heat as current methods. It will allow maintenance-free power supply for small applications wherever a waste heat source (even human body heat) is available. Application and Market Utility: Applications are broad: any situation where a few milliwatts of power are needed and a surface temperature as low as 40˚C is available. Specically, the researchers envision the product as a thermal battery for powering wireless sensor devices. e global market for these devices was $1.2 billion in 2013. e wireless device will fuse into the Internet of ings, which is forecast to be a multi-trillion-dollar market by 2025.

Patent Status and Licensing: Patent application 14/816,240 “Freestanding ermoelectric Energy Conversion Device,” was led by the Penn State Research Foundation in August, 2015. Patent Cooperation Treaty PCT/US2015/043576. e technology is exclusively licensed to Impulse Technology, LLC.

Next Steps: e research team has formed a company and seeks investment to support development of large-scale manufacture of the device, which has been produced in pilot quantities.

Impulse Technology, LLC

31

Safer More Efficient Lithium-Ion Batteries

ellulose polymer composite electrolyte significantly impro es room temperature conducti ity, increasing the operation temperature range

Technology Summary: In current technology, liquid plasticizers are added to the solid polymer electrolyte to increase conductivity of Li-ion batteries. is increases risks from the use of current ammable and toxic liquid plasticizers. is technology employs a newly developed electrolyte comprising a crystalline PEO6LiX complex that provides high room-temperature conductivity with minimal temperature dependence and decreased dendrite growth for increased battery life. Currently, Li-ion batteries using solid polymer electrolyte need to be warmed to 80˚C to be functional. With cellulose-polymer composite electrolyte, no pre-warming is needed.

Application and Market Utility: is technology makes Li-ion batteries safer and increases the battery life, operation temperature range, and energy density. It can be used for battery packs for electric cars and electronics.

Patent Status and Licensing: Maranas, J. K., Zhan, P., Ganapatibhotla, L. VNR., “Nanolled Solid Polymer Electrolytes” US Patent Application No. 62/300,543. 26 Feb. 2016.

Next Steps: e research team seeks licensing, collaboration, and investment to commercialize their product and extend its applicability to broader markets.

Keywords• Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Batteries• Cellulose-polymer Composite Electrolyte• Battery Life

Research LeadJanna Maranas, PhDProfessor of Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering

Maranas codirects the industry-university cooperative research Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics.

Research Websitesites.psu.edu/jannamaranas/

Platform Qualities• Lab scale electrolyte membranes available• on amma le electrolyte compati le

with lithium metal anode• Improved room-temperature conductivity

of solid polymer electrolyte by 100 times (>105 S/cm)

• Conductivity depends less on operating temperature, allows battery to operate at a wide temperature range

• Higher mechanical stability, which prevents formation of lithium dendrite, increasing battery life

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4



32Contact


Bioabsorbable Foam for Wound Care and Tissue Engineering

Left: Unhydrated biofoam; Center: Hydrated biofoam transitioned to a gel; Right: Biofoam inserted into a simulated combat wound during cadaver study

Technology Summary: e technology is a so, resilient hemostatic biofoam useful for treating both intracavity and surface wounds. e material conforms to irregular wound shapes to stop bleeding and transitions to a porous gel protecting newly formed tissue. It is naturally bioabsorbable and composed of low cost, FDA-approved ingredients.

Technology provides an improved wound care solution for many applications: traumatic wounds, surgical wounds, surface wounds, and possibly even negative-pressure wound healing. Because the material is also edible and a tissue scaold, applications may extend into engineered foods involving animal tissue, such as in vivo meat production.

Application and Market Utility: e product can be used as a traditional wound care product (US market $2.3 billion per year), an active wound care product (US market $1.6 billion per year), and an advanced wound care (US market $2.2 billion per year). It may also be an ideal foam for negative pressure wound healing (US market for therapy $1 billion per year).

Patent Status and Licensing: US patent application 14/198,415 “Composite Materials.” EV patent application 14760576.0

Next Steps: e researchers seek collaboration on the development of specic product oerings or licensing of the technology to a company established in the wound care space.

Keywords• Wound Dressing• Bioabsorbable Material• Tissue Engineering

Research LeadsJeffrey Catchmark, PhDProfessor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Bionanotechnology

Catchmark conducts research on sustainable, biologically derived materials focusing on polysaccharides. He has 9 years of industrial experience in product development and commercialization and 17 years of academic experience, including large center development and management.

