Chemistry Student Breaks University Patent-Pending Record

Tony Hoang, Ph.D. chemistry candidate. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

ALBANY, N.Y. (December 13, 2016) – Tony Hoang, a Ph.D. chemistry candidate, will launch his biotech startup this month with six pending utility patents.

That number breaks the University at Albany student record.

His startup, Advanced Modular Instruments (AMI), is a scientific accessory company which provides fast and efficient tools to enhance research in biology and chemistry labs. All six patents (five U.S., one international) are for technologies that will be sold through the business.

“It has been a long process, but I am excited to finally be able to share my inventions with scientists who can benefit from them,” Hoang said. “We want our customers to have a fast, cost-effective and hassle-free research experience.”

For Hoang, the company’s launch, and patent-pending record, adds to an impressive resume of entrepreneurial success he’s built over the last eight months at the University.

It started in April, when Hoang won $17,000 through UAlbany’s first Blackstone LaunchPad business competition. He was then invited to pitch his company at the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit, which was attended by Ashton Kutcher, amongst several other high-profile venture capitalists.

Hoang has developed AMI under the guidance of Jan Woodcock, who directs UAlbany’s Blackstone LaunchPad, a free campus-based program designed to support students, staff and alumni entrepreneurs.

Hoang recently attended the 2016 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit in Boston.

Additionally, he’s taken advantage of mentorship from University researchers at The RNA Institute, and Health Sciences Campus, along with life sciences entrepreneurship expert Stephanie Black.

Theresa Walker, UAlbany’s Assistant Vice President for Research and Director of Innovation Development and Commercialization, has also worked with Hoang to secure funding through the University for each of his six patent applications.

“When I first arrived at UAlbany, AMI was just an idea. I never expected to create a business from it,” Hoang said. “I can’t express enough how thankful I am for the student entrepreneurship opportunities available on campus. My company would not be launching without the University’s backing.”

Hoang said the provisional process for each patent will take up to one year. However, he plans to start selling his technologies much sooner. In fact, he’s already in talks with several scientists who are interested in testing AMI’s prototypes and potentially purchasing them.

Following graduation, Hoang is preparing to pursue AMI full-time. Until then, he will continue to take advantage of the University’s resources and encourages other students interested in becoming entrepreneurs to do the same.

“I know a lot of students have really good ideas, but do not know how to commercialize. That’s the whole purpose of Blackstone LaunchPad,” Hoang said. “UAlbany has the resources in place to guide student business ideas. Blackstone will help you make the connections necessary.”

To learn more about Hoang, view this profile story on his company. You can also visit UAlbany’s Blackstone LaunchPad online, or email Jan Woodcock, for additional information on the program.

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