Arundeep S. Pradhan, RTTP

At AWE 2025’s “Building for Impact: User-Centered Design in XR Health,” the message was clear: innovation doesn’t begin with invention—it begins with listening. Anne Lord Bailey, PharmD, BCPS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, opened with scale: 170+ medical centers, 1,300 sites of care, 9M veterans. Immersive tech is now active in all 50 states, with 40+ clinical use cases—from pain and PTSD to staff training. But her emphasis wasn’t on hardware—it was on human response. 60% of veteran users were first-timers. 90% found it easy to use. And 90% asked for more. Let veterans feel the benefit, and adoption follows. Linda Ciavarelli, DPM, CEO of HouseCall VR, showed what it looks like to build around the patient, not the product. Before even finalizing their diabetes education module, her team ran 49 hours of on-site testing with both staff and veterans across 5 VA centers. The result? 700+ data points that changed everything—from visuals to tone to UI friction. One standout: clinicians said the content was too slow. But the data showed not a single veteran agreed. It’s a reminder that in healthcare, speed for one user may be discomfort for another. Marjaana Siivola, PhD researcher at Aalto University, applied these lessons to childbirth education. Her takeaway: don’t design for the “ideal” user—design for all users in the ecosystem. That includes partners, midwives, OB/GYNs. Her team used iterative feedback loops to refine content, and once skeptical users experienced early prototypes, resistance turned into advocacy. “Design isn’t ready after one round,” she said, “it’s ready when it resonates.” Across all three speakers, one truth echoed: XR in healthcare must be co-developed with the people it aims to serve. Real impact demands real collaboration. #AWE2025 #XRHealth #DigitalTherapeutics #VAImmersive #VirryAI #Biophilia

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UM startup Kura Oncology, Inc.'s New Drug Application for Ziftomenib has been accepted by the FDA (and granted priority review). Ziftomenib is a menin inhibitor to treat acute myeloid leukemia and is based on the groundbreaking work of Professors Jolanta Grembecka and Tomasz Cierpicki in Michigan Medicine. https://lnkd.in/g8D72His

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Three research-based lessons to improve your #mentoring Becoming a better mentor should be a central concern for new faculty members starting their own labs, for graduate students and postdocs mentoring research assistants, and for more senior faculty members who continually strive to improve their mentoring. #NationalMentoringMonth https://bit.ly/4b5XeVl

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The Milken Institute Global Conference gathers visionary leaders in business, government, technology, healthcare, entertainment, arts and importantly also science & medicine. Each year, I leave this gathering enriched with new ideas and many new, like-minded friends.   For sure, the most valuable engagements occur strategically in the margins of events and stochastically over coffee. But the sessions are a true highlight, where reflective and experienced leaders are pressed to package their considered opinions on challenges of our time and visions of the future.   I so appreciated the opportunity to join Alice Park and fellow panelists Kent Bradley, Stephanie Kauffman, and Björn Zoega at the Milken Institute Global Conference to discuss what success against cancer could look like in 2035.   This chance to press pause and reflect on what's around the corner after the next corner was provocative and fun, most of all to listen to voices of patients, foundations, journalists and systems of care.     In the context of this discussion, I reflected on modular therapeutics (today and tomorrow), the power of directional cancer immunity, molecular glues and precision prevention. We went deep on prevention, and it's clear that our field needs a shift in mindset to discover targets of relevance to the *genesis* of a cancer, beyond traditional work of drugging the hallmark *drivers* of cancer.   I also shared in concrete terms how our science, medicine and business will be transformed by AI. And all of us in attendance listened and learned about advances in diagnostics, care delivery, genetics and philanthropy are changing in-step with technology.   There's a lot going on in the world right now that is hard, uncertain and challenging.  But I drive back to our campus with ideas, energy, optimism and conviction.   Time cannot move fast enough, as patients cannot wait until 2035 for our ideas and medicines.     Thank you to the Milken Institute for convening an important and orienting discussion.   Back to the lab.    #MIGlobal #mycompany

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Excited to share a new article I had the opportunity to co-author: “Get Ready for the ISMPP Annual Meeting - and Make it Count”. If you’re attending ISMPP this year, or thinking about it, I encourage you to read this article and start planning how to make the most of the experience. I’ll be there and would love to connect, exchange perspectives, and answer questions about the meeting, the article, or discussion broader trends shaping medical communications. Looking forward to continuing the conversation in person, together. #ISMPP2026 #MedComms

