- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock /news-archive/tag/bioventures/ ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Tue, 14 Nov 2017 16:00:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students participate in 2017 Delta I-Fund program /news-archive/2017/11/14/2017-delta-i-fund-program/ Tue, 14 Nov 2017 16:00:17 +0000 /news/?p=68548 ...]]> Three University of Arkansas at Little Rock students have exceeded the halfway point of the 2017 Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub Delta I-Fund program, and are hoping to take their newly established business, Spiritum Solutions, to the next level. The Delta I-Fund is an early stage proof-of-concept fund created to capitalize and train up-and-coming entrepreneurs. The purpose of the 12-week program is to mentor young business minds while helping them to develop and validate their ideas. Representing ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in the program is Noah Asher and Nick Lester, both accounting and finance majors, and Ingrid Helgestad, a biology major. The trio teamed up with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Bioventures to commercialize a medical mouth guard that could reduce problems in surgeries involving endotracheal tubes.

Creating the solution

It is common for patients having surgery or bronchoscope procedures to bite the endotracheal tubes used for ventilation. To prevent patients from damaging their tongue, teeth, or gums, surgical technicians use plastic syringes, rolls of gauze, or wooden sticks with foam attached to the top to try to prevent them from biting the equipment. With the medical mouth guard, the chance of oral trauma can be reduced. The soft polymer bite block prevents patients from using their teeth to bite down on the equipment and safeguards them from dental distress. “We chose something that had a good chance of market success and something that’s also solving an issue that we all care about and impacts the world for the better,” Asher said. Each team accepted into the program has access to up to $50,000 in investment funding, and so far, Spiritum Solutions has gone through the first stage of pitching and has received $5,000. The students are using the funds to conduct research and interviews and attend conferences. “Our goal right now is to get as much clinical backing and validation for the problem we’re trying to solve,” Asher said. “Once we have that backing, that really empowers us to go to the next level.”

