Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact

Brown Biomedical Innovations to Impact (BBII) is a translational commercial development program that supports innovative proof-of-concept projects by helping bridge the funding gap between early-stage biomedical innovations and well-defined commercial opportunities that are attractive to  industry partners and investors. ​


BBII Support:

  • Funding translational research projects -
    • BBII Proof of Concept Awards ~$100,000 for 12 months. Projects are focused on validation of technical feasibility and commercial relevance.
    • <NEW> Brown Innovation Fund - Life Sciences Impact Awards ~$250,000 for up to two years. Expected to generate licensable technology with the potential for company creation at the end of the proposed timeframe.
  • Advising/coaching – by an independent panel of advisors with broad expertise in evaluation, investment and commercialization of biomedical technologies.
  • Partnering/managing – BBII will identify and retain consultants and contract research organizations to leverage development expertise and provide project management support to ensure focus and timely delivery on project milestones.
  • Exploring commercial development opportunities – As opportunities progress, BBII and Brown Technology Innovations will work through established relationships with industry, venture capital, and entrepreneurial start-up resources to find the best path for further development. 

BBII and Life Sciences Impact awards are intended to develop and add value to biomedical technologies to increase the probability for licensing and commercialization.  It is expected that many projects will require the use of consultants and/or contract research organizations (CROs). BBII will identify and retain consultants and contract research organizations to leverage development expertise and provide project management support to ensure focus and timely delivery on project milestones.

Eligibility:
The focus of this program is biomedical technologies, specifically, identification and development of therapeutics, diagnostics or medical devices. Eligible applicants are faculty whose principal appointment is at Brown University specifically, investigators who are covered by the Brown University IP policy and have an obligation to assign IP to Brown University.  Additionally, faculty employed by Brown-affiliated hospital partners Care New England and Lifespan who have a primary academic appointment at Brown University shall be eligible so long as their application includes a letter of support from their employer. 

Brown Innovation Fund - Life Sciences Impact Awards: Potential applicants must submit a letter of intent by Monday, February 5, 2024. Letter of intent should include a description of the technology and the unmet need that will be addressed, a brief description of the technology development status and a list of intellectual property. LOIs should be emailed to [email protected]. Up to five applicants will be selected to present a ‘pitch’ to a selection committee. Applicants will work with BBII and Brown Technology Innovations to develop the presentation which will include milestones, budget and commercialization plan. Presentations to the selection committee will occur at the end of March, 2024.

BBII Proof of Concept Awards: Interested applicants should review the BBII Request for Proposals - Full Description and Guidelines.  Pre-proposal applications (download template) should be submitted as a PDF by email to [email protected] and are due by 5pm on December 15, 2023.  Full proposals by invitation only, will be due in April, 2023. Proposals will be shared with an external investment advisory panel for review and selection for funding. They may also be shared with one or more technical experts and advisors for input on scientific/technical merit or market analysis.
Pre-proposal deadline:  December 15, 2023
Invitation to submit full proposal: February 2024
Full proposal deadline: April, 2024
Presentation to evaluation committee: May 2024
Awards/funding start: June/July 2024

Contact: Karen Bulock PhD, Managing Director ([email protected])