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University Spinouts

At Hutchison, we recognize the vital role that universities play in developing technologies that fuel entrepreneurship, innovation and economic growth. Our experienced attorneys strive to help these organizations transform novel, innovative technologies into commercially successful companies. We work with many of the leading universities, providing counsel to faculty members, technology transfer professionals, students and other potential entrepreneurs. Our attorneys help with legal strategies for technology commercialization, and also provide guidance on university licensing and material transfer, R&D and joint development agreements. 

Additionally, we regularly help universities develop and launch new companies based on university-owned intellectual property. These businesses come from a broad range of sectors, including advanced materials, biotechnology, drug discovery, microelectronics and software (download our University Spinout Founder's Handbook). Among the companies we have helped to create based upon intellectual property developed at universities are:

Duke University University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
  • Advanced Liquid Logic
  • Aerie Pharmaceuticals
  • Aldagen
  • Argos Therapeutics
  • Bright View Technologies
  • Cogent Neuroscience
  • Grass Roots Biotech
  • HyperBranch Medical Technology
  • Ribonomics
  • Southeast TechInventures
  • Trimeris
  • Xsira Pharmaceutical
  • Algynomics
  • AlphaVax
  • Applied Micro Products
  • Ercole Biotech
  • Invitrox
  • Liquidia Technologies
  • MegaWatt Solar
  • Micell Technologies (with NCSU)
  • Oriel Therapeutics
  • Qualyst
  • REALTROMINS
  • Theralogics (with Yale)
North Carolina State University University of Florida
  • Agile Sciences
  • Alditri Technologies
  • Biolex Therapeutics
  • Cree Research
  • Galaxy Diagnostics
  • HueMetrix
  • Kyma Technologies
  • LipoScience
  • Micell Technologies (with UNC)
  • Sicel Technologies
  • Trana Discovery
  • Apollidon
  • Applied Genetic Technologies
  • Nanotherapeutics
  • Prioria
  • Solar Powered Grass
  • Transgeneron Therapeutics
Others  
  • 3-D Imaging (University of Kentucky)
  • DiaKine Therapeutics (University of Virginia)
  • Icagen (various)
  • Magnetic Imaging Technologies (Princeton)
  • PointDX (Wake Forest)
  • Serenex (University of Virginia)
  • SphingoGene (The Medical University of South Carolina)
  • Ziptronix (RTI International)
 

In addition to our regular work with the Southeast's major universities and non-profit institutions, we collaborate similarly throughout North America and Europe. Among the institutions we have worked or negotiated with are:

  • American University
  • Amsterdam Medical Center
  • Baylor University
  • California Institute of Technology
  • Columbia University
  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth University
  • East Carolina University
  • Eastern Virginia Medical College
  • Emory University
  • Erlangen (Germany) University Hospital
  • Georgetown University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Indiana University
  • Institute Innovations
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Kansas State University
  • Kennesaw State University
  • Leiden University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Mayo Clinic
  • McGill University
  • McMaster University
  • NC A&T University
  • New York University
  • Northwestern University
  • Ohio State University
  • Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
  • Oregon Health Sciences University
  • Princeton University
  • Rush University
  • Rutgers University
  • Saint Louis University
  • Science Company and Institutes
  • Scripps Institute
  • Southern Illinois University
  • Stanford University
  • Rockefeller University
  • Temple University
  • Texas Tech University
  • Thomas Jefferson University
  • Tulane University
  • University of Alabama
  • University of Arizona
  • University of Arkansas
  • University of California Davis
  • University of California San Diego
  • University of California at San Francisco
  • University of Chicago
  • University of Cincinnati
  • University of Colorado
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Louisville
  • University of Massachusetts
  • University of Miami
  • University of Missouri
  • University of Montreal
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of South Florida
  • University of Southern California
  • Southwestern
  • University of Tennessee
  • University of Texas
  • University of Toronto
  • University of Utah
  • University of Vermont
  • University of Washington 
  • University of Wisconsin
  • Vanderbilt
  • Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Virginia Tech
  • Western Carolina University
  • Yale University


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Scott Bryant and Amalie Tuffin were extremely responsive during some critical times of the transaction, being available numerous evenings and weekends. That was much appreciated and greatly facilitated completing the transaction.

