Category: Events

Events

BioVentures participates in AUTM University Conference 2025 in New Orleans

BioVentures participated in the AUTM University Conference 2025, held from October 26–29 in New Orleans. The event brought together professionals from technology transfer offices across the country to exchange knowledge, explore emerging trends, and strengthen collaboration within the tech transfer community. The conference offered a valuable opportunity to learn from experts, exchange best practices, and strengthen collaboration across the national tech transfer network. “From insightful sessions to meaningful networking moments, this experience was truly inspiring,” said Britney Bobo, Project Coordinator at BioVentures. “I had the chance to learn from industry experts, share ideas with peers, and dive deeper into the evolving world of tech transfer and innovation.” By taking part in AUTM University, BioVentures reinforces its commitment to advancing technology commercialization and promoting innovation through collaboration and professional development.

November 12, 2025

Events

BioVentures participates in Bio on the Bayou 2025 in New Orleans

BioVentures attended Bio on the Bayou 2025 in New Orleans, a leading regional event that brought together innovators, researchers, and investors to showcase the latest advances in biotechnology, medtech, and health sciences. The conference gathered academic and industry leaders to highlight cutting-edge research and explore new opportunities for collaboration and commercialization. For BioVentures, it was an opportunity to connect with peers across the region and demonstrate the growing strength of Arkansas’s biotech ecosystem. As Eric Peterson, President of BioVentures, noted, Bio on the Bayou served as a platform to reinforce the organization’s active role in expanding technology commercialization and innovation networks throughout the South.

November 12, 2025

Blog

BioVentures Receives Chancellor’s Circle Grant to Expand Student Innovation Training

BioVentures LLC has been awarded a $15,000 Chancellor’s Circle Grant to support the initiative “Empowering Student Innovation: Building an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem at UAMS.” The program provides UAMS medical and STEM students with hands-on training in intellectual property, startup development, translational research, and commercialization. By integrating scientific research, technology transfer, and entrepreneurial education, it creates structured, experiential pathways for students and trainees to transform scientific ideas into innovations that improve the health and well-being of Arkansans. Megan Reed, Ph.D., MBA, senior licensing associate with BioVentures, accepted the grant on behalf of the organization. This initiative reflects BioVentures’ ongoing mission to bridge research and commercialization at UAMS and to empower the next generation of innovators working to translate discoveries into real-world health solutions.

November 12, 2025

Events

UAMS Showcase of Medical Discoveries Highlights BioVentures-Supported Innovation

The latest UAMS Showcase of Medical Discoveries, held on October 22 at the Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, celebrated the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship driving research at UAMS. The event featured projects supported by BioVentures LLC, UAMS’ technology transfer office and business incubator, underscoring how discoveries in the lab are evolving into real-world health solutions and startups across Arkansas. Eric Peterson, Ph.D., President of BioVentures, opened the event by highlighting the courage it takes for researchers to move their discoveries toward commercialization, noting that “commercialization is a pathway to getting biomedical inventions to the bedside.” Attendees explored a diverse range of innovations, from new cancer immunotherapies and diagnostic assays to medical devices, AI-driven imaging tools, and novel drug candidates. Projects included the Smart Tracheal Collar, a reusable monitoring device for pediatric patients with tracheostomies, and StaphGuard Biofilm, a first-in-class small molecule developed by VanGuard Biofilm LLC to prevent implant infections. Daniel Voth, Ph.D., UAMS Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, emphasized the critical role of BioVentures in helping UAMS investigators protect intellectual property, form startups, and connect with industry partners and investors. The event drew a strong crowd of faculty, researchers, and entrepreneurs, reflecting the growing momentum of commercialization efforts across the UAMS campus. Each project showcased the power of collaboration between science and business to advance healthcare and strengthen Arkansas’s biomedical economy. A full gallery of photos from the event is available below.

November 5, 2025

Events

BioVentures to Join the UAMS Showcase of Medical Discoveries

Join us on October 22, from 4–6 PM at the Jack Stephens Spine Institute (12th Floor) for the next UAMS Showcase of Medical Discoveries, focused on UAMS intellectual property and innovations. The event will feature technologies developed by UAMS researchers and supported through BioVentures, offering a look at discoveries with the potential to improve health outcomes and drive commercialization. Visit the official event page for more details.

