Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Summit Connects Researchers, Investors and Innovators to Advance Cancer Discoveries
Summary
- Sylvester’s Life Sciences and Health Tech Innovation Ecosystem Summit united researchers, investors and innovators to speed cancer breakthroughs.
- The new $1 million Sylvester Innovates Fund will help early-stage oncology projects reach patients.
- Experts shared strategies for translating discoveries from the lab to the clinic, including IP and startup tips.
The Life Sciences and Health Tech Innovation Ecosystem Summit at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, brought together researchers, entrepreneurs and investors to foster collaboration and scientific exchange across academia, industry and venture capital sectors.
“Strengthening the innovation ecosystem allows our faculty innovators to have support as they develop novel therapies, devices and wearables for patients, from regulatory advice to learning what kind of capital is needed to scale and translate science to the commercial market,” said Desert Horse-Grant, Sylvester’s chief transformation officer. “Discoveries are where hope resides and the promise of future treatments. Industry experts help us identify the projects with the highest likelihood of success so that Sylvester can contribute discoveries with massive societal benefit.”
Innovation for Cancer Patients
The summit coincides with the launch of the Sylvester Innovates Fund (SIF), a $1 million initiative aimed at accelerating early-stage oncology discoveries with potential clinical impact. Funded projects are designed to help researchers reach key advancement markers that make their work stronger candidates for licensing and startup company formation, highlighting how early, non-dilutive financial support can help researchers overcome critical hurdles.
“What’s really exciting is a key piece to translating academic research into products for patients,” said J.C. Lopez, principal at New Enterprise Associates. “There’s always a need for this funding. Now we are seeing a lot of startups in life sciences, and that’s a testament to the science that’s happening here.”
The Sylvester Innovates Fund was developed through a collaboration between Sylvester and U Innovation’s Coulter Center for Translational Research and the Office of Technology Transfer to ensure that promising ideas receive the structure, mentorship and resources needed to move from concept to clinic and avoid “the valley of death” where most academic projects fail to move on to the commercial market.
“Don’t lose your passion. Remember that the ultimate goal is the care of your patients,” said Mark Glickman, chief executive officer of BioFlorida, Inc., a statewide organization that advances the life sciences industry. “Balancing all of that can be hard, and it’s easy to feel like you’re being told what to do. That’s where mentoring comes in. Talk to people who have already been through the process.”
Beyond the Lab
Researchers noted the summit’s practical value in helping early-stage projects move beyond the lab. Many attendees highlighted that scientists often lack a clear path to commercialization, making sessions on bridging the gap between research and market impact particularly eye-opening.
Wael El-Rifai, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and associate director of basic science at the Miller School, emphasized the importance of understanding the logistics of moving science into real-world use, including disclosures, intellectual property and company formation.
“Sometimes we hurt ourselves if we think about intellectual property later on, and we lose opportunities to move basic science to the patient. We lose the chance to make a real change,” said Dr. El-Rifai, John and Judy Schulte Senior Chair in Cancer Research. “We also heard about the pros and cons of starting our own company versus licensing. That’s not something most scientists know instinctively: who to talk to, what language resonates with investors and how to clear up misinformation.”
Nima Sharifi, M.D., a Miller School professor of urology and the scientific director at Desai Sethi Urology Institute, pointed out that for researchers, the educational process doesn’t involve understanding only science but also learning how to practice medicine while overcoming the limitations of cash.
“There’s a lot that we have to think about,” said Dr. Sharifi, a Sylvester member and finalist for this year’s Sylvester Innovates Fund. “Continuing to get funding to move things along is a constant challenge for investigators.”
Information Exchange
Speakers highlighted programs that help move discoveries toward clinical application and guide investigators through industry partnerships and prospective trials. Jackson Streeter, partner at early-stage venture capital firm DeepWork Capital, stressed that protecting intellectual property early is essential for securing patents and funding.
“I hate to see intellectual property that gets put in a poster because it counts as a public disclosure, which completely impacts patentability and future investments,” Streeter said. “Also, in terms of life sciences, there’s not enough capital in Florida. While it’s gotten better, I’d like to see more Series B funding.”
Ecosystem events at Sylvester allow venture capital and other investors to have exposure to novel therapies being developed at the University of Miami.
Streeter encouraged researchers to involve the tech transfer office early, even for ideas still in development, to determine when disclosure is appropriate and assess commercialization potential.
Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester and executive dean for research at the Miller School professor of medicine, biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miller School and the Oscar de La Renta Endowed Chair in Cancer Research, noted the broader value of the summit. He also highlighted the significant progress and strong connections the team has built.
The Inaugural Sylvester Innovates Fund
Thirty-six projects were considered and narrowed to 14 project finalists for the Sylvester Innovates Fund this year. Initial funding provides up to $200,000 for early-stage concepts without a patent and $200,000 to $500,000 for more advanced projects nearing patent application or with issued patents.
Finalist Frank Penedo, Ph.D., associate director for population sciences, the Sylvester DCC Living Proof Endowed Chair in Cancer Survivorship and director of the Sylvester Survivorship and Supportive Care Institute, shared his experience presenting a project using electronic health records and artificial intelligence to develop risk-stratification algorithms for patient step-care.
“This is a great opportunity that exposes us not only to other researchers, but to individuals who are investing in taking research to market,” Dr. Penedo said. “It transcends the lab and takes it to more people.”
After a thorough review by the Office of Technology Transfer office and a scientific committee, and live pitches with industry experts, the following researchers have been selected as winners of the inaugural Sylvester Innovates Fund competition:
• Michael Ivan, M.D., associate professor of neurological surgery, and Ashish Shah, M.D., assistant professor of neurological surgery
• Tracy Crane, Ph.D., RDN, co-leader of the Cancer Control Program and director of lifestyle medicine, prevention and digital health at Sylvester, Vasileios Stathias, Ph.D., assistant director for data science at Sylvester, and Dr. Penedo
• Kerry Burnstein, Ph.D., chair of the Miller School’s Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology and associate director for education and training at Sylvester
• Dr. Sharifi, professor of urology and the scientific director at Desai Sethi Urology Institute and a member of Sylvester
• Damian Green, M.D., the Ron and Nedra Kalish Family Endowed Chair in Stem Cell Transplantation and chief of the Division of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
Tags: cancer research, Dr. Damian Green, Dr. Frank Penedo, Dr. Kerry Burnstein, Dr. Michael Ivan, Dr. Nima Sharifi, Dr. Stephen Nimer, Dr. Tracy Crane, Dr. Wael El-Rifai, entrepreneurship, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Sylvester Innovates Fund, technology