In partnership with Fast Forward Medical Innovation, the UM Department of Internal Medicine is sponsoring a webinar series to introduce the basic concepts of life science research commercialization and connect clinicians and research investigators with supportive resources. In a fully virtual format, the six-part series will feature special guest lectures from commercialization experts and case study examples from UM faculty colleagues actively navigating the commercialization pathway for novel therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health technologies, and medical devices.
At the conclusion of the series, participants will be able to:
- Describe the importance of commercializing research discoveries with the potential to positively impact human health.
- Outline and describe unique commercialization pathways based on product classification (e.g., therapeutics, diagnostics, digital health technologies, and medical devices)
- Identify additional educational and product development resources available to faculty clinicians and life science research investigators at UM and within the Department of Internal Medicine.
Seminar Information & Registration
Seminar 1: Intro to Research Commercialization – January 18, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
The first seminar in the series will introduce the basics of life science research commercialization. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be able to:
- Explain the importance of commercializing research
- Name and describe key features of common pathways based on product vertical
- Locate relevant resources through FFMI, Michigan Medicine, and the broader UM community.
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Mike Ranella, MBA, Senior Director of Business Development at Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Jon Servoss, EdD, Director of Commercialization Education at Fast Forward Medical Innovation
Seminar 2: Drug Discovery & Therapeutic Development – January 25, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
The second seminar in the series will provide a high-level overview of the drug discovery process. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be able to:
- Name and describe the critical stages and individual development steps within the academic drug discovery process
- Identify potential barriers and challenges one could face during drug discovery
- Articulate the importance of focusing on chemistry during the drug discovery process.
- Locate relevant drug discovery resources
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Peter Toogood, PhD, Research Associate Professor and Director of Michigan Drug Discovery (MDD)
Case Study Presenter(s):
- James Shayman, MD, Professor of Pharmacology & Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan.
Seminar 3: Diagnostic Technologies – February 1, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
The third seminar in the series will dive into the commercialization of diagnostic technologies, especially in the realm of biomarkers. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be able to:
- Analyze unique considerations for biomarker development and strategies for commercialization. Identify potential barriers and challenges one could face during drug discovery
- Locate funding, development, and mentorship resources.
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Jim Arthurs, Mentor-in-Residence at Innovation Partnerships
Case Study Presenter:
- Neehar Parikh, MD, Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Medical Director, Hepatology Living Donor Transplant, University of Michigan Medical School
Seminar 4: Digital Health Technologies: Software & Mobile Apps – February 8, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
The fourth seminar in the series will outline the path to commercialization for digital health technology developers. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be able to:
- Identify commercialization strategies of digital health technologies.
- Analyze the development pathway of digital health technologies through a case study
- Locate funding, development, and mentorship resources
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Drew Bennett, Director of Software and Content Licensing, Innovation Partnerships
Case Study Presenter(s):
- Michael Lanham, MD, Associate Chief Medical Information Officer at Michigan Medicine
Seminar 5: Biomedical Device Development – February 15, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
Our fifth seminar will cover the process of biomedical device development and commercialization strategies for medical device technologies. By the end of the seminar, you’ll be able to:
- Identify commercialization strategies of medical device technologies.
- Understand the role of engineers in successfully commercializing your biomedical device
- Locate funding, development, and mentorship resources.
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Adrienne Harris, Product Development Manager, in2being
Case Study Presenter:
- Eric Shah, MBA, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Dartmouth University
Seminar 6: Next Steps & Commercialization Resources – February 22, 2023, 12-1 PM (EDT)
Our sixth and final seminar will conclude the program with information on basic commercialization steps and an overview of commercialization resources at FFMI, Michigan Medicine, and the University of Michigan broadly.
Instructors:
- Brad Martin, PhD, Director of Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Jon Servoss, EdD, Director of Commercialization Education at Fast Forward Medical Innovation
- Meghan Cuddihy, PhD, Commercialization Program Director, MTRAC Life Sciences at Innovation Partnerships
- John Seamans, MSE, Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund Manager at FFMI
