Advanced Pulmonary Solutions (APS), 2008 winner of the Michael Gallegos Prize for Entrepreneurship ~ 1st Place, $25,000
Kevin Stevenson, Interim CEO
James Baldwin, Director of Research & Development
Robin Perini, Director of Operations
Kevin Stevenson says, "APS is a medical devices company advancing technology that allows
for rapid and non-invasive testing for lung infections. We currently have tests for
Tuberculosis (TB) and for Pseudomonas in patients with Cystic Fibrosis. There are three
key factors that set our test apart from what is readily available. First, the test is
rapid, and takes only 15 minutes to diagnose a patient. Second, the test is non-invasive.
It involves only taking a puff from an inhaler and then blowing into a bag. Finally, the
test has the ability to determine the severity of infection, providing a means not only for
diagnosing infection, but also for tracking efficacy of treatment and potentially testing
the efficacy of newly developed pharmaceuticals.
"Since the competition, we have made significant progress in terms of developing our business. Most notably, we are in negotiations with various medical testing companies to begin animal testing of our TB test. Also, we are in negotiations with STC.UNM (the technology transfer arm of the University and the owner of our technology) on a license of the TB and Pseudomonas test patents."
Robin Perini of Advanced Pulmonary Solutions talks about what it's like on competition day:
Through the UNM Technology Business Plan Competition, not only have we had the chance to
work with a very talented researcher in Dr. Graham Timmins (UNM College of Pharmacy), but
we have also put together everything we've learned to create a plan that could change the
way pulmonary infections are diagnosed. Dr. Sul Kassicieh has been an amazing resource, and
his guidance was invaluable in focusing our plan into a viable business proposition.
During the morning round of the competition, I was so nervous. But as Kevin Stevenson presented our business plan, I knew the time and effort spent to take a technology from a research discovery all the way to the creation of a company was worth the work it required. I didn't know if we would advance to the final round, but I was so proud of the effort we put in, and I was excited about the business opportunity we had created.
I couldn't believe it when they called our name as a finalist. I knew we had a great idea for a business and some excellent research and planning to back it up, but with so many talented competitors, and so many innovative ideas, I think that any five teams could have advanced to the final round. I was simply grateful the morning-round judges saw our product's potential. We took their advice to heart, and modified our presentation for the final round to address the concerns they raised. I think that's what made the difference in the outcome.
The awards banquet that night was truly surreal. As the third-place, then the second-place winners were called, I didn't know what to think. I was proud of our effort and plan, but truthfully, all the finalists had so many strengths. For a moment, when the first-place team was announced, I couldn't believe it was our name that was called, and then it hit me: we won first prize.
I was so thrilled for our team but also for Dr. Timmins. His research is groundbreaking. It was so wonderful that he was as happy as we were.
By entering the competition last year, I had a much better idea of what to expect. My experience in 2007 paved the way for being able to be part of the wining team in 2008.
