News | Tech Launch Arizona

UArizona partners with regional universities in re-envisioned NSF I-Corps Hub program

Jan. 17, 2023

In 2011, the National Science Foundation launched the I-Corps program to teach teams – each consisting of a principal investigator, an entrepreneurial lead, and a business mentor – how use the customer discovery process to quickly assess the market potential of their inventions. The inaugural Desert and Pacific Region I-Corps Cohort will begin on Friday, January 27 and run each Friday until February 24. Applications open!

Joel Berkson uses the technology he invented to analyze a curved antenna surface.

What do you do with an early-stage invention? Move it forward with Asset Development funding.

Jan. 10, 2023

Inventions that come out of research are often early stage and not ready to be considered for the business world. The TLA Asset Development program provides funding to move inventions toward market readiness. Funds are available, the time to apply is now.

Left to right: Jordan Lancaster, Jen Koevary, and Steven Goldman of the University of Arizona and startup Avery Therapeutics.

UArizona nutrition expert named to National Academy of Inventors

Dec. 8, 2022

University of Arizona professor Floyd "Ski" Chilton has been named a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction awarded to academic inventors.

Floyd "Ski" Chilton (second from left) and his lab team examine how genetic and epigenetic variations interact with human diets to drive inflammation and inflammatory disorders, as well as psychiatric and developmental disorders.

Startup RaeSedo Inc. awarded $3.4M STTR Grant to Develop New Asthma Therapies

Nov. 21, 2022

UArizona researchers in partnership with a local bioindustry startup have been awarded $3.4 million to advance new asthma therapies originally developed at the UA College of Medicine – Tucson and the BIO5 Institute.

A clipboard with "asthma" and a stethoscope.

Researchers develop drug to treat Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome patients

Nov. 17, 2022

Arizona researchers have co-invented a drug that may dramatically slow the onset of Alzheimer's disease. They have started a company to commercialize the invention and have now received a $3.5M federal STTR grant to prepare the drug for clinical trials.

The Iluminos team in the lab: Chris Hulme, James Foley, and Travis Dunckley.

UArizona celebrates 10 years of innovation, commercialization and impact

Oct. 13, 2022

On October 11, 2022, TLA hosted its ninth annual I-Squared Awards and Expo. Along with honoring the top inventors, entrepreneurs, and community leaders dedicated to commercializing UArizona inventions, the office celebrated its 10th anniversary.

Robin Polt, Inventor of the Year, offers comments to the audience.

Alzheimer’s researcher and anti-inflammatory startup receive Arizona biotech honors

Sept. 23, 2022

AZBio has announced its award honorees for this year, which include neuroscientist Roberta Diaz Brinton, director of the Center for Innovation in Brain Science at the University of Arizona, and UArizona startup Aqualung Therapeutics Corp.

UArizona joins seven regional institutions to form new National Science Foundation I-Corps Hub

Sept. 22, 2022

The National Science Foundation has announced the addition of five new NSF Innovation Corps Hubs to its National Innovation Network. The University of Arizona, which has been an I-Corps Site since 2016, will now be a part of the Desert and Pacific Region Hub.

Sunset over the wildcats statue on the UArizona mall.

College of Medicine – Tucson Celebrates Inventors with Awarded Patents

Sept. 21, 2022

Faculty members invited to the event were honored for inventions including a cardiac muscle cell patch, a polymeric heart valve, and a method for treating chronic pain.

An image of the patent recipients who attended the luncheon.

UArizona ranks 28 among top 100 universities granted U.S. utility patents in 2021

Sept. 7, 2022

Following on its most inventive year in UArizona history, the university has ranked No. 28 among worldwide universities for the number of U.S. patents granted, according to the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association.