Celebrating 40 years of excellence
In our journey to becoming a nationally recognized leader in research commercialization, Emory OTT has made a demonstrable impact in the past 40 years.
May: Spotlight on Success Stories
4 Emory OTT Success Stories You Might Not Know
Not all of Emory’s 65+ products to make it to the market have been commercial blockbusters, but they all certainly have created positive impact.
Here, we’re highlighting a few under-the-radar success stories that demonstrate the variety in our product pipeline and the necessity of technology transfer.
April: The Tech Partnership Forum
On April 17, 2025, Emory OTT hosted the Tech Partnership Forum: Technology, Partnering & Faculty Honors. As our office as grown and expanded in our 40 years, so has this annual event. In addition to the honoree ceremony, we included a Technology Showcase, providing a platform for emerging discoveries and industry collaboration.
Over 100 people from the Emory and Atlanta business and biotech community attended to celebrate incredible Emory faculty, their teams, and their work. This year's speakers and honorees specialized in a range of disciplines from orthopedics and pathology to chemistry and nephrology.
Innovation of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Yong Ran and Todd Golde, inventors; Sat Balachander, case manager; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research
Innovation of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Yong Ran and Todd Golde, inventors; Sat Balachander, case manager; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research
Start-Up of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Raymond Schinazi and Leda Bassit, inventors; Patrick Reynolds, case manager; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer
Start-Up of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Raymond Schinazi and Leda Bassit, inventors; Patrick Reynolds, case manager; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer
Deal of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Jian-Ming Li, Cynthia Giver, Yiwen Li, Simon Blakey, Edmund Waller, inventors; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Raj Guddneppanavar, case manager; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer
Deal of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Jian-Ming Li, Cynthia Giver, Yiwen Li, Simon Blakey, Edmund Waller, inventors; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Raj Guddneppanavar, case manager; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer
Significant Event of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Jeff Sands and Janet Klein, inventors; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Catherine Murari-Kanti, case manager
Significant Event of the Year -- (L to R) Gregory Fenves, President; Jeff Sands and Janet Klein, inventors; Deborah Bruner, SVP Research; Jill Uhl, Chief IP Officer; Todd Sherer, AVP Research; Catherine Murari-Kanti, case manager
March: Staff Feature
We asked, "What's the most rewarding part of the job?" Here's what a few OTTers had to say.
Mark Coburn
Director, Licensing
To help solve problems for my colleagues based on my experience of having dealt with a similar problem before or having the knowledge and experience to help figure out the problem with them.
Kim Dunn
Compliance Associate
The many embryonic technologies disclosed to our office is so interesting; however, to know the possibility exists that one might be a homerun in serving the public is amazing!
Jen Folger
Financial Analyst
Knowing that what I am doing helps the team and that we’re all contributing to make our office a success.
Patrick Reynolds
Director, Faculty and Start-Up Services
Working with start-up founders to help them turn their ideas into products that save lives.
February: The History of OTT
Just how did Emory OTT become a nationally regarded tech transfer office? With great people, a culture of innovation, and a dedication to faculty and community partnerships.
A Breakfast Club meeting, 2013.
A Breakfast Club meeting, 2013.
Connie Newsome (left) and Mary Severson (right) in the Tech Shack, 2001.
Connie Newsome (left) and Mary Severson (right) in the Tech Shack, 2001.
Vincent LaTerza, first Emory OTT director.
Vincent LaTerza, first Emory OTT director.
OTT staffers Cale Lennon (left) and Kevin Lei (right) at the Georgia Life Sciences Symposium in 2008.
OTT staffers Cale Lennon (left) and Kevin Lei (right) at the Georgia Life Sciences Symposium in 2008.
The OTT team meets for happy hour at Park Tavern, 2019.
The OTT team meets for happy hour at Park Tavern, 2019.
Most of the team at Research Week, October 2023.
Most of the team at Research Week, October 2023.
Todd Sherer speaks at the Kauffman course, 2016.
Todd Sherer speaks at the Kauffman course, 2016.
The OTT team at Georgia Bio, 2010.
The OTT team at Georgia Bio, 2010.
OTT's first licensing associate, Dana Hendricks.
OTT's first licensing associate, Dana Hendricks.
Emory OTT's first Annual Celebration, held in 2007, included a panel discussion on translating ideas into products. Left to right: Dennis Liotta, Thomas Callaway, Raymond Schinazi, Ernest Garcia, Wayne Alexander.
Emory OTT's first Annual Celebration, held in 2007, included a panel discussion on translating ideas into products. Left to right: Dennis Liotta, Thomas Callaway, Raymond Schinazi, Ernest Garcia, Wayne Alexander.
The OTT team outside the Tech Shack, 2000.
The OTT team outside the Tech Shack, 2000.
January: Looking back, looking forward
From the Director: Emory OTT Celebrates 40 Years of Innovation
From humble beginnings as part of the Office of Sponsored Programs to becoming a national leader in research commercialization, OTT has grown into a 24-person team responsible for helping bring over 60 products to market and generating nearly $1.4 billion in cumulative licensing revenue.
OTT Executive Director Todd Sherer, PhD, reflects on how far we’ve come in this blog.
Celebrate with us all year long
Every month in 2025, we'll be highlighting different ways we've advanced Emory innovation from the bench to the market.
To keep up with OTT40, check back here throughout the year, read our blog, and follow us on LinkedIn!
Built with Shorthand