2. Translating Knowledge into Business
University Translational Research
A New Business Paradigm
Kenneth A. Gabriel, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice President for Translational Research
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
USA
May 16th 2013
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
3. Translating Knowledge into Business
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
Objective
Identify, formulate, and sustain academic-
industry partnerships and pathways to
strengthen:
business innovation and profitability
and
participating universities’ research
4. Translating Knowledge into Business
Business Lessons
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
• “ This is your hometown university and you need to support us” .. Will not work
• Universities ideas must be clear, unique, and profitable.
• University’s presentation of all research is not effective.
• Presentation to businesses must be tailored to what businesses need!
• Access to students with key skills very positive for industry
• Access to students with experiential education very desirable.
5. Question: What is Translational Research?
Answer: identifying commercially viable ideas and
concepts which may be embedded in the results of
university research.
Ideas and concepts are made into prototypes of
products and services to accelerate industry’s
adoption.
Very rapid business development, IP
sharing, market segmentation, and agreements to
sustain and upgrade the adopted products and
services.
Translating Knowledge into Business
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
6. Translating Knowledge into Business
University Open Innovation
• Identify critical industry & government problems
• Develop Requests for Solution (RFS)
• Match problem to university solver(s)
• Develop terms of engagement
• Demonstrate & deliver solutions
• Contracts, agreements, collocation, new starts,..
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
7. Open Innovation Request for Solution
Title: _______________________
Opportunity Number: 13-01-xxx
Response Due Date: …
Opportunity in brief:
Timeline/Funding:
Phase 1: Proof of concept 6-9 months / $75,000
Phase 2: Beta testing, production plan 18-24 months / $400,000
Opportunity Description
The proposing firm, business, corporation seeks to develop … . The successful solution
will:
icture
Open Innovation Request for Solution
Title: _______________________
Opportunity Number: 13-01-xxx
Response Due Date: …
Opportunity in brief:
Timeline/Funding:
Phase 1: Proof of concept 6-9 months / $75,000
Phase 2: Beta testing, production plan 18-24 months / $400,000
Opportunity Description
The proposing firm, business, corporation seeks to develop … . The successful solution
will:
icture
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
9. Translating Knowledge into Business
University Commercialization Consortia
• Identify university critical mass research centers
e.g. Energy, Cyber, Personalized Medicine, Leisure,..
• Recruit supporting businesses
• Reduce barrier to commercialization
e.g. defer pubs, share IP and profit, ever-green,..
• University commitment to sustained partnerships
• Industry membership fees and project ownership
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
10. Translating Knowledge into Business
New Cluster Formation
• Assemble region wide research clusters
e.g. TBI, Biometrics, Authentication, Experiential Ed.
• Solicit industry participation
• Build clusters around universities- “Watering Holes.”
• Launch cluster with universities, SMEs, Majors, and
government & international cluster partners!
• Clusters precursors to Consortia
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
11. Translating Knowledge into Business
Major Economic Thrusts
• Healthcare, Aging, Wellness, Energy, Education
• Cyber Resilience and Security
• PPP. Public Private Partnerships
• Serious Gaming
• Policy, Governance
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
12. Translating Knowledge into Business
Office of Translational Research Monday, February 4th 2013
GMU Partnership Examples
13. Translating Knowledge into Business
HAI
Autonomous Contamination Monitoring
• Low cost colorimetric sensors
• Target bacterial, viral, hygiene, toxic, radiation
• Multi-mode, multi-agent detection
• Quantitative measurements possible
• Automated site monitoring, tracking, and alerts
• Cost-functionality trade offs
• Prototypes available
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
14. Translating Knowledge into Business
Office of Translational Research Monday, February 4th 2013
Rapid Area Pathogen Identification
and Disinfection (RAPID™)
15. Virginia TBI Consortium
• Four Major Universities
• Six Bio Businesses
• Major Government Agencies
• Product “Fingerprint” in 18 months
• Clinical Validation by two years
16. Virginia Health Bio Research Corporation
• Partnership between VA State
Gov, Universities, & Business
• First focus on personalized medicine
• Next on Chronic Disease Management
• GMU assume lead of personalized medicine
• Consortium on diabetes care
17. Translating Knowledge into Business
Discussion
VII International Forum From Science to Business St. Petersburg, Russia
