It’s often the connections between people that keep innovation burning bright. My guest today is Joe Runge. He’s spent more than two decades exploring that truth from several angles, including as a practicing patent lawyer, published scientist, educator, and veteran of the innovation economy. Joe holds the rare distinction of being the only student in history to earn both a law degree and a master’s degree in biology simultaneously from the University of Iowa, a combination that uniquely shaped his perspective on how science and law intersect to move discoveries into the world.

Today, Joe serves as Associate Director and Co-Founder of the UNeTech Institute, a joint research institute between the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. His work extends far beyond traditional tech transfer. He’s helped secure over $5 million in competitive funding through economic development and entrepreneurship grants, while guiding faculty, startups, and community partners through the often-uncertain process of turning research into real-world impact.

In our conversation, Joe reflects on his recent TEDx Omaha talk, "Innovation Needs Connection," in which he explores how a single word can change everything and why understanding your audience is just as critical as understanding your invention. We talk about the emotional side of tech transfer, from frustration and failure to purpose and gratitude. We also discuss how UNeTech’s latest ventures, including Respira AI and IMPOWER HEALTH demonstrate what happens when collaboration meets creativity.

In This Episode:

[01:57] Joe reflects on co-founding UNeTech and the transition from Unimed to a broader vision for innovation in Nebraska.

[03:26] Revisiting Joe’s past podcast, Innovation Overground, and how scaling UNeTech changed his focus.

[04:15] The origin of Joe’s TEDx Omaha tal,k Innovation Needs Connection, and how one word, stent versus balloon, shifted everything.

[07:07] Lessons from the “stent to balloon” moment about language, audience, and empathy in tech transfer.

[08:54] Understanding cultural differences between scientists and industry partners.

[09:29] Why Joe chose to be open about frustration and anger in his TEDx talk and what that revealed about connection and authenticity.

[12:18] Helping inventors stay hopeful despite statistics showing most patents and startups fail.

[13:32] How UNeTech reframed innovation work toward workforce development and long-term community impact.

[16:02] Balancing urgency and burnout while tackling global challenges like climate change and pandemics.

[18:59] The personal reflections and family conversations sparked by Joe’s TEDx experience.

[21:30] How applying for TEDx became an unexpected journey of self-discovery and professional identity.

[24:58] The meaning behind “big ideas must die three deaths” and learning to value failure as part of excellence.

[27:52] Joe’s biggest lessons from projects that didn’t make it to market and how humility plays a role in resilience.

[30:21] UNeTech’s exciting startup portfolio, including Respira AI for COPD monitoring and IMPOWER HEALTH’S self-pacing treadmill.

[33:23] Joe’s new role with Gearhart Law and how his tech transfer background informs his IP work.

[36:27] Emotional intelligence and vulnerability as tools for better collaboration in tech transfer.

[38:04] Encouragement to reflect, redefine success, and find personal purpose in innovation work.

[39:08] What keeps Joe inspired about the future of innovation and why human connection remains at the heart of progress.

Resources:

AUTM

UNeTech Institute

Innovation needs connection | Joe Runge | TEDxOmaha

Innovation Overground Podcast

Joe Runge - LinkedIn

Gearhart Law

Fighting blindness requires science, strategy, and a great deal of heart. Today’s guest is Jason Menzo, CEO of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, the world’s largest private funder of retinal disease research. Since assuming the role in 2022, after serving as President and COO, Jason has helped raise nearly a billion dollars and is backing over 100 projects across 86 labs and clinical centers worldwide. With more than two decades in ophthalmology at Sun Ophthalmologics, Nycox SA, Bausch & Lomb, and Bayer, he brings sharp business instincts and a deep commitment to restoring sight.

Before joining the Foundation, Jason co-founded and led several eye-care ventures focused on bringing breakthrough treatments to patients more quickly. That for-profit experience now fuels mission-driven innovation, new funding models, and partnerships that move discoveries from the lab to the clinic. A standout example is the early Foundation support for the research behind Luxturna, the first FDA-approved gene therapy for an inherited disease, demonstrating how bold, risk-tolerant philanthropy can transform medicine when academia, government, and industry collaborate.