Scott Armen, MD, FACS, FCCP, FCCMChief, Division of Trauma, Acute Care & Critical Care Surgery, Hershey Medical Center

Research Websitehttp://abe.psu.edu/directory/jmc102

Platform Qualities• Promotes clotting• Expands to seal wound but not apply

excessive pressure• Transitions to a gel which protects wound• Highly absorbing to remove wound

exudates• Allo s for uid e change at ound

surface• Hydrates wound • Bioabsorbable• Uses FDA-approved materials

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3



Keywords• Surgical Retractor • Breast Surgery• Mastectomy

Research LeadsRena Kass, MDAssociate Professor, College of Medicine

Kass specializes in breast and general surgery, as well as surgical oncology.

Kristine Widders, MD

Research Websitehttps profiles psu edu profilesdisplay/111863

Platform Qualities• Single-hand operation• Self-retaining• Fully disposable/superior sterile control• Better working environment for the

surgeon• Increased visibility• rgonomic efficiency• Increased control/autonomy• Decreased complications

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4Flap Jack Surgical Retractor

NDA required to view technology

Technology Summary: e Flap Jack is a disposable, self-retaining surgical retractor that allows operation with a single hand. It is comprised of an upper at blade and a lower at blade, interconnected by an expanding elastic design. It can be fully inserted through an incision into the breast pocket and advanced as dissection continues. Once inside the breast pocket, the lower blade rests on the anterior surface of the tissue overlying the rib cage, while the upper surface rests against the inside surface of the integument. e surgeon is able to access the inside of the breast pocket for dissection between these two blades, which continue to expand elastically for better visualization as more tissue is removed from inside the breast pocket.

Compared to other retractors, this invention is highly adaptable (e.g., may be made to suit various surgeons and surgeries), inexpensive (may be mass produced), disposable (and therefore does not requires cleaning), etc. is invention increases the eciency of the surgeon’s workow, especially while operating in narrow cavities. Application and Market Utility: Approximately 300,000 breast surgery procedures are performed annually in the US for treatment, reconstruction, and cosmetic indications. Mastectomies present a unique surgical challenge, especially regarding gaining access and achieving visibility for dissection within the breast pocket through the small incision. With about 238,000 mastectomies performed annually, there is a strong need for devices assisting improved methods in this procedure.

Patent Status and Licensing: US provisional application # 62/200,851 was led on August 4, 2015. Next Steps: e technology has been reduced to practice through the production of prototypes, which have been tested on cadavers. e researchers seek commercialization partners, who may work through the Oce of Technology Management to pursue business arrangements.

College of Medicine


Keywords• Surgical Device• Brain Surgery• Subarachnoid Catheter

Research LeadsElias Rizk, MDAssistant Professor of Neurosurgery

i is a fello ship trained, oard certified pediatric neurosurgeon with interests in clinical and basic science research, including the treatment of hydrocephalus.

Barry Fell, MS

Research Websitehttps profiles psu edu profilesdisplay/9253368

Platform Qualities• Ease of implantation and testing• Minimally invasive• Decreased complications• Improved health outcomes and reduced

treatment costs

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3 Subarachnoid-to-Sagittal Sinus CSF Drainage System

College of Medicine

Left: Cast model of the device; Right: CAD of device shows subarachnoid catheter (green), unidirectional valve (gray), and venous catheter (red)

Technology Summary: Hydrocephalus is one of the most common reasons for brain surgery. Since being introduced in the 1950s, current systems have remained virtually unchanged over the past 50 years. Current shunt systems drain CSF from the brain uid pockets into the abdomen, lungs, or heart. is current model is fraught with complications, with up to 50% failure rate in the rst two years following shunt placement, followed by a 10% yearly shunt malfunction rate. e technology is an improved shunt that mimics physiologic drainage pathways, overcoming signicant limitations of current systems.

Other complications include mechanical obstruction or disconnections, kinking, infections, blood clots, over- or under-drainage, seizures, abdominal pleural, and cardiac complications. Application and Market Utility: More than 40,000 procedures are performed annually with a medical cost of more than $1 billion in the US. Cost per procedure or additional procedures range between $35,000 and $600,000. Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance currently covers more than 90% of procedures.

Patent Status and Licensing: Patent pending. Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for more information.

Next Steps: e researchers seek investment to complete animal studies for proof-of-concept.


Keywords• Protein Therapy• Tissue Regeneration• Prolonged Release

Research LeadYong Wang, PhDProfessor of Biomedical Engineering

Wang has developed various collaborations with partners in both industry and academia, inventing novel technologies for protein delivery and imaging.

