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This technology uses fenretinide, a synthetic vitamin A derivative, to boost the body’s adaptive immune response after vaccination or infection, making vaccines more effective, especially for poorly immunogenic agents or immunocompromised individuals, without increasing infection severity. Background:
The field of vaccine development and immunotherapy is critical for controlling infectious diseases and protecting vulnerable populations. Effective vaccines rely on the body’s ability to mount a strong and lasting adaptive immune response, which is often facilitated by adjuvants—substances added to vaccines to enhance immunogenicity. However, many vaccines, particularly those targeting emerging pathogens or used in immunocompromised individuals, elicit suboptimal immune responses. This challenge is compounded in settings where dose sparing is necessary, such as during pandemics or when manufacturing capacity is limited. There is a growing need for novel strategies that can reliably boost immune responses, especially for populations with weakened immunity due to age, underlying disease, or immunosuppressive treatments. Current approaches to enhancing vaccine efficacy and immune responses face several limitations. Traditional adjuvants, such as aluminum salts or oil-in-water emulsions, can be associated with increased reactogenicity, complex manufacturing requirements, and regulatory hurdles, which slow down the development and deployment of new vaccines. Moreover, these adjuvants are not always effective for all vaccine types or in all patient populations, leaving gaps in protection for those most at risk. In immunocompromised individuals, even potent adjuvants may fail to elicit adequate immunity, and there are few safe, broadly applicable alternatives. As a result, there is a pressing need for new immune-enhancing approaches that are safe, effective across diverse populations, and compatible with existing vaccine platforms.Technology Overview:  
This technology utilizes fenretinide (N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)retinamide), a synthetic derivative of vitamin A, as a universal immune adjuvant to enhance adaptive immune responses following vaccination or pathogen exposure. When administered after inoculation, fenretinide specifically increases serum levels of key cytokines—IP-10 and IFN-gamma—both of which are critical for T cell activation and effector function. Importantly, this immunomodulatory effect occurs without altering the course of infection or affecting viral titers, as demonstrated in clinical trials involving dengue virus. The approach is particularly valuable in scenarios where vaccines are poorly immunogenic, where individuals are immunocompromised, or where dose sparing is necessary for safety or production efficiency. Fenretinide’s favorable toxicity profile, established through its prior use in cancer prevention, further supports its suitability for broad application as an immune response enhancer. What differentiates this technology is its unique mechanism of action and versatility. Unlike traditional adjuvants, which often require complex development and can introduce regulatory and manufacturing challenges, fenretinide acts post-inoculation to selectively boost adaptive immunity without increasing inflammation or viral replication. This allows for improved immune responses even in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or immunosuppressed, and enables more efficient use of vaccine doses. Additionally, its ability to function as an adjuvant substitute offers significant advantages in terms of reducing research and development costs and streamlining regulatory approval. The method’s demonstrated efficacy in human challenge models, combined with its broad applicability and established safety, positions it as a transformative solution for enhancing vaccine performance and infectious disease management. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_291684715.jpeg
Photo for reference only, not a depiction of the invention.Advantages:  
•    Enhances adaptive immune responses by increasing key cytokines (IP-10 and IFN-gamma) associated with T cell activation and effector function
•    Acts as a universal immune adjuvant effective when administered post-inoculation with pathogens or vaccines
•    Improves immune responses to poorly immunogenic vaccines and immunostimulatory agents
•    Boosts immunity in immunocompromised individuals, including those undergoing chemotherapy or radiation
•    Enables dose sparing, reducing the amount of vaccine or immunostimulant needed
•    Provides an alternative to traditional adjuvants, potentially lowering R&D, manufacturing, and regulatory costs
•    Does not alter the course of infection or viral titers, focusing on immune enhancement rather than direct antiviral effects Applications:  
•    Universal vaccine immune adjuvant
•    Enhancing immunity in immunocompromised
•    Dose sparing for vaccines
•    Adjuvant substitute for vaccine development Intellectual Property Summary:
Patent application 63/861,507 filed 8/11/2025Stage of Development:  
TRL 7
The technology is at an early clinical development stage, supported by human challenge study data demonstrating enhanced adaptive immune responses (increased IP 10 and IFN γ) without altering infection course or viral titers. Further clinical evaluation in targeted vaccine and infectious disease indications would advance it toward TRL 8.Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.
 