A hallmark of his leadership is the R&D Fund, a $160 million venture philanthropy model with an eight-to-one leverage ratio. This bridges academic research and commercialization, drawing in private capital to advance promising therapies. He has also championed a global network of over 40 clinical centers in 10 countries and strengthened the talent pipeline through fellowships and translational awards. Today, 88% of retinal treatments in clinical trials can be traced back to Foundation-funded programs.

Today, we discuss where science, policy, and philanthropy converge to bring sight-saving treatments closer to reality. We discuss the proposed Venture Philanthropy Enhancement Act and look ahead to gene-agnostic therapies, cell regeneration, and whole-eye transplant initiatives with ARPA-H.

In This Episode:

[01:30] Jason reflects on his transition from the pharmaceutical world to nonprofit work and what drew him to the Foundation.

[03:10] Discussion of Luxturna’s groundbreaking FDA approval and how early Foundation funding contributed to its success.

[05:30] Jason explains how the Foundation balances basic and translational research to accelerate cures for retinal diseases.

[07:45] Overview of the Foundation’s five-year strategic plan and its flexible approach to adapting research priorities.

[09:15] Insight into the importance of collaboration among universities, the NIH, and industry partners to move discoveries into the clinic.

[11:00] Jason highlights the creation and purpose of the R&D Fund, a venture philanthropy model launched in 2018.

[13:00] The Fund’s success in achieving an 8-to-1 leverage ratio and attracting top venture capital partners.

[15:10] How the Foundation conducts due diligence when selecting companies for investment.

[17:30] Explanation of how the R&D Fund differs from traditional research grants and why selectivity is key.

[19:00] Jason introduces the Venture Philanthropy Enhancement Act and discusses its potential impact on funding for rare diseases.

[22:00] Story of a near-failed company that survived through philanthropic support and produced life-changing clinical trial results.

[24:00] The Foundation’s suite of grants and awards supporting early-career and translational researchers.

[26:10] Career Development Awards and their role in retaining top talent in retinal disease research.

[28:00] How the Foundation partners with tech transfer offices to bridge the “Valley of Death” between discovery and commercialization.

[30:00] Metrics beyond publications—how FFB measures its real-world impact on treatments and cures.

[32:15] Jason shares the emerging technologies he finds most promising, including gene-agnostic and cell-based therapies.

[34:10] Discussion on the global prevalence of blindness and the Foundation’s efforts to prioritize late-stage and restorative therapies.

[36:00] Jason outlines upcoming funding opportunities and deadlines for university researchers.

[37:30] Final reflections on hope, awareness, and collaboration shaping the future of vision restoration.

Resources:

AUTM

Jason Menzo - Foundation Fighting Blindness

Jason Menzo - LinkedIn

Jason Menzo - X

Not every university has the resources to build and maintain a Tech Transfer office, and for many smaller institutions, that has long meant sitting on the sidelines. In Kentucky, leaders decided to try something different. Instead of each campus building its own program from scratch, they pooled efforts into a single statewide network. That collaboration became Kentucky Commercialization Ventures, or KCV, a model that’s now showing what inclusive innovation can look like in practice.

At the center of this work is Kayla Meisner, Executive Director of KCV, who has guided the initiative from an early concept into a growing program with national attention. Since its launch in 2020, KCV has more than tripled its funding, doubled its staff, and helped innovators at all levels find clear pathways into commercialization. By combining proof-of-concept funding with hands-on coaching and shared services, the team has turned early ideas into intellectual property, startups, and partnerships that feed back into Kentucky’s economy.

In this episode, Kayla explains what it takes to build trust across institutions, how programs like the Innovation Fellowship and KCV Invent are preparing the next generation of talent, and why partnerships outside of academia are strengthening the state’s innovation ecosystem. She also reflects on what other regions can learn from Kentucky’s experience, from getting state economic leaders on board to setting up governance that keeps everyone invested in long-term success.

In This Episode:

[03:18] Kayla shares the origins of KCV and how it fits within the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation’s 40-year mission.

[05:24] She explains how state dollars are invested into proof-of-concept funding and stipends to support innovators.

