Overview

The LJI Translational Research Department (TRD) delivers support for the progression of basic, biomedical, and clinical research towards the developmental stages for therapeutics, techniques/methods and diagnostics. This encompasses areas of our program spanning allergy, autoimmunity and inflammation, infectious disease, neurology and oncology. The TRD works closely with each investigator at the interface of lab discovery and invention disclosure, and provides support through the various stages of commercial development internally and through, partnerships that drive external business development. The TRD team works closely with the Technology Development team to ensure intellectual property protections as well as establish commercial service, research and license agreement.

Since the Institute’s inception, LJI has integrated Translational Research in every facet of its discovery program, evidenced by close partnerships with leading pharmaceutical developers. A number of technologies have been licensed, are in clinical trials, and contribute to the healthcare market. In addition, we have had a number of investigator-led spin-outs established in the areas of oncology and inflammation.

Investigators and the TRD team are regularly connected to industry where strategic alliances and collaborations supporting La Jolla Institute’s research are built. The TRD team is often contacted with interested in licensure of LJI discoveries and actively engages entrepreneurs and members of the investment community to establish new business enterprises to develop novel immunotherapies and other cutting-edge technologies. There has been a significant interest in many of our technologies that are on the precipice of development and in collaboration with for-profit entities, have been submitted for consideration as an NIH SBIR. Concurrent with discoveries are considerations given to diagnostic applications. Several diagnostic platforms have been developed and are currently being tested for infection and respiratory diseases. Finally, we are also actively engaged with for profit entities which desire to use methods or technologies developed and practiced at LJI to further understand preclinical and clinical trial results.

Team