Bringing research discoveries to a point that they have a a impact on people’s lives is at the core of Duke's mission. To assist a new venture team in navigating their technology through the commercialization process, there a number of specific funding and development support programs at Duke focused on particular areas of technology.
The Duke Office of Licensing & Ventures (OLV) is responsible for patents and technology licenses for Duke University and Medical Center and should usually be the first stop for a faculty member or new venture team looking to commercialize technologies initially developed here on campus. The OLV is composed of a highly experienced team of invention managers who have expertise in licensing, business development, marketing, and legal matters. The office reviews all incoming invention disclosures and works within its investor network to identify startup opportunities and to create new companies.
The Duke-Coulter Translational Partnership Grant Program was formed to accelerate the development of promising biomedical research programs that address important unmet clinical needs. Through mentorship support and research grants, the program endeavors to facilitate the translation of research into clinical practice. Examples of desirable outcomes include inventions, patents, improved diagnosis and treatment of disease, follow-on funding (e.g. grants, SBIR, angel investment) commercial products, licenses, commercial partnerships and/or start-up companies.
The Duke Translational Research Institute's mission is to rapidly and effectively invent, develop, and test new drugs, diagnostics, and devices for human use. DTRI fosters collaborations between 'bench' scientists and clinical researchers to promote our mission.
The Biomarker Factory is an independent organization co-owned by Duke University and LabCorp. It funds and manages development and commercial launch of clinical diagnostics related to disease biology, treatment response and drug toxicity in cooperation with investigators from Duke University, LabCorp, and other potential partners.
Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network (BEN) represents a unique approach to accelerating the growth trajectory of promising start-ups in the Research Triangle Park region in North Carolina and reflects an unprecedented collaboration between the region's major universities, its entrepreneurial community and the private sector. Funded by a $3.63 million grant from The Blackstone Charitable Foundation in New York, the Network joins Duke, N.C. Central, N.C. State, UNC-Chapel Hill and the Council for Entrepreneurial Development to unleash the region's innovation potential through growth entrepreneurship.