Research Websitehttp://www.bioe.psu.edu/labs/Wang-Lab/

Platform Qualities• On-demand release• Prolonged therapy• Low toxicity• Minimal side effects• Multiple platforms

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL2Sustained-Release Protein Therapy for Tissue Regeneration

Synthetic molecular hands for holding and releasing protein drugs on demand

Technology Summary: e invention describes a combination of materials and a method of preparation of a biocompatible porous composite functionalized with aptamers that can bind to an active agent (such as chemokines, interleukins, growth factors, or any other biologically active molecule).

Existing biomaterials for tissue regeneration contain protein drugs. However, current FDA-approved products release protein drugs too rapidly, which dramatically reduces therapeutic eectiveness and causes signicant side eects. An ideal product for clinicians to use needs to release protein drugs on-demand, with prolonged therapy and minimal side eects. By contrast, this technology releases protein drugs in a sustained manner. It can be readily customized to tune the dose of protein drugs by clinicians to meet the needs of treatment.

Application and Market Utility: is technology is a biomaterial that can be developed into dierent forms such as a solution, a pad, or a cube to match the conditions of wounds and according to the need of clinicians. It is an “o-the-shelf ” material that can be shipped and stored at room temperature without the need of a refrigerator. e research team predicts a $6.1 billion annual market value.

Patent Status and Licensing: Please contact the Oce of Technology Management for additional details.

Next Steps: Technology has been tested in animal studies, with promising initial results. PPProtein erapy seeks to partner with companies that produce biomaterial products for tissue repair. e company also seeks a potential business development manager to drive the development of products or partner with large companies.


PPProteinTherapy


Thorascopically Assisted Rib Repair

Left: AdvanceRib procedure; Right: Rendering of the AdvanceRib plating system.

Technology Summary: oracic injury is the second leading cause of trauma-related death. e AdvanceRib FDA 510(k)-approved medical device allows for a minimally-invasive method of repairing broken or fractured ribs. is new rib repair method can be performed 24–48 hours aer trauma, reduces ventilator requirements, and provides a more stable chest cavity during recovery, with minimal disruption of surrounding so tissue and decreased patient pain. In addition, preliminary data shows that broken or fractured ribs can be surgically repaired in less than half the operative time of current method with 80% to 90% reduction in blood loss and enhanced precision of bone segment alignment, all of which optimizes patient outcomes.

Application and Market Utility: e company’s technology will revolutionize the surgical treatment of trauma to the thoracic region. is patented technology will change the current treatment paradigm and provide a path for ever-improving surgical methods and techniques for the next 10–20 years.

Patent Status and Licensing: ree US and foreign patents, including US Patent 8728133, have been issued, and three patents are pending. Next Steps: e company seeks investment to support manufacturing, which it expects to commence in the fourth quarter of 2016. e company expects to achieve annual revenues of $60 million within ve years.

Keywords• Minimally Invasive Rib Surgery• Thorascopic Procedure• Medical Device• 510(k) Clearance

Research LeadsBarry Fell, MSCEO/CTO

ell has years of mar et and product de-velopment experience, 25+ of which have been for medical devices for global compa-nies e holds o er patents

Donald MacKay, MDRandy Haluck, MDPeter Dillon, MD

Websitewww.sig-medical.com

Platform Qualities• Minimally invasive• Can be performed 24–48 hours after

trauma• Reduced ventilator requirements and

reduced respiratory complications• More stable chest cavity during recovery• Decreased pain• Return to work within a few weeks versus

many months if no treatment is offered

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL8

College of Medicine

SIG Medical Corp



Advanced Virus Detection

Platform Device Capture and Enrichment of Viruses

Any clinical sample for diagnosis is in ected into the de ice at ample In As the sample o s towards the “Waste Out,” viruses are captured without any label within the device pores in a size-