Michael Schley CEO, FM:Systems

Amalie and Ashley are the best in the business at what they do.

Greg Clary CEO, Mi-Corporation

We were very pleased by the quality of responses to the concerns raised by prospective investors. The knowledge and experience of the team in this type of transaction was clear to all involved and very valuable handholding to us new at this process.

Sonia Grego President, Coprata

I'm very satisfied with the legal services provided. The firm is very professional and knowledgeable in the areas of securities and licensing.

Tomas Pribanic CEO, Undefined Technologies Corp

Ashley was fantastic throughout the whole process.

Adam Steege President, Trio Labs

I have worked with Bill and Anna on multiple transactions and used Bill as corporate counsel for several startups. They are excellent to work with. I particularly appreciate that they provide legal advice so I can make a business decision and they don't get confused about which is more important.

John Taylor CEO, Aceragen, Inc.

Scott B. was a critical part of our ability to work through the significant dynamics and personalities and we relied on him extensively. Thank you again, we appreciate the service provided by Scott and your firm. Frequently, it was above and beyond.

Tom Finegan Chairman, FoodLogiQ LLC

Having Fred's and Marty's help gave us the confidence to move forward quickly with investors and enabled us to easily reach our fundraising goals. We're excited to continue working with them both as the company continues to grow.

Margaret Aery COO, Ramona Optics, Inc.

John Rudd was very detail oriented and helped us navigate a complex closing with many investor groups. He did a great job.

Christopher Belnap CEO, Resilient Biotics, Inc.

Bill and John were both really responsive. There were a lot of parties involved which complicated the transaction, but Bill and John did a great job navigating all the dialogues and getting the financing to a close in an industry precedence setting time.

Shawn Leland Founder and Chief Business Officer, Elevation Oncology

Excellent service especially whilst managing a much larger, equally complex financing. I have great confidence in both Bill and Ashley and appreciate and trust in their advice. 

John Kaiser CEO, Evecxia Therapeutics

I appreciate all the contributions and help Bill and the Hutchlaw team provided me in starting up this dream of a company.

Shawn Leland Founder and Chief Business Officer, Elevation Oncology

I feel very fortunate to have Scott B. working for us. He was willing to work late nights to meet our deadlines and did an excellent job again.

Jose Flores VP of Product, Shipedge

Overall we received excellent service from Hutchison and were very impressed with the level of support, advice and responsiveness that we received.

Claire Gilligan Head of Quality and R&D, Millicent Pharma Limited

Dan O. is great - very knowledgeable and helpful - plus answers after hours!

Allison London Brown CEO, UVision360, Inc.

John was fantastic at breaking down the important sections of the contracts to help determine the most important matters to negotiate. The volume of documents and the length of them would have been overwhelming without him navigating me through them!

Penny Shikowitz CEO, On Track Technologies

Dan F. provided exceptional service. He was very knowledgeable, had excellent command of the process informing us on all the risks and strategies. He was an excellent negotiator and able to win favorable terms for us. I will certainly hire him for any of my future needs.

Rajiv Singh CEO, Sinmat

Josh was phenomenal. Very attentive to his customer and follows up so diligently.

Yacoub Habib CEO, Ophidion, Inc.

I would like to express my appreciation to both Bill and Ashley for their support and insight into these very important transactions. I also appreciate their willingness to provide me their thoughts and recommendations!

John Kaiser CEO, Evecxia, Inc.

Everyone was very responsive and always made themselves available. Fees were very reasonable and couldn't be happier with the work done.

Shawn Leland CBO, 14ner Oncology

Hutchlaw was responsive, expert and fun to work with. Thanks until the next one!

Ray Carey CEO, Astute Solutions

GSS was extremely happy and satisfied with Hutchison ... a special note to Josh ... Extremely professional, responsive, pro-active and competent. It was an immense pleasure working with him and we very much look forward to having the opportunity to work together again in the future. 

Rodrigo Muniz Barretto Cotta CFO, GSS

Josh did (and does) an incredible job. We really appreciate his knowledge, attitude and responsiveness.

Mike Midgett CEO, QOREBOARD, Inc.

This firm was exactly what I needed to get the job done. I am very happy with the results!

De'Andra Alex Owner, More Than An Athlete

Fred and John are highly responsive and knowledgeable. We are always impressed with the quick responses and thoughtful advice. We trust their advice and appreciate their partnership approach.

