Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRx)

The Translational Therapeutics Accelerator (TRx) is designed to leverage Columbia’s proficiency in drug discovery and provide access to entrepreneurs and the pharmaceutical industry, with the goal of advancing novel therapeutics from the lab towards the path of commercialization and clinical implementation.

Academic therapeutic projects often fall within the “Valley of Death”, where it is exceedingly difficult to obtain outside funding. This collaboration between the Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, Columbia Technology Ventures, and the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Clinical Trials Office provides education, mentorship, and funding to help academic translational research projects move beyond the valley of death and reach significant milestones. A key goal of this program is to accelerate translation of novel medical discoveries from the lab to the clinic by positioning the technology for commercialization.

TRx is a centralized resource for Columbia faculty and students motivated to move discoveries through drug development pathway.

Services

TRx provides support through:

Leadership

  • Serge Cremers, PhD, PharmD

    • Co-Director; Associate Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology
  • Akiva Mintz, MD, PhD

    • Co-Director; Professor of Radiology
    Headshot of Akiva Mintz.
  • Kayla Zalcgendler, MSPH

    • Senior Program Manager

Partners

  • Meghan Pinezich, MS

    • Biomedx Program Manager
    Meghan Pinezich
  • Maria Rahmany, PhD, MBA

    • Associate Director, Business Development and Portfolio Management, Columbia Technology Ventures

Faculty Collaborators

Brent Stockwell, Associate Director, Infrastructure

Renu Nandakumar, Biomarker Lab Director

Charles Karan

Brian Karolewski

Donald Landry

Andrew Laine

Emer Smyth

Ofra Weinberger

Pilot Awardees