specific manner

Technology Summary: e technology consists of a portable sample preparation platform that enables high-eciency virus enrichment from eld samples (from cotton swabs, blood, and tissue biopsy), without using antibodies. e platform allows the specic capture of viral particles while removing host or sample contaminates. Viruses of interest are captured by carefully tuning the lter pore size. Application and Market Utility: Proof-of-concept studies have demonstrated the platform to be compatible with plant, animal, and human samples. e Technology Readiness Level for both indications is estimated to be a 5/9. During initial studies, the USDA has validated the test for the diagnosis of plum pox virus. Soon to be published experiments additionally validate the test for the capture (and subsequent NGS analysis) of Avian inuenza. e team is working to develop applications that include in-laboratory quick-diagnosis of specic viruses (via PCR) as well as on-site capture and characterization of unknown viruses (via NGS). In addition, immunostaining approaches (ELISA) are also being investigated for specic markets. ese applications include the development of a disposable cartridge for customer use. e cartridges will be inserted into a universal PCR/NGS interface module with optional battery power for remote applications. Patent Status and Licensing: IP is owned by the Penn State Research Foundation and exclusively licensed to Virolock Technologies LLC. Next Steps: Virolock seeks to standardize sample preparation by collaborating with companies that produce PCR and NGS analyzers and ELISA test kits. e company additionally seeks a Chief Operational Ocer or Business Development Manager to drive this molecular diagnostics company and establish strategic collaborations within the agro-industry and medical elds.

Keywords• Infectious Diseases• Human Virus• Animal Virus• Plant Virus• Diagnostics• Nanomaterials• Early Detection

Research LeadsMauricio Terrones, PhDPresident, Professor of Physics, Chemistry, and Materials Science & Engineering

Yin-Ting (Tim) Yeh, PhDhief Technology Officer

Nestor Perea-Lopez, PhDDirector of Engineering

James Pietropaolo, MBACommercialization Advisor

Research Websitehttps://sites.psu.edu/terronesresearch/

Platform Qualities• Label-free platform to capture/enrich

iruses from field samples • A tunable trapping size with a range

of 17–525 nm, which covers 95% of discovered virus size ranges

• High porosity (~90%) enables a wide range of clinically relevant sample volumes (50 µl–5 mL)

• Compatible with current standard virus detection methods, including PCR, immuno-staining, and next-generation sequencing (NGS)

• Improves detection limit of PCR by 150–600x over commercially available methods

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL5


Diagnosing Barrett’s Esophagus Stages

tatistical analysis of I uantification using partial non consensus samples onconsensus samples overlaid onto the PCA analysis of the consensus samples when scored

with the IRS scoring method. ND-BE (black triangles), LGD (red triangles), HGD (green triangles), and EAC (blue triangles) are non-consensus samples.

Technology Summary: is technology provides a diagnostic framework to discriminate between the early and late stages of Barrett’s esophagus by testing a biological sample for expression of specic proteins, comparing the amount of those proteins to reference values. e researchers have created prototypes of diagnostic kits for making these protein determinations.

Application and Market Utility: Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a serious complication of gastroesophageal disease (GERD). It is a precancerous lesion that can progress through low (LGD) and high grade (HGD) dysplasia, resulting in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). It can be dicult to obtain an accurate diagnosis of BE with dysplasia as either low or high grade. Since HGD carries a greatly increased risk of developing EAC, many gastroenterologists will aggressively treat it, while LGD patients remain on active surveillance. As such, a misdiagnosis can have dramatic impact on a BE patient’s morbidity and mortality. Despite eorts to identify new diagnostic markers that could accurately stage the high-risk patients, no useful markers are used clinically and the diagnosis of BE is still based on histopathology of the biopsy.

is technology would be particularly useful to producers of diagnostic kits, suppliers to pathologists, and gastroenterologists. Patent Status and Licensing: A PCT application was led on March 13, 2015.

Next Steps: e research team seeks to license the technology to an interested company or to collaborate on a sponsored research program.

Keywords• Barrett’s Esophagus• astroesophageal e u Disease D• Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC)

Research LeadDouglas Stairs, PhDAssistant Professor of Pathology, Pharmacology, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Medical Director, Morphologic and Molecular Core Research Laboratory

tairs is an e pert in the field of esophageal cancer and has performed previous research into how Barrett’s esophagus can develop and the mechanisms of how esophageal cancer becomes highly invasive.


Platform Qualities• Allows for accurate testing, and thereby

helps to avoid misdiagnosis which may have dramatic impact on BE patients’ morbidity and mortality

• May be of particular interest to producers of diagnostic kits, suppliers to pathologists, and gastroenterologists

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4

College of Medicine


Keywords• Genomic Stability Marker• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

Research LeadJeffrey Pu, MD, PhDAssistant Professor of Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute and Penn State College of Medicine

Prior to this position, Pu was a senior clinical/research fellow of Hematology at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center of Johns Hopkins University and completed an NIH-supported experimental hematology fellowship and a clinical transfu-sion medicine/blood banking fellowship at the Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute of New York Blood Center.

