Funding from a pilot catalyst fund facilitated the first prototype of a cost-effective ventilator invented by Bradley Fuhrman (above) and Mark Dowhy that promises to shorten patient stays in intensive care units.
The Office of Science, Technology Transfer, and Economic Outreach (STOR) helps transform the inventions of UB faculty and students into products and services that benefit society.
"STOR bridges the inventive work of lab research with applied commercial development, making solutions available for the most pressing challenges of the 21st century," says Robert Genco, UB vice provost and STOR director.
An anonymous UB faculty member has launched the Bruce Holm Memorial Catalyst Fund with a $1 million challenge gift to support STOR. Named for the UB senior vice provost who died in 2011, the fund could generate a total of $2 million if its challenge is fully met.
STOR has licensed more than 130 UB inventions—half of which evolved into start-up companies—and mentored 85 other companies, which now employ 3,300 people and generate $540 million in revenue, primarily in Western New York.
"The success of innovative companies that STOR supports has shown that UB research is making a difference in our community," Genco said.