New Orleans institutions prepare life sciences accelerator

Two Louisiana-based partners of the Southeast Xlerator Network, a University of Kentucky-led biomedical commercialisation hub backed by 24 academic institutions, have selected incubator New Orleans BioInnovation Center to deliver life sciences accelerator services.
Tulane University and Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, both based in New Orleans, will rely on BioInnovation Center to fulfil accelerator objectives including the provision of tech transfer expertise, engagement with industry partners and the promotion of entrepreneurship in the region.
Clients of the program will gain access to expertise to help compete for federal grant funding as they look to progress their discoveries and form new businesses. The initiative will engage with institutions including Xavier University’s College of Pharmacy and other academic health centres throughout the state.
Southeast Xlerator Network is one of four regional accelerator hubs being set up under US funding agency National Institute of Health’s (NIH’s) Institutional Development Award (Idea) program.
The hubs are designed to support states that have traditionally struggled to secure NIH funding. Others include the Driven Biomedical Technology Accelerator Hub for five northeastern US states due to launch in June 2019.
Academic institutions participating in Southeast Xlerator Network include Benedict College, Clemson University, Coastal Carolina University, Eastern Kentucky University, Jackson State University, Louisiana State University Health Services, Medical University of South Carolina, Northern Kentucky University, Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, University of Puerto Rico, Southern University, Tulane University, University of Arkansas, University of Mississippi, Western Kentucky University and Winthrop University.
Kris Khalil, interim president of New Orleans BioInnovation Center, said: “Given the substantial amount of basic science and translational research emerging from local university labs, we see enormous potential for growth as we work to build stronger relationships within our community.”