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Commercialization Education -
FFMI fastPACE -
Frankel Cardiovascular Center Innovation Program -
Rogel Cancer Center Innovation Program -
Global Health Commercialization Competition -
Biomedical Innovation 101 -
Certificate in Biomedical Innovation & Entrepreneurship -
Fast Forward Medical Innovation Fellowship Program -
Biotech Career Development Program -
Drug Discovery & Development Course -
Innovation Studio -
Oncology Drug Discovery & Development (3D) Workshop -
FFMI fastPACE Train-the-Trainer -
Industry-Ready Webinar Series -
Intellectual Property in the Academic Setting -
Drug Discovery and Development Course -
Medical Device Regulation -
Idea to Impact Webinar Series -
6 Tips for Customer Discovery -
Interacting with Industry -
Ask the Experts: A Biomedical Innovation Forum
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Business Development -
Michigan Biomedical Venture Fund -
Innovation Portfolio -
Meet the Team
Business Development
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
We work to enable and catalyze productive academic-industry partnerships, leveraging U-M faculty innovations to improve healthcare.
The Fast Forward Medical Innovation Business Development (BD) team facilitates all forms of Academic-Industry collaborations. We utilize expert understanding of research contracting, budget, and negotiating to strengthen industry relationships and ensure successful project execution.
collaborator hub
Collaborators can use this searchable database to find U-M faculty members whose expertise aligns with their needs. Additionally, they can explore faculty-proposed project ideas and access information on available lab and clinical resources. If you are interested in working with industry and would like to be featured on this dashboard, please complete this brief survey or reach out to the BD team directly at [email protected]. We look forward to working with you!
New! Industry-Ready Webinar Series
The Industry-Ready webinar series provides faculty and staff with practical guidance on how to effectively engage with industry partners.
Through sessions led by experienced faculty, industry professionals, and university experts, participants will learn how collaborations are structured, what industry looks for in academic partners, and how to navigate agreement types, intellectual property, and institutional resources.
FFMI Business Development Team Plays Key Role in Launching the Mary Tyler Moore Vision Consortium
Since March 2023, the FFMI Business Development team has been working with the MTM Vision team, Ophthalmology faculty, as well as Kellogg Eye Center and Caswell Diabetes Center leadership to launch the MTM Vision Consortium, a public-private consortium housed at the University of Michigan to enable the academic and industry research communities to take advantage of the unique specimen and data resources generated by the MTM Vision Biorepository and Resource Center and the Clinical Endpoints Data Resource.
FFMI BD Team Helps Facilitate Atonoco/U-M Collaboration
FFMI Business Development (BD), under the guidance of Ingrid Qemo, BD Industry Alliance Manager, played a pivotal role in facilitating a significant partnership between Atonoco, a biotechnology firm based in France, and the University of Michigan.
Faculty Resources
The BD team provides 1:1 support to faculty researchers and study teams based within the Medical School who have an interest in collaborating with Industry. We help to identify partnerships and maintain clear communication with the sponsor from project conception through execution. We provide business guidance to faculty to ensure alignment of expectations, reduction of risk, and overall partnership structures that are win-win for the company and the PI.
Our library of educational videos and list of frequently asked questions provide in-depth information on how the Business Development team helps researchers work with industry and other external partners, towards the ultimate goal of impacting patient health.
Introduction to the Business Development Team
Mike Ranella, MBA, MPH, Senior Director of Business Development, provides an overview of the Business Development team, including what business development is and how the team can support faculty as they partner with industry.
Sponsored Research & Other Sponsored Activities (OSA) Basics
Debra Grega, MBA, PhD, Former Director of Business Development, talks about the difference between sponsored research and OSA, along with the basics of each.
Human Data & Biospecimans Policy at the U-M Medical School
Hear from Mike Ranella, MBA, MPH, Senior Director of Business Development, and Sheryl Flanagan, PhD, Data Protection Coordinator at the U-M Medical School, about the policies governing human data and biospeciman transfers.
Support for Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials
Learn about how U-M and the FFMI Business Development team support industry-sponsored clinical trials from Emilija Mitrikeska, MD, Associate Director of Business Development.
Leveraging Industry Partnerships Along the Translational Pipeline
Learn about the variety of ways you can partner with industry from Shelby Unsworth, PhD, Associate Director of Business Development.
Consulting Engagements with Industry: Step by Step
Assistant Director of Regulatory Affairs, David Mulder, BA, CRA, provides an overview of consulting policy. In this video, he'll walk you through each step of a typical consulting engagement and give some important points to consider at each stage of the consulting process.
What are the different ways of working with industry on my research?
