Veteran biotechnology expert named ‘entrepreneur in residence’ for UNeMed

Gary Madsen, Ph.D.

Gary Madsen, Ph.D., has been named entrepreneur in residence for UNeMed Corporation, the technology transfer company for the University of Nebraska Medical Center

The “Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR)” program was funded by the University of Nebraska to enable UNMC and the other University of Nebraska campuses to bring unique skills to the process of technology development and commercialization.

“Dr. Madsen has a wealth of industry experience that will help UNeMed staff and UNMC faculty bring inventions into clinical use,” said James Linder, M.D., president of the University Technology Development Corporation.

In his new role, Dr. Madsen will:

  • Help identify promising UNMC technologies that have the potential to form the basis of new startup companies; and
  • Establish partnerships between industry, faculty, clinicians and funding sources in order to develop new business ventures based on novel technologies.

“Gary brings an expertise to our local ecosystem that is desperately in need of more biotechnology talent,” said Michael Dixon, Ph.D., president and CEO of UNeMed. “His hiring is indicative of the university’s commitment to translational research and developing products that improve health care. He will play a key role in developing new companies and spurring local economic development.”

Dr. Dixon noted that UNMC has more than 100 new innovations each year. Most of these innovations, he said, are licensed to established companies, because there are not enough local entrepreneurs who have the talent and ability to develop new companies. 

“Adding an EIR who can help mentor new companies greatly improves our ability to establish new biotech companies in Nebraska,” Dr. Dixon said.

After earning his undergraduate degree in biology from Dana College, Dr. Madsen went on to receive his master’s and doctoral degrees in medical microbiology from Creighton University.

Dr. Madsen has more than 30 years of experience in building new technologies into real diagnostic and life science products. He began his career with Abbott Laboratories, where he held a variety of posts over 17 years. Abbott is one of the leading biopharma companies in the world.

For the past 10 years, he has lived in Madison, Wis., where he helped grow four different small and medium-sized biotech companies. Two years ago, he founded Biotech Resolutions LLC, a consulting firm that works closely with startup companies as well as established biotechnology firms.

University Technology Development Corporation provided funding for the entrepreneur-in-residence position to support university technologies and startup companies. Supporting the transfer of university technology to the marketplace, UTDC is a University of Nebraska affiliate and the parent company of the UNeMed Corporation.

The UNeMed Corporation is the technology transfer and commercialization organization for the University of Nebraska Medical Center. UNeMed improves health care by fostering innovation, advancing biomedical research and engaging entrepreneurs and industry to commercialize novel technologies. Learn more at www.unemed.com.    

Through world-class research and patient care, UNMC generates breakthroughs that make life better for people throughout Nebraska and beyond. Its education programs train more health professionals than any other institution in the state. Learn more at unmc.edu.