# Discovery to Commercialization Program for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (D2C: SAPT)

> **NIH NIH UE5** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $345,276

## Abstract

Project Summary
 There has been critical underinvestment in Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) and continuing to rely on
the same approaches is not working. In this proposal, we actively seek to support disruptive innovations to
stem the rising tide of SUDs and stimulate progress. Such disruptions are most likely to come from those
actively engaged in treating and advancing knowledge of SUDs. But many in a position to do so are not aware
of or see value in discovery commercialization. Our overarching goals are to have more basic scientists think
like entrepreneurs and to have access to the resources they need to engage in the commercialization
processes. Through our proposed tasks, we will develop and deliver entrepreneurship education that is curated
for basic science researchers, empowering them with the tools they need to commercialize their discoveries,
disruptively innovate, and advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of SUDs.
 The Discovery to Commercialization Program for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
(D2C: SAPT) curriculum will be systematically developed, implemented, and evaluated during this 5-year grant
period. The cornerstone of the proposed initiative is a new Certificate in Entrepreneurship at the Johns
Hopkins University Carey Business School (Aim 2). This program will leverage our experience in teaching
entrepreneurship to scientists at Johns Hopkins and be customized to SUD researchers. The asynchronous
online modules developed for the certificate program will be distributed widely (Aim 1), and through our
educational efforts we will intentionally build (Aim 3) and diversify (Aim 4) the community that can support
translation of discovery to market and impact SUDs.
 This will be a specialized program for SUD researchers aimed at scientists at all career levels that is
grounded in theoretical frameworks and complemented by professional education related to entrepreneur
identity formation and community building. D2C: SAPT will comprise three parts: asynchronous modules
consisting of topics in ideation, market discovery, intellectual property, regulatory strategy, business, and
financial modeling, an in-person multi-day workshop comprising observations in SUD clinics, conversations
with stakeholders, design, and prototyping, and a mentored experiential learning component culminating in a
pitch competition. Program graduates will be equipped to apply for translational funding, patents, and to license
intellectual property or launch companies. More broadly, they will be part of a large virtual community of
researchers and practitioners and will play a role in transforming the culture of academic scientists. With a
keen understanding of the gaps that exist in the SUD field, the types of innovations that are possible, and the
process needed to train scientists in moving their discoveries to market, this training program will have
substantial public health impact by facilitating the launch of projects that move clinical p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10524311
- **Project number:** 1UE5DA056878-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kelly E Dunn
- **Activity code:** UE5 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $345,276
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-15 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10524311

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10524311, Discovery to Commercialization Program for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment (D2C: SAPT) (1UE5DA056878-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10524311. Licensed CC0.

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