Strategic Partnerships
In 2001, the Dendrimer Center became home to Dendritic Nanotechnologies, Inc. (DNT), a small start-up firm that has since grown several times its original size. The resulting partnership of university and private industry has sparked numerous collaborative research endeavors and generated millions of dollars in private sector investment.
A new bio-tech start-ups specializing in the development of artificial cells have recently joined the Dendrimer Center.
Collaborative Relationships
The National Dendrimer & Nanotechnology Center serves as
a model of collaboration, leveraging the combined academic,
government and private sector research expertise of it founding
partners. Established in 2002 by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory
(ARL), in conjunction with Central Michigan University (CMU)
and Dendritic Nanotechnologies, Inc. (DNT), the Dendrimer Center
was created to pursue a range of research initiatives related
to the use of dendrimer-based technologies in critical biomedical,
diagnostic and nano-materials applications. Since its beginning,
the Dendrimer Center has generated a number of new strategic
partnerships and collaborative relationships including the
Dow Chemical Company, U.S. Army
Research Laboratory and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Central
Michigan University
At the Dendrimer Center, CMU faculty and student researchers
collaborate with private sector companies and other research
organizations to conduct research that will improve the quality
of life for Americans as well as the safety and protection
of U.S. Citizens and its military service men and women. Strategic
partners and collaborators have access to CMU’s Internet-2
infrastructure, advanced analytical equipment and the IBM Supercomputer,
and state-of-the-art chemistry and bio-level laboratories.
Dendritic
Nanotechnologies, Inc.
Establishing valuable collaborative relationships with other
key organizations involved in nanotechnology research is a
top priority for the Dendrimer Center. DNT’s involvement
in the Dendrimer Center has allowed it to develop additional
private investment from strategic partners Starpharma (an Australian
pharmaceutical firm) and the Dow Chemical Company. DNT has
been instrumental in establishing valuable relationships with
other organizations and research firms as they formalize strategic
relationships with the Dendrimer Center. DNT’s ownership
of enabling intellectual property for the future use of dendrimers
in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals strengthens its position
in the marketplace as they continue to transform intellectual
property into valuable commercial applications.
“In 2004,
Starpharma became the first company in the world to initiate
and successfully complete Phase I human clinical testing of
a dendrimer-based pharmaceutical (VivaGel® for prevention
of HIV) under an FDA investigational new drug application.”
— 2004 Forbes/Wolfe Nanotech Report
Research Partners
Central Michigan University: Mt. Pleasant, MI
CMU Research Corporation: Mt. Pleasant, MI
Columbia University: New York, NY
Grand Valley State University: Allendale, MI
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) / Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies (ISN): Boston, MA
National Institute of Health; National Cancer Institute: Bethesda, MD
University of Akron: Akron, OH
University of California: Berkeley, CA
University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute: Pittsburgh, PA
U.S. Army Research Laboratory: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Rockville, MD
Van Andel Research Institute (Cancer Research): Grand Rapids, MI
Western Michigan University: Kalamazoo, MI
Private Sector Partners
Aldrich Chemical: Milwaukee, WI
Dendritic Nanotechnologies, Inc.: Mt. Pleasant, MI
Starpharma, Ltd.: Melbourne, Australia
The Dow Chemical Company: Midland, MI
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