UF Innovate News - UF Innovate

Research to Renewal: Advancing University Tech Transfer

The American research university is a unique institution that much of the world has long tried to emulate. Many times under-appreciated in the U.S., research universities are one of the most important knowledge assets of cities and states for economic development purposes. These universities influence the economic prospects of their regions and the nation overall in multiple ways. That said, ranking overall in second place, the University of Florida is the top public university on this list.

Genascence Announces First Close in Series a Financing Led by Pacira BioSciences and Expands Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Board

Genascence Corporation ("Genascence"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company revolutionizing the treatment of prevalent musculoskeletal diseases with gene therapy, today announced it has completed the first closing in a Series A financing led by Pacira BioSciences, Inc., totaling $10.5 million. As part of the financing, UF Innovate's Jackson Streeter, joins Genascence's board of directors.

Leveraging the Biodiversity of the Ocean to Discover New Cancer Treatments

From cyanobacterial blooms found off Florida’s Atlantic coast, Dr. Hendrik Luesch and his team of researchers have discovered a novel marine natural product named Gatorbulin-1 that binds to a new site on tubulin, an important target for cancer drugs.

Meet Alex Makes Cancer Screenings More Accessible

Dr. Janice Krieger and Mohan Zalake developed Meet Alex, a virtual clinician created to encourage patients in minority populations to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Taking Cancer Research Out of the Culture Dish and Into 3-Dimensions

After decades of research, cancer is still the leading cause of death in the United States. Up to this point, cancer study has remained almost exclusively within the 2D bounds of traditional cell culture plates. Dr. Gregory Sawyer, professor and distinguished teaching scholar in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is revolutionizing cancer research.

Skip the Line for Safer Voting, Vaccinations, or Other Activities with inLine Ticketing

One socially-minded researcher at UF decided to do something to keep poll workers and voters safer while casting their ballots. Dr. Juan Gilbert, The Banks Family Preeminence Endowed Professor and chair of the UF Department of Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE), saw the potential danger of standing in line to vote during the election and was inspired to create the inLine Ticketing system.

Acquisition of UF Faculty Startup AbFero Provides Iron Chelators for Numerous Diseases

Late last week, Danish biotech Pharmacosmos announced it had acquired AbFero Pharmaceuticals, a University of Florida startup, for $225 million. AbFero is developing compounds called iron chelators created in Dr. Raymond Bergeron’s lab at UF. Chelators remove extra iron from the body.

Hot Tumors: The Turbo Engine That Immunotherapy Needed

Immunotherapy is a hot topic of conversation when it comes to cancer treatment. Pediatric oncologist Dr. Elias Sayour and his team have found a way to make a hot tumor, their way to make immunotherapy, an alternative to chemotherapy, more effective.

UF Innovate Reveals New Display in Lobby of The Hub

More than 150 innovators and entrepreneurs attended an in-person event, while 40 joined via livestream to unveil a new, lighted floor-to-ceiling mural in the lobby of UF Innovate | Accelerate at The Hub.

University of Florida Innovators Honored at 4th Annual Standing InnOvation Event

On a sunny and fresh fall afternoon, UF Innovate | Tech Licensing hosted its annual event to recognize top innovations stemming out of the University of Florida. More than 150 innovators and entrepreneurs attended the in-person event, and around 40 joined the livestream to celebrate their achievements in fiscal year 2021.