Onward and upward

The next step for the team would be getting their product through FDA trials. This process could take up two to four years, so patience for this group is paramount. Helping to stir the team in the right direction is Spencer Jones, CEO of Lineus Medical and the team’s mentor. According to Asher, Jones’ technological development, the SafeBreak IV, was similar in nature to the team’s mouthguard, so his path to market mirrors that of Spiritum Solutions. Because Jones was successful in his endeavors, Asher believes his input adds much value to the team. “We have a great working relationship with Spencer,” Lester said. “We get insight into the real world, not just in planning, but actually executing the plans and doing the business.” The further along the team gets into the developmental process, the more they get excited about the future of Spiritum Solutions. Understanding that they are only in the beginning stages of the startup makes them that much more eager to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. “I think we’re in a very unique position at this point in our lives where we’re much more freer to take risks like this and kind of put ourselves out there,” Asher said. “If we get knocked down, it’s not that hard to get up at this point.” Because work and school are also priorities for the students, pursuing their business comes at a major price, but it’s one that they’re willing to pay. “We have no free time,” Hegelstad laughingly said, “but it’ll all be worth it.” Fortunately, the students are receiving college credit for completing the program. Their professors are just as excited as they are about their participation in Delta I-Fund. “I think that our professors are glad to see us taking so much initiative,” Asher said. “The real world experience that we’ve gained really solidifies the teaching that we’ve received at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.” The Spiritum Solutions team is thankful for the networking opportunities they’ve received and the doors that have already opened due to being a part of this program. They hope to one day return to the university and help other students excel in the program and bring innovative jobs to Arkansas as well.]]> Jerry and Sherri Damerow to receive ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Fribourgh Award /news-archive/2017/06/22/jerry-and-sherri-damerow-fribourgh-award/ Thu, 22 Jun 2017 17:12:03 +0000 /news/?p=67354 ...]]> Jerry and Sherri Damerow, longtime supporters of STEM education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, will be honored during the eighth annual Fribourgh Award Reception. The Fribourgh Award recognizes individuals who made considerable contributions to the state through the disciplines of mathematics and science. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Pleasant Valley Country Club. Proceeds benefit the Science and Mathematics Leadership Endowed Scholarship Fund for undergraduate students. Jerry Damerow, a retired Ernst & Young partner, is on the board of Southern Bancorp and is chief financial officer of InterveXion Therapeutics LLC. He and his wife, Sherri, a retired kindergarten teacher, said the award presents a great opportunity to highlight the importance of STEM education. “Math, chemistry, physics, biology, and many more classes are the core STEM education classes we are supporting,” he said. “If students have a weak foundation in these core classes, it prevents us from preparing students for the jobs of the future.” The Damerows believe helping students earn a college degree in a STEM area represents a “commitment to lifelong learning,” a goal the couple has supported for many years. In 2009, the Damerows began funding an endowed scholarship for mathematics and statistics students that can be used for tuition, books, fees, room and board, and travel expenses. Jerry Damerow recently was named chair of the newly created Science Dean’s Council at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. Council members advocate on behalf of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences and garner community support for science programs, including faculty and undergraduate research funding, the Fribourgh Award receptions, and the Science Olympiad. Jerry Damerow works at LLC, a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures start-up company that has a drug candidate for the treatment of methamphetamine in clinical trials. His previous experience includes serving as associate director of ��Vlog��ýMS BioVentures; as a managing partner for Ernst & Young operations in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Southeast Asia; and as a management consultant for early stage businesses. His civic and professional involvement includes serving as a member and past director of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, as past board chair of the EAST Initiative, as chair of board of directors, as ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Business Advisory Council member, and as a former chair of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s College of Science and Mathematics Advisory Council. Sherri Damerow is a retired kindergarten teacher and artist. She has been involved in numerous charitable causes, including teaching computer skills to seniors at the ��Vlog��ýMS and volunteering with and the Humane Society of Pulaski County. The Damerows have been ardent supporters of the Fribourgh Award Reception since it began in 2010 to honor the late Dr. James H. Fribourgh, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock professor emeritus, who served the university for more than 45 years as chair of Life Sciences, interim chancellor, vice chancellor for academic affairs, and distinguished professor of biology. Jerry Damerow, who knew Dr. Fribourgh through their mutual membership in the Rotary Club of Little Rock, said he and his wife were honored to receive the award named after someone who made so many contributions to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Dr. Fribourgh was a great guy,” he said. “To receive an award with his name on it is extra special.” Past recipients of the award include Jerry B. Adams, president and CEO of Arkansas Research Alliance; H. Watt Gregory III, partner at Kutak Rock LLP; Dr. Charles E. Hathaway, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock chancellor emeritus and Donaghey distinguished professor; Peter Banko, president and CEO of St. Vincent Health System; Dr. James Hendren, former CEO and chairman of Arkansas Systems Inc., and Dr. Mary Good, founding dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Engineering and Information Technology. Tickets are on sale for $75 per person ($50 is tax deductible). Sponsorships range from $1,000 to $10,000. Tickets and sponsorships are available online or by contacting Derek Boyce at dcboyce@ualr.edu or 501.416.0611.]]> State small business center holds webinars for life-science researchers and entrepreneurs /news-archive/2017/02/01/asbtdc-sbir-sttr-webinars/ Wed, 01 Feb 2017 14:15:27 +0000 /news/?p=66189 ...]]> The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock will host a series of designed to help life-sciences researchers and entrepreneurs interested in technology commercialization. ASBTDC has invited four guest experts to lead the webinars beginning Tuesday, Feb. 7. The first webinars focus on the National Institutes of Health Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. NIH’s Rob Vinson will introduce the federal funding programs on Feb. 7. On Thursday, Feb. 9, Dr. Nancy Gray, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences BioVentures director, will share best practices for university researchers looking to start their own spin-off companies. In a two-part series on Tuesday, Feb. 14, and Thursday, Feb. 16, Dr., former SBIR/STTR program manager at the agency and now CEO of bioPrime, will go deeper into the National Institutes of Health SBIR/STTR application process. Finally, Jeff Skiba, a professional medical device and business consultant, will lead a four-part series starting Tuesday, Feb. 21, on navigating the FDA approval process. Skiba will identify the strategic steps to consider during new research and development to ensure a company’s processes effectively align with FDA’s approved standards. The three additional webinars will take place on Feb. 28, March 7, and March 14. The events are funded by a $200,000 grant ASBTDC received last year from the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Partnership Program from the U.S. Small Business Administration to support programs for innovative, technology-driven small businesses. For more information, contact Rebecca Norman at 501.683.7700 or visit the to register for a classroom or webinar training event: (). About the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center: The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration through a partnership with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Business and other institutions of higher education. The center assists startups, existing businesses, expanding businesses, and innovation-based businesses statewide. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.]]>