Some of the most cutting-edge research being generated by universities across the south will be on display at the Southeast Technology Expo.

The first such event, which is being organized by Research Triangle Institute, an Atlanta law firm, and a group of universities, is set for October 5-7 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel.

The them is “New Frontiers in Therapeutics – Emerging Technologies in Infectious Disease and Oncology,” and presentations will focus on antiviral, antimicrobial, and cancer therapeutics plus supporting technologies such as bioinformatics, drug delivery, and genomics.

One of the purposes of the event is to highlight research that might be of interest to private industry partners and investors.

“Major universities in the Southeast conduct nearly $10 billion in research each year, generating a significant amount of innovative technologies,” said Dan Winfield, Director of RTI International’s Center for Technology Applications, in a statement. “This expo creates a forum where scientists and other innovators can demonstrate the value of these technologies to industry to help bring useful technologies to market and further economic development in the region.”

Working with RTI are the Atlanta-based intellectual property law firm of Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer, & Risley and the Southeastern Universities Research Association. Pfizer has signed on as the top sonsor.

Among the speakers already scheduled are James Hughes of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Garheng Kong of the venture capital firm Intersouth Partners.
Organizers said more than 50 presentations will be made. All were screened by an industry-based technical review panel for innovation and commercial potential.

Featured presentations include:

  • A cancer therapeutic from the Medical College of Georgia

  • Antiviral drug compounds designed to target respiratory viruses by Emory University

  • An antimicrobial therapeutic from the University of South Carolina

    • Participating Universities and Laboratories include:

  • Auburn University

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

  • Clemson University Research Foundation

  • East Carolina University

  • Emory University

  • Florida Atlantic University

  • George Mason University

  • Georgia State University

  • Georgia Tech Research Corporation

  • Medical College of Georgia

  • National Institutes of Health

  • RTI International

  • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

  • University of Alabama – Birmingham Research Foundation

  • University of Florida

  • University of Georgia Research Foundation

  • University of Houston

  • University of Miami

  • University of Mississippi

  • University of South Carolina

  • University of Tennessee Research Foundation

  • University of Virginia Patent Foundation

  • Vanderbilt University

  • Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties

  • Wake Forest University

    • For information on registration and a list of presenting universities and laboratories, visit www.southeastexpo.org