Dr. Laura James, a Professor of Pediatrics at UAMS and Director of the Translational Research Institute, co-founded Acetaminophen Toxicity Diagnostics (ATD) alongside Dr. Jack Henson and Dean Roberts. ATD emerged from their research on acetaminophen-induced liver injury, leading to the development of a novel assay that detects acetaminophen protein adducts in blood. Unlike traditional ALT/AST liver enzyme tests, which indicate general liver injury, ATD’s assay specifically identifies acetaminophen toxicity, aiding in rapid diagnosis and treatment. The startup leveraged NIH STTR grants to commercialize its discovery while allowing Dr. James to balance her clinical, research, and entrepreneurial roles.

She highlights the importance of collaborations in their startup’s success, particularly ATD’s partnership with the Acute Liver Failure Study Group, funded by the NIH. The discussion emphasizes the role of translational research in bridging experimental findings with real-world medical applications, highlighting the significance of commercialization in advancing healthcare solutions. Dr. James also shares insights on persistence in biomedical startups, the importance of intellectual property management, and the need for open mindedness to unexpected opportunities in research and entrepreneurship.