MUSC dedicates the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences

CHARLESTON, SC – The Medical University of South Carolina(MUSC) has dedicated the Zucker Institute for Applied Neurosciences (ZIAN), a research and development center aimed at fast-tracking the creation of new devices, instruments and other innovations for patients seeking treatment for neurological disorders.

ZIAN grew out of several patient-care experiences within the family of the late Jerry Zucker, founder of The InterTech Group, and Sunil Patel, M.D., MUSC Department of Neurosurgery chairman. One such pivotal experience involved Zucker’s brain tumor diagnosis in 2006 and subsequent treatment by Patel. During the course of his treatment, the two men shared their mutual frustration with the failure of medical research to produce tangible patient-care innovations in a timely manner. What was needed, they agreed, was a shorter, stronger link between research and patient care.

Shortly after Zucker passed away in 2008, his wife, Anita, met with Patel to talk about ways they might work together to end the type of neurological ailments that claimed her husband’s life. The discussion led to the Zucker family’s decision to fund ZIAN.

The process of bringing new medical products to market typically involves a broad spectrum of researchers, inventors, engineers, attorneys, investors and business-development experts, often working independently in different locations. By bringing these individuals and processes under one organizational umbrella, ZIAN streamlines the amount of time needed to develop a new product and bring it to market.

MUSC President and surgical oncologist David J. Cole, M.D., said that the proximity afforded by the ZIAN model makes it a powerful asset in the quest to bring rapid improvements to patient care.

“The fact that you can have a neurosurgeon who might have a bad day in the operating room and come out of that with an idea, maybe out of frustration, and can work side-by-side with an engineer and within 24 hours have a 3-D printout of a new instrument and a new approach –that’s a strength,” Cole said.

As part of the dedication ceremony, ZIAN officials reported on its first patented and licensed product, a minimally invasive spine surgery implant called Sinu-LOKTM designed to solve a common problem in minimally invasive thoracolumbar spine surgery procedures.

The licensing of Sinu- LOKTM is a key milestone for ZIAN, said Ted Bird, the institute’s chief operating officer. “This license validates our unique technology acceleration model and demonstrates our ability to develop, patent, and commercialize valuable health care ideas from MUSC.”

ZIAN has seven additional active projects in the areas of concussion detection, neurovascular cranial access systems, brain tumors, spine surgery, intra-operative neuro-monitoring, and general surgical devices, as well as a healthy pipeline of potential projects currently being reviewed.

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (a National Cancer Institute designated center) Level I Trauma Center and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visitmuschealth.org.