The following is a message written by Kelly Sexton:
Dear Colleagues,
I’m pleased to share the July edition of our Impact Newsletter, featuring stories that show how the University of Michigan is building the partnerships, programs and support needed to move research discoveries toward real-world impact.
A recent story in The University Record highlighted the broad reach of U-M innovation and described the infrastructure that helps move research discoveries from the lab toward commercialization and impact. The MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub is a cornerstone of this research commercialization infrastructure, made possible through our long-standing collaboration with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The Hub recently awarded more than $1.9 million in early- and mid-stage funding to help 15 biomedical research projects from universities across our state move toward commercialization.
These MTRAC-funded projects have the potential to become our success stories of the future, and this month’s newsletter also offers a powerful example of what that path can look like. Amplitude Vascular Systems, a U-M startup developing a treatment for calcified arterial disease, was recently acquired by Stryker, a global medtech company headquartered in Michigan. The AVS technology received early support from the MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub in 2018 and 2019, and the team benefited from ongoing commercialization mentorship through the Technology Transfer Talent Network. The AVS story is a reminder that research commercialization requires sustained support, trusted mentorship and strong partnerships to help promising discoveries make the transition from the lab bench to the marketplace.
Looking ahead to the fall, I invite you to join us on September 24 for Celebrate Invention at the Michigan Union. The event offers a glimpse into the university’s remarkable innovation pipeline and an opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts to unlock the potential of U-M research for the public good.
Sincerely,
Kelly Sexton
Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact
The University Record Highlights How U-M Fuels Michigan’s Economic Future
The University of Michigan’s impact on the state economy begins in classrooms and laboratories, and it extends far beyond campus — into startup offices, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, commercial industries and communities across Michigan. The university plays an important role in Michigan’s economic infrastructure, by turning research discoveries into technologies and launching companies and industry partnerships that are central to the innovation economy.
→ Learn more about U-M’s economic impact here 🔗
Join Us for Celebrate Invention 2026
📅 September 24, 2026
🕛 3:00-6:00pm
📍 Michigan Union
Innovation Partnerships will host Celebrate Invention on September 24 from 3-6 p.m. at the Michigan Union to honor U-M innovators and the impact of their discoveries. In addition to the presentation of the Distinguished University Innovator of the Year Award, the event will feature demonstrations from promising U-M projects and startups, including:
Aquora Biosystems
ArtOva
HealthyLifetime
Light Forms
Linkage Community
MeDS
SeaStar Medical
Veradyn
Zeta Storm
→ Learn more and register for Celebrate Invention here 🔗
Daniel Feder Appointed to Innovation Partnerships’ National Advisory Board
Daniel Feder, senior managing director with the University of Michigan Investment Office, has been appointed to serve on the Innovation Partnerships’ National Advisory Board. Feder’s work has brought him into close collaboration with Innovation Partnerships as both organizations work to connect U-M’s research enterprise with capital and commercialization opportunities.
→ Learn more about Feder’s NAB appointment here 🔗
MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub Awards $1.9M to Support Biomedical Research
Fifteen biomedical research projects aimed at positively impacting human health have received more than $1.9 million in early- and mid-stage funding through the Michigan Translational Research and Commercialization (MTRAC) Life Sciences Innovation Hub. Developed by researchers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Wayne State University, these projects will help improve societal well-being through a wide variety of disciplines, including electrical engineering, dentistry, chemistry and pharmacology. The MTRAC Life Sciences Innovation Hub is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and co-managed by Innovation Partnerships and Fast Forward Medical Innovation, based in the Medical School Office of Research.
→ Learn more about the MTRAC Life Sciences awardees here 🔗
Coming Soon: Entrepreneur Applications for the Accelerate Blue Foundry
The Accelerate Blue Foundry is designed to bridge the gap between startup founders and some of the most promising innovations from University of Michigan research. Throughout the program, teams will receive support from the Innovation Partnerships’ team including hands-on mentorship from U-M mentors-in-residence and technology licensing professionals, business plan development and pitch refinement. The program culminates in a pitch day where projects will present to a room of investors for an opportunity to license the technology and receive a minimum seed investment of $50,000 from the Accelerate Blue Fund.
→ Learn more and sign up for the interest list here 🔗
Innovation Partnerships, U-M Alumni Association Host Course on University Innovations
The course, titled “From Campus to the World: How U-M Innovations are Changing Lives,” dives deep into breakthroughs, from life-saving cancer treatments to the future of athletic performance, providing a front-row seat to the ideas, people and partnerships behind Michigan innovation.
Developed jointly by the U-M Alumni Association and Innovation Partnerships, this four-part mini-course explored how discoveries move from campus to real-world impact, featuring topics such as HistoSonics ultrasound technology, Kura Oncology’s Komzifti FDA approval, OLED screen displays and GripFusion’s ForceBall.
→ View the course and lectures here 🔗
Stryker Acquires University of Michigan Startup Amplitude Vascular Systems
University of Michigan startup Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS) was acquired by medical device company Stryker in a deal worth up to $835 million. AVS’ flagship Pulse IVL system treats calcified peripheral arterial disease using pulsed CO₂-generated pressure waves. Through this acquisition, AVS joins the Stryker Vascular portfolio within the MedSurg and Neurotechnology businesses.
→ Learn more about the acquisition here 🔗
Kelly Sexton Appears on The Michigan Opportunity Podcast
On a recent episode of The Michigan Opportunity podcast, Kelly Sexton, associate vice president for research – innovation partnerships and economic impact, shares her unique journey from scientist to nationally recognized innovation leader. She breaks down programs such as the Technology Transfer Talent Network (T3N) and the new Michigan Innovation Alliance — a statewide collaboration among Michigan’s leading research universities working together to increase commercialization, entrepreneurship, talent development and investment across the state.
