Category: Opportunities
Events

Student Innovators Recognized at Student Research Day 

BioVentures is proud to honor the winners of the inaugural Student Innovator Award, selected at Student Research Day.  The Student Innovator Award recognizes student research with the potential for translational and commercial success. The winners received a certificate and a cash prize.  Student Research Day was held April 17 at UAMS, sponsored by UAMS Research & Innovation, the UAMS Graduate School and the Faculty Academic Senate.   All students participating in Student Research Day were eligible for the award, which was selected by BioVentures leadership and staff. Honorable mentions were also awarded at the event in the form of “Innovation Spotlight” ribbons affixed to promising posters.  “We were incredibly impressed by the bright ideas and translational thinking displayed by UAMS students so early in their research,” said Stefanie Kennon-McGill, Ph.D., senior program manager at BioVentures. “It’s BioVentures’ aim to recognize and support these students in their journey toward changing health care through innovative, translational discoveries.”  Student Interest Group  Also with an eye toward nurturing student interest, BioVentures is exploring the possibility of starting an Innovation & Entrepreneurship Student Interest Group at UAMS. Students from all colleges are welcome to participate. The group would start meeting in Fall 2025.  Students are encouraged to fill out this form to indicate interest, identify focus topics, and sign up for future notifications. 

Read More »
April 23, 2025
Opportunities

Apply Now: Healthcare Innovation Sprint at UCA

Are you a student passionate about solving real-world healthcare challenges? The Healthcare Innovation Sprint, hosted by Arkansas Conductor, is a four-day, all-expenses-paid residential camp for rising juniors, seniors, recent grads, and graduate or doctoral students from Arkansas colleges and universities. Participants will collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to tackle real healthcare problems with mentorship from experts in entrepreneurship, medicine, and innovation. 📌 Application Deadline: April 25 Apply Now.

Read More »
April 3, 2025
News

Submit Your Idea: ARHVA Awardees Receive Support Toward Commercialization

The AR Health Ventures Accelerator (ARHVA) invites UAMS employees to submit innovative therapeutic or drug discovery ideas for significant financial and administrative support toward commercialization.  Selected projects receive financial grants of up to $50,000, project management, budget allocation and progress tracking. This unique support framework allows researchers to focus on their innovations, while ARHVA ensures projects stay on track, increasing the commercial value and paving the way for successful licensing, partnerships or startups.  All UAMS employees are eligible to apply, including trainees and postdoctoral fellows. The full Request for Applications document outlining the application process is available on the ARHVA website, as is a detailed FAQ. The application period begins August 26, 2024, and runs through September 30, 2024, at 5 PM. The funding decision announcement will be November 29, 2024​. Read about inaugural ARHVA cohort, who are tackling biofilm formation in Staphylococcus aureus infections, radiation-responsive liposomes for cancer therapy, and a novel biomarker for liver injury detection.  For more information, contact BioVentures Senior Program Manager Stefanie Kennon-McGill, Ph.D., at skennonmcgill@uams.edu.

Read More »
August 26, 2024
Opportunities

Investment Opportunities for Researchers in Industry

Discover the exciting investment opportunities below, offered by leading life science companies: GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Collaborations The director of Academic Alliances at GSK is willing to evaluate researchers and their departments for collaboration in their specific areas of interest. They are willing to put dollars behind people and expect collaboration. GSK can even offer their clinical services. Net result: GSK will typically provide $1-4M and ask for exclusivity/options on a pre-negotiated basis! If an Opportunity exists, BioVentures can bridge discussions with the GSK team! Medtronic Investment Opportunities The business development team evaluates the opportunity according to the surgical area. The respective team will review the opportunity presented in a one-page executive briefing. After vetting, they bring in the “New Venture Development” arm. They expect the researcher to form a spin-out company and continue the ongoing work through investment dollars. The Medtronic BD team expects a one-pager to encompass the following:  Net Result: Medtronic can invest in startups anywhere between $500K and $5M. Pathway to Cures Pathway-to-Cures is the venture arm of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Pathway-to-Cures invests in blood disorders and oncology; however, they will examine other therapeutic areas. Net Result: As a non-profit, they are willing to invest $100K to assist a researcher in establishing proof-of-concept; as a university spinout company, they are ready to invest between $500K and $1,000,000. J&J Innovations Investments across pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and consumer healthcare Partner with Bio Ventures to access J&J Innovations funding and explore investment opportunities in a wide range of healthcare sectors. If you are a researcher interested in pursuing collaborations with industry partners or seeking funding opportunities, BioVentures is here to help. Our team of experts can provide guidance and connect you with the right people at these companies. It is important to carefully evaluate any potential partnerships or funding opportunities and ensure they align with your research goals and values. Contact BioVentures today to unlock the investment potential of your research: bioventures@uams.edu

Read More »
May 4, 2023