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	With the resources of the SUNY Research Foundation, and our history of successful partnerships, we are here to help move biomedical products and ideas to market.
 
		 
	Our scientists and core facilities can help move discoveries into practice and technologies into the marketplace.
 
		 
	Upstate is home to top research facilities with highly specialized equipment and advanced instrumentation, to support research and product development.
 
		 
	We are here to create the relationships and partnerships needed to move innovative ideas forward.
Upstate Biotech Ventures
In a partnership between Empire State Development, Upstate Medical University, the SUNY Research Foundation, and Excell Partners, the newly-launched Upstate Biotech Ventures invests in high-potential startups and small businesses affiliated with Upstate Medical University to drive research and technology innovation.
Recent Tech from SUNY Upstate
 
					
				Novel tools that promote the delivery of therapeutics to treat inner retinal diseases such as diabet...
Novel tools that promote the delivery of therapeutics to treat inner retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and retinitis pigmentosa.  Background: 
Non-surgical access to tissues for direct biological manipulation, e.g. gene transfer, stem cell transplantation, and drug delivery, can be difficult because many tissues and organs are surrounded with, and protected by, a nearly impenetrable barrier called the basement membrane (BM). In the eye, the inner limiting membrane (ILM) is a special BM that prevents movement into the retina from the vitreous. Current methods to circumvent the ILM involve its physical or enzymatic removal and have limited efficacy. As a result, successful cell- and gene- based therapies have targeted a subretinal approach, which has proven effective for the outer retina, but is of extremely limited use for the inner retina. Technology Overview:  
This technology describes the use of Ntn4-based molecules to disrupt the laminin polymer needed to form the ILM, allowing for access to these otherwise inaccessible tissues, and for therapies based on that access. This approach is also applicable to a wide variety of other tissues that contain a basement membrane that block the delivery of therapeutic agents. Of particular interest are organs with hard-to-breach BMs, including the kidney glomerulus, cornea and lens capsule, and the dermal/epidermal junction of the skin. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_4964568011.jpegAdvantages:  
•    Provides non-surgical access to inner retinal tissues.
•    Promotes gene-based and cell-based therapeutics in inner retinal diseases.
•    Applicable to a wide variety of other tissues.  Applications:  
Manipulate the molecular structure of the ILM to promote integration of neural stem cells, viral transfection, or small molecule delivery for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and retinitis pigmentosa and other inner retinal diseases. Intellectual Property Summary: Provisional patent application filed: 63/709,982Stage of Development: 
TRL 3 – Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status: 
This technology is available for licensing.Licensing Potential: 
 This technology would be of interest to entities involved in gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and targeted drug delivery. Potential licensees include biopharmaceutical companies, ophthalmology-focused biotech firms, regenerative medicine developers, and platform technology companies seeking to enhance delivery of biologics or cell-based therapies across tissue barriers
 
					
				Provides new pathways for biomarkers and drug discovery for cancer patients. Background: The gene A...
Provides new pathways for biomarkers and drug discovery for cancer patients.  Background: 
The gene Abelson interactor protein-1 (ABI1) encodes a member of the Abelson-interactor family of adaptor proteins. These proteins facilitate signal transduction as components of several multiprotein complexes, and regulate actin polymerization and cytoskeletal remodeling through interactions with Abelson tyrosine kinases. The androgen receptor (AR) protein functions as a steroid-hormone activated transcription factor. ABI1 and AR are widely expressed in human tissues. Many cancers show sex-specific tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and sensitivity to hormonal drugs. The ABI1-AR axis might play critical roles in these tissue and drug sensitivities and toxicities. For example, ABI1 regulates a specific subset of genes associated with prostate tumor progression. These genes are biomarkers and potential targets of tumor progression.
Technology Overview:  
This technology defines ABI1-AR reciprocal regulation involving two non-exclusive molecular mechanisms of ABI1-AR and ABI1-DNA interactions. ABI1-DNA binding activity predicts survival of prostate cancer patients. ABI1 binds AR via a multivalent interaction. The ABI1-AR transcriptional program is altered during tumor progression and by anti-androgen treatments, suggesting that ABI1 is a key plasticity regulator in PCa by coupling its actin regulatory and signaling functions to transcriptional regulation. ABI1-AR reciprocal regulation has far reaching implications for tumor plasticity and androgen-sensitive pathogenesis. These interactions are co-regulated during PCa evolution and clinical treatment promoting tumor plasticity and progression. This provides new paths for biomarker and drug design discovery in PCa. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_282277912.jpegAdvantages:  
•    Provides a novel mechanism for predicting survival rates among cancer patients.
•    May enable drug discovery for a wide variety of cancers. Applications:  
The primary applications for this technology are the development of biomarkers for assessing cancer patient survival rates, and drug discovery.  Intellectual Property Summary: US Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/463,457, filed May 2, 2023. Stage of Development: 
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status: 
This technology is available for licensing.Licensing Potential: 
This technology would be of interest to anyone involved in the development of biomarkers and/or therapeutics for cancer, including:
•    Pharmaceutical companies.
•    Hospitals.
•    Medical research laboratories.
•    Universities.
 
