True Confessions of a Faculty Entrepreneur
Held in the spring and fall of 2010, "True Confessions of a Faculty Entrepreneur" featured conversations with University of Virginia faculty who have translated their research discoveries into successful start-up ventures.
The series was hosted by the U.Va. Patent Foundation, Office of Economic Development, the Office of the Vice President for Research, the School of Medicine Office of Research, the T100 Program, the Wallace H. Coulter Translational Research Partnership, and the Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Darden School of Business.
To view videos of past "True Confessions," see below. For more information about the series, contact Morgan Estabrook at or 434.982.4191.
Past Events
Faculty Start-Ups: What You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know
James P. Landers, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering and Pathology
December 8, 2010
Landers founded MicroLab Diagnostics Inc. in 2003 to commercialize his innovative “lab-on-a-chip” technology, which miniaturizes and streamlines the chemical processes involved in biochemical analysis, such as DNA testing. MicroLab was acquired by ZyGEM Corp. Ltd., in May 2010, with Landers now serving as ZyGEM’s chief scientific officer.
In the series finale of “True Confessions,” Landers shares MicroLab’s story, from concept to acquisition, and that of his latest venture.
True Confessions 12/08/10 from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
Lessons Learned in the Trenches of Entrepreneurship
Barry W. Johnson, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Research, School of Engineering and Applied Science
November 9, 2010
Johnson is co-founder, chairman and CTO of Privaris Inc., which offers high-security biometric applications to grant access to facilities, networks and more. Hear how Privaris has navigated the areas of intellectual property protection and commercialization, funding and establishing a global marketing presence as Johnson shares his "lessons learned."
So You Want To Be An Entrepreneur? Traits For Success That Drive Technology-Based Businesses (Download Slides)
Martin D. Chapman, Ph.D., President and CEO of INDOOR Biotechnologies Inc.
October 19, 2010
Formerly a professor of medicine and microbiology at U.Va., Chapman left the University in 2001 to support INDOOR Biotechnologies full time. The company seeks to improve the quality of life of allergy and asthma sufferers through the assessment of indoor allergens and a variety of products and services available for research, diagnostic and therapeutic use.
True Confessions 10/19/10 from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
From Novel Gene to the Drug Store Shelf:
ContraVac's SpermCheck Saga (Download Slides)
John C. Herr, Ph.D., U.Va. Professor of Cell Biology and CEO of ContraVac Inc.
Edward J. Leary, President and CFO of ContraVac Inc.
September 23, 2010
ContraVac Inc. is developing diagnostic tools to provide men with accurate information about their sperm counts within the privacy of their own homes. Learn how Herr and Leary have navigated the waters of company formation, FDA approval and product sales with the family of SpermCheck products.
True Confessions 09/23/10 - I from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
True Confessions 09/23/10 - II from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
From Concept to Capital: How to Place the Odds in Your Favor (Download Slides)
Robin A. Felder, Ph.D., Professor of Pathology and Associate Director of Clinical Chemistry and Toxicology
May 13, 2010
Felder has spun eight ventures out of U.Va., including WellAWARE Systems, which develops next-generation, technology-based wellness monitoring solutions for senior care, and Global Cell Solutions, which markets a novel cell culture technology to the stem cell market. WellAWARE Systems recently closed on a large growth capital round, and Global Cell Solutions has raised more than $1.5M using local angels.
True Confessions 05/13/10 - I from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
True Confessions 05/13/10 - II from University of Virginia Patent Foundation on Vimeo.
Entrepreneurial Alchemy: Changing S1P and LPA into $1P and £PA
Kevin R. Lynch, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
Timothy L. Macdonald, Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacology
April 8, 2010
Lynch and Macdonald co-founded Catena Pharmaceuticals Inc., a U.Va. start-up that is developing therapeutics for pathologies characterized by hyper-proliferation, such as neoplasia and fibrotic diseases. Macdonald has been involved in several additional drug development companies spun out of U.Va., including the very successful Adenosine Therapeutics LLC, which was acquired by global biotechnology company Clinical Data Inc. in 2008.
Video and slides for this session are not available.
From Lab Book to License: How to Bring Your Discoveries to the World (Download Slides)
George T. Gillies, Ph.D., Research Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Physics
March 11, 2010
Gillies, his colleagues and students helped develop several innovative medical devices for the marketplace, including a magnetic catheter guidance system that has been used on 25,000 patients. He is currently involved in U.Va. start-up EpiEP Inc., which focuses on epicardial access devices, and NexGen Medical Systems Inc., which develops medical devices to treat neurological and cardiovascular diseases.
Video for this session is not available.