HOUSTON, TEXAS – (February 11, 2020) – The National Academy of Inventors (NAI) has named 32 academic inventors to the 2020 class of NAI Senior Members. Among these is Dr. Peter Vanderslice, Director of Biology in the Molecular Cardiology Research Laboratories at the Texas Heart Institute in the Texas Medical Center.

 

NAI Senior Members are active faculty, scientists and administrators from NAI Member Institutions who have demonstrated remarkable innovation producing technologies that have brought, or aspire to bring, real impact on the welfare of society. They also have proven success in patents, licensing and commercialization.

 

Nomination for NAI Senior Member by an individual’s supporting institution is a distinct honor and a significant way for the organization to publicly recognize its innovators on a national level. Following a nomination for NAI Senior Member, individuals undergo a rigorous selection process by the NAI Advisory Committee, which is composed of elected NAI members and other professionals considered pioneers in their respective fields.

 

At their host institutions, Senior Members foster a spirit of innovation, while educating and mentoring the next generation of inventors.

 

“Dr. Vanderslice is a visionary scientist and inventor, and he is a highly respected member of the Texas Heart Institute. He is a strong addition to your distinguished group of senior members. His many inventions and his research focus well represent the mission and vision of the NAI and highlight the value of patents and commercialization to universities and non-profit research institutions, both nationally and internationally,” said Dr. Darren Woodside, Texas Heart Institute Vice President for Research.

 

This latest class of NAI Senior Members represents 16 research universities and government and non-profit research institutes. They are named inventors on 368 issued U.S. patents.

 

Dr. Vanderslice is pioneering the use of novel small molecule drugs that have broad-ranging applications from limiting the destructive effects of inflammation and autoimmunity to enhancing stem cell-based therapies and providing systemic adjuvantation in various vaccination strategies.

 

Dr. Vanderslice has spent over 25 years leading research teams focused on the development of small molecule compounds that bind and modulate the function of cell adhesion molecules including a family of receptors termed integrins.  The early part of his career was spent in the pharmaceutical industry, where he gained experience with each stage of the drug development pipeline from discovery to progression into clinical trials. Dr. Vanderslice has led teams working on several preclinical programs involving efforts in drug screening, lead compound characterization, and the development of preclinical animal models. These efforts have resulted in 3 compounds entering clinical trials. Since moving to the Texas Heart Institute, Dr. Vanderslice has been able to apply this knowledge to address cardiovascular complications and his team has developed a drug now poised for human testing.

 

With all 7 of his issued US patents licensed to 5 companies (including End Licensing Companies – 7 Hills Pharma, Encysive/Pfizer, Encysive/Schering Plough/Merck) and four pending patent applications, Dr. Vanderslice demonstrates a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating inventions and discoveries to improve quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.

 

“NAI Member Institutions support some of the most elite inventors on the horizon. With the NAI Senior Member award distinction, we are recognizing innovators who are rising stars in their fields,” said Paul R. Sanberg, NAI President. “This new class is joining a prolific group of academic visionaries already defining tomorrow.”

 

A full list of NAI Senior Members is available on the NAI website.

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Media Contact:
Keri Sprung
ksprung@texasheart.org

 

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About Texas Heart Institute

The Texas Heart Institute (THI), founded by world-renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Denton A. Cooley in 1962, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the devastating toll of cardiovascular disease through innovative and progressive programs in research, education, and improved patient care. More information about THI (@Texas_Heart) is available at www.texasheart.org.

 

About the National Academy of Inventors
The National Academy of Inventors is a member organization comprising U.S. and international universities, and governmental and non-profit research institutes, with over 4,000 individual inventor members and Fellows spanning more than 250 institutions worldwide. It was founded in 2010 to recognize and encourage inventors with patents issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, enhance the visibility of academic technology and innovation, encourage the disclosure of intellectual property, educate and mentor innovative students, and translate the inventions of its members to benefit society. The NAI publishes the multidisciplinary journal, Technology and Innovation. www.academyofinventors.org