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The University of Colorado Boulder has provided pre-seed funding to Illumen Therapeutics, a biotech spinout pursuing a cancer “moonshot” by targeting PARN to boost functional p53 activity, a strategy rooted in foundational research on tumor suppression. This investment reflects a growing trend in university innovation ecosystems to deploy internal capital to bridge the gap between academic discovery and follow-on investment, advancing high-potential deep tech ventures toward commercialization. Potential Market Applications • Oncology therapeutics: Develop first-in-class drugs targeting PARN to increase functional p53 activity, with potential application across aggressive cancer types such as colorectal, triple-negative breast, and pancreatic cancers. • Combination therapy strategies: Enable new options in combination with existing oncology treatments to enhance responsiveness and improve patient outcomes in settings where standard therapies fall short. • Biotech and pharmaceutical partnerships: Provide a platform for collaboration with larger biopharma companies seeking novel mechanisms in oncology drug pipelines, particularly in precision oncology and targeted therapeutics. What are the most promising pathways for university-backed biotechs to attract follow-on investment after pre-seed funding? We can help! For weekly GAP insights, events, and resources subscribe to the free weekly GAP Insights: https://lnkd.in/gHBN2wNW If you are a Research Institution GAP leader, join the free GAP Community Hub https://lnkd.in/gPzucFkB Visit us: www.innovosource.com #innovation #GAPfunding #startupaccelerators #technologycommercialization #universityinnovation #hospitalinnovation #venturedevelopment #corporateinnovation #ecosystembuilding @innovosource @UniversityofColoradoBoulder @VenturePartnersatCUBoulder @IllumenTherapeutics @BrynRees @HannahNelson @RoyParker @BobBlomquist @SiddharthShukla https://lnkd.in/gbysJnrw

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Human-on-a-Chip® - Digital Twins: Our team at Hesperos just published a paper in Advanced Science  describing the use of digital twins created using data from our Human-on-a-Chip platform. This study relied on our proprietary capabilities to predict outcomes for both safety, efficacy and PK/PK profiling of four antimalarial therapies. This highlights Hesperos’ commitment to product development teams by offering new methods that provide more meaningful insights to accurately predict a drug’s therapeutic profile while lowering costs and accelerating development timelines. Link to the study and press release in the comments below. #HumanOnAChip #NAMS #Hesperos #DigitalTwin #OrganOnAChip

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"As global leaders in the AI and biotechnology fields, the United States and China have the power to reduce AI-bio risk—but only if they act together." https://lnkd.in/gmpwyquX by Emily Leproust and Christine Wormuth

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Scientific talent is global. Our systems don’t always act like it. I recently returned from a scientific trip to India (shout out to #CMMDR, Sanjeev Galande, Sumeet Pal Singh, Department of Life Sciences, Shiv Nadar University; Sandhya Koushika, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research). It was illuminating and inspiring to see exciting science and successful scientists working in a middle-income country often described as “developing.” There was nothing “developing” about the results we analyzed or the science we discussed (developmental biology excluded, of course). For decades, US policy has erected barriers to foreign entry into graduate education. In the biomedical sciences, NIH graduate fellowships (F30, F31, F32) are restricted to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, which substantially limits access to federally funded PhD programs for international students in the U.S. As a result, admission for non-US citizens is extraordinarily competitive because far fewer funded spots are available. The international students who do make it into US PhD programs are often exceptional — in many cases, more exceptional than their US peers, who face less competition. Making it even harder for foreign scientists to study and work here runs directly counter to scientific excellence. As a professor, I want to compete for access to the best graduate students in the world, not just the best students who happen to be born in the US. These inequities don’t stop at visas or admissions. They also show up in scientific publishing. Long, opaque peer review timelines can be more consequential for international students, for whom delays may affect visas, graduation timelines, job offers, and family decisions. When your margin for error is small, “just wait another few months” is not a neutral request. One benefit of Fast & Fair peer review at Biology Open (published by the nonprofit The Company of Biologists) is reduced friction. Authors receive a decision, with reviews, within 7 working days, made possible by paying reviewers (��220/manuscript) and tying compensation to the delivery of high-quality, timely reviews. That reliability matters most for scientists with the least buffer. Publishers should serve science, not extract value from it. https://lnkd.in/gmj2uM2n

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Potentially exciting news: There seems to be consensus to re-authorize the SBIR/STTR grant system in the works. This program has served to distribute roughly $200B of grants annually for small businesses and essentially drives all discovery science. Since the statutory authorization of this program lapsed in September 2025, the innovation engine has "stalled". However, there is apparently new agreement to get this program active again. Please note, this is only an agreement and still needs to pass both houses of Congress and get the President's signature, so we aren't across the finish line. Any amendments or other modifications could impact the timeline. One concern is that if this takes too much longer there is the risk it will come too late for the current funding cycle, resulting in many additional months of delays. I hope we are close to resolving this. Nearly 5 months of delays has severely impacted enormous parts of the innovation pipeline already. https://lnkd.in/g9Jd_ZSv

