Current Request for Proposals | Center for Technology Transfer & Commercialization

Coordinates and manages industry awards and programs such as the Sanofi iAwards, Novartis Global Scholar Program, Merck SEEDS Program, and Amazon Research Awards.

Current Opportunities

Uncovering the “Perfect” Natural Product from a Specified Bacteria

We are seeking a partnership with a capable collaborator who can effectively identify natural project actives derived from our proprietary strain. These identified natural products should demonstrate activity against specific pathogens, while not falling under the categories of antibiotics, siderophores, volatile compounds, unstable polyenes, or nonribosomally synthesized peptides. The identification of these natural products can be achieved through metagenomic and bioinformatic approaches, strain engineering, and traditional activity-based fractionation methods.

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Biodegradable Micro-Encapsulation of Active Ingredients

BASF is seeking biodegradable micro-encapsulation technologies for active ingredients. BASF is particularly interested in non-microplastic core / shell particles to encapsulate hydrophobic active ingredients, where microplastic is solid particle >1 nm containing a non-biodegradable polymer, but relevant matrix capsules and other morphologies will be considered.

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Unique Methods to Measure Intestinal Water and cotransporter Regulation

The use of oral rehydration solutions is common practice for treating and preventing dehydration during times of illness and/or sweat loss. Private company is looking for a research collaboration with the desired goal of utilizing validated intestinal models for testing different compositions of oral rehydration solutions and their impact of intestinal water absorption, solute absorption, and potential to regulate cotransporter activity (specifically sugar and amino acid cotransporters).

Deadline: April 30, 2024

Human Stem Cells from Patients with Genetically Derived Cardiomyopathy

Bayer’s Pharmaceuticals Research & Development division is working on potential future therapies for patients with Cardiomyopathies of a genetic background for whom a therapy is currently not available. We would like to use the stem cells to generate heart muscle cells and to investigate the differences of those cells in comparison to a healthy state to develop new therapeutic opportunities.

Deadline: May 31, 2024

Vanderbilt University Life Science Showcase 2024

Vanderbilt University Life Science Showcase

Amid the critical backdrop of global health challenges, including pandemics and bio-threats, Vanderbilt University's Industry Collaborations Division is proud to present this year's Life Science Showcase, centered on the theme 'Advancing Innovation in Infectious Diseases'. This pivotal event aims to highlight Vanderbilt's pioneering research and development in combating infectious diseases, underscoring the urgent need for innovation in this field. By facilitating a collaborative platform, the Vanderbilt Life Science Showcase seeks to enhance Nashville's stature as a Life Sciences Hub, engaging key stakeholders from the life sciences industries, economic development organizations, and venture groups alongside Vanderbilt researchers.

The Showcase is structured to offer a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future directions in infectious disease research and policy support, featuring discussions by leading investigators, insights into industry efforts, and a critical panel on antimicrobial resistance. Through these sessions, participants will gain valuable insights into the latest advancements and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing infectious disease challenges. Furthermore, the event promises unique networking opportunities, connecting attendees with renowned researchers, investors, policy influencers, and community resources in a conducive environment for fostering potential research collaborations and partnerships.

As we navigate the complexities of infectious diseases, the Life Science Showcase serves as a beacon for innovation, collaboration, and advancement. Whether you're deeply embedded in the life sciences sector or keen on contributing to the global fight against infectious diseases, this event offers a rare opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, explore new collaborations, and partake in the vibrant ecosystem shaping the future of infectious disease innovation. Join us to be at the forefront of shaping a healthier, safer world.

July 18^th, 2024, 1 PM – 5 PM.

The Commodore Ballroom in the Student Life Center, Vanderbilt University

Parking for guests available at the 25th Avenue Garage

Deadline: July 18, 2024

Vanderbilt University Life Science Showcase 2024

Vanderbilt University Life Science Showcase

July 18^th, 2024, 1 PM – 5 PM.

The Commodore Ballroom in the Student Life Center, Vanderbilt University

Parking for guests available at the 25th Avenue Garage

Deadline: July 18, 2024

Previous Awards

iAwards

Partnership program designed to support collaborations with academic investigators to accelerate innovative early-stage, disease-relevant research towards the clinic.

$150,000 research funding for 12 months
Potential opportunity to convert iAwards projects to sponsored research programs
Areas of interest: Immunology & Inflammation, Rare & Neurological Diseases, Gene Therapy, Oncology -Adult And Childhood Cancers, Precision Medicine And Computational Biology

Oncology RFP

An initiative research collabortion with academic researchers to advance the most innovative discoveries for therapeutic targets, pathways, and techologies.

$125,000 research funding for 12 months
Potential opportunity to convert projects to sponsored research programs
Areas of interest: Antibody-drugconjugate (ADC) resistance, novelcell-surface E3 ligases or glycanreceptors, preclinical models torecapitulate cancer biology

Strategic Partnership

An initiative to work together with academic institutions to de-risk innovation and bridge the translational gap of early-stage research.

Variable funding support
Therapeutic Areas: Cardiovascular & Metabolic, Oncology, Immuno-Oncology, Autoimmune & Immune modulation, Neuroscience & Neuromuscular, Kidney Diseases
Technology Platforms: Targeted Delivery, Gene Therapy, Drug Discovery

Amazon Research Awards

Announcing the fall 2023 call for proposals for the following topics: AI for Information Security; Automated Reasoning; AWS AI, AWS Cryptography and Privacy; Distributed Database Systems; and Sustainability. Proposals will be reviewed for the quality of their scientific content, creativity, and potential for impact at scale. Proposals related to theory, practice, and novel new techniques are all welcome.

Ongoing Partnerships

Deerfield Management is investing in early-stage pharmaceutical discovery at 10 major universities.

Vanderbilt has 4 approved projects, resulting in the deployment of >$20M on campus
Represents the most projects funded and most funding received by any academic partner
One project is being spun out into a startup
Deerfield invested Appello’s Series A round
Areas of interest: Antibody-drugconjugate (ADC) resistance, novelcell-surface E3 ligases or glycanreceptors, preclinical models torecapitulate cancer biology

Partnership program designed to support collaborations with academic investigators to accelerate innovative early-staVanderbilt University Medical Center and Bayer have a five-year strategic research alliance to evaluate new drug candidates for the treatment of kidney diseases, with the goal of accelerating the translation of innovative approaches from the laboratory to pre-clinical development.ge, disease-relevant research towards the clinic.

Multi-project collaboration with Nephrology
Research activities include target validation, assay development and lead optimization

GE Healthcare has teamed up with Vanderbilt University Medical Center to develop more precise cancer immunotherapy diagnostics that use artificial intelligence to predict both efficacy and potential side effects.

Collaborating on 4 School of Medicine projects
Five-year partnership
Research activities include the development of multiple diagnostic tools using anonymized demographic, genomic, tumor, cellular, proteomic and imaging data from thousands of VUMC cancer patients.