Group partnership to accelerate lab-to-market development of breakthrough medical devices

Lorain County Community College (LCCC) and the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) are leveraging their complementary strengths to build a partnership to accelerate the commercialization of novel medical technologies that can advance economic growth, stimulate job creation, foster talent development, enrich patient care and improve community health in Northeast Ohio.

“At the national, state and regional levels, commercializing new technologies at a reduced cost and risk has been identified as the crux to fueling economic vitality and competitiveness in the global innovation economy,” said LCCC President Roy A. Church.

Nationally, the Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (AMP), created as a collaborative led by National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), cited the “missing middle” as the gap between research and market, and as a primary barrier of moving new inventions to market and creating jobs.

“This partnership will seek to specifically address this gap in Northeast Ohio to move additional innovations created here to the medical technologies market,” said ABIA President and CEO Dr. Frank Douglas.  “Dr. Church and his team know that the process to bring ideas to life must be deliberate and this agreement allows us to further the interlocking of ideas, people and resources that will help fuel the economy.”

The initial focus of the partnership between LCCC and ABIA will be to create meaningful economic impact by:

• Serving as an intermediary for enhanced technical solutions by leveraging the technical capabilities and expertise of the two organizations to develop and deliver industry-friendly “technical solutions” services that advance novel medical technologies from research to market.  Together, the organizations will fill a need in the region for commercializing medical technologies through prototyping, testing, development, regulatory compliance and low volume production. 
• Expanding access to capital to rapidly move medical discoveries to market by exploring the creation of a pre-seed fund, built on the success of LCCC’s founding of the Innovation Fund, to strategically and proactively foster the transfer of technology from the lab to the market as a start-up enterprise or open innovations solution for existing industry.  The fund would provide capital to qualifying technologies developed through the research and development work of the two organizations.
• Delivering targeted business mentoring and support using the business support services of the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE) and other partners in the region’s entrepreneurial support ecosystem to assess market opportunities for targeted technologies.
• Developing talent using Allied Health training systems like LCCC’s new Patient Simulation Learning Center and ABIA’s new simulation and product development facility to provide hands-on experience.

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About Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron
The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) – an exceptional collaboration of Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, FirstEnergy, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Health System and The University of Akron – brings innovative minds together to create economic and personal vitality by inspiring patient-centered discovery and invention. The ABIA partnership accelerates the time from idea to commercialization of new technologies and solutions by bringing together world-class scientists, physicians, engineers, researchers and entrepreneurs in the biomedical product and polymer science industries. ABIA works to secure Ohio’s economic future through its patient-centered product innovation, cutting-edge workforce training and inclusionary approach to community health improvement. For more information about ABIA, please visit www.abiakron.org.

About Lorain County Community College
Lorain County Community College is part of The University System of Ohio, one of the largest comprehensive public systems of higher education in the nation. LCCC is one of Ohio’s fastest-growing community colleges because of the variety of learning opportunities it provides. LCCC offers an array of programs and services and is the first college in the state to build an advanced technologies center for business and industry. The Aspen Institute named LCCC as one of the top 120 community colleges in the United States – and the only one in Ohio. LCCC’s Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE) assists entrepreneurs with counseling and business-support services. The Innovation Fund of the LCCC Foundation is a regional fund focused on supporting technology-based entrepreneurial endeavors and emerging technology-based businesses. LCCC’s Richard Desich SMART Commercialization Center for Microsystems provides packaging, testing and simulation services and expertise for sensors/MEMS technologies in a wide variety of products and industries.  The SMART Center is a MEMS packaging, assembly and test development facility serving needs of industry and start-ups with a unique set of tools and expertise delivered in a shared use facility equipped with Class 1000 and Class 100 clean rooms.  SMART’s capability is complemented by LCCC’s Rapid Prototyping Center, the FAB LAB with 3D printing capabilities and services.

