Indiana Biosciences Research Institute licenses Purdue technologies under university agreement

INDIANAPOLIS and WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute on Wednesday (Nov. 8) announced it has licensed two Purdue University life sciences technologies through the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization.

These are the first technologies licensed under the memorandum of understanding between IBRI and four of Indiana’s research universities, which allows technologies to be licensed at pre-defined terms.

The agreement enables the IBRI more rapid access to available technologies that can be combined with its own research to create synergies and help commercialize technologies more quickly.

“It is particularly gratifying that the IBRI is looking first to the potential of Indiana inventions from the state’s own research universities for its initial development projects,” said Dan Hasler, chief entrepreneurial officer of the Purdue Research Foundation. “We are excited to see the vision of our statewide agreement begin to bear fruit, accelerating the licensing timeline to help expedite IBRI’s research and potential commercialization to improve the lives of patients and those Hoosiers who will earn a livelihood making it available.”

The technologies the IBRI has licensed include a mass spectrometry technology and a high-sensitivity detection technology for single cell analysis developed at Purdue. They will be used in research being done by the IBRI’s Single Cell Analytics Center, led by Dr. Michael Pugia.

The Single Cell Analytics Center is building next-generation bioanalytical platforms that make it possible to measure the most basic elements of cell biology. Assays on this new platform will provide access to previously inaccessible key health information. The platform also will enable faster measurement of the individual genome, proteome, and metabolome to the lowest cellular level. The SCAC supports research in converting novel biomarker discoveries into diagnostic assays and, ultimately, new products.

“These are just the first of what we hope will be many licensing agreements with Purdue University and other research universities in the state under this MOU,” said Dr. Rainer Fischer, CEO and chief scientific and innovation officer at the IBRI. “We have successfully removed one of the barriers to acquiring valuable technologies and helping speed ideas to market, and we are pleased to work with such outstanding partners as Purdue on this.”

The MOU and licensing that has quickly followed is integral to IBRI’s mission to bridge the gap between universities and industry.

About Indiana Biosciences Research Institute

The Indiana Biosciences Research Institute is an independent, nonprofit discovery science and applied research institute currently focused on innovation targeting cardio-metabolic diseases, diabetes and poor nutrition. Inspired by the state and Indiana’s leading life sciences companies, research universities and philanthropic community, the IBRI is building a world-class organization of researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will catalyze scientific discovery and its application, resulting in improved health outcomes for patients. For more information about the IBRI and donation or collaboration opportunities, please visit www.indianabiosciences.org.

About Purdue University

Purdue University, a top public research institution, offers higher education at its highest proven value. Committed to affordability, the university has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels. Purdue has about 40,000 students at its West Lafayette campus and is ranked 21st among public universities by U.S. News and World Report. With 24 alumni who became astronauts, including the first and last person on the moon, Purdue is called the “Cradle of Astronauts.” Committed to pursuing scientific discoveries and engineered solutions, Purdue has streamlined pathways for faculty and student innovators who have a vision for moving the world forward.

Media contacts: