Tissue Regeneration Consortium
News + Events
Featured Events
2024 MPWRM Resource Center Retreat
America’s Seed Fund Week | Virtual Road Tour
Orthopedic Research Society 2024 Annual Meeting
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Recent News
Listen to the following podcast episode titled: The art of the exit: how to build patient-centric companies & deliver superior returns consistently from the Think Oral Health Podcast.
The MPWRM Resource Center’s 6th Annual Stakeholder’s Summit was held on April 8-9, 2024, in Ann Arbor, MI, attended by more than 40 participants in-person, with more online. In addition to the presentations by the Interdisciplinary Translational Project (ITP) teams, new this year was the ITP Pitching Hour, where each ITP team gave a 5 minute pitch presentation.
The event also included a panel session on “Regenerative Therapies in the Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Space: Opportunities, Challenges, and Trends”, a conversation with 5 panelists on the topic of driving innovations in the dental/ oral/ craniofacial space and critical issues to consider.
Thank you to all attendees, both in-person and online. We hope you enjoyed the event, and look forward to seeing you at our future events!
C-DOCTOR celebrates Dr. Derrick Wan’s successful IND filing for their interdisciplinary translational project “Transdermal Deferoxamine to Enhance Fat Graft Retention for Reconstruction of Irradiated Soft Tissue Defects” (Deferoxamine Patch for Radiation-Injured Skin)!” Their team filed the IND application on November 30, 2023, and received their “study may proceed” letter on January 3, 2024, allowing them to begin their clinical trial. The Deferoxamine Patch for Radiation-Injured Skin ITP is the very first C-DOCTOR ITP to successfully file an IND application since C-DOCTOR has been established. This is a landmark achievement for Dr. Wan, C-DOCTOR, and DOCTRC (Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration Consortium). C-DOCTOR has worked diligently and efficiently with the Wan ITP team to ensure that they have all the necessary resources to file a successful IND and graduate from the C-DOCTOR program.
ARPA-H has released its latest newsletter and included two new programs in bioprinting organs and retraining immune cells, that could be of interest. See below for some of these programs to explore for your work.
- EMBODY (Engineering of Immune Cells Inside the Body) – Program Manager – Daria Fedyukina, Ph.D.
- PRINT (Personalized Regenerative Immunocompetent Nanotechnology Tissue) – Program Manager – Ryan Spitler, Ph.D.
New legislation recognizes NIDCR’s role in scientific research and public health
The United States Senate introduced and passed with unanimous support a resolution recognizing NIDCR’s 75th anniversary that hailed “its critical role in improving the dental, oral, and craniofacial health of the United States through research, training, and the dissemination of health information.” The resolution was requested and championed by the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and endorsed by the American Dental Association, the American Dental Education Association, and the Friends of NIDCR.
The bipartisan anniversary resolution (S.Res.605) was introduced by Sen. Ben Cardin and cosponsored by Sen. Mike Braun. In the United States House, Rep. Brian Babin, a dentist, introduced a similar version of the anniversary resolution (H.Res.1078).
ITP PI, Pam Yelick, Named National Academy of Inventors Senior Members
NAI senior members are active faculty, scientists, and administrators from NAI member institutions who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. At the same time, they have increasing success in patents, licensing, and commercialization—while also educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.
The fourth episode of the NCI SBIR Innovation Lab podcast is now available! This latest installment focuses on the steps aspiring entrepreneurs should prioritize when starting a small business, told by two NCI SBIR-funded biotech innovators. Listen to this episode to get insights on:
- Transitioning from academia to small business
- Leveraging networking to kickstart your business
- Working with clinical partnerships, tech transfer office, and accelerators
- Reviewing technology-specific considerations when starting a med-tech small business
- Determining the potential impact of your technology
Dive into the newest episode of the Legends podcast! Join the engaging conversation as Istvan Urban, Osteology Foundation Board Member from Budapest, Hungary, interviews Hom-Lay Wang, Professor and Director of Graduate Periodontics at the University of Michigan, U.S.A. Wang, mentor to many successful researchers and clinicians around the world, shares his journey and wisdom.