Research Websitehttps profiles psu edu profiles dis-play/67935315

Platform Qualities• Offers a mechanism for early detection

and intervention by identifying chromo-somal anomalies

• Sensitive detection system allows accurate staging of genetic mutations correlated to MDS/AML

• Provides an analytical framework for development of therapeutic molecules aimed at disrupting disease progression

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3Diagnostic Protocol to Identify Chromosomal Instability

Bone marrow myeloblasts with Auer rods seen in acute myeloid leukemia

Technology Summary: e PIGN gene is a cancer chromosomal instability (CIN) suppressor. Pu’s lab screened 48 MDS/AML patient samples and identied a novel PIGN gene mutation pattern responsible for increased genomic instability and subsequent myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and progression. is novel nding was conrmed by examining the mutation status in 55 AML patients evaluated and published for other researchers at other institutions. Standard blood sample analysis results in classication/staging of the AML disease and allows for the prediction of occurrence of the MDS/AML transformation and progression. e discovery enables further development around prognosis, treatment, and prevention of this cancer.

Application and Market Utility: e technology’s ultimate goal is early detection of disease hence better survival rates. Development stages under evaluation include (1) optimizing analytical methods (PCR/Western Blot); (2) clinical evaluation of disease classication; and (3) building a therapeutic platform with collaborators.

e treatment market for AML will rapidly expand in value from $342.7 million in 2014 to reach $932.6 million by 2024. About 15% of children from birth to 19 years of age diagnosed with leukemia have acute myeloid leukemia. e risk of acute myeloid leukemia is closely associated with age. About 90% of acute myeloid leukemia is diagnosed in middle age. erefore, there is a need for reliable markers of hematological neoplasia which can be used as prognostic indicators for development of hematological neoplasia and advancement of MDS to AML. Patent Status and Licensing: Provisional patent application led. Contact the Oce of Technology Management for additional information.

Next Steps: e research team seeks a licensing partner and/or collaborators for clinical evaluation of the diagnostic test and development of the therapeutic treatment targeting chromosomal instability.

College of Medicine


igh Affinity Aptamers for Targeting Pancreatic

Adenocarcinoma

CCKBR-aptamer enhances CPSNP uptake by PANC-1 tumors in vivo. Athymic mice with established PANC-1 orthotopic tumors were treated.

Technology Summary: Pancreatic cancer has an unfavorable prognosis, largely due to late diagnosis. Aptamers (APs) provide a means of targeting imaging reagents specically to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which should enable early diagnosis and thereby improve patient prognosis. is method of early detection of PDAC has the objective of developing AP-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) to deliver near infrared (NIR) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agents directly to tumor cells. By coupling the APs to various delivery platforms, this technology should enable: (1) early diagnosis of PDAC (and cancers which uniformly express the CCKB receptor) and (2) ecient targeted delivery of therapeutic reagents.

Application and Market Utility: is product would be used in medical imaging facilities, and manufacturing costs would be much lower than current MRI reagents. ere were about 49,000 new cases of PDAC in 2015, with 40,560 deaths, and a low 5-year survival rate of 2.4%. Mean healthcare costs for patients with metastatic PDAC were $21,637/month vs. $10,358/month for those without metastatic disease. If 50% of diagnoses are shied to earlier stages, this would save $2.7 billion annually.

Patent Status and Licensing: A provisional patent application (62/279,947) has been led describing the APs selected for the CCKBR (PSU Inv. Disc. No. 20154386) and a separate continuation-in-part has been led on strategies to encapsulate a variety of compounds into calcium phosphate nanoparticles (PSU Inv. Disc. No. 20164422). Keystone Nano currently has licensed the calcium phosphosilicate nanoparticles.

Next Steps: e researchers are seeking funding to further characterize the aptamers and to test them in additional cancer models. It is expected that additional IP will be developed during the course of this work.

Keywords• Pancreatic Cancer• Metastatic Disease• Early Detection/MRI• Aptamers• Delivery Platforms

Research LeadsGary A. Clawson, MD, PhDProfessor of Pathology, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Gail Matters, PhDJames Adair, PhDThomas Neuberger, PhDThomas Abraham, PhDMark Kester, PhD Weihua Pan, PhD

Website http://www.keystonenano.com/

Platform Qualities• Aptamers (APs) do not trigger CCKBR

proliferative signaling• APs are nonimmunogenic, inexpensive,

and much smaller than antibodies• APs can couple to various delivery

platforms• Delivery platforms can be loaded with

imaging agents for imaging of early stage PDAC lesions and/or metastases

• Delivery platforms can also be loaded with other cargoes (i.e., chemotherapeutics or small molecule inhibitors) for therapeutic applications

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

ClawNor Inc. &

College of Medicine


COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4

Keywords• Advanced Cell Labeling• Drug Discovery• Medical Diagnostics

Research LeadYong Wang, PhDProfessor of Biomedical Engineering

Wang has developed various collaborations with partners in both industry and academia, inventing novel technologies for protein delivery and imaging.

