Professor Tillman Gerngross

At this fall's Entrepreneurs Forum, the Dartmouth Technology Innovation and Commercialization awards were presented to engineering professor and biotechnology entrepreneur Tillman Gerngross and research physician Michael Sporn, emeritus professor of pharmacology and toxicology at the Geisel School of Medicine.

Eric Fossum, associate provost for entrepreneurship and technology transfer, highlighted Gerngross and Sporn as examples of innovators who are dedicated to improving human health.

"Our awards highlight individuals who, through their inventive and entrepreneurial talents, have made strong contributions to Dartmouth and society," Fossum said. "Honestly, it was an easy choice in selecting Tillman and Michael. I am amazed by their energy, productivity, and success, and I am proud to have them as colleagues at Dartmouth."

Traditionally, the Dartmouth Entrepreneurs Forum has been a one-day event held each fall in San Francisco, but due to the pandemic, the Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship shifted to a virtual forum featuring 25 online events spread over the month of September. The all-online month of events attracted more than 1,000 registrants and included 138 alumni contributors. The roster of speakers and attendees came from across the country and from more than 21 countries.

Gerngross has founded many companies in the medical field, most recently Adagio Therapeutics, which is beginning clinical trials of antibodies engineered to protect against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.