October 9, 2025

Events

BioVentures to Participate in the TRI Research Expo 2025

BioVentures will be present at the Translational Research Institute (TRI) Research Expo 2025, taking place Wednesday, September 10, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. CDT at the Reynolds Institute on Aging, First Floor. The Expo brings together more than 50 research services across UAMS, providing investigators with the opportunity to explore resources, build connections, and learn about available support for advancing their work. Visitors can stop by the BioVentures table to discuss invention disclosures, licensing, commercialization pathways, and opportunities to bring biomedical innovations to market. Don’t miss the chance to connect with colleagues, enjoy refreshments, and learn how BioVentures can support your research journey. 👉 Register here

September 2, 2025

Events

HSE Grand Rounds to Feature Dr. Stefanie Kennon-McGill

Stefanie Kennon-McGill, Ph.D., Senior Program Manager at BioVentures LLC, will be the featured speaker at 2 p.m. Wednesday, August 27, for the Health Sciences Entrepreneurship Grand Rounds. The topic will be “Leveraging Commercialization to Further Your Impact.” Join us at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 10th Floor, Betsy Blass Conference Room. The UAMS community and public are welcome to attend.

August 5, 2025

Events

BioVentures at the 2025 Arkansas Commercialization Retreat

BioVentures recently took part in the 2025 Arkansas Commercialization Retreat, held June 2–4 at the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Organized by the University of Arkansas’ Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, this annual event brings together faculty and graduate students from across the state—including UAMS, U of A, UALR, ASU, and UAPB—to explore how research can be transformed into real-world solutions. The retreat featured hands-on workshops and mentorship sessions on intellectual property, SBIR/STTR funding, patent strategy, and startup formation. For BioVentures, it was a valuable opportunity to connect with researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurial support organizations statewide. It also provided a platform to support UAMS innovators as they navigate the path from lab to market. These connections are key to building future collaborations and advancing Arkansas’ innovation ecosystem.

June 23, 2025

Blog

Innovation Week 2025 Connects Science, Industry, and Opportunity

BioVentures hosted its first annual Innovation Week from May 12–15, 2025, bringing together researchers, startups, industry partners, and investors to explore the future of biomedical innovation at UAMS. The event featured a dynamic lineup of panels, presentations, and networking opportunities across campus, designed to strengthen the bridge between academic research and real-world impact. Over 50 attendees registered across the week’s activities, which included: Speakers included representatives from BioArkansas, the Arkansas Research Alliance, Tradespace, and BioVentures. Panelists included faculty and staff from across the UAMS ecosystem, and representatives from pharmaceutical and biomedical industry partners such as Johnson and Johnson. The week underscored the critical role of translational science, commercialization of intellectual property, and industry-academia collaborations, and how institutions like UAMS can lead in transforming research discoveries into commercial and clinical solutions. We’re grateful to everyone who participated, and we’re already looking ahead to Innovation Week 2026. Did you attend Innovation Week? Leave us a comment on LinkedIn. Help us improve next year’s Innovation Week by sharing your thoughts through this short form. Meet & Greet Inventors Lunch & Award Ceremony Industry-Research Forum Stay in the Loop Subscribe now to get updates on BioVentures events. Subscribe * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name

June 2, 2025

Blog

Innovation Week Opens in 7 Days — Are You Registered?

In one week, BioVentures will welcome innovators from across UAMS and beyond for Innovation Week 2025. Four days of ideas, insight and industry connection on the UAMS Main Campus in Little Rock. Whether you’re advancing breakthrough research, launching a startup or simply curious about commercialization, this is the place to turn discovery into opportunity. Date Time Location Highlight Mon 12 8 – 10 a.m. Biomed I Atrium Meet & Greet: coffee, donuts and conversation with the BioVentures team Tue 13 11:30 a.m. I. Dodd Wilson 115 A/B Inventors Lunch & Award Ceremony — celebrating UAMS discoveries Wed 14 Noon Cancer Institute, Strauss‑McCaskill Learning Center “Raising Capital for Your Startup Endeavors” with Michael Geranen Thu 15 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. I. Dodd Wilson Industry‑Research Forum — keynote by Justin Rerko, expert panels, lunch & networking happy hour Full agenda details, speaker bios and session descriptions are available on the registration page. Why Attend? Seats are limited. See you next week at Innovation Week 2025 — Where Discovery Meets Opportunity.

May 5, 2025