A surgical "sewing machine" for rapid graft quilting and suturing in challenging spaces. Background: Grafts are commonly employed in urologic reconstructive surgery, but anchoring them in less accessible areas -- as in luminal stenosis surgery -- can be difficult. A novel surgical "sewing machine" capable of quilting and suturing in tight spaces was developed to help solve this problem. Technology Overview: The repair of luminal stenosis involves an incision through the stenosed segments and followed by the application of a buccal mucosa graft to serve as protection. A surgical sewing machine was assembled by threading absorbable 4-0 barbed suture through a 20-gauge hollow needle. The result is rapid, one hand suturing for graft quilting, with a running stitch, akin to the way a sewing machine makes a continuous stitch across the hem of a skirt. This suturing device, developed by Upstate Medical University researchers, has been used in posterior urethroplasties, a transvesical bladder neck reconstruction, augmented perineal urethrostomy, and a vaginoplasty revision. In each case, the graft survived and there was no recurrence of disease. Advantages:

• Higher rate of graft success with no recurrence of disease
• One handed suturing avoids alternating movements to reposition the needle, and is more efficient
• Can be used in a variety of complex reconstructive surgeries, including those involving radiated tissue, where graft fixation and suturing is challenging
• Future applications in endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery are possible

Intellectual Property Summary: Patent filed, 16/604,858, on Suturing Device And Methods Of Use Thereof   Licensing Potential: Licensing, Development partner, Commercial partner Licensing Status: This technology is available for licensing.  Licensing. ID: 110-2026 https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/110-2026skin_grafting.jpg  

Fixation device to secure bone fragment of tibial tuberosity to native bone after osteotomy surgical procedure. Background:
Standard osteotomy techniques to join the tibial tubercle fragment to native bone include screw fixation alone or fixation with wire or suture, which are not reliable methods to holding the bone in place to avoid displacement post-operatively and possibly leading to non-union, malunion, extensor weakness, extensor lag, or complete loss of active knee extension.Technology Overview:  
Orthopedic oncology and joint reconstruction expert at Upstate Medical University has designed a device that secures the bone fragment of tibial tuberosity to the native bone using custom-made plates, screws and suture/wires after osteotomy and mobilization of the tuberosity and associated patellar tendon. https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/adobestock_322821442_(002).jpeg Advantages:  
•    Improves fixation of the tibial tubercle fragment by improving bone to bone healing and normal restoration of the knee.
•    Reduces rate of revision surgery.
•    Minimizes surgery time.  
Intellectual Property Summary:
Patent Pending US 18/236,678Stage of Development:
TRL 3 - Experimental proof of concept Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing.
 
 

An adapter that expedites bone surgery by making hand-held retractors self-retaining.  Background: Orthopedic surgeons require unfettered access to exposed bone. That means keeping the skin, subcutaneous fat, tissues, and muscles out of the way with retractors. Currently, there are two common types of retractors for this purpose—self-retaining retractors, which stay open on their own, and hand-held retractors, which need an assistant to hold them. The current disclosure describes an adapter that couples the hand-held retractors to the self-retaining retractor, enabling the hand-held retractors to be self-retaining. This eliminates the need for an assistant and affords the surgeon better exposure to the bone, thereby increasing the efficiency of surgery while reducing cost. Technology Overview:  The device combines the functions of a hand-held retractor, used on soft tissue near the bone, with those of a self-retaining retractor, used on surface levels like skin and subcutaneous fat. The device consists of two sleeves slipped over the arms of the hand-held retractors. The inner surfaces of the sleeves have inverted V-shaped projections to capture the tips of the self-retaining retractor. When the tips are inserted into the projections on the sleeves, the self-retaining retractor secures the hand-held retractors and keeps them open. The adapter can be used with equipment that is readily available in every orthopedic operating room. It will be made of sterilizable metal or durable plastic to guarantee years of use.   https://suny.technologypublisher.com/files/sites/110-20302.jpg Advantages:

• Increases efficiency of surgery.
• Reduces costs.