The University of Michigan School of Dentistry (UMSD) and Biosciences Initiative (BSI) invite nominations and applications for a tenure track faculty position in the areas of biomaterials and regenerative medicine, at the Assistant or Associate Professor level. Passionate scientists who use ground-breaking approaches to advance the field of regenerative medicine, increasing translatability of new therapies, and who are committed to joining a vibrant research community are sought.
MPWRM’s ITP RevBio has received FDA approval to conduct a first-in-human clinical trial to investigate its regenerative bone adhesive for cranial flap fixation. Congratulations RevBio!
The 2023 Annual Report for the Michigan-Pittsburgh-Wyss Regenerative Medicine Resource Center is available! Discover more about our 7th year of operations and Interdisciplinary Translation Projects as we strive to accelerate the translation of promising technologies towards clinical trials and beyond.
Dr. Isabelle Lombaert has received major funding through the University of Michigan Medical School’s Frankel Innovation Initiative award. Congratulations to our MPWRM Resource Center ITP Team Co-PI!
Check out the part two episode of the NIH All About Grants mini-series titled “What Early Career Researchers Should Know (Part 2) – Discovering Strengths to Advance Your Research Career.” Dr. Marguerite Matthews, a program director and co-host of Building Up the Nerve with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and Dr. Ericka Boone, Director of the Division of Biomedical Research Workforce at the NIH Office of Extramural Research, join us in this conversation building off what we previously heard about the “hidden curriculum” (Part 1). They will share experiences and perspectives on how personal growth and professional development intersect, setting a plan to identify your strengths, reiterate the importance of engaging your network, the power of communication, and much more.
Phase I Commercialization Support: I-Corps at NIH
Did you know? I-Corps at NIH is a hands-on entrepreneurship training program designed for Phase I companies that received SBIR or STTR funding from NIH or the CDC.
During eight weeks, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and where to find the tools you need to help commercialize your product. And there’s no cost to you – a $55,000 supplement covers program costs!
Benefits:
Receive training from biotech sector experts
Hone your target market by engaging with potential customers
Expand your professional network
Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
This cohort begins in March 2024. The sessions will be held virtually except for the in-person kickoff in Houston, TX, and the in-person closeout session in Bethesda, MD.
Applications for the next cohort are due on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., your local time.
Did you know? I-Corps at NIH is a hands-on entrepreneurship training program designed for Phase I companies that received SBIR or STTR funding from NIH or the CDC.
During eight weeks, you’ll learn how to focus your business plan and where to find the tools you need to help commercialize your product. And there’s no cost to you – a $55,000 supplement covers program costs!
Benefits:
Receive training from biotech sector experts
Hone your target market by engaging with potential customers
Expand your professional network
Build the confidence and skills to create a comprehensive business model
This cohort begins in March 2024. The sessions will be held virtually except for the in-person kickoff in Houston, TX, and the in-person closeout session in Bethesda, MD.
Applications for the next cohort are due on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, at 5:00 p.m., your local time.
Foreign Disclosure Requirements for SBIR/STTR Applications Received on/after September 5, 2023
When the SBIR, STTR, and related pilot programs were reauthorized for FY2023-2025, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 made several changes to the SBIR and STTR programs. Policy changes were announced June 12 through this Notice: Implementation of the NIH SBIR and STTR Foreign Disclosure Pre-award and Post-Award Requirements (NOT-OD-23-139).
Key elements include:
disclosure requirements regarding ties to foreign countries,
a requirement for federal agencies that manage SBIR and STTR programs to establish a due diligence program to assess security risks posed by applicants, and
denial of award and recovery authority provisions when ties to foreign countries of concern pose a significant risk.
This policy applies to all NIH, CDC, FDA, and ACL competing applications for SBIR or STTR funding on or after September 5, 2023. More information and resources will be provided in the near future.
