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UF Innovate | Accelerate

Concept Companies and Lacerta Therapeutics Form a Strategic Partnership Around Facilities Expansion and Financing

Concept Companies, a national commercial real estate developer with a specialty across multiple asset classes including science and technology, and Lacerta Therapeutics, Inc., a leader in the AAV gene therapy space, today announced a strategic collaboration providing Lacerta with access to financing to support expansion of operations and new facilities. The financing is being provided via Agility Venture Capital, the funding arm of Concept Companies. 

Lacerta and Prevail, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Lilly, Sign Agreement To Develop Novel AAV Capsids for CNS Disorders

Lacerta Therapeutics, a leader in the development of adeno-associated virus (AAV) technologies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases, announced a new AAV capsid licensing and research collaboration agreement with Prevail Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company. The collaboration will focus on the discovery and development of novel AAV capsids for CNS diseases.

Admiral Named One of the Fastest Growing Companies in U.S.

The UF Innovate | Accelerate resident client Admiral also ranked as Top 100 (75) of Marketing and Advertising companies, Top 100 (90) from the state of Florida, and the #1 fastest growing company from its hometown of Gainesville, FL

Why Aren’t Digital Pills Taking Off?

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) broke ground by approving the first drug with an embedded biosensor to track its use. The enthusiasm for digital approaches involving sensors, apps, and wearables that could transmit information across systems, commonly grouped under the term Internet of Things, also spread. Yet, despite the landmark FDA approval, digital pills have not exploded in pharma. Privacy and logistical concerns, especially while studying such applications for vulnerable populations, have lingered.

The Emerging Field of Regenerative Medicine: Personalized, Precision Medicine

Regenerative medicine, in conjunction with personalized medicine, is responsible for the next major paradigm shift in modern medicine. However, neither regenerative nor personalized precision medicine are subjects traditionally found in the curriculum of U.S. medical schools. As such, this emergence has been met with skepticism, doubt and confusion.

CEO of UF Startup AxoGen is appointed to EyePoint Pharmaceuticals Board of Directors

EyePoint Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing therapeutics to improve the lives of patients with serious eye disorders, today announced the appointment of Karen Zaderej to its Board of Directors. Ms. Zaderej is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board at UF Startup and Accelerate graduate AxoGen, Inc., and brings more than 35 years of biopharmaceutical and medical device experience to the role.

DHS Prize Winners Announced in $195K Challenge To Counter Extreme Temperatures

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that UF startup and Accelerate resident Micro Nano Technologies, as one of their winners in the Cooling Solutions Challenge prize competition. The winners were each awarded funding, which totaled $195,000, for their innovative and creative ideas that sought climate-friendly cooling solutions to protect people in extreme heat conditions.

Oragenics Appoints Seasoned Vaccine Executive Kimberly Murphy as President and Chief Executive Officer

UF startup and UF Innovate | Sid Martin Biotech graduate Oragenics, a biotech company dedicated to fighting infectious diseases including coronaviruses, announces the appointment of Ms. Kimberly M. Murphy, member of the Board of Directors, as President and Chief Executive Officer effective June 23, 2022. Ms. Murphy brings more than 25 years of vaccine industry experience at leading pharmaceutical companies including serving as a key leader in the successful US and Global launch of Merck’s HPV/Gardasil Franchise. Ms. Murphy joined Oragenics’ Board of Directors in 2020.