Mike Keymer
Managing Director
Topspin Labs
Technology executive skilled at using unique early-stage venture capital models to commercialize internal corporate IP for new markets.
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Biography
Mike Keymer is an engineer and business leader with broad experience helping small companies grow and thrive. As Manager of the New Ventures practice at Right Start Consulting, Mike has helped many startups and early-stage companies with strategy, IP, sales & marketing, product development, and financing needs. In 2013, Mike co-founded Topspin Labs, a business incubator focused on helping established companies commercialize their technologies for new markets by founding new startups to pursue those opportunities.
Mike currently holds the position of CEO of Origent Data Sciences, a DC-based healthtech startup focused on revolutionizing drug development for neurological disorders like ALS, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Mike is formerly the Vice President of Operations for Gannon Technologies Group, a high-tech R&D firm serving various federal government clients, and Litigation Systems Inc., which he led through a turnaround to profitability. Mike holds engineering degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Experience
Managing Director
Topspin Labs
May 2013 - present
CEO
Origent Data Sciences
September 2013 - present
Principal
Right Start Capital Partners
June 2012 - present
Education
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor's Degree
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Master's Degree
Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
Other
Publications
Predicting Disease Progression in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology
September 2016
Objective
It is essential to develop predictive algorithms for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) disease progression to allow for efficient clinical trials and patient care. The best existing predictive models rely on several months of baseline data and have only been validated in clinical trial research datasets. We asked whether a model developed using clinical research patient data could be applied to the broader ALS population typically seen at a tertiary care ALS clinic.
Methods
Based on the PRO-ACT ALS database, we developed random forest (RF), pre-slope, and generalized linear (GLM) models to test whether accurate, unbiased models could be created using only baseline data. Secondly, we tested whether a model could be validated with a clinical patient dataset to demonstrate broader applicability.
Results
We found that a random forest model using only baseline data could accurately predict disease progression for a clinical trial research dataset as well as a population of patients being treated at a tertiary care clinic. The RF Model outperformed a pre-slope model and was similar to a GLM model in terms of root mean square deviation at early time points. At later time points, the RF Model was far superior to either model. Finally, we found that only the RF Model was unbiased and was less subject to overfitting than either of the other two models when applied to a clinic population.
Interpretation
We conclude that the RF Model delivers superior predictions of ALS disease progression.
Topspin Labs is a spinoff incubator - we work with existing companies who have developed IP and used it in-house, but that also has tangential market opportunities that the parent company is not able to pursue. That situation often arises because the parent company is resource constrained, or lacks expertise in the new market, or is not organized in a way that allows it to effectively pursue the opportunity. A classic example of this situation might be a small government contractor performing R&D for Government customers - they may retain the rights to commercialize the IP they develop, but are organized to be a successful R&D services company, not a successful software products company.
Topspin Labs’ Turnkey Startup partnership approach helps companies innovate by incubating new ventures in a safe environment, protecting the parent company’s ongoing operations from the distractions inherent in new startups. Our approach helps established companies pursue new venture opportunities without wavering from their focus on running and growing their core business.
In our Turnkey Startup program, Topspin Labs partners with companies to pursue new opportunities in a cooperative way. Topspin Labs partners with innovative technology companies to co-launch stand alone business ventures dedicated to pursuing specific market opportunities. We incubate these new startup companies, developing sustainable business models while removing venture risks. We identify and execute long-term capital-raising strategies that are most advantageous to a new venture’s prosperity. We place the best leaders at the helm to ensure a successful launch and future growth.
The general deal structure involves partnering to form a new company to pursue the tangential market opportunity. The parent company provides technology and technology expertise. Topspin Labs provides management expertise to staff and launch the company. Both Topspin and the parent contribute seed capital and share equity in a way that aligns the incentives of both founding parties. In addition to conventional incubator benefits like office space, infrastructure, and administrative support, Topspin Labs’ spinoff companies also benefit from a wide range of commercial services and business development support provided by our internal team of experienced professionals. These services help ensure that each incubated company starts off in the right direction beginning immediately upon its formation.
At Topspin Labs, we are committed to engaging in interest-aligned partnerships that share common risks and rewards. Our partners’ trust in us is our greatest asset and our shared success is our highest objective.
