LambdaVision

Dr. Robert Birge, Harold S. Schwenk Distinguished Professor of Biophysical Chemistry, is researching genetically engineered bacteriorhodopsin. Bacteriorhodopsin proteins generate an electrical pulse when photo-activated. The Birge Lab develops variants of the proteins and screens them to optimize their photochemical properties. The proteins are being used as the basis for an artificial retina. Dr. Birge has received $63,000 in funding from the Prototype Fund to develop prototype retinal implants for evaluation.

New Ortho Polymers, Inc.

New Ortho Polymers, Inc. (NOP) uses polymer materials in orthodontic appliances developed by Drs. Charles Burstone and Jon Goldberg at UConn’s School of Dental Medicine. NOP is applying self-reinforced polymer material to create the first polymer-based, aesthetic arch wire for commercial use. The Company has raised nearly $350,000 through an STTR grant from the National Institutes of Health and seed capital financing from Connecticut Innovations. See press release.

Renzulli Learning

Dr. Joe Renzulli and Dr. Sally Reis, of the School of Education’s Neag Center for Gifted Education & Talent Development at Storrs, have developed a series of tests and teaching materials to identify a student’s primary learning style, abilities, interests, and preferred modes of expression. Using this student profile as a guide, the Company’s enrichment activity search engine instantly matches every student’s strength and interest to a vast variety of relevant learning activities and resources, including virtual fieldtrips, real fieldtrips, creativity training, summer programs, books, projects, independent studies, and much more. The Company has also released a home edition called the Renzulli ScoreBooster (see Print Release). Renzulli Learning reported sales of more than $6 million in 2008. See additional News Article and web site.

Synaptic Dynamics, Inc.

Based on the research of Dr. Ben Bahr, Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Neurotoxicology, and Dr. Dennis Wright, Associate Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, the Company plans to develop drugs that promote the clearance of protein accumulations at neural synapses found in Alzheimer’s Disease. The project has secured $65,000 in prototype funding and is in the process of establishing proof-of-concept. The Company has also been awarded a $162,000 STTR grant from the NIH/National Institute on Aging. See news article.

Vestaron Corporation (formerly Venomix, Inc.)

Vestaron Corporation (formerly Venomix, Inc.) is based on the work of Dr. Glenn King, formerly at UConn’s Department of Molecular, Microbial and Structural Biology. Dr. King’s research focuses on the use of spider venoms as a source of natural insect toxins. Vestaron, using proprietary targets with little or no vertebrate toxicity, develops new insecticidal compounds using high-throughput screening and rational design methods. These products are targeted at the agricultural, specialty non-crop, and animal health markets, which have a combined market value (for insecticides only) of $15 billion. The Company has a cooperative research agreement with Chemtura Corporation, a $3 billion specialty chemical company. Vestaron has completed a Series A financing with SWMF Life Science Venture Fund, LP for $2.25 million, and a Series A1 financing with Open Prairie Ventures for $2.5 million. The Company was recently named a Michigan top 50 company to watch.  See Press Release, News Article and web site.

Contact UConn R&D for more information on its companies.