On August 6th, 2024, the FDA approved a new drug for previously untreatable low-grade IDH-mutant gliomas, based on foundational discoveries by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Duke University. This marks the first major advance in decades for patients with these malignant tumors of the brain’s glial cells.

Duke Engineering faculty members share insights on launching startups from academia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, understanding market needs, and navigating the challenges of commercialization.

Early-stage startups from Duke, UNC, NC State, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center presented their innovations to over 50 investors. Duke spinouts showcased advancements in RNA editing, nanofiber drug delivery, AI-driven drug design, and more.

Restor3d raised $38 million to scale its lineup of personalized 3D-printed orthopedic implants — from shoulders to hips — bringing greater precision and improved outcomes to joint replacement surgery.

Duke OTC was in DC, showcasing innovations in AI, 3D printing, and mRNA vaccines to federal policymakers and highlighting the impact of academic research on public health and technology.

From life sciences to engineering, Duke continues to turn research into real-world inventions, securing its place among the top academic patent leaders globally.

Invented at Duke 2024 celebrated a century of innovation, featuring both landmark discoveries from the past and cutting-edge technologies from today’s inventors, offering a glimpse of the breakthroughs shaping the future.

Kurt Schmidt’s phone never stops buzzing—with founders, alumni, and students—because at Duke Capital Partners, he’s not just investing in startups, he’s investing in people.

Lindy Biosciences inked a major licensing and collaboration deal with Novartis to translate its microglassification drug-delivery technology into self-administered biologics. The deal includes an upfront payment and potential milestone and royalty payments totaling nearly $1B.

Basking Biosciences dosed the first patients in its Phase 2 trial of BB-031, a reversible RNA aptamer designed to safely treat acute ischemic stroke.

Tune Therapeutics closed a $175M Series B to advance its epigenome-editing pipeline, including a clinical-stage program for chronic hepatitis B.

Humacyte obtained FDA approval for Symvess—an off-the-shelf, acellular engineered vessel—for urgent repair of limb-threatening arterial injuries when autologous veins aren’t an option.

Sparta Biomedical treated the first patients with Ormi—a breakthrough synthetic cartilage implant using the Galene platform—in its inaugural human trial targeting focal knee lesions.

Uplizna became the first-ever FDA-approved treatment for IgG4-related disease—cutting flare risk by 87% and offering a long-sought therapy for this rare immune condition.

Over its first decade, Duke Capital Partners built a $105 million portfolio backing more than 60 startups—now collectively valued at over $10 billion—fueling alumni-led innovation with real impact.

Academic innovators from across the Triangle participated in a three-day, hands-on workshop led by Duke, NC State, and UNC—learning how to launch life-science startups in FDA-regulated markets.

DANNCE.AI is launching an AI-powered, video-based biomarker platform designed to help clinicians and drug developers better characterize drug effects, optimize neurological care, and bring more precision and objectivity to movement disorder diagnosis and monitoring.

Lumotive secured $45 million to expand sales of its programmable optical semiconductors, aiming to bring its light-shaping technology from the lab into AI data centers, autonomous systems, and other emerging markets.