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Brian Weitzner, director of computational and structural biology at Outpace Bio and co-founder of non-profit AI research consortium OpenFold, discusses the creation of the collaborative effort to develop software and AI tools to predict the three-dimensional structure of proteins, how its open licensing model ensures broad accessibility, and how it stacks up against AlphaFold. https://lnkd.in/d29pcaZU

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At Operon Technologies, we catalyze scientific innovation through expert research facilitation and strategic consultancy—transforming complex challenges into scalable solutions. Our mission is to empower academia and industry alike with rigorously designed, cost-effective services that accelerate discovery, compliance, and product optimization. Our core offerings encompass: 🧪 R&D Consulting & Product Development (Advanced support for formulation, shelf-life extension, and quality enhancement) 🧬 Bioinformatics, Genomics & Proteomics Analysis (Comprehensive molecular profiling including microbiome and proteome studies, plus traceability solutions) 🧾 Scientific Supply Chain Management (Procurement of validated instruments, reagents, and diagnostics) 🎓 Specialized Training & Capacity Building (For QA/QC, regulatory affairs, and R&D professionals) Partner with us to navigate the evolving landscape of scientific research and regulatory excellence. #ResearchInnovation #ScientificConsulting #RegulatoryAffairs #Bioinformatics #Proteomics #LifeSciences #FoodSafety #PharmaDevelopment #AgriTech #R&DExcellence #CapacityBuilding #LabManagement #TranslationalResearch #OperonTechnologies

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🌟 Introducing the HIE Impact Innovation Champions Series 🌟 At University of Colorado Anschutz, our researchers are turning bold ideas into real-world impact. Our HIE Impact Innovation Champions are faculty and staff embedded across campus, helping connect ideas, resources, and people to move discoveries toward patient benefit faster. Our first feature spotlights Kimberley Bruce, PhD, Associate Professor of Endocrinology, Metabolism & Diabetes, whose work bridges metabolism and human health. Her team is exploring how metabolic dysfunction contributes to diseases like #Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease—and developing Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) peptide mimetics that could restore healthy lipid metabolism and lead to new therapies. Learn how Dr. Bruce is helping redefine innovation on campus — from changing perceptions to connecting researchers with the right expertise and resources. 🔗 Read the full Q&A: https://lnkd.in/euqcwrfW #CUAnschutz #cuHIEImpact #WomenInScience University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine

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Big news: Maverick Metals is proud to be a core partner in Critical Materials Crossroads (CMC), which has just been named one of only 15 national finalists in the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines program. This puts our coalition in line for up to $160 million over 10 years to transform America’s critical materials supply chain — creating 10,000 jobs, driving $17 billion in economic growth, and securing U.S. leadership in advanced manufacturing and energy resilience. At Maverick, our mission has always been clear: unlock and secure the metals that power the future. Partnering with UMKC and the full CMC team, we’re bringing that vision to life at national scale. The clean energy transition depends on critical minerals. We’re building the future supply chain here at home. #Maverick #CriticalMinerals #NSFEngines #Innovation #Resilience

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Is the next wave of biomanufacturing cell-free? Cell-free systems have the potential to be a game changer for the industry, and it is nice to see National Science Foundation (NSF) supporting further development in this technology through a massive $32.4M investment to accelerate its adoption. ⚡ No growth curves. ⚡ No metabolic bottlenecks. ⚡ Just pure on-demand enzymatic catalysis Why it will be a game changer: ⌛ Prototype in hours, not weeks or months 🌎 Manufacture at the point of need - from Texas to the frontlines ☁️ A "cloud moment" for biomanufacturing: fast, distributed, plug-and-play I think cell-free systems are gearing up for a major inflection point. So the question, to me, remains, who scales it first? 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gvZbzdQY #Biomanufacturing #SyntheticBiology #CellFree #FutureOfManufacturing #Bioeconomy

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If you want to learn more about the process of developing the Technology Transfer Handbook, I urge you to listen to this podcast. Our gracious host, Lisa Mueller, takes our fantastic facilitator Alysa Khouri, this project's lead James Filpi, and co-author Joy Goswami through this reminiscing moment. Lisa is only a host of this podcast and a great attorney, she was a co-author as well. I still marvel at what we collectively accomplished.

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