Media Contacts
Scott Rainone
Austen BioInnovation Institute
330-572-7581, srainone@abiakron.org

Steve Sefchik
Lorain County Community College
440-366-7601, ssefchik@lorainccc.edu

 “As a biomedical engineer, now surgeon, I am aware of the innovation that takes place daily in the operating room,” said Dr. David F. Perse, President and CEO of St. Vincent Charity Medical Center. “We have been in a multiyear process to find a collaborator to further explore and test these concepts. ABIA was immediately engaged as an energetic partner. It is our desire through this partnership to engage independent, entrepreneurially minded surgeons to test and develop their innovations for the benefit of patients and the community at large.”

“Our relationship with St. Vincent reinforces the ABIA partnership’s commitment to work with innovators everywhere to explore novel and pioneering ways to provide better care for patients," said Dr. Frank L. Douglas, ABIA President and CEO. “Through this cooperative program, we are able to help St. Vincent and other organizations maintain a strong, engaged relationship with skilled physicians and employees by providing them with a pathway to explore advancement that may lead to an improved level of treatment and economic growth.”
 
The history of modern medicine shows that innovation is often generated outside of university or governmental constructs, according to Perse. “With the evolving bureaucratic nature of medicine and the difficulty for innovative, independent physicians to test their concepts due to the challenges of time and resources, the ability to engage with a proven bioengineering entity like ABIA creates enormous opportunities,” he said. 

Participation in the ABIA Strategic Innovation Partnership is open to industry, health and educational systems and is meant to enhance the pace of invention across a wide range of organizations. Through the ABIA partnership, member organizations gain access to the tools and expertise needed to increase patient-centered innovation, product development and commercialization efforts in the high-growth life sciences sector.

 
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About St. Vincent Charity Medical Center
St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is Cleveland’s faith-based, high-quality healthcare provider. Our distinguished doctors and caregivers are devoted to treating every patient with clinical excellence and compassionate care. St. Vincent Charity Medical Center is home to the renowned Spine and Orthopedic Institute and the Center for Bariatric Surgery. Owned by the Sisters of Charity Health System, St. Vincent Charity Medical Center delivers health care for the heart of Cleveland. The Sisters of Charity Health System is a family of hospitals, grant-making foundations, elder care and outreach organizations devoted to healing individual, families and communities. For more information, visit www.stvincentcharity.com.

About Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron
The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) – an exceptional collaboration of Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Health System, The University of Akron and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation – is focused on patient-centered innovation and commercialization. The strategic alignment of public and private support, accompanied with Akron’s rich legacy in materials science, is working to pioneer the next generation of life-enhancing and life-saving innovation that is transforming Akron into a model for biomedical discovery and enterprise and move the region toward a secure economic future by accelerating the creation of more than 2,000 jobs during the next decade. For more information about ABIA, please visit www.abiakron.org.

The panel discussion, being moderated by journalist and NPR host David Brancaccio, includes Dr. Douglas; Dr. Lou Degennaro, Executive Vice President and Chief Mission Officer of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Dr. Tomas Philipson, Daniel Levin Professor of Public Policy Studies in the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at The University of Chicago; and Dr. Bob Hariri, Celgene Cellular Therapeutics CEO.

The event will allow engagement through a two-way dialogue, examining opportunities and challenges, through the eyes of the experts, on ways we can work together in the mission for a cancer-free world.  For more information on the TEDMED Conference, please visit their website at www.tedmed.com.

A native of Guyana, Douglas received the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies Caribbean’s Luminary Award, which praises individuals linked to the Caribbean for the exceptional contributions they have made to the world around them.  Previous distinguished global citizens recognized have included Maya Angelou, Colin Powell and Sidney Poitier. This year's gala was held in New York City.

A few weeks later, the Sales and Marketing Executive International’s Akron-Canton Chapter honored Douglas by naming him its 2013 Executive of the Year for the contributions he has made to fuel entrepreneurship and his propensity to inspire those around him. The annual award was created as tribute to talented executives for their achievement in elevating the region’s business community.

In March, Douglas was honored with the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, presented by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron, for his contributions to medicine. The annual award, named in tribute to former Akron Municipal Court Judge Harold Stubbs, recognizes those who have made contributions in social action, government, business, medicine and law. 

