NeuroCognetix
About the Team
NeuroCognetix inc. was formed at the Ohio State University to compete in the 2014-15 Neuro Startup Challenge. The founding team is comprised of three electrical engineering PhDs (Safa Salman, Markus Novak, ATM Sarwar), one biomedical engineering PhD (Michael Bush), as well as one graduating MBA student (John Lockwood). The team brings a wealth of technical background in MRI research and application and embedded systems development, with specific experience in healthcare strategy. The founding team is augmented by an extensive group of experienced industry insiders, including technical and product launch specialists from several major imaging system manufacturers. The core advisers bring deep expertise in financial analysis, healthcare startups, fundraising, and intellectual property law.
NeuroCognetix Inc. aims to initiate strategic collaboration with the Ohio State department of radiology (Dr. Orlando Simonetti), Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging (Dr. Michael Knopp), Wexner Medical Center, MRI manufacturers (GE, Siemens, and Philips) and the NIH to bring MRI motion correction technology to the market. Once the license for the motion correction technology is secured, NeuroCognetix aims to establish a discovery and execution-ready pipeline for translating innovative research into market-ready solutions
NeuroCognetix inc. was formed at the Ohio State University to compete in the 2014-15 Neuro Startup Challenge. The founding team is comprised of three electrical engineering PhDs (Safa Salman, Markus Novak, ATM Sarwar), one biomedical engineering PhD (Michael Bush), as well as one graduating MBA student (John Lockwood). The team brings a wealth of technical background in MRI research and application and embedded systems development, with specific experience in healthcare strategy. The founding team is augmented by an extensive group of experienced industry insiders, including technical and product launch specialists from several major imaging system manufacturers. The core advisers bring deep expertise in financial analysis, healthcare startups, fundraising, and intellectual property law.
NeuroCognetix Inc. aims to initiate strategic collaboration with the Ohio State department of radiology (Dr. Orlando Simonetti), Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging (Dr. Michael Knopp), Wexner Medical Center, MRI manufacturers (GE, Siemens, and Philips) and the NIH to bring MRI motion correction technology to the market. Once the license for the motion correction technology is secured, NeuroCognetix aims to establish a discovery and execution-ready pipeline for translating innovative research into market-ready solutions
Introductions
Most likely, not one member of our team knew what they were getting into when they first heard about the Neurostartup Challenge. What may have begun as a theoretical exercise in putting together a company turned into a very real experience. Our team formed out of a Technology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Institute at the Ohio State University, based on our mutual interests in medical technologies that improve the efficacy and delivery of health care. Our initial knowledge base was soon complemented by the combined experience and knowledge of a growing set of advisors. Reaching out to our medical imaging community, we were amazed at the level of interest and support we received from high profile members in the industrial and academic communities.
Honing in on the product and market fit, we drafted our business model, and earned 2nd place in the Ohio State University Business Plan Competition. This was a huge step for our team, giving us the confidence necessary to continue refining our plan for the NIH’s startup challenge.
After winning the challenge, the entire experience became very real for the team. We were no longer developing a plan; we were executing it. For the past few weeks, the team has been working tirelessly to develop a course of action and finalize major details. For instance, we have been working on our research agreements with the Ohio State University to create a proof of concept. We have also begun drafting a proposal with the help of Dr. Orlando Simonetti (OSU Radiology and former Siemens’ Director of Cardiovascular MRI Research and Development) for an STTR grant to start our funding process. In the meanwhile, we are in talks with representatives of MRI manufacturers to map out the specifics and milestones of the roadmap towards a versatile end product. Looking ahead, we are exploring the options for new technologies with Dr. Michael Knopp (Director of the Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging) for a more robust portfolio of products. Dr. Knopp has been instrumental in aiding the team with their business development vision in the world of MRI, and has opened the door to many opportunities.
The experience so far has been both challenging and exhilarating, and we continue to learn with every encounter we have.
Honing in on the product and market fit, we drafted our business model, and earned 2nd place in the Ohio State University Business Plan Competition. This was a huge step for our team, giving us the confidence necessary to continue refining our plan for the NIH’s startup challenge.
After winning the challenge, the entire experience became very real for the team. We were no longer developing a plan; we were executing it. For the past few weeks, the team has been working tirelessly to develop a course of action and finalize major details. For instance, we have been working on our research agreements with the Ohio State University to create a proof of concept. We have also begun drafting a proposal with the help of Dr. Orlando Simonetti (OSU Radiology and former Siemens’ Director of Cardiovascular MRI Research and Development) for an STTR grant to start our funding process. In the meanwhile, we are in talks with representatives of MRI manufacturers to map out the specifics and milestones of the roadmap towards a versatile end product. Looking ahead, we are exploring the options for new technologies with Dr. Michael Knopp (Director of the Wright Center of Innovation in Biomedical Imaging) for a more robust portfolio of products. Dr. Knopp has been instrumental in aiding the team with their business development vision in the world of MRI, and has opened the door to many opportunities.
The experience so far has been both challenging and exhilarating, and we continue to learn with every encounter we have.