In October of 2015, VISE piloted the EmPACT Program with three teams. Over the course of the seven-week cohort, the teams set out to speak with potential customers as they sought to gain a better understanding of the value their technology can provide for the complex web of patients, clinicians and payers. During that same period, teams worked with members of the Medical Device Regulatory Affairs Program (MDRAP) and the Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization (CTTC) to refine a regulatory strategy for getting their device through the FDA and a business model that could support their goal of improving the lives of patients. Over the course of the program, Pitt and Comber worked with the EmPACT teaching team and co-instructors like Jim Stefansic (PhD,\u201900, president of Faros Healthcare) and David Sheifrin (Cell and Developmental Biology PhD\u201912, founder of Filament Life Science Communications) to refine their understanding of the value presented by their technology and how to communicate that value to a wide range of stakeholders in the commercialization process.<\/p>\n
“This year’s competition was strong, but Merlin was the clear winner. You could tell the team had really thought through their value proposition and regulatory and reimbursement strategies. Understanding these issues early on will give the team a major advantage as they work to bring the technology to market.<\/em>” \u2013 Tech Venture Challenge Judge, Jim Stefansic.<\/p>\n Pitt and members of the DCES and MED Labs continue to research and develop MERLIN technology for clinical use while actively seeking partnerships for SBIR\/STTR grant applications and\/or investment and licensing through the CTTC. For more information, please visit my.vanderbilt.edu\/dces\/projects\/merlin\/<\/a> or email bryn.pitt@vanderbilt.edu<\/a><\/p>\n![\"SA-TechVenture-team-0756\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/vu-URL\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/193\/2019\/03\/19170956\/SA-TechVenture-team-0756-300x161.jpg\")
<\/a>In February, Pitt began sharing his technical insight and business understanding with students from the Owen Graduate School of Management and the School of Engineering as part of the Life Science Tennessee Academic Alliance<\/a> business competition, the Tech Venture Challenge<\/a>. The Tech Venture Challenge was designed as an educational event that allows students to learn the process of commercializing early technologies, facilitates networking between researchers and business professionals, and showcases emerging intellectual property from 国产传媒. Teams consisting of professional and graduate students are matched with technical and business mentors, who guided them through the nine-week challenge. A Tech Venture Challenge team comprised of Rebekah Griesenauer, 国产传媒 PhD candidate and VISE affiliate; Alice Leach, 国产传媒 PhD candidate; Martin Wiegand, 国产传媒 MBA student; Pooja Gaur, 国产传媒 PhD candidate, VISE and VUIIS affiliate, refined and expanded the business model created by Pitt and Comber. Pitt served as the team\u2019s technical mentor, and Lauren Helton, a professional medical device sales representative, served as the team\u2019s business mentor. On March 30, the team pitched their business plan for the MRI-Enabled, Robotic, non-Linear, Incisionless Neurosurgery, or MERLIN, system to a panel of judges. After MERLIN was announced as the winner, TVC judge Jim Stefansic commented on what put their team over the top.<\/p>\n