ModoScript, founded by College of Arts and Sciences student David Zuleta ’18, is the only student startup selected as a winner in the statewide Medical Device Innovation Challenge (MDIC). Seven ventures, including ModoScript, were selected for the prestigious MDIC acceleration program. Sponsored by Upstate MIND (Medical Innovation and Novel Discovery Center) at the Central New York Biotech Accelerator at Upstate Medical University, the competition was open to inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs who are developing life-changing medical devices and technologies, and need specialized assistance launching them in the marketplace.
The ModoScript team includes, from left to right: Dr. Robert Corona, Samuel Banahene, David Zuleta and Dr. David Amberg.
ModoScript’s Pill-Safe system is a device and software platform for physicians, health insurance providers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare facilities, government agencies and law enforcement organizations aimed at combating and reducing costs associated with prescription drug abuse, patient non-adherence, overdose, under-dose and prescription drug trafficking.
Winners of the MDIC will receive access to Upstate Medical University researchers and equipment, participate in an intensive “Concept to Commercialization Boot Camp” and have access to specialized tools, equipment and space within the Upstate MIND Creation Garage. The program provides intensive coaching from industry experts on how medical devices are designed, regulated and marketed, as well as what inventors need to know about U.S. regulations, the FDA submission process and other topics related to medical device and service commercialization.
Zuleta is completing his degree in neuroscience and biotechnology on the premedical track. ModoScript combines his engineering and project development skills with his knowledge of the medical industry. He worked at SUNY Upstate as an undergraduate, and interacted with physicians, pharmacies, health insurance companies and officers at the National Institute of Health. These experiences in the field convinced him of the need for a device like ModoScript.
“The problem being addressed is the epidemic of prescription drug abuse, which has become the number one cause of accidental death in the United States, with over 60,000 deaths in 2016,” says Zuleta. “The ModoScript Pill-Safe system is designed to cut the cycle leading to prescription drug abuse. Ultimately, ModoScript’s goal is to become the universal platform for general and prescription treatment plans nationwide.”
Zuleta has been working on the venture in conjunction with the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University Libraries, the Student Sandbox and the Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship. ModoScript’s mentors for MDIC are Linda Dickerson Hartsock, executive director of the Blackstone LaunchPad at Syracuse University, and Sean Huckins, who is a researcher, department of neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, who also has a background in industrial design. Terry Brown, executive director of the Falcone Center, is on the ModoScript board of advisors.
Zuleta will be participating in the MDIC accelerator with two Syracuse University team members. Jaysin Lord ’18, lead software engineer, is completing an undergraduate degree in applied mathematics, with approximately 28 collaborative publications. Samuel Banahene ’16 and ’G17, lead mechanical engineer, has degrees in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Jack Rudnick, professor and director of the New York State Science & Technology Law Center at Syracuse University, led the committee of experts that judged MDIC entries, and will provide assistance with intellectual property (IP), patents, licensing and legal issues related to venture development and tech commercialization through the MDIC acceleration program.
Dr. Robert Corona, Upstate’s pathology chair and vice president for innovation and development, adds, “The MDIC is a way to jump start this region’s push into the medical device market. We anticipate that at the end of the program, these start-ups will have determined if their medical device products or services have the commercialized viability, plans and prototype to move into the commercialization stage.”
