Newswise — CLEVELAND—Technology managers at companies and research institutions get a chance to express their visions for medical imaging when the Association of University Technology Managers (AUTM) brings its inaugural partnering forum to Cleveland in collaboration with Case Western Reserve University's Technology Transfer Office.

A daylong slate of business development activities is planned for Thursday, April 24, at the new Global Center for Health Innovation, part of the recently redesigned Cleveland Convention Center. A networking opportunity is set for the previous evening.

The medical imaging industry partnering forum includes exhibits and panel discussions. An afternoon discussion focuses on how technology transfer professionals at research institutions can best position imaging technologies for better “matchmaking” with potential commercial partners. Three hours are set aside for one-on-one meetings.

AUTM, based in Deerfield, Ill., near Chicago, is planning similar regional partnering forums nationally, such as one on medical devices Sept. 23-24 (Wake Forest University) and another focused on energy Oct. 22-23 (Rice University). The aim is to build industry partnerships necessary to advance technology more quickly for commercial use.

Stephen J. Susalka, AUTM vice president for meeting development, said the forum offers a “one-stop shop” for technology commercialization offices and industry scouts to develop strong business relationships. He said the forum helps participants as they advance the next generation of medical imaging. Susalka also is associate director of commercialization for Wake Forest Innovations in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"The strong partnering focus makes this an economical and efficient deal-making conference for both technology commercialization offices and industry," Susalka said. "These new AUTM partnering forums are designed specifically for university, hospital and government technology commercialization offices to meet with their industry counterparts to discuss technology licensing and research opportunities in a focused technology field."

Several major companies in the medical imagining sector are expected to attend, as are technology managers from research universities and other research organizations. Case Western Reserve’s Technology Transfer Office is excited to help AUTM present its inaugural industry partnering conference at Cleveland's new venue for health care technologies, said Mike Allan, senior licensing manager.

"Case Western Reserve University is a recognized leader in biomedical imaging research, and our research programs serve as a cornerstone for a number of interdisciplinary programs, including cancer detection, gene therapy, nanotechnology, drug delivery and understanding of metabolic diseases like diabetes," Allan said.

Editors and reporters note: An agenda for the AUTM Partnering Forum is available at this link:http://www.autm.net/AM/Template.cfm?Section=AUTM_Partnering_Forums&Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=12385 ***About AUTM

The Association of University Technology Managers is a nonprofit organization with an international membership of more than 3,200 technology managers and business executives. AUTM members—managers of intellectual property, one of the most active growth sectors of the global economy—come from more than 300 universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals as well as numerous businesses and government organizations.

About Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University is one of the country's leading private research institutions. Located in Cleveland, we offer a unique combination of forward-thinking educational opportunities in an inspiring cultural setting. Our leading-edge faculty engage in teaching and research in a collaborative, hands-on environment. Our nationally recognized programs include arts and sciences, dental medicine, engineering, law, management, medicine, nursing and social work. About 4,200 undergraduate and 5,600 graduate students comprise our student body. Visit case.edu to see how Case Western Reserve thinks beyond the possible.