Dr. Moro Salifu's Breakthrough Kidney Treatment Among Projects Funded by SUNY's Technology Accelerator Fund

By Office of the President | Nov 28, 2023

In a significant development for the medical and environmental research fields, SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. recently announced the allocation of $450K in seed funding through the Technology Accelerator Fund (TAF) to eight SUNY campuses. TAF funding will support nine research projects addressing critical health and environmental issues.

Moro O. Salifu, M.D., MBA, MPH, MACP, professor and chair, Department of Medicine, and Chief, Division of Nephrology, is among the Class of 2023 award winners of a TAF grant. Dr. Salifu has developed an innovative peptide drug designed to treat vascular access stenosis and thrombosis, which are common and severe complications in kidney failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. The TAF investment will advance Dr. Salifu’s work, marking a crucial step in addressing this complex medical condition.

The Technology Acceleration Fund is designed to transform academic research into market-ready technologies, prioritizing essential research and development milestones, such as feasibility studies, prototyping, and commercial viability testing, to make these innovations more appealing to potential investors. Funding is competitively awarded, considering factors like intellectual property rights, market potential, and the commercial and societal impacts of the innovations.

Since its launch in 2011, the TAF has invested over $3M, aiding the commercial development of 65 innovations throughout SUNY campuses. This initiative has successfully attracted an additional $16M in follow-on investments from sources like government agencies and early-stage investors, proving its effectiveness in closing the gap between academic research and viable market solutions.

Congratulations, Dr. Salifu; we look forward to the positive impact of your work!

Tags: Nephrology