Summer Science Activities for Kids: San Diego and Beyond! |  |
| Posted by Mary Canady June 21st, 2012 . | |
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INNOVATION: Finding the way from ordinary to extraordinary |  |
| Posted by Jessica Yingling June 12th, 2012 . | |
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The biggest question in entrepreneurship is how does one take an idea and make it reality, make it something that’s tangible and positively affects an individual and society as a whole. This was the theme at March’s SDBN networking event with Organovo, sponsored by Invetech.
Invetech helps companies translate innovations into breakthrough products. They work with diagnostics, life sciences, medical devices, industrial, consumer and clean-tech industries. Based in Australia, Invetech opened an office in San Diego in 2008 and has worked with a number of local companies including Organovo.
From idea to solutions – focus on the need
From what seems science fiction, Organovo has developed a 3D bioprinting technology that can create fully functional human tissues; winning numerous innovation awards, including recognition by Time and MIT Technology Review. Organovo’s 3D human tissues better recapitulate human biology, a critical need for advancing medical research and improving patient care.
Organovo’s 3D bioprinting platform has built a number of tissue types including blood vessels, lung, liver and kidney tissues, nerve guides and cardiac sheets and patches. The technology is able to architect, without the use of scaffolding, 3 dimensional anatomically correct tissues with integrated microvasculature that can respond to biomechanical and soluble stimuli. This structural organization of the multiple cell types typical to tissue composition results in tissue-level responses and physiologic processes found in native biology.
These tissue constructs have many applications including disease modeling, discovering new drug candidates, testing therapeutics for safety and efficacy and investigating complex human biology questions. Ultimately, this technology offers the opportunity to create tissues used as direct therapies.
Innovation is a team effort
Organovo’s 3D bioprinting technology was pioneered by Professor Gabor Forgacs from the University of Missouri, who is also Organovo’s scientific founder. To advance the technology to a commercial product, Organovo selected Invetech as their technology development partner because of their sophisticated engineering and automation expertise that protected Organovo’s intellectual property, allowing Organovo to focus on its’ key competency in cell biology.
Because 3D bioprinting has so many applications, an important component of Organovo’s strategy resides in developing partner relationships. The company currently has collaborations with multiple pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, and leading research institutions, including Harvard Medical School and the Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine.
Innovation doesn’t just happen in the lab
Organovo recently went public with a $15.2 million private placement and is listed on OTCQB under the symbol “ONVO.” The company was initially funded with angel money and grants.
During this event, Keith Murphy, Chairman and CEO of Organovo, shared some of his insight into the mindset for becoming a successful start-up business owner and what should be part of an entrepreneur’s toolkit.
His tips include:
Watch where you are watching
Invetech shared the story about “The Invisible Gorilla Experiment.” If you have not seen it, click here to view the video and read more about the experiment. Invetech’s point about innovation is to make sure that when you focus on the details, you must also take a step back to focus on the big picture. Otherwise, you may miss something…something that could be the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.
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Invetech will be at Connect with CONNECT on June 21st.
Organovo will be at BIO International Convention in Boston. Organovo currently has open positions.
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San Diego’s Biotechnology Companies: Who’s Taking Off? |  |
| Posted by Lara March 8th, 2012 . | |
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Image Courtesy Flickr User JoF
| Company | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1060 Discovery Engineering | Added | |
| Adnavance | Removed | |
| ALARIS Medical Systems | Removed | Now under Cardinal Health |
| Alere | Added | Acquired Biosite |
| Altair Therapeutics | Removed | Shut down |
| Amira Pharmaceuticals | Removed | Acquired by Bristol-Myers Squibb |
| Amplyx Pharmaceuticals | Added | |
| Aperio | Added | |
| Applied Proteomics | Added | |
| Aragon Pharmaceutical | Added | |
| Astute Medical | Added | BioSite spinoff |
| AvantGen | Added | |
| Avelas Biosciences | Added | |
| Azco Biotech, Inc. | Added | |
| Balboa Bio | Removed | |
| Bio Applied Technologies Joint, Inc. | Added | |
| BioAtla | Added | |
| Biocept | Added | |
| BioLaurus | Added | |
| BioMedica, Inc. | Removed | |
| BioSettia | Added | |
| BioSite | Removed | Acquired by Alere |
| Biotix | Added | |
| BPS Bioscience, Inc | Added | |
| Calmune Corporation | Removed | |
| Carolus Therapeutics | Added | |
| Cebix | Added | |
| Crinetics | Added | Started by ex-Neurocrine employees |
| CryoCor, Inc. | Removed | |
| Diverse Diagnostics | Removed | |
| Dx Innovations | Removed | |
| Elcelyx | Added | |
