UNE researcher among select group to be honored for innovative inventions

Srinidi Mohan, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Pharmacy, was chosen to be part of a select group representing New England’s innovation community at the 10th annual Invented Here! event that recently took place virtually.

The event was sponsored by the Boston Patent Law Association (BPLA), an organization working to address issues important to the intellectual property community by bringing together lawyers, law students, technology specialists, and other professionals dedicated to advancing the intellectual property profession.

Mohan was selected for his U.S. Patent titled “Methods and Diagnostics for Cancer Detection and Treatment Monitoring,” which uses a marker in the blood to detect the presence of highly aggressive tumors and to help track cancer growth.

Seventy-eight patents were nominated for awards this year. Mohan’s was one of the 18 chosen. Other award winners this year came from inventors at institutions including MIT, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts, as well as leading technology companies.

“It is very nice recognition, especially when most of the work selected comes from local folks in the Boston area,” Mohan said. “To make the inroads there makes me feel that they consider this project to be significant. I think it also shows that the potential of the patent itself is indeed valuable.”

Mohan found that the marker Nw-hydroxy-L-Arginine (NOHA)  was both a sensitive and reliable indicator for estrogen receptor-negative (ER–) tumors, the most aggressive types of breast cancer.

Currently, no reliable blood-based marker exists for estrogen-negative breast tumor prognosis and/or disease monitoring.

As principal investigator, Mohan conducted the research with the support of funding from the UNE Office of Research and Scholarship.

“Karen Houseknecht, the Office of Research and Scholarship, the School of Pharmacy dean’s office, and my department chairs have looked into this project every step of the way and have supported me throughout,” Mohan commented.

Further development of this novel technology is being conducted in collaboration with physicians and researchers at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

Mohan was invited to discuss the invention of the patent at the Invented Here! event via a unique video conferencing platform and to receive honors by the BPLA membership and members of the public.

“Being recognized at the event provided a platform for me and was an introduction to potential investors,” Mohan stated. “It was an opportunity for me to talk about the research and patent, and possibly get investors interested.”