There are many ways that our faculty can partner with industry sponsors all along the translational research pipeline including consulting, other sponsored activities (OSA), sponsored research, Investigator Initiated Trials, and Industry Initiated Clinical Trials. The FFMI BD team is here to help facilitate the successful execution of each of these different types of partnerships.
Should I negotiate the budget and contract for my industry project?
We recommend a team approach when engaging and negotiating with industry. Although it is not required to work with the FFMI BD team when negotiating, we are here to support all aspects of crafting a win-win deal between your research team and the industry partners.
Can the FFMI BD team help me with ITT concepts with industry?
The FFMI BD team provides support to meet the specific needs of your project. We can provide company contacts, or help to negotiate deals for sponsorship, access to study drugs, or in-kind services such as sequencing. Reach out to the FFMI BD team to explore your options.
Why do industry partners want to work with academic researchers?
Industry partners work with academic researchers who have specific expertise, tools, or resources that complement their in-house capabilities and support their strategic goals.
Financial support for research
One of the biggest benefits of working with industry is the financial support they provide for your research. This alternate funding stream can be key as federal funding is becoming more and more competitive to obtain.
Access to investigational drugs, devices, assays, and data
Working with Industry may help you gain access to new drugs, devices, or assays to test in your lab. By working with Industry on developing products, you may also gain access to important data from these products that may support your research goals.
No, only personnel with Regental Signature Authority, such as ORSP or U-M Legal, can sign on behalf of University of Michigan. Therefore, any legal document with the intention to bind the University of Michigan to an obligation should not be signed by U-M research faculty or staff.
Yes, there are many ways to work with industry that yield benefits for both parties. These fee-for-service agreements can generate preliminary data which may support future sponsored research opportunities.
No, a conflict of Interest (COI) does not mean a University of Michigan investigator cannot work with industry. Any potential conflicts should be reviewed and managed by the Medical School’s Regulatory Affairs Office ([email protected]).
Yes, consulting is allowed. Typically, companies compensate investigators for their professional expertise to guide strategy or interpretation of results. University of Michigan has policies that govern consulting activities. Please watch our video to learn more or contact the FFMI BD team to facilitate.
Yes, the terms of these deals determine what type of agreement and potential committee reviews would be required. Please watch our video or visit the Data & Biospecimen Sharing website.
Additional Faculty Resources
Industry Partnership Opportunities
The BD team serves as liaisons between our external partners and University of Michigan Medical School faculty, helping navigate the many world-renowned departments and programs available at Michigan Medicine.
Work With Us
Research Centers & Institutes
Institutional Resources
Industry-Sponsored Education
Industry partners play a vital role in advancing our academic mission of Continuing Medical Education (CME) and patient-centered learning. We invite you to explore opportunities to support these efforts by sponsoring upcoming educational events. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact us at [email protected].
Industry Sponsored Education: CME and Patient-Focused Events
Industry Support for educational events via exhibitor fees or general sponsorship.
Industry Sponsored Fellowship Programs
Industry provides funding for fellowship training.
Upcoming Educational Events
2025 Breast Cancer Symposium: Saturday, September 6
2025 Championship Updates in Sleep Medicine: Thursday, September 11 - Friday, September 12
2025 Cell Therapy Symposium: Saturday, September 27
2025 Hematologic Malignancies Symposium: Saturday, October 11
2025 MS Symposium: Saturday, October 25
2025 GU Malignancies Symposium: Sunday, November 9
2025 Lung Cancer Screening Symposium: Date TBD
2025 Stroke Symposium: Date TBD
Business Development
OUR IMPACT
Meet the FFMI Business Development Team
Mike Ranella, MBA, MPH
Business Development Senior Director
Research Areas: Immunology, GI & Hepatology, Pulmonary, Digital Health, Human Genetics, Cardiovascular
Emilija Mitrikeska, MD
Research Areas: Clinical Oncology, Cell-based Therapy, Solid Tumors, Liquid Tumors, Biomarkers, RNA Therapeutics
Ingrid Qemo, PhD, MBA
Research Areas: Diabetes, Neurology, Obstetrics, Gynecology, Sleep Medicine, Basic Oncology
Stephanie Steltzer, PhD
Research Areas: Psychiatry, Rheumatology, Dermatology, Psychedelics, Physiology, Cardiovascular
Jake Dring
Aníbal Tornés Blanco, PhD
Business Development Testimonial
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to work closely with the FFMI Business Development group. They listened carefully to my team and gained a full understanding of our research priorities and interests. Using that information, they leveraged industry connections to create brand new research partnerships that have accelerated our research and have been essential to the growth of our Initiative. Mike and Shelby are now integral members of our team and continue to advance our research in new and exciting ways!”
Questions?
Contact Us
Fast Forward Medical Innovation
University of Michigan Medical School
Ann Arbor, Michigan