Congratulations to MPWRM Resource Center ITP team RevBio, Inc. for being awarded a $3.4 Million NIH Grant for Its Novel Regenerative Bone Adhesive to Treat Complex Fractures!
Congratulations to our ITP teams who will be presenting at the 2023 Forsyth dentech!
Amend Surgical
GreenMark Biomedical
RegendoDent
RevBio
For more info: see “startups” tab on https://forsyth.org/forsyth-dentech/
Our very own MPWRM Resource Center Principal Investigator, Dr. Will Giannobile, is featured on the latest episode of “Legends” podcast. Dr. Giannobile’s journey from Missouri to his pioneering work in tissue engineering is explored, shedding light on the role of molecular growth factors and becoming dean of one of the most prestigious dental schools in the world. Dr. Giannobile talks about the transformative shifts in periodontal treatment, health economics, and the imminent role of AI in shaping the future of dentistry.
Organoids have now been created from stem cells to secrete the proteins that form dental enamel, the substance that protects teeth from damage and decay. A multi-disciplinary team of scientists from the University of Washington in Seattle led this effort.
“This is a critical first step to our long-term goal to develop stem cell-based treatments to repair damaged teeth and regenerate those that are lost,” said Hai Zhang, professor of restorative dentistry at the UW School of Dentistry and one of the co-authors of the paper describing the research. Click to read more.
Across the lifespan, there is a strong connection between dental health and overall health. But the nature of that connection — the specific challenges and risks — changes over time. An infographic from CareQuest Institute summarizes research on these connections, from pregnancy through older adulthood.
ITP PI, Luiz Bertassoni, Head of Lab Where Oregon Scientists are 3D Printing Their Way to a Healthier Future for us All
MPWRM Resource Center and DOCTRC highlighted in the keynote talk at NIDCR’s 75th anniversary event, NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future
The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) has issued its much-anticipated SBIR Contract Solicitation. See below for topic areas. Some topics are only Direct to Phase II while others are FastTrack. Phase I proposals will not be accepted. The solicitation invites proposals in the following areas:
- ARPA-H 01 – Novel telehealth instruments for assessing pediatric well-being.
- ARPA-H 02 – Microneedle-based patches and digital patch interfaces for remote and real-time transdermal drug delivery and chronic disease management.
- ARPA-H 03 – Robotics for autonomous soft tissue surgery.
- ARPA-H 04 – Intra-operative contrast agents.
- ARPA-H 05 – Scale-Up: Transition disruptive technologies from proof-of-concept prototypes to commercially scalable and deployable technologies.
Deadline for questions: June 12
Deadline for receipt: July 3
RevBio Receives ISO 13485 Certification for its Quality Management System
ITP PI, Luiz Bertassoni, Head of Lab Where Oregon Scientists are 3D Printing Their Way to a Healthier Future for us All
ITP Principal Investigator, Dr. Pamela Yelick (Tufts University) was named fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world’s largest scientific society! Congratulations! Check out the news release from Tufts University on this announcement.
NSF: Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
Open: January 16, 2023
Proposal Due: February 21, 2023
Program Guidelines: NSF 23-519
The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program (MRI Program Website) serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation’s institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations.
Don’t miss the Monday, January 30 deadline to apply for the following
- AADOCR Student Research Fellowships – January 30, 2023
- IADR Innovation in Oral Care Award – January 30, 2023
- IADR Osteology Foundation New Investigator Award in Oral Tissue Regeneration – January 30, 2023
- IADR Smile Train Cleft Research Award – January 30, 2023
Preventing muscle atrophy – Harvard scientists have developed an adhesive that makes muscles move.
One of our ITP teams, Ostiio, LLC, has been awarded a National Institute of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant for $300,000 to advance research & development of their smart, fully subcutaneous distraction system. This award, building on the work previously supported by the ITP and NSF, is aimed to demonstrate that a miniaturized implant continues to achieve clinically defined expansion force requirements in an expanded set of use cases. Congratulations!
