Every successful startup begins with an entrepreneurial mind. For Aliasger Salem, that mindset has fueled not just one, but two businesses—both of which have completed the prestigious NSF I-Corps program. His driving force? A commitment to innovation that creates a lasting impact on communities and society.

Salem, who has been at the University of Iowa for more than 20 years, currently serves as the Lyle and Sharon Bighley endowed chair of pharmaceutical sciences, professor of pharmaceutical sciences in the College of Pharmacy, and associate vice president for research in the Office of the Vice President of Research. 

It was a boost from the University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (Iowa JPEC) and the NSF I-Corps program that advanced two of his ventures—S5G Therapeutics and Petrost Therapeutics. 

“A benefit of going through the I-Corps program is that you develop knowledge of the market and market potential that can improve the quality of your pitches,” Salem said.

S5G Therapeutics develops therapeutics to treat corneal diseases, Petrost Therapeutics is a company that facilitates bone regeneration in bone defects or damaged bone.

Before S5G and Petrost participated in NSF I-Corps, they enjoyed success at Innovation Challenge, a competition hosted by Iowa JPEC. S5G won first place and $25,000 at Innovation Challenge in 2022, the same year it was named Startup Technology Company of the Year from Technology Association of Iowa at the Prometheus Awards. Petrost won first place and $25,000 at Innovation Challenge in 2023. 

“As you develop a technology and need resources to develop it further, you could do the Innovation Challenge competition,” Salem said. “As you are showing success there, you can go into the I-Corps program to develop it further. Both programs have merit.”

The NSF I-Corps program provided essential training to key individuals within the companies founded by Salem, offering insights into the potential utility and market viability of their therapies. This hands-on approach reinforced the feasibility of translating the product into real-world applications. Having previously participated in the program with another venture, Salem recognizes its value in refining business and development strategies. He also sees how the program’s approach supports innovation and commercialization in biotechnology.

“The National Science Foundation is interested in the broader impacts of the work that it funds in terms of how working to commercialize technologies will get those technologies into the marketplace,” Salem said. “I believe that fits into the broader impacts category, and that is the category the National Science Foundation wants to be part of in terms of having an impact on the work it funds and stimulating the economies of the areas it funds.”

Salem earned an undergraduate degree in applied chemistry at Aston University in Birmingham, England and a doctorate in pharmacy at the University of Nottingham in England. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, before coming to the University of Iowa. 

At Iowa, Salem has mentored 47 Ph.D. students from across campus in the disciplines of chemistry, chemical and biomedical engineering, medicine, public health, dentistry, and a majority in pharmacy. 

“Every single student I have had has gone on to find a great position, either in academia, industry, or government,” Salem said.

The lasting ripple effect of Salem’s work extends beyond the lab, shaping not only the future of medicine, but also the economy and the next generation of innovators. From developing groundbreaking therapies that improve patient outcomes to creating jobs and strengthening the local economy, every success story reinforces the significance of these efforts. Perhaps most inspiring is the opportunity to train future leaders in the sciences, equipping them with the skills to drive innovation forward.

“A rewarding aspect of the work we do is when we see a positive impact in the broader community and society,” Salem said.

The final spring four-session NSF I-Corps Workshop begins April 4. To learn more and apply, click HERE.