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
Kayla Zalcgendler, MSPH
- Senior Program Manager
Partners
Meghan Pinezich, MS
- Biomedx Program Manager
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