Upstate Medical University will host Upstate Innovation Day: Pharmaceutical, Biologic and Medical Device Research and Commercialization, an all-day event focused on life sciences innovation and entrepreneurship.

The conference will be held at the Central New York Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC) Theater, 841 E. Fayette St., Syracuse, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday,  Jan 23.

Hosted by the Upstate Industry Research Office and the CNYBAC, topics include IP management, entrepreneurial team formation and navigating funding. The day will also feature a medical device innovation challenge (MDIC) pitch event. 

Kathi Durdon, executive director of Upstate’s CNY Biotech Accelerator (CNYBAC), said Upstate is holding the conference to bring attention to all the research and innovation happening within Upstate and with local partners

“The goal of the conference is to highlight the expanding and successful biotech-related research and commercialization that has been supported by Upstate programs,” Durdon said. “For instance, the afternoon event includes four CNYBAC client presentations who are Upstate faculty-founded startup companies or affiliated with Upstate technology: DUB Biologics, Expressive Neuroscience, As You Are (a subsidiary of Quadrant Biosciences) and Azimuth Biologics.”

Workshops include:

—Business Development: Going from Lab to Market, presented by Nicholas Querques, director of New Ventures, SUNY Research Foundation;

—A panel discussion on The Path and Process to Innovate in an Academic Medical Center, which includes Upstate’s Audrey Bernstein, PhD, professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences/Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Cell and Developmental Pathology, and co-founder of DUB Biologics;

—How to Harness this New Energy Source to Advance Biomedical Innovation, presented by Darwin Babino, PhD, assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Five start-up companies have been selected to participate in the pitch competition to be held during the conference. These companies have been mentored in areas such as product development and intellectual property.

Innovations include carbon nanotube technology for nonviral gene transfer; multispectral imaging adjunctive breast cancer detection technology; game-based biometric and spatial motion tool; pediatric laser otoscope and a home-use diabetic foot ulcer early detection device.

The contest is judged by a panel of local innovation experts that includes Querques of the SUNY Research Foundation. The winner will receive $5,000.

“We hope this day helps to highlight and support the continued growth of the Innovate Upstate vision,” said Christopher Neville, PhD, PT, Upstate’s director of Industry Research and Innovation. “We have seen year over year growth in patent applications, intellectual property derived revenue, partnership agreements with small to large industry partners, and most importantly, a general growth of an innovation mindset across students, post-docs, faculty, and staff to optimize and expand the services, and impact, of the Upstate system and its people.”

The event is free, and registration is required. Register here.