i3 Accelerator

Innovation ● Inflection ● Impact

The fast track to life-saving discoveries

About i3 Accelerator

The i3 Accelerator (i3A) advances the development of discoveries from Mount Sinai into groundbreaking technologies that aim to help the patient population. The goal of i3A is to increase the pace of commercialization for a promising technology by applying a strategic and milestone-driven investment. Researchers collaborate with MSIP to execute a project strategy to advance technologies beyond the lab bench.

i3A aims to:

  • rapidly generate and consolidate intellectual property (IP) with commercial potential by generating data and results that substantially de-risk Mount Sinai assets.
  • accelerate licensing of assets to existing corporations or Mount Sinai startups.
  • secure additional funding from an industry partner or an investor to further advance the development of the asset.

How it Works

i3A project candidates are nominated by MSIP’s Business Development (BD) representatives. The BD representatives select technologies with significant commercial potential that have been disclosed to MSIP. After a disclosure is submitted, Principal Investigators (PIs) can work with their BD representative to determine if the technology is a potential fit for i3A.

Are you interested in being considered for i3A and have not disclosed the technology? Disclose here.

After nomination, MSIP will then evaluate if the technology should advance to the proposal review stage. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Each proposal will be evaluated by MSIP and an Investment Advisory Committee (IAC) consisting of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs, and members of the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or medical device industries.

Project funding will be awarded following the signing of an Informed Participation Letter (IPL), which will include a finalized project plan and budget. Ongoing funding is contingent on achieving the milestones of the project plan.

  • Connect with your BD representative
  • Submit a technology disclosure to MSIP (if not submitted already)
  • Await nomination by BD representative, if applicable
  • Develop and submit a full proposal if the nomination is approved
    More information will be provided at that time.
  • Present the full proposal to the IAC for review
    The project plan and budget may be revised based on the IAC's feedback.
  • If awarded, sign the IPL.
    The IPL must also be signed by MSIP and your Department Administrator.
  • Execute the project plan
    A program manager from MSIP will work with you to make sure the project moves forward.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for i3A, the following criteria must be met:

  • The technology must be disclosed to MSIP.
  • The project must be nominated by a member of MSIP's BD team.
  • The project is led by a Mount Sinai PI with laboratory space in a Mount Sinai research facility.
  • The aim of the project must be to achieve a meaningful, commercial value inflection point, meeting well-defined milestones within the project period.

Projects utilizing professional third-party organizations, such as Contract Research Organizations (CROs), is preferred. Eligible technologies that reach the proposal stage will be evaluated by the IAC based on the following criteria:

  • The proposal includes a commercial development plan with clear inflection points and Go/No-Go decision points.
  • There is a substantial market and potential impact on patient care.
  • The technology is a novel approach with a significant competitive advantage over existing technologies.
  • The technology can generate new Intellectual Property (IP) and/or enhance the value of existing IP.
  • The technology has received feedback from industry or venture groups.
  • The technology includes input from relevant clinical champions.
  • The PI commits to moving the project forward and working with a project team.

Contact Us

Questions? Contact us at i3@mssm.edu. You may also reach out to Louise Lammers, PhD, Director, Business Development, Emerging Assets at louise.lammers@mssm.edu or William Chiang, PhD, Business Development Consultant, at william.chiang@mssm.edu.