Research Website http://www.bioe.psu.edu/labs/Wang-Lab/

Platform Qualities• Provides a signal an order of magnitude

higher than traditional cell labels• Allows reversible labeling • Uses comparable methods to current

technologies and can be packaged as a kit

Polymeric abels for Amplified Detection of Biomarkers

ignal amplification ith poly alent con ugates or traditional methods Polymers amplify signals by over an order of magnitude.

Technology Summary: e researchers have developed breakthrough polymeric-based signal amplication that imparts high signal intensities targeted to specic locations using conjugated primary antibodies. e labeling intensities with this method are higher than traditional protein labels. e combination of the targeting antibodies and the DNA polymer uorescent label make this a novel technique for protein labeling for histology and life cell samples. Moreover, the labeling is reversible if necessary.

Application and Market Utility: e protein labeling market is expected to reach $1,894.5 million by 2020 from $1,089.5 million in 2015, at a CAGR of 11.7%. is market may be further increased if low abundance proteins can be examined with novel protein labeling methods the team is developing. Oen, researchers are interested in labeling and detecting low concentrations of cellular proteins or biomarkers for diseased cell types to understand dierences from healthy cells. However, while ngerprint biomarkers are useful and important, many cannot be detected.

Because this technology is broadly applicable, researchers in both academic and commercial settings are likely to make up the market for this product.

Interested parties have begun working with the investigators to test the technology for their applications. A commercial product could be available rapidly, as the current product does not require FDA approval.

Patent Status and Licensing: A US provisional patent, “Polymer-Based Signal Amplication for Protein and Cell Detection,” has been led. Next Steps: e researchers seek commercialization partners for eld-specic development of the technology.


42Contact


Aesthetic Quality Inference Engine

Analysis of composition types as a part of the visual content analysis process

Technology Summary: e technology analyzes the pixel content of an imageto determine the aesthetic quality and composition, and suggests ideal croppingor creates an aesthetically appealing thumbnail for the image. It can be used tohelp consumers take more appealing photos or better manage their photolibraries. Further, the soware can be used by online businesses for analyzingthe market potential of their digital advertising materials. While over onetrillion photos are taken every year, a vast majority of the photos are being takenwithout professional skills. Acquine’s technologies aim to empower consumersand amateurs with professional photography capabilities without the need forexpensive professional equipment or corresponding skills.

Application and Market Utility: e technology can be used to enhance thephoto-taking or photo-managing capabilities of mobile phones, making themmore useful to consumers. e market potential is estimated to be about $100million per year, based on the number of smartphones produced every year. etechnology can also be used by online social networks or e-commerce businessesto analyze their vast visual content.

Patent Status and Licensing: Existing related patents: US8755596, US8781175, US8995725, US7394947, and US7941009. Other patents are pending.

Next Steps: Algorithms have been implemented and thoroughly tested, and areready for commercial applications. e team seeks to collaborate with devicemakers to enhance the photo-taking experience of consumers, and is also interested in working with e-commerce businesses or social media companies. e researchers seek investment for commercialization and to expand the company.

Keywords• Image Analysis• Intelligent Photo Cropping• Photo Library Management• Photo Editing

Research LeadsJames Z. Wang, PhDProfessor of Information Sciences and Technology

Jia Li, PhDProfessor of Statistics

Wang and Li have over 20 years of experience in conducting interdisciplinary research related to the management and retrieval of very large scale image databases. Before joining Penn State, Wang worked for IBM Research, SRI International, and NEC Research. Li has done research at Xerox PARC and Google Labs. As pioneers in this area of research, their joint work has been awarded several patents and attracted media attention.

Research Website wang.ist.psu.edu

Platform Qualities• Very fast; processes images in real time

using a standard consumer-quality computer CPU or a mobile phone CPU

• High accuracy in experiments using real-world photographs taken from both cameras and phones

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL4

College of InformationSciences and Technology


43Contact


Keywords• 3-D Imaging • Laser Ablation• Computed Tomography

Research LeadsBenjamin HallPresident

Benjamin worked at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State after completing service in the United State Navy. While working at ARL, Benjamin distinguished himself as an aspiring laser expert, and in conjunction with Penn State’s Roots laboratory, developed laser ablation tomography (LAT).

