Stempar Sciences, Inc., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center - Dallas have entered into a license agreement through which StemPar Sciences plans to develop cancer therapeutics based on compounds designed by Professor Paul Hergenrother of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Professor David Boothman, the Robert B. and Virginia Payne Professor in Oncology and Associate Director for Translation Research at UTSW. The compounds exhibit potent anti-cancer activity by inducing programmed necrosis, meaning they activate the molecular pathway that causes the premature death of cancerous cells and tissue. The potency and selectivity of these new compounds rival commonly used chemotherapy agents by targeting solid tumors that have elevated levels of the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxioreductase 1 (NQO1). Research indicates that the compounds are able to target a range of solid tumors that are considered difficult to treat, including pancreatic and lung cancers. Furthermore, research suggests that this new class of quinone-based compounds express greater potency than other molecules in the same class, such as -lapachone.

Sigma-Aldrich Corporation and University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign have entered into a licensing agreement through which Sigma-Aldrich will offer two widely-used membrane scaffold proteins used in Nanodisc technology, developed by Professor Stephen Sligar, Director of the School of Molecular and Cellular Biology. Nanodiscs are self-assembled systems that render soluble in aqueous media typically insoluble yet biologically and pharmacologically significant targets, including receptors, transporters, enzymes, and viral antigens. Nanodisc constructs provide a native-like bilayer environment and maintain a target's functional activity, providing a versatile tool in the study of membrane proteins such as GPCRs, cytochrome P450s, bacteriorhodopsins, coagulation factors, cholera toxins, and Tar receptors. Since their introduction, Nanodiscs have been used in a diverse set of applications such as kinetic studies, structural analysis, imaging measurements, binding assays, and drug discovery. Sigma-Aldrich will feature the membrane scaffold proteins MSP1D1 and MSP1E3D1 as part of its innovative Sigma Life Science product portfolio. MSP's utilize the amphipathic properties found in Apolipoprotein A-1 to provide a multi-helical scaffold for incorporation of a range of target protein sizes.

University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Xerion Advanced Battery Corp. under which Xerion has the exclusive right to bring the University's StructurePore battery-charging technology to the market. The StructurePore technology was developed by Paul Braun, Ph. D., of the Department of Materials, Science & Engineering at the University of Illinois. Xerion and the University believe that the patented StructurePore battery technology will enable Xerion to develop a rechargeable battery with significantly higher electrical capacity than that which is presently available with ultra-fast charge /ultra-fast discharge capabilities. Xerion intends to direct future development of the technology by utilizing higher power output chemistries. By focusing on these new electrode architectures, Dr. Braun and his Xerion colleagues believe that they may have found a way to greatly reduce the polarization effects of current batteries, thereby greatly increasing power and density. Xerion believes that the development of a new prototype battery will contain what Xerion has labeled as "superhighway-like" avenues for electrons and ions to move at ultra fast speeds while filling a charge and thus resulting in rapid battery charging capability. In July 2011, Xerion team members from Illinois, Colorado and Ohio will be moving into offices in the University of Illinois Research Park to collaborate with Dr. Braun on refinements to the technology.