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				Combined drill guide and suture passer for use in assisting repair following posterior approach tot...
Combined drill guide and suture passer for use in assisting repair following posterior approach total hip arthroplasty. Background: 
The posterior approach to the hip for total hip replacement as well as trauma, pediatric orthopedic surgery, and tumors is the most common approach for total hip arthroplasties. However, the performance of this surgery carries risks given the lack of a devoted and standardized instrument to assist in repairing the soft tissues over the hip joint before closure, leaving room for mistakes given that the repair is operator dependent.Technology Overview:  
Upstate Medical University Orthopedic Surgeons have designed a device that features a drill guide and suture passer for posterior approach total hip arthroplasty. The device will facilitate hole drilling, as well as passing and tying sutures over the desired tissues. This will eliminate the need to visually decide where to place the drill to make the holes, as well as manually passing the suture passer through the holes to repair the tissues of the surgery for a faster, more precise, and easier procedure, which could reduce the total time of surgery, minimize risk of posterior hip dislocation and may decrease patient recovery time. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_272951884_(1).jpeg Advantages:  •    Sterilizable metallic surgical instrument for repetitive use.
•    Less variability of results due to user experience level.
•    Expedites closure process, minimizing post-operative risks.Intellectual Property Summary: 
Patent Pending US 18/236,641Stage of Development: 
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status: 
This technology is available for licensing.
 
 
					
				Improves the treatment of acute ischemic stroke by reducing the risk of distal thromboembolism and i...
Improves the treatment of acute ischemic stroke by reducing the risk of distal thromboembolism and intercranial emboli. Background: 
Large vessel occlusion accounts for 30% of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and is a major cause of devastating neurologic deficits. A large vessel occlusion (LVO) occurs when a large blood vessel carrying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is blocked by a clot, this results in the death of brain cells in the affected area and loss of the neurologic function and disability. At present, the standard method for treating LVO AIS is via aspiration and/or stent-retriever thrombectomy. Unfortunately, in a significant percentage of cases, this procedure results in a distal thromboembolism. The retrieval of the stent-retriever involves dragging the stent-retriever through blood vessels, which can cause intracranial vessel reactive narrowing, spasm, and endothelial vessel damage. Obstruction of antegrade flow using balloon arrest (using balloon guide catheter) has been demonstrated to improve recanalization rates. Technology Overview:  
This technology combines balloon guide catheter technology and direct aspiration catheters with an aspiration catheter balloon inflation mechanism for use in the retrieval of intracranial occlusions and as an emboli protection device in the treatment of intracranial steno-occlusive disease. The distal catheter design is optimized to be advanced without requirement of a co-axial guide wire, this promotes a faster procedure and the balloon arrest enhances atraumatic intracranial flow arrest for enhanced distal thrombectomy and emboli protection in the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. This device can be used as an intermediate catheter, with its balloon functionality allowing for function as an intracranial emboli protection device by proximal arrest of the intracranial parent vessel during angioplasty and stenting procedures of intracranial atherosclerotic disease. The device can be used in combination with other stroke thrombectomy devices including stent-retrievers.  https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_518776887.jpeg Advantages:  
· Simple design.
· Easy to use.
· Rapid deflation with retrieval of internal aspiration catheter, protecting against prolonged flow arrest during thrombectomy procedures.
· Provides operator flexibility to intracranial flow arrest for treatment of intracranial blockages and narrowing for emboli protection.
· Can be used in combination with other stroke thrombectomy devices.
  Applications:  
This primary application for this technology is mechanical treatment of acute ischemic stroke (AIS).   Intellectual Property Summary: 
 A provisional patent application was filed on 4/29/2022, having the serial number: 63/336,465. < RSS.HDStageOfDevelopment> Stage of Development: 
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept
Licensing Status: 
This technology is available for licensing.Licensing Potential: 
This technology would be of interest to neuro-interventionalists and manufacturers of medical devices for use in endovascular neurosurgery.
 

 
            
 
            