PITT NAMES NEW HEAD FOR OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 16 -- Christopher C. Capelli, MD, has been named director of technology management at the University of Pittsburgh, effective March 1, 2001. He succeeds Arthur A. Boni, who is retiring from the University on that date.

Capelli joined the Pitt Office of Technology Management in September 1999 as technology licensing manager. In that capacity, he has been one of the lead negotiators in the licensing activities of the University.

A 1982 graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) with a

BS degree in mechanical engineering, Capelli earned his MD from the University of Wisconsin Medical School in 1989, and he has a medical license in the State of Wisconsin. He has been involved with high-technology startup companies both as a scientist and as a businessman since graduating from MIT. As a result of his scientific work, Capelli holds over 20 patents and patent applications worldwide, and he has been involved directly in the startup of numerous biomedical company ventures.

"Technology transfer is a major area of emphasis for the University of Pittsburgh, and Dr. Capelli has the combination of education and experience that will allow him to build on the foundation that has been established by Art Boni. We are confident that our ever growing efforts in this endeavor will result in significant benefits, not only for the University, but also for the entire region," Pitt Provost James V. Maher said.

Maher added that the University expects to see a number of products originating in its laboratories coming to market in the coming years.

Boni established the Office of Technology Management when he joined Pitt in 1996. His appointment reflected the major commitment made by the University to exploit the commercial potential of its scientific discoveries and to make a significant contribution to the economic development of the region. During the five years that Boni served as director, a number of achievements occurred. Invention disclosures and patents tripled, the University entered into over 100 licenses and options for its technologies with corporate partners, and an equity portfolio of 16 startup and emerging companies has been developed. Additionally, the Office of Technology Management, in partnership with the Katz Graduate School of Business, launched a new program -- Katz Tech Fellows -- to assist emerging technology-based companies with MBA-trained technology management expertise.

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