By: Ashlynn Rutherford
At the Texas A&M Innovation Connect: Summer Social & ADM Showcase, the Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) showcase featured nine posters. We took a closer look at three research teams advancing novel biomedical technologies. The teams presented distinct approaches to addressing major challenges in human health, from muscle regeneration to mental health treatment and spinal cord repair. The event was a collaboration between Texas A&M Innovation and Texas A&M Division of Research.
Next-Gen Materials for Muscle Repair
The work of Aaron Morton, Peter P. Nghiem, Mariana Janini-Gomes focuses on developing materials that support rapid muscle regeneration. The team’s approach is aimed at treating skeletal muscle diseases and injuries without relying on genetic interventions, which often come with high costs and risks. “Our solution rapidly regenerates muscle,” said Morton. “We have observed no toxicities, and it can heal muscle almost 20% faster.” The technology has already been licensed through a platform startup, and Morton sees industry partnerships and investor support as key steps toward broader application.
Novel Oral Pharmaceutical Antidepressants
Shoshana Eitan, Nathaniel Rodriguez, Devora Slodowitz, Stephen Safe, and Robert Chapkin are working on an oral antidepressant that takes a different pharmacological approach than conventional treatments. The goal is to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients who do not fully respond to existing medications or experience side effects that limit their quality of life.” We want to have a different approach, we want them to truly experience happiness,” said Eitan. Eitan shared that participation in the event was aimed at building connections and identifying potential sponsors to advance the product to market.
5c(I) for SCI: A New Therapeutic for Spinal Injuries
The research of Arthur Sefiani, Cedric Geoffroy, and Kevin Burgess involves the development of synthetic neurothrophenes, a class of compounds designed to support repair and regeneration in the central nervous system. The project is focused on creating a therapeutic option for individuals with spinal cord injuries and related neurological conditions. With thousands of spinal injuries occurring annually in the United States alone, the team is exploring ways to mitigate long-term damage and improve patient outcomes. Sefiani participated in the event to increase awareness and seek support to move the work forward.
Across disciplines, researchers are advancing innovations to tackle major health, industrial, and energy challenges. From targeted therapies for diabetes, cancer, and spinal injuries to novel antidepressants and smoking cessation drugs, health science is moving forward rapidly. Each of these projects highlights the role of university-based research in addressing unmet medical needs. The Innovation Connect event provided a platform for researchers to share progress, connect with potential collaborators, and explore paths toward translation and commercialization.
ADM Showcase Participants
- Selective Chemical Inhibition of HO-1 Enzymatic Activity Ameliorates Type 2 Diabetes; Wen Jiang, Wanbao Yang, Shaodong Guo, Department of Nutrition; Shiqing Xu, Wenshe Liu, Department of Chemistry; Pingwei Li, Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics
- POLYchip – Rapid Development of Next-Generation Antibiotics and Antifungals; Jeong Jae Han, Arum Han, Electrical & Computer Engineering; Adrian R. Guzman, Aifen Zhou, Jayaram L. Narayana, Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering
- Developing a New Class of Jak3-Directed Targeted Therapeutics for Triple Negative Breast Cancer-Brain Metastasis; Jayshree Mishra (PI), Narendra Kumar (Co-I), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Next-Gen Materials for Muscle Repair Connect; Aaron B. Morton, Peter P. Nghiem, Mariana Janini-Gomes, Department of Kinesiology & Sport Management & Veterinary Biomedical Sciences
- Metpeel – Single-Step Technology for Metal Strip, Foil and Wire Production; Dinakar Sagapuram, Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering; Prabhakar R. Pagilla, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- 5c(i) for SCI: A New Therapeutic for Spinal Injuries (Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics); Arthur Sefiani, Cedric G. Geoffroy, Kevin Burgess, Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics (NEXT)
- Low-Cost Thermal Energy Storage Media for HVAC and Heat Pumps; Patrick Shamberger, Svetlana Sukhishvili, Kartik Rajagopalan, Department of Materials Science & Engineering
- Novel Oral Pharmaceutical Antidepressants; Shoshana Eitan, Nathaniel Rodriguez, Devora Slodowitz, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences; Stephen Safe, Department of Veterinary Physiology & Pharmacology; Robert S. Chapkin, Department of Nutrition, Biochemistry & Biophysics
- N-Nitroso Impurity-Free formulations of Varenicline Tartrate for Smoking Cessation; Sibhat Gereziher, Mariame A. Hassan, Rahman Ziyaur, Mansoor Khan; Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy
About ADM
The purpose of the Texas A&M University Advancing Discovery to Market (ADM) investment (with support from The Texas A&M University System) is to provide researchers, faculty, staff and students with the resources to advance the development or demonstrate the commercial potential of recent discoveries to advance such discoveries to market that will enable a better product-market fit and successful commercialization. Administered by the Texas A&M University Division of Research in collaboration with Texas A&M Innovation, ADM is open to Texas A&M University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the Texas Engineering Experiment Station and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.
About Texas A&M Innovation
Texas A&M Innovation is focused on harvesting new innovations, protecting intellectual property, and facilitating the commercialization process to move Texas A&M University System technologies from the lab to the marketplace. For more information on how we can collaborate with you as a university researcher or industry representative, please contact us.
