Thanks to all who attended the CU Anschutz Innovation Forum

CU Innovations, Startup Toolbox and Academia Industry Alliance (AIA) hosted a 3-day event on June 10-12th that highlighted the diversity of innovation at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

 

Engaging presentations and panel discussions demystified the innovation journey. Key sessions covered company formation, building inclusive teams and career opportunities. CU researchers, start-ups and industry partners participated and networked at this successful event!

 

Congratulations to the winners of the Venture Showcase: NowVitals, pitched by Robin Deterding, MD, and Vināśa Oncology, pitched by Sujatha Venkataraman, PhD!

 


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Agenda

Day 1 | Fostering Diversity in Innovation

Hosted by CU Innovations


Building upon the success of last year's Stories of Women-Led Innovation Event, this forum continued highlighting the achievements and challenges faced by our women innovators and demystifying the innovation pathway through presentations and panel discussions. Sessions covered intellectual property protection, building inclusive teams and addressing bias in the context of academic innovation.

Attendees were excited to hear from our keynote speaker, Gitanjali Rao, aspiring scientist, inventor and author!

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Day 2 | Igniting Impact with Academic Innovation

Hosted by CU Innovations Startup Toolbox


This event aimed to educate and inspire entrepreneurs at all stages. Featuring panels on company formation, funding biomedical discoveries and creating strategic alliances, each session included interactive elements and the chance to network with potential partners from the Anschutz campus and beyond. 

Attendees got to know Jodie Morrison, CEO of Q32 Bio, and Kimberly Muller, Executive Director of CU Innovations, through their Fireside Chat Keynote.

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Day 2 | Venture Showcase

Hosted by CU Innovations Startup Toolbox


Congratulations to the judge vote winner, NowVitals pitched by Robin Deterding, MD, and the audience vote winner, Vināśa Oncology pitched by Sujatha Venkataraman, PhD!

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Day 3 | Rocky Mountain Biotech Symposium

Hosted by Academia Industry Alliance


With sessions featuring scientific talks, career panels, and a 2-hour networking lunch, RMBTS offered a prime platform to highlight scientific advancements and career opportunities, and foster collaboration within Colorado's scientific community.

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

Devatha Nair PhD

Materials Scientist, Azodent

About Devatha Nair, PhD:

Devatha Nair is an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine who develops responsive or ‘smart’ polymers for dental and surgical biomaterials. She has earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and completed her postdoctoral training in Chemical and Biological Engineering. To date, her innovative approach to polymer science has led to over 30 publications, five granted patents, and over 23 patent applications throughout her career. In addition to NIH-NIDCR grants and foundation grants, most recently she is part of a team that won an Anschutz Acceleration Initiative award to commercialize antibacterial coatings developed in her lab. Her contributions to dental materials science have resulted in a new set of smart materials that have immense potential to fulfill unmet clinical needs within dental materials and other biomedical applications. The work she will present today won the NIH Proof of Concept Network Annual Meeting Innovator 2021, beating out 386 funded REACH/NCAI projects across 11 sites to win the final competition.

About Azodent:

Azodent is an early clinical stage bio-materials company developing targeted materials to treat dental caries and to incorporate these materials into dental appliances. 

Azodent is focused on the development and commercialization of our lead compound, AHA. The company’s immediate objective is the completion of biocompatibility and efficacy studies in preparation for a 510K submission. Our long-term vision is to grow Azodent into a cutting-edge materials discovery and development company that can turn novel biological insights into actionable clinical treatments.  

Azodent has designed a polymer coating that can be used to prevent biofilm accumulation and infections on implants, prostheses, catheters, and endoscopes. This technology has a wide range of potential applications in the industrial coatings market, including for non-stick coatings, touch screens, and de-icing coatings for aircraft.  

Additionally, the photo-responsive material can also selectively inhibit dental cavities-causing bacteria, and disrupt biofilms formed on it. Such genus-specific inhibition and biofilm disruptive properties within the same material are rare in dentistry, therefore the dental market is likely the initial market for this technology.  

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