The Tulane Innovation Institute has introduced a new program called Founder Lab, marking a strong commitment to advancing innovation and commercializing university research. This initiative focuses on turning faculty research into startups prepared to attract investors by leveraging the expertise of seasoned entrepreneurs. With this move, Tulane University joins fewer than 10 universities nationwide actively driving economic growth through academic innovation, according to an announcement on the university's website.
Tulane President Michael A. Fitts expressed his vision for Founder Lab, highlighting its potential to create ventures that drive regional growth and elevate New Orleans as a national center for innovation and biomedical science. While commercializing academic research is known to be challenging, collaboration between academia and industry leaders often yields powerful results. The program will blend Tulane’s extensive scientific and technological expertise with experienced business leadership, aiming to generate significant long-term economic benefits.
To start, the institute has appointed four Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, each partnering with a Tulane faculty researcher to commercialize a specific technology. For example, healthcare strategist Ariel Johnson will collaborate with Professor Chad Roy to develop and promote a new antimicrobial molecule designed for surgical procedures, with the goal of maintaining sterility and potentially saving lives. Roy serves as vice chair of research in Tulane’s Deming Department of Medicine and as associate dean for research at the School of Medicine.
Other partnerships include biopharma executive Jeff Myers working with Professor James E. Zadina, who is nearing the launch of a new class of peptide-based drugs. Medical technology entrepreneur Alexei Mlodinow will team up with Associate Professor J. Quincy Brown to develop an advanced system aimed at improving cancer surgery outcomes. Additionally, scientist Moe Wehbe, an expert in lipid-based drug delivery, will collaborate with Professor Vijay T. John to transform how multilayered vesicles deliver medication, with potential applications extending into both pharmaceuticals and cosmetics—highlighting the diverse expertise attracted by the program.
Founder Lab will not only facilitate the creation of startups but also provide teams with a range of support services, including market validation, business model development, and guidance on intellectual property. Aileen Dingus has been appointed as the Venture Lab Program Director, tasked with guiding these early-stage ventures through their critical initial phases and toward securing their first round of external funding. Beyond internal resources, the teams will also be connected to Louisiana’s broader innovation and investment ecosystem, enhancing Tulane’s competitive advantage while fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial environment in the region.
For a detailed overview of the Founder Lab initiative and its potential to transform the commercialization of academic research, visit the Tulane Innovation Institute’s website to read the full announcement.
