Monell Scientist Entrepreneurial Program for Healthy Aging (MSEP-HA)

Loss of smell is a part of normal aging for some people, but premature smell loss is also a biomarker of neurodegenerative brain diseases. There is a need, and thus an opportunity, to develop products such as standardized smell tests that will benefit not only biomedical research (e.g., as an early measure in clinical trials for diseases like Alzheimer's) but also standards of clinical care (e.g., as a routine part of an annual physical exam). We need leaders trained in science and business to take full advantage of this opportunity. Our Monell Science Entrepreneurship Program for Healthy Aging (MSEP-HA) aims to select participants who are likely to become leaders in their field and receive training at the intersection of basic and translational research and entrepreneurship. We aim to recruit graduate students and postdoctoral researchers (we will provide a stipend for housing and travel) to receive an educational experience in the NIA mission area and promote their future independent biomedical ventures. Six MSEP-HA participants annually will gain skills in intellectual property, regulatory and reimbursement pathways, and market needs identification, using our recent experience in developing the SCENTinel smell test. Aided by 16+ science faculty members and 16+ entrepreneurial professionals, the 3-week introductory program will give 105 hours of instruction in smell, the biology of aging, and entrepreneurship. Participants will demonstrate their commercialization interests in these areas with a presentation at our Fall Corporate Partners Symposium (attended by 30+ partnering companies). The MSEP-HA will connect with external federally funded programs (e.g., NIH's IDeA Regional Technology Transfer Accelerator Hubs) and local business skills opportunities (e.g., University City Science Center). Our evaluation plan, led by experienced professionals, will test and improve the new program's effectiveness. Monell is primed to spearhead this shift in aging and dementia research: Our 50+ years of institutional partnership with for-profit companies in basic and translational research (including our Corporate Partners Program) and our 40+ years of history in educating scientists (including the Monell Science Apprenticeship Program, an established training program) show our commitment to science-entrepreneurial partnerships. Thus, MSEP-HA will introduce a cohort of early-career scientists to tools essential for entrepreneurial roles that benefit our aging population.