› MBiotech students tackle challenges pertinent to Biotech, Medical Device & BioPharma industries.
MBiotech students have the opportunity to work on a number of faculty-mentored projects in courses such as Biotechnology in Medicine, the MBiotech Seminar Series and Supervised Study courses. Our student teams tackle challenges pertinent to the biotech, medical device and biopharma industries. These are broad in scope and may include publishable research and/or product focused company solutions. These projects are presented to faculty, student peers, industry partners and colleagues and often involve entrepreneurial ideas or intrapreneurial innovations. Some examples are listed below.
› GE Portable Ultrasound
Course: Biopartnering Series
Problem: How can reimbursement barriers to portable ultrasound be overcome?
Solution: “Piggyback” ultrasound use off of reimbursed asymptomatic cardiac patients.
Outcome: General Electric creates first student internship position. Presented to AstraZeneca senior management and at conference.
› iPhone Medical Imaging
Course: Biopartnering Series
Problem: Find a medical application uniquely suited to iPhone medical imaging.
Solution: Stroke (ICH) imaging of ‘SpotSigns’ in patients who need assessment urgently.
Outcome: Radiologists showed strong interest in the project. Project on hold until ‘SpotSign’ phase III done.
› Abbott’s C. Difficile Screening
Course: Biopartnering Series
Problem: Drive sales for E.coli screening product line in what is a commodity market.
Solution: ‘Hub Model’ of cost sharing centralizing regional testing.
Outcome: Active participation of Abbott’s product manager. Strong MBiotech interest, working on first internships.
› Ireland’s Crescent Inc.
Course: Supervised Study
Problem: A student team worked on a commercialization plan for a new technology being developed by Crescent Diagnostics, a start-up company based in Ireland.
Solution: The student team came up with an early commercialisation strategy that would position the technology as a supplemental tool to facilitate off label treatment decisions.
Outcome: The student team presents via webcast to the management team based in Ireland.
› Calgary Scientific Mobile Imaging
Course: Supervised Study
Problem: What kind of study and indication are required to drive product sales?
Solution: SIn progress – technology may be offered as part of a suite of services to radiologists.
Outcome: In progress.
› Medtronic’s Insulin Pump
Course: Biopartnering Series
Problem: To drive sales of Medtronic’s insulin pump.
Solution: Product modification involving a smartphone for ease of access to glucose readings.
Outcome: Presentation to entire Medtronic senior management team at head office. JNJ now reviewing proposal as they also offer an insulin pump product line.
› Medical Device Reprocessing
Course: Biotechnology in Medicine
Problem: What kind of study would be of interest to industry and address concerns of hospitals re: device reprocessing?
Solution: Proposed a prospective observational study tracking the safety outcomes of reprocessing a specific medical device that represents high risk in patient care.
Outcome: Stryker negotiations serious but not successful. JNJ now reviewing proposal.
› GSK’s Benlysta in Brazil
Course: Biopartnering Series
Problem: What market penetration strategy is required for Brazil if this product is approved for sale?
Solution: Subsidized transportation of patients from rural areas who are reimbursable, to urban infusion clinics.
Outcome: GSK South America brand manager attention at presentation and review by epidemiologist.
› Drug Eluting Stents
Course: Supervised Study
Challenge: To identify the clinical trial risk contributions of strut design and drug choices in drug eluting stents.
Solution: Analyzed clinical trial failure rates by drug and stent design as two separate variables.
Outcome: Data and conclusions were been compiled and the team pursued a cardiologist to co-author the work and push the work toward a publication.