Innovation

In our Innovators Series, we’re profiling University City entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies who are working on cutting-edge technologies and building the future right here in University City. We’ll feature those working in science, technology, medicine, and more to tell the story of how a virtuous cycle of innovation, talent, business formation, and placemaking is unfolding in our community, creating a 21^st century economy that leverages knowledge into economic value and development.

In our Innovators Series, we’re profiling University City entrepreneurs, researchers, and companies who are working on cutting-edge technologies and building the future right here in University City. We’ll feature those working in science, technology, medicine, and more to tell the story of how a virtuous cycle of innovation, talent, business formation, and placemaking is unfolding in our community, creating a 21^st century economy that leverages knowledge into economic value and development.

University City District is proud to be among the organizations and City agencies collaborating for the recently announced Promise Zone - one of five localities throughout the United States designated by President Obama. Philadelphia's designation is an area encompassing many West Philadelphia neighborhoods, including parts of University City.

University City District (UCD) is excited to unveil Looped In, an innovative new social seating structure poised to “pop-up” in University City public spaces. Seeking a unique and portable seating system that encourages gathering and interaction, UCD selected Brian Phillips and Interface Studio Architects (ISA) to conceptualize and design the structure, which also explores the intersection of art and functionality.

First Round Capital, the early-stage venture-capital firm founded by technology entrepreneur Josh Kopelman, is moving its headquarters from West Conshohocken to Philadelphia’s University City section.

For a quarter of a century, gene therapy has been stymied, largely because the patient's immune system attacks the treatment as a suspected rogue - or because it actually does turn rogue. Now, University of Pennsylvania researchers have convincingly shown that they can overcome these formidable obstacles.

The University of Pennsylvania has received a gift of $25 million to start a research center focused on the treatment and prevention of cancers linked to certain hereditary gene mutations, the Philadelphia institution said Tuesday.

A radioactive compound that lights up plaques in the brain to help diagnose Alzheimer's disease has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in patients being evaluated for Alzheimer's and other causes of cognitive decline.

Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office granted U.S. Patent No. 8,133,723, covering Inovio's SynCon® universal vaccine related to H1N1 influenza. The patent granted to the Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania has been licensed exclusively to Inovio under its existing license agreement with the university.

PHILADELPHIA - (February 22, 2012) – When Vascular Magnetics raised $7 million in Series A financing this month, it demonstrated more than the potential of the start-up company’s proprietary, magnetically targeted drug delivery system for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). It also proved the power of Philadelphia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.