The first is a novel, multimodal drug delivery system that can carry many different payloads, including therapeutic, imaging and targeting agents. These nanoparticles address many of the unmet needs in drug delivery. For example, the size of these nanoparticles is readily controllable by simple alterations in the synthetic pathway, meaning there is little wasted material – an important point when considering the feasibility of production on a commercial scale. Additionally, the nanoparticle’s degradation rate is controllable, which results in a tunable, sustained release of the drug.

In an effort to apply the technology to cancer treatment, Dr. Harth has teamed up with Dr. Dennis Hallahan, Chairman of Radiation Oncology at Vanderbilt. Dr. Hallahan has identified several short peptides that can bind specifically to irradiated tumors. Coating the nanoparticles with these peptides allows them to bind specifically to the tumors where they release their therapeutic payload, thereby minimizing the availability of the drug in the overall circulation to cause off-target toxicity. Dr. Hallahan’s targeting peptide is the subject of other Vanderbilt patent applications and a recent publication in Nature Medicine (Nat Med. 2008 Mar;14(3):343-9).

The second drug delivery technology from the Harth lab has been dubbed a “molecular transporter.” Dr. Harth has demonstrated that this particular transporter is capable of pulling its cargo across cellular membranes and into difficult-to-reach intracellular compartments. For example, a collaboration with Dr. Peter Wright, the Shedd Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Professor of Pediatrics, Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, has resulted in delivery of therapeutic antibodies across cellular membranes that otherwise block entry of the antibodies. This access to the intracellular compartment may allow treatment of viral infections for which no adequate therapy exists. In addition, through a partnership with Dr. Louise Mawn at the Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Dr. Harth is investigating the ability of the molecular transporter to deliver therapeutics to the back of the eye, which is another historically challenging area for drugs to access.

In 1976, Dr. David Zealear in the Department of Otolaryngology at Vanderbilt introduced the concept of electrical stimulation of paralyzed laryngeal abductor muscles as a more physiological method of treatment. In this strategy, stimulation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle can open the vocal folds to restore inhalation. Between breaths, stimulation is discontinued, and the vocal folds passively relax to allow normal voice production and swallowing.

Since 1990, funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has supported studies in canines, providing a foundation for the first clinical trial with an implantable laryngeal stimulator. The first patient was implanted and studied at Vanderbilt in 1996. The success of both the animal and human research has led to a patent, as well as a second research phase utilizing a superior stimulator (Genesis XP) capable of a bilateral laryngeal opening. This technology is manufactured by Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. (ANS), and has been traditionally used for spinal cord and brain stimulation for controlling pain or restoring neurological function.

The application of this technology for reanimation of paralyzed laryngeal muscles shows great promise. To support this effort, Vanderbilt University has formed a strong commercial research alliance with ANS and has granted them an exclusive license agreement. At the present time, the device is being tested in a canine model of bilateral laryngeal paralysis, and the results Dr. Zealear has obtained have been remarkable.

Before implantation, these dogs can do little more than walk slowly without gasping for breath. Once the stimulator is implanted and activated to generate vocal fold opening, the dogs can run on a treadmill for several minutes up to 8 mph. With this device in place, the canines appear to be completely normal with respect to ventilation, swallowing and vocalization. Dr. Zealear plans to file for FDA approval and begin a new clinical trial within the year. By partnering with ANS, this Vanderbilt discovery offers a new market for the ANS device, and this collaboration has the potential to benefit several thousands of patients each year.

Universal Robotics Developing Automated Intelligence Technology
A Sampling of a New Venture Created in FY08 out of 25 Active Start-Up Companies


Two of the weakest links in the materials handling chain occur where attempts to automate have failed – handling mixed-sized boxes and operating forklifts. These are areas where logistics executives have the highest order failure rate, the lowest carton per hour transit rate, the highest cost per transaction rate, and the highest workman’s compensation claim exposure. Furthermore, the warehouse management system software has the greatest inaccuracy where it interfaces with humans, resulting in missed shipments, unfilled orders and lost inventory. Neocortex® solves these problems by automating industrial robots and forklift activity throughout distribution centers.