Organizational Overview and Process
Organization Overview
The Institute for Advancing Medical Innovation (IAMI), led by Scott Weir, Pharm.D., Ph.D., is organized to execute translational research methods and processes that integrate product opportunity assessment, product development and commercialization. IAMI's Chief Operating Officer, Ken Lynn, J.D., oversees business plan development describing the value propositions of potential investment opportunities. Boston-based biotechnology executive Fred Meyer, Ph.D., CFA, serves as IAMI entrepreneur-in-residence, providing mentorship to research investigators and project teams. IAMI Deputy Director, Mike Baltezor, Ph.D., a veteran manager of pharmaceutical and medical products focuses on bringing drug discoveries into the marketplace. IAMI's Office of Project and Portfolio Management is home to four industry-experienced project managers who partner with faculty inventors to co-lead multi-disciplinary, multi-organization project teams.
IAMI is governed by a regional Supervisory Committee, chaired by University of Kansas Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor and senior leadership from Children's Mercy Kansas City and the University of Missouri - Kansas City.
IAMI's Industry Advisory Board, with the support of the National Center for Advancing Translational Science, is made up of biotechnology executives representing drug, medical device, diagnostics and investment (venture capital) firms, as well as IAMI staff and leadership that guides IAMI on investments, patenting, marketing and licensing strategies and provides mentorship to faculty.
Translational Research Methods and Processes
IAMI has established and continues to refine it's fully integrated product development-focused translational research methods and processes to identify, select, invest in, de-risk, market and license drug, diagnostic, and medical device technologies as illustrated in this figure. Comprehensive business plans are prepared to be presented to the IAMI Industry Advisory Board for their guidance on whether the opportunity warrants IAMI investment.