Scientific Report 2003-2004 - Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research ...

Continued from Page 8initiative received $19.4 million in State of Ohio funding for the developmentof stem cell technology and its commercialization. The director of theCenter is Stanton Gerson, M.D., head of Hematology/Oncology at CWRUand UH and I am the current CCF co-director, until we recruit a chair forthe new Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine in theLRI.CSCRM will initially focus on the use of adult stem cells to treatdiseases of the cardiovascular, hematopoietic, neurological, and musculoskeletalsystems. The State funds coming to CCF, which amount to ~ $9.3million, will be used in part to create laboratory space for the new stem cellbiology department. CCF scientists who are among the key co-investigatorsin establishing the center include Wendy Macklin, Ph.D., Department ofNeurosciences; Ronald Midura, Ph.D., Department of BiomedicalEngineering; George Muschler, M.D., Departments of OrthopaedicSurgery and Biomedical Engineering; Marc Penn, M.D., Ph.D., Departmentsof Cardiovascular Medicine and Cell Biology; Eric Topol, M.D.,Chief Academic Officer and Provost, Chair of the Department of CardiovascularMedicine, and Bruce Trapp, Ph.D., Chair, Department ofNeurosciences.I am also pleased to report that a new partnership has been formedbetween CCF and Technion University, Haifa, Israel. Five collaborativeresearch projects are being supported for two years by a philanthropist whois a great friend to both institutions, Mr. Stanley Zielony. These projects arefocused on translational research areas in the fields of cardiovascular andmusculoskeletal research.Partnering with CCF Innovations to CommercializeLRI DiscoveriesWith the help of CCF Innovations, directed by Christopher Coburnand Joseph Hahn, M.D., we have boosted levels of licensing and theestablishment of CCF spin-off companies to advance the discoveries madewithin our laboratories. In 2002, CCF staff disclosed 113 new inventions–an all time record, and CCF ranked first in Northern Ohio among majoracademic centers and in the top third nationally in commercializationrevenues (dollars generated per dollar of sponsored research). CCF secured$3.4 million in commercialization revenue and distributed $1.5 million to 32CCF inventors. CCF Innovations raised or facilitated $4.25 million in equityinvestments in CCF spin-offs and partner companies.Approximately $1.3 million in grants were secured from the State ofOhio, the Generation Foundation and the Codrington Foundation topromote the commercialization of CCF technologies. CCF Innovations hascontributed to the recruitment of several biotechnology companies thatrelocated to Northeast Ohio, including Quark Biotech and Simbionix, amedical technology company. In addition, three companies were launchedbased on intellectual property developed at CCF.LRI Educational MissionThe creation of the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine(CCLCM) during this past year is truly an historic event for CCF. By creatingthis unique, specialized medical school program, CCF and CWRU are helpingto resolve a major national concern–the shortage of practicing physicianswho have a significant commitment to biomedical research. Staff membersfrom the LRI have been working with clinical colleagues to pioneer theContinued on Page 109