[06:30] Kayla describes the challenges Kentucky faced as an EPSCoR and NIH IDeA state and why collective action was needed.

[09:37] She outlines the gap analysis that showed most partner schools lacked IP policies and full-time tech transfer staff.

[12:15] The discussion turns to how KCV scaled its services while running on less than $1 million a year in the early days.

[15:30] Kayla highlights the importance of coaching and mentorship in turning early-stage disclosures into IP.

[17:40] The story of Dr. Rachel Tinius at Western Kentucky University illustrates how small investments can lead to major commercialization success.

[18:26] Kayla talks about the KCV Innovation Fellowship and how it prepares students and faculty for entrepreneurship.

[22:06] She explains how the fellowship has grown into a semester-based, cohort model that builds practical commercialization skills.

[24:11] The conversation shifts to Kentucky’s six regional innovation hubs and their statewide economic impact.

[29:01] Kayla details how KCV now requires assessments before opt-in, creating clearer pathways and buy-in for institutions and innovators.

[32:37] The IMPACT competition is discussed, with KCV celebrating its first-ever community and technical college winner.

[35:17] Kayla addresses the $8.25 million NSF EDGE award and the systemic barriers it is helping to solve at smaller institutions.

[46:28] She reflects on the challenge of securing sustainable funding and the importance of demonstrating ROI.

[49:57] Kayla highlights ecosystem partnerships with groups like the Kentucky Bar Association, USPTO, and Kentucky Distillers Association.

[54:30] The conversation explores talent development through internships and the launch of KCV Invent, funded by the NSF Excellence Program.

[56:43] Kayla offers three recommendations for other states interested in replicating the KCV model: build state relationships, conduct gap analyses, and establish governance.

[59:45] She reflects on what has surprised her most about the centralized approach and why it has proven so effective.

Resources:

AUTM

Kayla Meisner - Kentucky Commercialization Ventures

Kayla Meisner - LinkedIn

Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation

Dr. Rachel Tinius, Ph.D., EP-C

BumptUp Labs

USPTO – Midwest Regional Office

A proposed shift in U.S. patent policy is sparking debate about the future of intellectual property. The idea on the table is a value-based tax that would replace, or sit on top of, the USPTO’s traditional flat-fee system. Instead of paying predictable maintenance fees, patent owners could face annual charges tied to the assessed value of their inventions. This move would dramatically change how portfolios are managed and funded.

To walk us through the implications, we’re joined by Erin M. Daly, Ph.D., Esq., founder of Daly Law & Strategy. Erin started out in organic chemistry before moving into patent law, and she’s spent her career working with biotech companies and universities on everything from early-stage research to clinical programs. That combination of lab background and legal know-how gives her a practical view of how changes in patent policy land on the ground.

We discuss why putting a dollar value on patents is never straightforward and how a tax like this could create big headaches for industries that depend on large portfolios, like biotech, semiconductors, and emerging green technologies. We also look at what startups and universities might face if they’re hit with new costs long before their patents generate any revenue.

In This Episode:

[01:57] The proposed value-based patent tax is outlined and contrasted with current USPTO fees.

[02:50] Erin explains how the new system would resemble a property tax on intellectual property.

[03:49] The U.S. has historically treated patents as a right supported by fees, not as taxable assets.

[04:42] The proposal is still at the idea stage with no formal rule or bill introduced.

[06:08] Patent valuation challenges are described, including subjectivity and lack of comparables.

[08:07] Legal questions emerge about USPTO authority, due process, and potential litigation.

[10:44] Erin outlines compliance concerns, audits, and paperwork burdens if the IRS were involved.

[12:49] Biotech and pharma are identified as sectors most at risk under a value-based tax.

[13:45] Semiconductor and AI industries could face massive valuation tracking costs.

[14:40] Green tech companies may abandon patents if taxed before commercialization.

[15:59] Strategic steps for tech transfer offices and companies to assess exposure are discussed.

[17:39] Trade secrets may become more appealing as an alternative to patents in some cases.

[18:24] Companies might restructure portfolios or shift filings internationally to reduce risk.

[20:45] Erin emphasizes the importance of monitoring Congress, Federal Register updates, and IRS guidance.