Asheesh Lanba, PhD

Website l4is.com

Platform Qualities• Rapid 3-D imaging of biological samples• Applications involve structural and

chemical analysis in agricultural sciences, life sciences, entomology, materials science, and structural engineering

• Videos about the technology can be found on YouTube Channel L4IS LLC

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL9


Laser Ablation Tomography

Cross-section of a parasitic growth on a leaf captured using the researchers’ LAT system

Technology Summary: Lasers for Innovative Solutions (L4IS) uses an ultrafast, ultraviolet pulsed laser to continuously ablate thin surface layers of samples, which are simultaneously imaged as the sample is fed into the laser ablation plane. e resulting data are processed using machine learning techniques to identify structural and compositional features at micron resolution. e images are then stacked, further processed, and reconstructed into high-resolution volume renderings that can be analyzed, quantied, segmented, and virtually dissected to obtain 3-D data not available via any other method.

Application and Market Utility: Applications involve structural and chemical analysis in agricultural sciences, life sciences, entomology, materials science, and structural engineering. e technology competes with 3-D x-ray and CT scans. Unlike these methods, the technology creates full-color cross-sections, with color arising from the interaction of the target material with the UV laser. us, the color is material dependent, which allows for segmentation and identication of components within the sample. Color can also be used to spectrally map samples, creating 3-D compositional maps.

Patent Status and Licensing: USP 9,406,167 “3D Laser Ablation Tomography,” 14/646,250, 15/223,382 and related foreign patent applications pending. e technology has been exclusively licensed to Lasers for Innovative Solutions (L4IS).

Next Steps: e company is currently oering services to industry and furthering the scope of its capabilities. e company seeks investment and collaboration to further develop spectral imaging capabilities.


Model for Predicting Autism

Liu’s lab uses the power of bioinformatics to predict autism.

Technology Summary: Liu’s technology is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prediction model capable of reliably identifying children at high risk for ASD as early as 6 months aer birth, well before the manifestation of any well-known ASD behavioral symptoms. e technology uses data from electronic medical records to reliably identify clinical indicators of ASD. is allows for earlier specialist intervention, providing children with ASD a more favorable health outcome. Application and Market Utility: Currently, 1 out of every 68 US children has ASD, and the prevalence is rising at an alarming rate. e target customers are concerned parents, pediatricians, and social-service/early intervention agencies. Over $435 million in federal funding is provided annually for early intervention agencies. e older a child is when diagnosed with autism, the higher the medical costs required to treat the child. erefore, insurance companies would be a strong potential customer to obtain early detection of at-risk children to initiate early intervention and reduce medical costs.

Patent Status and Licensing: US provisional patent led September 2015.

Next Steps: e research team seeks collaborators and investment partners interested in supporting commercialization of the technology.

Keywords• Autism Research• Data Mining• Bioinformatics

Research LeadGuodong Liu, PhDAssistant Professor of Public Health Sciences in the College of Medicine

Liu is a computer scientist and bioinformatician with extensive research experience in data mining and knowledge discovery over large electronic medical records (EMRs) and large administrative claims databases.

Platform Qualities• o ust ne profile ased A D ris mar er

capable of reliably assessing children’s ASD risk as early as 6 months of age

• Adopts an effective surveillance strategy that is easy to use, less intrusive, more time efficient, and user friendly

• Could be developed as a stand-alone device, app, or web -based tool

COLLABORATION

LICENSING

INVESTMENT

College of Medicine

TEC

HN

OLO

GY READINESS LEVEL3

Ron HussAssociate Vice President for Research, Director of Tech [email protected]

Bill GowenSenior Technology Licensing [email protected]

David SadowskiSenior Technology Licensing [email protected]

Lidia SobkowTechnology Licensing [email protected]

Brad SwopeSenior Technology Licensing [email protected]

Matthew SmithSenior Technology Licensing [email protected]

The Office of Technology Management protects Penn State intellectual property,

identifies its commercial potential, and stimulates economic development

through the transfer of Penn State technologies to the marketplace.

The Office of Technology Management also promotes Penn State technology

by protecting, marketing, and licensing university inventions to companies for

further development and commercialization.

Office of Technology Management

• Materials

• Computer Science

• Engineering

• Psychology

• Sociology

• Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

Penn State inventions have contributed broadly to medical science, space

travel, agriculture, and many other fields. Visit psu.edu/ur/about/50ways.html

to learn 50 ways Penn State inventions have improved the world.