| Enigma diagnostics | Added | |
| Essentialis | Added | |
| Etaluma | Added | |
| EuMederis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Added | |
| Expedeon | Added | |
| Genetex | Added | |
| Genofi | Added | |
| GenTarget Inc, | Added | |
| GenVault | Added | Existing, missed in original directory |
| Harbor Biosciences | Added | Changed name from Hollis Eden |
| Helixis | Removed | Acquired by Illumina |
| HemaQuest | Added | |
| Hollis-Eden | Removed | Changed name to Harbor Biosciences |
| Iapyx Medical | Removed | |
| Icx Biosystems | Removed | |
| IDM Pharma, Inc. | Removed | Acquired by Takeda 2009 |
| Inception Sciences | Added | Amira spinoff |
| Inhibrx | Added | |
| KFx Medical, Inc. | Removed | |
| Kinagen, Inc. | Added | |
| Kinexis, Inc. | Removed | |
| Kyowa Hakko Kirin California, Inc. | Added | |
| LeGene Biosciences | Added | |
| LiquidGrids | Added | Previously known as Swarmology |
| MabPrex.com | Added | |
| MediVas LLC | Removed | |
| Metabasis Therapeutics, Inc. | Removed | |
| MO BIO Laboratories | Added | Existing company missed in original directory |
| Molecular Response | Added | |
| Mpex Pharmaceuticals | Removed | Name change to Rempex |
| Nacalai usa | Added | |
| NeoMPS, Inc. | Removed | Now part of PolyPeptide Group |
| NeuroGenetic Pharmaceuticals Inc. | Added | |
| Novalar | Removed | |
| Nventa | Removed | Merger with Akela Pharma, Inc March 27, 2008 |
| Oceanside Pharmacuticals | Added | |
| Orbigen | Removed | |
| ORQIS Medical Corporation | Removed | |
| PAGEgel, Inc. | Removed | Merged with Expedeon/Protein Discovery |
| Paramount BioSciences, LLC | Removed | |
| Pegasus Cleanroom Services | Added | |
| Perry Scientific | Removed | Acquired by Absorption Systems |
| Pfenex | Added | |
| PharmaCircle | Added | |
| Phenometrics | Added | |
| Phenomix | Removed | |
| PliCare Therapeutics | Added | |
| ProteinLabs | Added | |
| Rebexsess | Added | |
| Rempex Pharmaceuticals | Added | Name change from Mpex |
| Renascions | Added | |
| SeaSpine | Added | |
| Serametrix | Added | |
| SG Biofuels | Added | |
| SGX Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Removed | As of 2008, acting as subsidiary of Lilly |
| Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center | Removed | |
| Sonexa Therapeutics | Added | |
| SorrentoTherapeutics.com | Added | |
| Sova Pharmaceuticals | Added | |
| Strategic Enzyme Applications | Added | |
| Tanox | Removed | |
| TargeGen, Inc. | Removed | Acquired by Sanofi-Aventis |
| Targeson Inc | Added | |
| Theragence Inc. | Added | |
| TheraKem | Removed | |
| Torrey Path, LLC | Removed | |
| TorreyPines Therapeutics | Removed | |
| TrovaGene | Added | |
| Tulip BioMed, Inc. | Removed | |
| Ultimate Labs | Added | |
| Vasgene | Removed | |
| Verus Pharmaceuticals, Inc | Removed | |
| ViaCyte Technologies: Stem Cell Engineering | Added | |
| VivaMab, LLC | Added | |
| West Wireless Health Institute | Added | |
| Zacharon Pharmaceuticals | Added |
A recent report suggests evidence that the San Diego biotech scene is going strong. Released in December 2011 the Life Sciences Cluster Report by Jones Lang LaSalle rates San Diego #7 in the global biotech clusters. The report examines global locations for viable industry hubs, and defines a “cluster” by a multiple data points including:
Ranking in the top 10 for funding – third in VC and sixth for NIH funding – it seems that the money is rolling in for San Diego. The 97-page study says San Diego’s dense concentration of incubator and start-ups is expected to continue growth in the near future.
Each of the submarkets reviewed – UTC, Torrey Pines, Sorrento Mesa, and Sorrento Valley – experienced growth in 2011, aside from Sorrento Mesa being almost completely leased. The report forecasts continued recovery in rents, vacancies tightening and, due to a lack of new development, re-positioning of older properties to meet demands for higher quality facilities, particularly in Sorrento Mesa.
Additionally, Torrey Pines, San Diego’s largest submarket, has seen a resurgence of growth, with more life science companies acquiring larger spaces. The report states that in 2011 Verenium signed a deal larger than Torrey Pines has seen in two years.
NIH grants have increased 28 percent from 2010 and by 70 percent from 2008. The outlook is sunny for San Diego in 2012, with a continued increase expected in the number of start-ups and dispersal of capital from venture capital and government funds.
A PDF of the complete report can be downloaded here.
Thanks to Flickr user JoF for this image of gliders taking off and landing at Torrey Pines, where many San Diego life science companies also ‘take off.’
More...Building & Leveraging Life Science Networks | |
| Posted by Mary Canady February 24th, 2012 . | |
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Getting a Scientist’s Attention at #SLAS2012 | |
| Posted by Lara February 14th, 2012 . | |
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Now that SLAS 2012 has wrapped up, the question is, amid all of those robotic arms, who truly stood out? We saw some great examples of vendors who were able to draw the crowds, while showcasing some pretty cool technology.
Here’s a list of some great ways to get a scientist’s attention, wonderfully demonstrated by three life science vendors at SLAS 2012.
We hope to see even more engaging tactics by vendors as they continue reaching out to all aspects of a scientist’s interests. Thanks for a great conference and see you next year!
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