Bioengineers have developed a mechanically active adhesive named MAGENTA, which functions as a soft robotic device able to extend and contract muscles from the outside. In an animal model, MAGENTA successfully prevented and supported the recovery from muscle atrophy.
“Osteoporotic fractures greatly reduce quality of life, and immobilization following a fracture can lead to further bone loss, which puts patients at risk for breaking another bone. To help patients recover quicker, RevBio developed a potential new therapeutic device, a patented bone adhesive called Tetranite®, that promotes bone growth. In an investigation launching on SpaceX’s 26th Commercial Resupply Services mission (SpaceX CRS-26), the company will examine how well Tetranite® works to regenerate new bone during spaceflight.”
Check out the podcast, “The Next ReGeneration”. On the third episode, Daniel Thoma talks about the highly controversial topic of preclinical research, how it has changed over time, where there is still value in conducting preclinical research, and where it has been replaced.
“Amend Surgical, Inc., an Alachua-based medical device company, announced today that it has finalized a funding agreement with the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology (the Florida Institute) along with being awarded a substantial product development funding from The Michigan-Pittsburgh-Wyss Regenerative Medicine (MPWRM) Resource Center.”
Our Partner at C-DOCTOR, Bridget Samuels, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, presented Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration Consortium (DOCTRC)” at the hybrid 51st Annual Meeting & Exhibition of the AADOCR, held in conjunction with the 46th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research (CADR), online and onsite in Atlanta, GA, on March 24, 2022.
Americans’ oral health has improved over the last two decades, but disparities in oral health have stubbornly persisted and pose a major global public health threat, write National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) Director Rena N. D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., Acting Science Advisor to the President and former National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, M.D., M.B.A., in a new perspective published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
ITP team GreenMark Biomedical secures follow-on investment of $830,000 in equity financing in the form of convertible notes in anticipation of a Series A financing in 2022. Congratulations!
ITP PI, Dr. Steve Little selected as a member of the 2021 Fellow class of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction accorded to academic inventors. Congratulations!
Mark your calendars and join us for the first DOCTRC Innovator Networking Series event on Oct 26, 2021, 3PM Eastern.
Congratulations to ITP GreenMark Biomedical! GreenMark was recognized as a2021 Best of Class Technology Award Winner!
JDR and IADR highlight the Special Issue: Interface Between Materials and Oral Biology, featuring an article by the MPWRM Resource Center. Click here for the JDR interview with Resource Center PI Dr. David Kohn.
Funding Opportunities
NIDCR Guidance on Applications for Investigator – Initiated Clinical Trials
CareQuest Innovation‘s accelerator program, SMILE Health, call for applications is now open until May 8. Please see details and application here: https://carequestinnovation.
- Non-Dilutive Cash Stipend: Receive a $10,000 stipend without giving up any equity.
- Expert-Led Validation Studies: Tap into curated industry data and strengthen your business case.
- 1:1 Mentorship: Connect with industry veterans who provide personalized guidance.
- Custom Curriculum: Engage in immersive workshops tailored to health innovators.
- Dedicated Pitch Support: Workshop pitches to present to medical and oral health leaders at a closed-door Reveal Day and Demo Day at HLTH 2024.
- Ongoing Access: Gain a six-month MATTER membership upon program completion to continue building your business.
- Future Growth: Apply for ACCELERATE, a program that provides incremental funding to collaborate with industry partners on mission-aligned projects.
Osteology Foundation Applied Research Grant
The Osteology Foundation aims to support scientific research and education projects in the field of oral tissue regeneration. To actively promote translational and clinical research, the Osteology Foundation awards grants to selected researchers yearly.
The National Osteology Group USA is inviting residents and young dentists to participate in its first Case Competition.
