Penn State Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) received a $25,000 grant from the National Council for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) to conduct the nationally recognized Innovation Corps (iCorps) Pilot Program. Penn State is one of 10 recipients to receive the award out of 50 Clinical and Translational Science hubs nationwide.
The iCorps for CTSA Pilot Program is an adaptation from the National Science Foundation (NSF) evidence- based program designed specifically for translational researchers. The program utilizes customer development methodology developed by Steve Blank, serial entrepreneur and academician, who launched the Lean Start-up Movement. The goal of the iCorps Program is to jump-start the nation’s innovation ecosystem by providing mentoring and resources to determine the readiness to transition an academic technology into the commercial realm.
The iCorps Pilot Program will provide on-site training to faculty, staff and students at both the College of Medicine and University Park campuses. The innovative training methods of the iCorps Pilot Program coupled with guidance from experienced mentors helps accelerate innovation in product development that can be scaled in a sustainable manner.
“Translating scientific discoveries into commercially viable products that can impact public health is a challenge of many academic medical centers.” said Lawrence Sinoway, director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. “The goal of the CTSI is to develop innovative solutions to the barriers that exist in translational research and to foster new methods, training and development,” “The iCorp Pilot Program provides the experiences and learning necessary to nurture a strong innovation ecosystem both at Penn State and throughout the CTSA network with the ultimate goal of improving public health.”
Researchers who complete the iCorps Pilot Program will be exposed to the skills required to critically evaluate the viability of a technology, develop a transition plan and demonstrate the technology to potential partners reducing the time and resources required for commercialization. The iCorps Pilot Program is set to launch at Penn State in the summer 2016.
For more information about the iCorps Pilot Program, email ctsi@hmc.psu.edu or call 717-531-0003, x286376.