Big biotech boom: Record number of startups spin out of UW’s C4C

Rachel Lerman^[1]

Staff Writer- Puget Sound Business Journal

Email^[2]  |  Twitter^[3]

A record number of companies spun out of research from University of Washington this year.

The UW Center for Commercialization (C4C) announced 18 startups launched in the fiscal year ending June 30, up from 17 startups last year.

The 18 companies that emerged from the research this year include many biotech companies, which has been one of the C4C’s main areas of focus because there is so much research happening at UW and in Seattle on medical and biotech topics.

For example, Applied Dexterity^[4] is creating a surgical robot that will assist medical researchers. Ennaid Therapeutics^[5] is commercializing a cure for mosquito-borne diseases.

This high note will mark the last full year for vice-provost Linden Rhoads who announced last month^[6] she is stepping down from the full-time position at the end of the year. Vikram Jandhyala, who was the professor of engineering at UW, has replaced her in the position. When Rhoads took the position in 2008, about seven startups were spinning out each year.

The C4C works to increase the number of companies spun out of university research. Under Rhoads^[7]’ management, the school doubled the number of patents filed each year.

The C4C acts as a kind of incubator where entrepreneurs have access to the university’s many resources and clout. The expanding program will help foster and keep innovative biotech companies in Seattle.

“We’re not just spinning out more companies, but creating stronger start-ups with growth potential to contribute to our region’s economic health,” said Jandhyala, who was appointed as vice provost of innovation to replace Rhoads in an expanded role^[8].

The center will continue focusing on medical and software startups, but also plan to expand the program to encompass study areas university-wide.

Rachel Lerman covers technology for the Puget Sound Business Journal.

References

1. ^{^} Rachel Lerman (www.bizjournals.com)
2. ^{^} Email (www.bizjournals.com)
3. ^{^} Twitter (twitter.com)
4. ^{^} Applied Dexterity (applieddexterity.com)
5. ^{^} Ennaid Therapeutics (ennaidtherapeutics.com)
6. ^{^} Linden Rhoads who announced last month (www.bizjournals.com)
7. ^{^} Rhoads (www.bizjournals.com)
8. ^{^} who was appointed as vice provost of innovation to replace Rhoads in an expanded role (www.bizjournals.com)