Recently, Dr. Paul DeAngelis of Caisson Biotech, and I were guests on the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) radio show, Oklahoma Innovations. The OCAST Radio Network, like the OCAST state agency, is focused solely on technology and its development, transfer, and commercialization. The agency’s mission involves identifying and funding promising research and technologies that allow Oklahoma to compete in a global market economy from its home state.
The Oklahoma Innovations radio program features some of Oklahoma’s most gifted scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, manufacturers, and business leaders – all with one common goal: developing technology-based economic growth for all Oklahoma citizens.
Emergent Innovations in Oklahoma
We were delighted to talk with hosts, Gary Owen and Steve Paris, about Emergent’s part in Oklahoma’s burgeoning innovation sector. We discussed Emergent Technologies and our University of Oklahoma based portfolio company, Caisson Biotech. One of the things that attracted us to Oklahoma was the extensive infrastructure there. Presbyterian Health Foundation created the research park and there are a number of great scientists and lots of great scientific research going on right in Oklahoma.
Although Emergent is based in Texas, the state of Oklahoma and Stanton Young, the founders, investors, (stakeholders at Oklahoma University), the OU president set the stage for technology commercialization better than, in my opinion, many other states.
Caisson Biotech has created HEPtune, the new drug delivery system licensed by Novo Nordisk. Our initial agreement with Novo Nordisk began back in 2012 and they’ve expanded the use of HEPtune for many of their drugs, including insulin. They provide about half of the insulin to patients on the planet, so we’re hoping the HEPtune drug delivery system will make it work better for millions of diabetics. It’s potential doesn’t just stop with insulin and diabetics. It has applications for many other diseases as well.
In a nutshell, HEPTune could potentially allow a patient to take an injection once a week, rather than two or three times per day with potentially fewer negative side effects. Further, this innovative delivery system will mitigate the risk of developing immunity to a life-saving medication. What does this mean? Frequently, the body begins to reject a drug after a person uses it for a while, rendering it useless as a therapeutic option for that person. The new HEPTune drug delivery system prevents this, making it possible to use the drug therapy, if necessary, for a lifetime.
More Oklahoma Innovations
One of the show’s hosts had open heart surgery back in 2012. He spent three weeks in the hospital and now relies on a blood pump to ensure his heart works properly. This requires that he carry around a large battery. While it’s a small price to pay for a new chance at life, an Oklahoma researcher is developing a better way. The researcher is working on a miniature blood pump that is smaller and would require less invasive surgery to put in place.
Another Oklahoma researcher is working on a safer, more reliable battery system for launching missiles that are vital to our national defense. Current batteries in these missiles are troublesome because they emit high levels of heat and are very combustible. The researcher and his team are developing a new power source that is less likely to have these undesirable chemical reactions. This will enhance safety, accuracy, and, of course, our national defense efforts.
Hosts Gary and Steve also asked us about the Emergent business model and how it differs from the typical venture capital model. We discussed this and why we think it’s better to utilize private sector investment (commercialization) rather than rely solely on grant funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and other government agencies for these types of innovative projects. If you’d like to learn more about this, listen to the entire radio show here. What do you want to build today?