Douglas has committed his career to the advancement of health, research and entrepreneurship. After decades of contribution to the pharmaceutical industry, Douglas founded and served as the first executive director of the MIT Center of Biomedical Innovation, which brought together scientists, engineers, policy experts, biopharmaceutical industry and government representatives to evolve ways to improve innovation and productivity in drug discovery and development. At ABIA, he leads an unmatched public-private-philanthropic collaboration focused on commercialization of patient-centered biomaterial and medical applications, enhanced care through the use of medical simulation, and improvement of community health that drives transformative economic and health benefits for Northeast Ohio.

Held in the ABIA’s new state-of-the-art facility, selected students can experience simulated patient care up close by working in the institute’s simulated hospital complete with triage, nursing, surgical, intensive care and emergency and operating rooms. Participants will have the opportunity to identify problems and work in teams to create solutions that provide them with real-world experience in healthcare and life science programs and the related innovation processes.

Students can gain experiences in two different types of programs, community health or medical device development. The medical device track allows students to investigate design, prototyping and how to envision and engineer solutions for the health market. In the community health track, they will investigate the social factors of health, the environment, and preventive services in order to address gaps in policies and programs and offer solutions. 

More information and application is available at www.abiakron.org/bioinnovation-academy.

Students from throughout Northeast Ohio are expected to show off their ingenuity at event, which will take place at the National Inventors Hall of Fame School in Akron. Directed by Dr. Brian Davis, UA professor anddepartment chair, biomedical engineering, BEST Medicine encourages students to explore all aspects of medical device invention, from applying for patents to developing prototypes. A group of Euclid middle school students cross-trained in mathematics, science, computer skills, language arts and social studies, for example, will present everything from product literature reviews to engineering goals and constraints.

Among the young inventors invited to participate in the fair, a group of six North Canton Middle School girls, known as the Big Brain Theory, will compete with their BBT Shoe. They developed the special shoe, which, at the tap of a foot, automatically fits itself to a wearer’s foot. Led by UA Women in Engineering Director Heidi Cressman, the young North Canton inventors, who competed with the BBT Shoe in the Northeast Ohio LEGO League District Tournament, were thrilled to receive an invitation to participate in BEST Medicine.

“By being invited to participate, it took the project to the next level,” Cressman says. “It gave the girls the first inkling that people were looking at what they’ve done and saying, ‘That’s a really good idea.’”

Cressman says that the team’s selection to participate in the fair didn’t stop with an invitation. The students had to apply for consideration and write an abstract about their invention.

“BEST Medicine is a big deal,” Cressman says, inferring subtly that the BBT Shoe might also be a big deal. Already, the middle school inventors applied for a patent on the shoe and Reebok has agreed to advise the team on shoe material and style.

Medtronic’s national faculty and trainers used ABIA’s conference facilities to lecture regional surgeons on the most up-to-date techniques for an approach to total hip replacement.  The surgeons worked side-by-side with experts in the field to practice their newly acquired skills on cadaveric specimens in the ABIA Bioskills Lab. 

Additionally, the surgeons learned to control bleeding during surgery with the Aquamantys System and Bipolar Sealers.  By combining sound surgical technique and superior control of bleeding with the Medtronic Aquamantys System and Bipolar Sealers, surgeons can optimize surgical outcomes that results in decreased pain, fewer blood transfusions, shorter hospitalizations and faster recovery for patients undergoing several surgical procedures – including total hip replacement and primary total knee replacement.

The ABIA’s BioSkills Laboratory offers a unique setting for medical and industry professionals to refine open and minimally invasive surgical techniques. An integrated, advanced audio-visual system allows real-time video conferencing, recording, and video playback to teach surgical skills. 

According to Medtronic Clinical Education Specialist Helen Merrick, the features “made it possible for larger numbers of learners to participate in our lab, and provided an opportunity for local surgeons in training to observe and engage with practicing surgeons. It’s a significant benefit to us to have this premier facility and services here in Northeast Ohio.” 

