Clinical Tools, Inc — Department of Health and Human Services SBIR Phase I: 500

Description

PROJECT DESCRIPTIONOpenPipe Simulation Experience to Enhance Entrepreneurial Intent and Self efficacy Next generation advances from genomics to immunotherapy depend upon a pipeline that commercializes research findingstypically through biomedical startupsThat pipeline depends upon life scientists who account for the majority of biomedical startupsInwomen accounted forof new PhDs in biological and agricultural sciencesyet barriers in the pipeline limit access for women and minoritiesOur OpenPipe solution supports the development of entrepreneurial intent and confidence for a diverse pool of post doc or funded investigators so they can enter the pipeline and achieve commercial successThe OpenPipe Unity based experience starts with an exploration of perceived barriers and strengths to identifyscenarios likely to impact entrepreneurial intent and self efficacyThe scientist then proceeds step wise through thescenarios with every scenario includingpre flightactivity totailor and customizethe simulationsimulation adapted to their situation anddesigned to be both challenging and entertainingdebriefing experience to summarize the experience and solidify lessons learnedAt the conclusionthe software assembles the debriefings into a summary of the current strengths and factors that the scientist should address before pursuing an entrepreneurial pathwayFor examplea recent post doc with a promising advance in a biomarker or assay may identify a need to find a partner or a mentorobtain institutional supportacquire business skills or trainingcomplete additional researchlessen academic obligationsor identify an angel adviser or investorTheories of entrepreneurial intentand entrepreneurial planned behaviorguide product designIn a safe and private environmentscientists explore the barriersimplicationsand opportunities for a business career path that utilizes their advanced skills and talentsLife scientists identify impedimentsassess their entrepreneurial readinessbuild entrepreneurial self efficacypractice skillslearn from role modelsand develop business team building skillsOpenPipe aligns with NIH s strategic plan for commercializationprepares users to take better advantage of programs such as NIH s I Corpsand potentially provides substantial health impactClinical Tools and the investigators bring trainingsimulationtechnology and research skills to the task of creating OpenPipePhase I demonstrates the feasibility of OpenPipeIt completes design starting with a needs analysisformative development of a single scenario prototypeand usability evaluationPhase II will complete the full experience and a summative evaluationIt will measure impact onentrepreneurial intentionentrepreneurial self efficacyon taskprocessand outcome domainsfactors that affect entrepreneurshipe gcreativityflexibilityrisk toleranceresponsivenessleadershipstress managementandentrepreneurial attitudese gperceived behavioral control and support and attitude towardcommercialization and life changePUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE STATEMENT The life scientist is key to unlocking the commercial and health impact value of life science researchUnfortunatelyscientists have few resources to assess the emotional and logistical ramifications of the challenging career change from scientific explorer to entrepreneurThe proposed simulation and decision support experience helps the life scientist explore entrepreneurshipassess entrepreneurial intentbuild confidenceand enhance team building skillsThrough subsequent actionthey potentially unlock scientific findings that can impact real world health outcomes