Susan Nichols CEO, Falcon Therapeutics

Personally, I view Justyn, Ashley and Dan O. as trusted members of my team. Their work was always top notch and their (often daily) counsel exceptionally valuable.

Maxime Lemaitre CEO & President, Mattrix Technologies, Inc.

Scott B. and his team worked past business hours the day before Thanksgiving to finalize our closing. The whole process was great and would definitely recommend!

Rob Farmer CEO, ProRata

Absolute pleasure working with the attorneys at Hutchison. They are knowledgeable, creative, efficient and highly responsive. So motivated to make sure the deal went through timely that Robb Giddings worked on it during his vacation!

Lawrence Finn CEO, aaVective, Inc.

The dedication and execution of your team throughout this process was unbelievable.

Douglas Crumb President & CEO, Xhale, Inc.

Justyn and the Hutch team showed flexibility and expertise, to ensure we could get to the finish line. It was a true partnership.

Sean Fitzgerald CEO, Savii, Inc.

We would have never accomplished what we did without Scott's talent and heroics over the past year. He is an outstanding partner who provides brilliant client service. We are honored and blessed to have him on our team.

Faith Kosobucki CFO, FoodLogiQ LLC

I truly felt like Robb was an employee of Amend Surgical and that he had the same passion for closing the deal as I did. This deal would have fallen apart without Robb's expertise and willingness to do whatever was necessary to get us to close.

Robby Lane CEO, Amend Surgical

I love Hutchison beyond all reasonable limits of plausibility. Sometimes, I feel like I'm on the receiving end of some sort of sociological experiment to push the boundaries of human-to-law firm affection.

Aleksander Levental CEO, Feathr

The area law firm of choice for startup and biotech companies.

John Didsbury CEO, T3D Therapeutics, Inc.

Scott's performance was differentiated and a breath of fresh air compared to what we've seen from other firms. We feel blessed to have his expertise on our team.

Faith Kosobucki CFO, FoodLogiQ LLC

Hutchison has served our small, SaaS company extremely well. We appreciate their insight, attention to detail and responsiveness. I've already referred them to several other companies because of my confidence in their expertise.

Matt Womble CEO, BeeWell

We are very impressed with Hutchison. The team went above and beyond and drafted a great set of legal documents for our early-stage startup.

Hua Wang CEO, SmartBridge, Inc.

So glad that I hired Scott. He is the best! Went above and beyond.

Danielle Leahy Partner, Saltyard

Nice job, responsive, helpful, on budget. 

Dave Kirkpatrick Managing Director, SJF Ventures

Scott Bryant went above and beyond for us ... very knowledgeable... and extremely professional. I would certainly recommend Scott and the firm to others.

Kit McQuiston CEO, Alrgn Bio

I have always enjoyed working with Justyn and find him to be a thoughtful and intelligent attorney who consistently provides valuable insight and legal advice.

Stephen Mangano Member, GBL Investments

Hutchison consistently delivers the right balance of top notch legal advice and practical experience. Thank you for being such a great partner for myDrugCosts!

Dan Pollard CEO, myDrugCosts

Our deal had more than its share of complications. Dan Fuchs handled them all flawlessly. He was also a master at negotiating between all the parties involved. I have never felt better served or received better advice.

Ray Carey CEO, NeoNova

I am proud of how Hutchison represented our company. The team was responsive and resourceful. They made all the difference in getting the deal done. 

Anthony Pompliano CEO, ANEXIO Technology Services

As a company that has grown over the last seven years from a penurious startup barely able to cover its bills into a successful business bringing outside capital into North Carolina, what we have most appreciated about working with Hutchison is its flexibility. That, and how much we like the people. 

Stephen Fraser Co-founder, Spoonflower

Our M&A deal would not have resulted in such a positive outcome without Hutchison. The entire team, headed by Fred Hutchison, was very knowledgeable, pragmatic, patient and dedicated throughout the entire M&A process. 

Thuy Dancik Principal, Dancik International

Emily King and Justyn Kasierski did a fantastic job supporting Ziptronix in its recent merger with Tessera, as well as, a variety of other company transactions through the company's history. They are a first class team that I highly recommend!

Richard Gianni CFO, Ziptronix. Inc.