Harsimran Kaur
Track
Innovation
Faculty Mentor
Bryan Hsu
Assistant Professor
How will the Innovation Fellowship help you advance and grow as a professional?
The Innovation Fellowship will provide me with mentorship, resources, and strategic guidance to successfully transition my research from the lab to commercialization. During this process, I hope to design a solid business strategy, navigate product development and regulatory pathways, and connect with industry experts and investors. I expect that these experiences will propel me towards my career objective of developing better health technologies and will allow me to turn scientific advancements into impactful, scalable solutions that benefit all people.
Briefly describe the technology you are working to commercialize. What problems does your technology solve? What impact do you expect it to have on the marketplace?
I am working to commercialize a novel biomaterial-based intravaginal drug delivery system designed to improve menstrual health and gynecological treatments. This technology addresses key challenges such as inefficient drug absorption, discomfort with existing delivery methods, and limited accessibility to targeted therapies. With our biocompatible, sustained-release, and user-friendly solution, our innovative approach aims to enhance therapeutic efficacy, improve user experience, and expand access to essential treatments. In the marketplace, it has the potential to disrupt traditional drug delivery methods, drive advancements, and support greater inclusivity in healthcare solutions.
What got you interested in pursuing technology commercialization efforts?
My passion for translating scientific innovation into real-world solutions inspired me to pursue technology commercialization. Through my research in biomaterials for menstrual health and intravaginal drug delivery, I identified the gap between lab-based advancements and accessible healthcare solutions. I aim to bridge this gap by developing market-ready, affordable, and impactful technologies that promote healthier lives.
What commercialization activities and training opportunities have you already engaged in through Virginia Tech and other relevant organizations? How have these resources assisted you in advancing your commercializtion efforts?
To assess the commercialization potential of our technology, Dr. Hsu and I participated in the regional NSF I-Corps program. Through this program, we engaged with industry professionals and potential consumers, which helped us identify market opportunities and refine our approach. We successfully completed the training and gained valuable insights into the business landscape of our innovation. Additionally, I attended the LICENSE Technology Transfer Boot Camp to understand the process of transitioning technology from the lab to the market. These experiences reinforced the potential of our innovation and provided a clear commercialization pathway to bring our technology to market.
Who will you be working with during this fellowship at Virginia Tech? What expertise and skills do your collaborators and mentors bring to help you advance your training and professional development?
During this fellowship at Virginia Tech, I will be mentored by Dr. Hsu, whose expertise in biomaterials has been instrumental in advancing our research. Under his guidance, we have already published part of this work in a high-impact journal. His deep knowledge of biomaterials will help me further refine our intravaginal drug delivery system for market readiness. Dr. Hsu has strong connections in the commercialization space and has guided me in engaging with industry professionals, particularly through the regional NSF I-Corps program. His continuous support and encouragement will help me navigate the commercialization process, secure funding, and establish key industry partnerships. His mentorship will be invaluable in enhancing my technical expertise, business knowledge, and commercialization strategy, ensuring a successful transition of our technology from research to market