19 May How Wisconsin ingenuity is shaping the future
Kevin Conroy, Chairman and CEO, Exact Sciences
By Kevin Conroy, Chairman and CEO, Exact Sciences
Innovation results from deliberate effort, strategic investments and collaboration. For the past 100 years, the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) has fostered an environment that drives innovation forward. By turning groundbreaking research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison into real-world applications, WARF has advanced science and created economic opportunities that reach far beyond Wisconsin.
As the independent tech transfer office for UW-Madison, WARF’s value extends beyond the patents it manages. It has created a sustainable cycle of innovation. WARF reinvests its resources into university research, supports infrastructure like the University Research Park and builds connections between the university, private companies and investors. These efforts attract talented researchers and entrepreneurs to Madison and create a place where big ideas flourish. This approach sets Wisconsin apart from other regions—it’s not just about ideas; it’s about transforming them into something meaningful.
I first encountered WARF as a lawyer at GE Healthcare, negotiating a license agreement with the University of Wisconsin. I quickly saw how WARF facilitated collaborations between the university and companies like GE, creating innovations that have fundamentally changed health care. Later, at Third Wave Technologies, I experienced firsthand how WARF’s support helped turn lesser-known scientific discoveries into transformative technologies. Without WARF’s initial funding and commitment to commercialization, companies like Third Wave—and later, Exact Sciences—wouldn’t have had the foundation to succeed.
For example, a variation of an enzyme discovered by Jim Dahlberg became part of the cervical cancer test developed at Third Wave. At Exact Sciences, we modify that enzyme using an advanced and improved method. Innovation building on innovation is now part of every Cologuard® test, which screened over 19 million people for colorectal cancer. WARF helps connect discoveries in the lab to the resources and partners needed to make a difference in people’s lives.