The laboratory is a unique feature of ABIA’s new facility, which is one of the largest, most comprehensive medical simulation centers in the country. The institute provides simulation-based education for individuals and teams with the goals of improving provider care and enhancing patient outcomes.
In addition to the lab, ABIA offers companies, as well as medical and health professionals, institutions and entrepreneurs, a customizable space that includes a complete mock hospital with triage, nursing, medical, surgical, ICU, emergency and operating rooms.

During his career, Kazmer, a Hudson resident, founded four life science companies, including EndoRetics, Interventional Imaging, Copernicus Gene Systems and Ribozyme Pharmaceuticals, which was sold to Merck for more than $1 billion in 2006. Additionally, he was president and CEO of six biotechnology/biomedical companies including a publically traded company. These companies utilized a variety of technologies, among them a Nobel Prize-winning pharmaceutical technology, MRI technology and non-invasive bariatric treatment for obesity. During his career, Kazmer has developed a wealth of experience transferring university technologies into the business world.

"Mr. Kazmer is performance oriented and has regard for both our short- and long-term horizons,” said Dr. Frank L. Douglas, ABIA President and CEO. "He has a proven track record in numerous aspects of building successful companies from fund raising and public offerings to business development and intellectual property agreements. He is the ideal leader to help ABIA build upon the culture of entrepreneurial-based innovation, economic development and sustainable growth.”

Kazmer’s fundraising background includes closing four equity financing rounds from venture capital, angel and public sources totaling more than $30 million, as well as, traditional finance mechanisms and grants. 

“I was attracted to ABIA because of the uniqueness of the institute and its partnership. I’m eager to aid in the growth of ABIA, and be a vital part of an emerging leader in life science discovery and commercialization,” Kazmer said.

Kazmer earned his master’s in business administration at Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science at the Ohio State University. He started his business career at B.F. Goodrich in Akron after serving as a U.S. Navy submarine officer.

Further strengthening ABIA’s future, the Board of Directors announced that Douglas, who has led ABIA since its founding, has agreed to remain the institute’s President and CEO through 2016. 

“Dr. Douglas has established ABIA as a national center of excellence in the biomedical field during the three years he has led the organization,” said William Considine, board chairman. "The board and the city of Akron have witnessed the benefits of Dr. Douglas’ leadership, as ABIA has helped create a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship and collaboration. Dr. Douglas’ experience and vision is transforming Akron’s education and medical institutions into a collaborative center for discovery and enterprise in the life sciences.”

Dr. Douglas said he has been impressed with the accelerated innovation and collaboration that is occurring within ABIA and its partners.

“I am committed to delivering on our strategy of patient-centered innovation and commercialization, and am excited to continue leading ABIA’s talented team,” said Douglas, who joined the organization in 2009. “The ABIA partnership is well positioned to be a major player in the life science innovation space. We have experienced some tremendous successes during the past three years but more work lies ahead.  Our partnership is quickly establishing a proven track record of growing ideas that lead to company and job creation and a healthier community.” 

Under Douglas’ leadership, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation honored ABIA and the University of Akron Research Foundation for creating one of the nation’s best innovation and entrepreneurship processes, ISIX. ABIA also formed a unique partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to explore the properties and performance of biomaterials for medical device use, and it launched the National Value-driven Engineering initiative to help assist American medical device inventors and manufacturers become more competitive in the global marketplace.

In 2012, ABIA opened its new $13 million headquarters, which provides a rare combination of research, product development and training facilities that is unique to Northeast Ohio and among the leading centers of its kind in the country.

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About Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron

Based in Akron, Ohio, the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron — a unique collaboration of Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron General Health System, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Summa Health System, The University of Akron and The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation — is focused on patient-centered innovation and commercialization at the intersection of biomaterials and medicine.  The institute is focused on being a global leader in discovering, developing and commercializing biomaterials solutions for patients with orthopaedic and wound healing problems, nationally distinct in improving health outcomes, and widely recognized for the use of simulation technologies to improve the education and performance of the entire healthcare team.  To learn more about the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron, please visit www.abiakron.org.

Media Contact:

Scott Rainone, Office of Communications & Government Affairs, 330‐572‐7581, srainone@abiakron.org