Biochemist named to National Academy of Inventors
Xuedong Liu of Ƶ Boulder is one of 170 ‘exceptional inventors’ who are helping to ‘propel us into the future,’ academy says
Xuedong Liu, a University of Colorado Boulder professor of biochemistry, has been named a member of the 2024 Class of Fellows by the, the group recently announced.
Liu is one of an elected group of 170 “exceptional inventors” honored in 2024.
The 2024 cohort of fellows exemplifies the academy’s belief that groundbreaking innovation knows no bounds and inventors can be found everywhere, the NAI said, adding that the honorees represent 39 U.S. states and 12 countries.
Xuedong Liu, a Ƶ Boulder professor of biochemistry, has been named a member of the 2024 Class of Fellows by the National Academy of Inventors.
“This year’s class of NAI Fellows represents a truly impressive caliber of inventors. Each of these individuals are tackling real-world issues and creating solutions that propel us into the future. Through their work, they are making significant contributions to science, creating lasting societal impact and growing the economy,” said Paul Sanberg, NIA president.
He added: “NAI Fellows as a whole are a driving force of innovation, generating crucial advancements across scientific disciplines and creating tangible impacts as they move their technologies from lab to marketplace.”
Liu’s laboratory works to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying cell-cell communication. Aberrations of normal signaling networks can lead to human diseases such as cancer. The Liu laboratory is developing novel therapeutic solutions for treating cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Liu is co-founder of OnKure Therapeutics (Nasdaq: OKUR) and founder of Vesicle Therapeutics. His lab discovered and patented a profile-specific histone deacetylase inhibitor, which has entered phase II clinical trials, and a new type of drug delivery system.
He received his PhD in genetics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1994 and was a National Institutes of Health and Department of Defense postdoctoral fellow at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Liu joined the Ƶ Boulder faculty in 2000 and won the university’s Inventor of the Year Award in 2013.
"I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” Liu said. “This accolade not only validates the impact of our team's work but also highlights the indispensable contributions of my trainees, collaborators, colleagues and co-founders over the years. More than a personal milestone, it is a testament to the collective effort and dedication that have driven our innovations in tackling challenging problems. Additionally, this accomplishment reflects the entrepreneurial spirit cultivated by Venture Partners at our university, whose support has been essential.”
The 2024 Class of Fellows will be honored and presented their medals by a senior official of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) at theon June 26 in Atlanta.
The NAI Fellows Program was established to highlight academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
The NAI Fellows Program has2,068 fellowsworldwide, representing more than300 universities and governmental and nonprofit research institutes.Collectively, the Fellows hold more than68,000 issued U.S. patents, which have generated more than 20,000 licensed technologies, 4,000 companiesand created more than1.2 million jobs. In addition, more than$3.2 trillion in revenuehas been generated based on NAI Fellow discoveries, the academy said.
Among all NAI Fellows, there aremore than170presidents and senior leaders of research universities, governmental and nonprofit research institutes; about755members of the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine; about63inductees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame;70recipients of the U.S. National Medal of Technology and Innovation and U.S. National Medal of Science; and57Nobel Laureates.
Theis the highest professional distinction awarded solely to academic inventors. The full list of 2024 Fellows can be found.
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