Two competition categories are open for submission:
Soft tissue or periodontal regeneration around teeth
Soft or hard tissue regeneration around implants
Three finalists in each category will be invited to present their case during the AAP Annual Meeting in San Diego. Among these, two winners will be selected and awarded.
Deadline for submission is 15 July 2024.
Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Small Businesses – SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective PainTreatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required)
NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)
NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Required)
NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required)
Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Mentored Career Development Awards to Foster the Careers of Investigators Pursuing Research Related to Down syndrome as Part of the INCLUDE Project
The Intersection of Sex and Gender Influences on Health and Disease (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): NIH Research Project Grants on Down Syndrome (R01) for the INCLUDE (Investigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndrome) Project
Upcoming Events
BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone
The BIO-Entrepreneurship Capstone is open to students, postgraduate fellows, and early career faculty in the life sciences.
Candidates who are new to the NIH funding ecosystem are encouraged to register, as no prior funding or active NIH project experience is required.
Osteology Foundation: New Periodontist & Resident Virtual Forum
The “New Periodondist & Resident Virtual Forum” webinar series in collaboration with the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is a continuation of the 2023 Regeneration Symposium held at the AAP’s Annual Meeting in Austin last year.
The discussion on The Past, Present and Future of Bone Augmentation will be resumed in webinars covering the historical evolution, current practices, and future trends. Renowned national and international experts like Christer Dahlin, Diego Velasquez and Bradley McAllister share their insights and expertise, providing attendees with a well-rounded understanding of this topic. Participants gain valuable knowledge that can enhance their clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
Participants will be asked to watch the recording of the 2023 AAP/AAPF/OF Regeneration Symposium before the webinar. The recording of the session is already now available on THE BOX and can be accessed free of charge (free login required).
Call for Abstracts for 2024 Society for Biomaterials Regional Symposia
| We are excited to announce the call for late-breaking abstract submissions for poster presentation at the 2024 Regional Symposia.
This is the perfect opportunity to share your latest research findings, innovative ideas, and advancements with your fellow professionals in the field. The Regional Symposia will provide a platform for all members of the biomaterials community to come together, exchange knowledge, and foster collaboration. Your participation will contribute to the success of this event and enrich the experience for all attendees. Submission Guidelines:
To submit your abstract or for more information, please visit https://biomaterials.org/2024- We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing you at the 2024 Regional Symposia! |
NIH Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
Are you an academic or small business life science innovator looking for free entrepreneurship training? Submit your request for our new NIH Entrepreneurship Bootcamp by Monday, May 13, to learn about:
- The customer discovery process to assess customer and stakeholders needs
- How to develop stronger business models and market strategies
- How to validate commercialization plans
Eligibility
- Must register as a team which should include a technical lead with expertise in the proposed project area and a business lead
- Must be able to commit to 10-20 hours/week for webinars, coaching, and coursework over 7 weeks
If you have an active SBIR/STTR award (including no cost extension) during the course, your team is not eligible for this program. (Active SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees are eligible for other programs.)
Learn more in NOT-OD-24-103 and on our website.
2024 C-DOCTOR Retreat
Please save the date for the 2024 C-DOCTOR Spring Retreat on June 3-4, 2024 at the Marriott Residence Inn in Berkeley, CA.
America’s Seed Fund 2024 Road Tour | East Lansing
America’s Seed Fund Road Tour is a national outreach effort to connect innovators and entrepreneurs to non-dilutive, technology funding opportunities provided through the SBIR/STTR programs, known as “America’s Seed Fund”.
Federal Agency representatives will be on-site in Michigan to provide insight on their program goals and initiatives and to meet potential applicants one-on-one.
American Dental Hygienists Association 2024 Annual Conference
Dental hygienists from across the nation come together for three+ days of exploration, education and discovery to learn about the most relevant topics shaping the future of dental hygiene. Experience a seamless blend of outstanding clinical, practical, academic and industry-leading expertise addressing the core issues and practice of dental hygiene.