[22:55] Coalition groups and bar associations begin mobilizing to oppose the tax proposal.

[23:33] Early legal challenges are expected to test the limits of USPTO authority and valuation disputes.

[25:26] We close with a reminder that patent costs are under increasing scrutiny.

Resources:

AUTM

Daly Law & Strategy

Erin M. Daly, Ph.D. - LinkedIn

Daly Law & Strategy - Facebook

USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office)

Federal Register

BIO (Biotechnology Innovation Organization)

Intellectual Property Owners Association (IPO)

What does it take to safeguard innovation while making sure the patent system truly serves inventors and society? That’s the heart of today’s conversation, and few people are better positioned to answer than Dr. Julie Burke.

Today, she brings a unique perspective to the world of intellectual property and patent prosecution. Dr. Burke spent more than two decades in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, eventually stepping into the role of Quality Assurance Specialist in Technology Center 1600. Her path there was built on a strong scientific foundation: a degree in molecular biology, a Ph.D. in biochemistry, and postdoctoral work at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she earned a grant from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to study the CFTR protein.

At the USPTO, she examined applications in areas that changed the course of modern medicine such as cancer immunology and recombinant antibody technologies. She also handled more than 900 petitions and received multiple awards for her contributions to patent quality and international guidelines.

After leaving the Office, Dr. Burke brought her expertise to Knobbe Martens, later founded IP Quality Pro LLC, and has since become a recognized voice through her expert witness work and widely published articles. She also advises Petition.ai and serves on the board of the Association for American Innovation, where she advocates for policies that encourage inventors to keep creating.

Dr. Burke candidly opens up about her career journey, the culture inside the USPTO, and the systemic challenges that affect patent quality. She also points us toward a future where reforms, transparency, and a renewed commitment to excellence can strengthen the system while unlocking more innovation for everyone.

In This Episode:

[02:52] Dr. Burke shares her academic journey through Biogen, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, and Johns Hopkins, and how she was pointed toward the USPTO.

[05:20] She reflects on family ties to public service and her idealistic start at the USPTO.

[05:51] Early years as a cancer immunology examiner and later transition to Quality Assurance Specialist in TC1600.

[08:26] She describes USPTO culture, personalities of examiners, and the complaints she fielded as a QA specialist.

[10:36] Dr. Burke recounts being told that allowing a patent on first action would earn her a derogatory label, and what that revealed about PTO culture.

[12:22] Discussion of the “reject, reject, reject” mentality and how examiners were pressured into repeat RCEs.

[14:55] Dr. Burke introduces the Sensitive Application Warning System (SAWS) program and explains how it secretly blocked pioneering cases.

[17:42] How SAWS expanded into looking at inventors’ backgrounds, including finances and character.

[18:32] Comparisons to IRS “BOLO” lists and the chilling effect of having allowances pulled at the last moment.

[28:48] Dr. Burke explains new challenges with petition review work, including restrictions and procedures that create extra burdens.

[32:41] What needs to change to address some of these quality issues.

[37:12] Hazing culture in the Patent Training Academy and high attrition among new examiners.

[41:00] Impact of PTAB changes: trials scaled back, discretionary denials increased, and appeals expedited.

[42:11] Loss of examiner tools like ChemDraw and SciFinder forces some to use personal computers, creating security risks.

[52:28] Dr. Burke contrasts production bonuses with quality bonuses, and the damage this does to examination integrity.

[55:12] Reports show 40% of litigated patents invalidated which goes back to flawed performance incentives.

[58:40] Current restraints and cuts are hard on patent examiners and students and inventors.

[01:02:15] We discuss examiner morale, loss of union protections, and management culture shifts.

[01:05:47] She shares closing reflections on reforms needed for transparency, consistency, and examiner support.

[01:09:32] Dr. Burke connects the role of professional “guilds” in maintaining quality, and draws parallels to historical trade guilds.

[01:12:54] Optimism about the Association for American Innovation (AAI) and its independent reform agenda.

Resources:

Dr. Julie Burke - IP Watchdog

Dr. Julie Burke - LinkedIn

Petition AI