In this role, Adrian will expand strategic partnerships between UC Davis Health and industry, accelerating the co-development of human health innovations that improve patient care while generating financial returns that can be reinvested in the institution’s clinical care, research and education mission. Adrian will connect UC Davis researchers, clinicians, and innovators with companies to advance co-product development, industry-sponsored research and licensing opportunities, working in close collaboration with existing UC Davis offices that support research partnerships, technology transfer and corporate engagement.
A key priority will be helping establish a UC Davis Health Clinical Test Bed, enabling companies to collaborate with faculty and clinicians to develop and validate emerging technologies in a real-world clinical environment.
UC Davis Health Ventures appoints Troels Adrian as Director of Industry Engagement
His work will also help strengthen industry engagement at Aggie Square, the innovation district anchored by UC Davis on the university’s Sacramento campus. Aggie Square brings together researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs and companies to accelerate interdisciplinary research translation across human health, animal health, agriculture, food and health, engineering, and other fields where scientific convergence drives real-world impact.
“Troels brings a unique combination of global business development experience and deep regional relationships,” said Don Taylor, chief ventures officer at UC Davis Health Ventures. “His leadership will help expand industry partnerships, strengthen the innovation ecosystem around Aggie Square, and accelerate the translation of UC Davis discoveries into solutions that benefit patients and support UC Davis Health’s strategy to diversify and grow new revenue streams.”
“The UC Davis Health Clinical Test Bed will create a structured environment where companies can work directly with our clinicians and researchers to develop, evaluate and validate emerging health technologies in real world care settings,” said Ron Amodeo, chief strategy officer, UC Davis Health. “Troels’ experience building industry partnerships will be instrumental in bringing the right collaborators into that environment and accelerating the translation of innovation into clinical impact.”
Adrian joins UC Davis from the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, where he served as executive vice president and helped build an industry-focused business development practice that supported more than 80 companies and contributed to the creation of over 9,200 jobs across the region. During his tenure, the organization was recognized as the 2025 Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council.
“UC Davis Health is one of the most important innovation engines in the region,” said Adrian. “I look forward to working with faculty, clinicians and industry partners to expand collaboration and help bring more UC Davis discoveries into the world.”
UC Davis will continue working closely with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council on regional economic development and industry engagement initiatives, including efforts to attract and grow innovative companies connected to Aggie Square and the broader Sacramento innovation ecosystem.
“The Greater Sacramento Economic Council continues to be an important partner in advancing the region’s innovation economy,” said George Baxter, chief innovation and economic development officer at UC Davis. “We look forward to continuing that collaboration as Aggie Square grows as a hub for research, entrepreneurship and industry partnerships.”
Before joining the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, Adrian led economic development initiatives for the City of Portland, Oregon, focused on attracting and growing globally competitive industries. His work supported the creation of more than 4,400 jobs and strengthened the city’s international trade efforts. Earlier in his career, he held economic development roles in the Atlanta region and worked in community development at CAMBA, a nonprofit organization in New York City.
Adrian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and two master’s degrees: a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech. He lives in Sacramento with his wife and two sons.
About UC Davis Health Ventures UC Davis Health Ventures is the human health innovation and commercialization hub within the Innovation and Economic Development Office. Based at Aggie Square, it connects researchers, clinicians, investors, and industry partners to accelerate the development of human health-focused discoveries into market-ready solutions. Health Ventures oversees a collaborative network supporting translational funding programs, industry partnerships, intellectual property commercialization and operates a dedicated Health Venture Studio and Fund. By fostering collaboration across campus and the Sacramento region, it helps advance breakthrough technologies from the lab to the real world.