Penn State IP Policy Among Friendliest in the Nation

Penn State leads universities across the U.S. in having developed one of the

most industry-friendly IP policies that enables research partnerships to bring

discoveries to the marketplace more easily and efficiently.

• We assign IP to research sponsor upon request

• We don’t seek ownership of IP

• One-page agreements available

Tech Transfer at Penn State

Penn State is a major player in the U.S. research community, consistently

ranked in the top 10 (by the National Science Foundation) in the following

areas of investigation:

Contacts

45Contact Office of Technology Management814.865.6277 | [email protected]

Summary of 2015 Activity

4646Contact Office of Industrial Partnerships814.867.6328 | [email protected]

The Office of Industrial Partnerships (OIP) fosters strategic relationships

with industry partners and supports Penn State’s entrepreneurial ecosystem,

accelerating the pace at which technologies move from discovery to

implementation and delivering new-found value & differentiation to industry

and economic impact to Pennsylvania and beyond.

Partnership

Our relationships with small and large companies allow us to develop novel

engagement models to build win-win strategic partnerships. Penn State and

the Office of Industrial Partnerships enters into research engagements with

over 500 companies every year, several of which are engaged with our

Industry Advisory Boards across multiple colleges and campuses. In addition

to research partnerships, we welcome over 850 companies to participate in

our annual, on-campus career fairs.

Key Partners

Office of Industrial Partnerships

Jeff FortinAssociate Vice President for ResearchDirector, Office of Industrial [email protected]

James DelattreAssociate Vice PresidentDirector, Office of Entrepreneurship & [email protected]

Don MothersbaughAssistant Director, Office of Industrial [email protected]

Contacts

4747

Applied Research Laboratory www.arl.psu.edu

• Acoustics• Thermal Energy Systems• Hydrodynamics• Hydroacoustics• Propulsion• Materials & Manufacturing• Navigation & GPS• Systems Engineering

Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences www.huck.psu.edu

• Ecology• Genome Sciences• Infectious Disease• Neurosciences

Institutes of Energy and the Environment www.psiee.psu.edu

• Natural Gas• Water, Ecology• Earth & Mineral Science• Environment & Natural Resource• Earth & Environmental Systems• Engineering, Energy,

and The Environment• Rock Ethics

Interdisciplinary Research Capabilities

Materials Research Institute www.mri.psu.edu

• Materials Characterization Lab• Nanofabrication Lab• Materials Computation Lab• 2D Crystal Consortium (2DCC) Lab• Thermally Functional Materials• Additive Manufacturing• Humanitarian Materials• 2D & Layered Materials and Coatings

Penn State Hershey College of Medicine www.pennstatehershey.org/web/ college/research

• Cancer• Neuroscience• Heart & Vascular• Pediatric Cardiovascular• Diabetic Retinopathy• Clinical & Translational Science

Institute for CyberScience www.ics.psu.edu

A virtual laboratory to investigate complex problems otherwise impossible or impractical to address, for example:• Physics of the origins of the universe• Genomic/molecular basis of disease• Socio–economic impacts of a

digital society

Social Science Research Institute www.ssri.psu.edu

Focuses on critical human and social problems:• The Human System• Social Disparities• Smart and Connected Health• Innovative Methods• Dissemination and

Implementation Science

In the 2015–2016 fiscal year, Penn State research expenditures exceeded $836 million, with excellence across domains.

We received multimillion dollar awards for new or ongoing work in areas as diverse as a Department of Energy supported

program for designing energy-efficient buildings, a national data coordinating center for asthma research sponsored by the

National Institutes of Health, a federal bus-testing program conducted for the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the

design and development of an anti-torpedo torpedo for the U.S. Department of Defense. The university is ranked 17th in

total expenditures by NSF and ranked in the Top 10 of 12 STEM fields.

Contact Office of Industrial Partnerships814.867.6328 | [email protected]

47

Interdisciplinary Research Entities

Invent Penn State: Let’s turn great discoveries into a great economy, together.“At Penn State, we recognize that great minds need support. That idea is at the heart of Penn State’s new $30 million investment in economic development and student career success. In concert, these investments will create a powerful path to economic development, with strong local and state impact. They also will allow us to train students at the cutting edge, and place students in those emerging fields and job opportunities."

—President Eric Barron, Penn State University

psu.edu

Documents

INNOVATION GUIDE - Affinity Connection - Home IPS Book Final_web.pdfWelcome to the Innovation Guide, a first look at 40 disruptive Penn State innovations. Penn State researchers explore