CHE 598 Seminar: From Molecules to Markets: Bridging Chemistry, Bioengineering and Entrepreneurship

SPEAKER: Dr. Travis T. Denton, Associate Professor, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University BIOGRAPHY: Dr. Travis T. Denton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Washington State University’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. He is also a Fellow of the Steve Gleason Institute for Neuroscience. Dr. Denton is a medicinal and synthetic organic chemist whose research spans drug discovery, polymer chemistry, drug delivery and the development of experimental therapeutics. His work has included the synthesis of carbohydrate-based polymers for nonviral gene delivery, inhibitors of drug-metabolizing enzymes and small molecules targeting neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to his academic research and teaching, Dr. Denton is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of LiT BioSciences, LLC, a biotechnology startup focused on translating scientific research into commercial products. His experience spans academic research, interdisciplinary collaboration, technology development and entrepreneurship.   ABSTRACT: The development of new technologies at the interface of chemistry, materials science and biology requires more than the discovery of promising molecules. It also requires understanding how molecular structure influences material properties, biological performance and ultimately the potential for practical applications. This seminar will explore these challenges through examples from my research career, beginning with the development of carbohydrate-based polymers as nonviral gene-delivery agents. These materials were designed to interact with and condense DNA into nanoparticles, providing opportunities to investigate relationships among polymer composition, molecular structure, DNA binding and biological activity. I will discuss the synthetic approaches used to prepare these materials, their physicochemical properties and some of the challenges associated with developing effective delivery systems. The presentation will then shift from academic research to entrepreneurship, highlighting my recent experience co-founding LiT BioSciences LLC. Using this startup as an example, I will discuss the opportunities and unexpected challenges of translating scientific concepts into commercial products, including formulation development, intellectual property, manufacturing, regulatory considerations and the realities of launching a small biotechnology company. Together, these experiences illustrate how chemistry and bioengineering can contribute to innovation across multiple disciplines and how researchers can apply their scientific training to opportunities beyond the traditional academic laboratory.