Binghamton University showcased five faculty innovations at last month’s BIO 2006 Chicago Annual Convention as part of a Research Foundation of SUNY effort to develop licensing and other commercialization opportunities.

“This effort marks the first time the technology transfer directors at the various state university campuses have pooled their resources to promote faculty innovations in a system effort at an important event such as BIO’s annual international convention, which attracted close to 3,000 registrants,” said Eugene Krentsel, director of technology transfer and innovation partnerships. “This should lead to new opportunities for Binghamton University and our colleagues.”

During one-on-one meetings and in the Research Foundation’s technology transfer exhibit area, part of the New York State Pavilion, Krentsel met with more than 15 companies to discuss licensing opportunities for innovations developed by Binghamton University scientists:

• Tuning Gold, Alloy and Other Metal Nanoparticles to Act as Chemical and Biological Sensors, Catalysts, and Miniature Embedded Pump Intended to Perform Fluid Analysis and Drug Delivery, a project of Chuan-Jian Zhong, associate professor of chemistry.

• Chemically Coated Powder Neutralizes Chemical Toxins, Protects People from Deadly Effects of Environmental and Terror Events, a project of David Doetschman, professor of chemistry.

• Nanoparticles as Probes for DNA Binding, a project of Susannah Gal, associate professor of biological sciences and Chuan-Jian Zhong, associate professor of chemistry.

• Muscle Stimulator Aims to Improve Tissue Development, Increase Bone Density, a project of Kenneth McLeod, chairman of bioengineering.

• Ultra-Sensitive Portable Capillary Sensor Enables Field Detection of Biomolecules, a project of Omowunmi Sadik, professor of chemistry.

Krentsel and the technology transfer directors from Albany, Stony Brook, Buffalo and the Research Foundation’s central office had a total of 69 meetings with potential partners.

They also networked with 18,000 biotech professionals from 60 countries, 4,000 companies and 3,000 exhibitors during a three-day period that saw 16 governors, past and present U.S. agency secretaries and former President Bill Clinton address the biotechnology and pharmaceutical group.

Krentsel’s aim was to present select faculty innovations to targeted companies that can help develop or commercialize drugs, therapies and devices for some of the world’s most devastating diseases, including cancer, diabetes and genetic disorders. Thanks to their collaborative efforts, they achieved the:

• First marketing collaboration for the five technology transfer offices.

• First system presence at BIO to present more than 50 technologies to decision-makers from the biotech and pharmaceutical industry segments.

• First system-wide branding of State University of New York-based technologies.