Friday, July 30, 2010

CBSA Video Recap Now Posted: 7/28 CEO BioBreakfast With Drs Larry Gold and Bill Freytag, plus Mr. Patrick Mahaffy

Drs. Bill Freytag and Larry Gold, plus Mr. Patrick Mahaffy (L-R) explained what propelled them to grow successful bioscience companies and become leaders of the industry at the CBSA's July BioBreakfast event. Starting any business requires determination, self-discipline, persistence, a high tolerance for risk and a willingness to work very long hours. Starting a bioscience company with the goal of gaining FDA approval for a new drug or medical device requires incredible perseverance and an awful lot of money.

Thank you to the Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and OSI Pharmaceuticals for sponsoring! Video recaps are now available at the CBSA YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/COBioscience

Dr. Bill Freytag serves as a member of the board of directors for four health care companies: ARCA biopharma, Inc.; GlobeImmune, Inc.; ProFoldRx, Inc., and BiOptix Inc. Dr. Freytag was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aspreva Pharmaceuticals until its merger with Galenica AG. Prior to Aspreva, Dr. Freytag was President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Myogen, Inc. until it was acquired by Gilead.



"It's All About Good Science" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z93Hs9vjRFA

"Triaging A New Idea" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shPyVed8jU0

"On Mistakes" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4d-SBbrEA78

"On Regrets" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgPXB2WC8og

"Best Piece Of Advice" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scY7MLQFmdo

Dr. Larry Gold is the founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SomaLogic. Prior to SomaLogic, he founded NeXagen, Inc., which later became NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.



"Focusing On Early Detection" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppI4HkG2dwU

"On Genomics" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nHUdZjumIU

"Don't Fall In Love With Your Idea" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gAttLxvDf4

"On Best Advice From A Venture Capitalist" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7bbwMvflwM

"On Teamwork" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa-SQXu4mio

Mr. Patrick Mahaffy co-founded Clovis Oncology and is its President and Chief Executive Officer. Previously, he served in the same role at Pharmion Corporation, which he founded in 2000. Prior to that, Mr. Mahaffy wasPresident and Chief Executive Officer of NeXagen, Inc. and its successor, NeXstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Today he is also a member of the boards of directors of Orexigen Therapeutics, Inc. and Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.



"This Is Not An Industry For Shortcuts" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTx2B5dLiUs

"Shortcut Horror Story" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxm_y1U1O5U

"It's A Game of Incremental Steps" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgrL3kf2tns

"More On Idea Triage" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kv8ptIDIxo

"My Biggest Struggle" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wqX4tSG-7Y

"What Keeps Me Motivated" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0Zq56ppsOI

"I Don't Live In A Regret World" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWW1uzxSJYw

"On Current Funding Situation" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TQqAsiiQOE

Clean Over Green: A Podcast from Planet-Profit Report Recapping 7/29 CCIA Event

Mike Cote, editor of Planet-Profit Report and ColoradoBiz, talks with Dr. Joseph Stanislaw, independent senior adviser on energy and sustainability for Deloitte. Dr. Stanislaw (pictured at left) was recently in Denver to present a talk to the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on 'Clean over Green,' and the growing global approach to energy, sustainability and a low-carbon future.

Link to the podcast interview

Link to the pdf "Clean Over Green Striking a New Energy Balance as We Build a Bridge to a Low-Carbon Future"

We hope to offer video of Dr. Stanislaw's presentation at the CCIA You Tube Channel a future date. Stay tuned for more information.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

CCIA's vision to take the group regional

ColoradoBiz/Planet-Profit Report Editor Mike Cote talks with Chris Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, about plans to take the group regional.



Link to the ColoradoBiz/Planet-Profit Report site

Monday, July 26, 2010

This week: CBSA's popular BioBreakfast series features three CEO entrepreneurs

Each year the CBSA dedicates one BioBreakfast to spotlighting an article within the annual Bioscience Colorado Magazine. This year's program is one you can't afford to miss. Listen as Dr. Larry Gold, Dr. Bill Freytag and Patrick Mahaffy explain what propelled them to grow successful bioscience companies and become leaders of the industry.

Starting any business requires determination, self-discipline, persistence, a high tolerance for risk and a willingness to work very long hours. Starting a bioscience company with the goal of gaining FDA approval for a new drug or medical device requires incredible perseverance and an awful lot of money. Behind every Colorado bioscience company are men and women who have embraced these challenges and took them on with a zeal that not everyone possesses.

Wednesday, Jul 28, 2010 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Anschutz Medical Campus - Research Complex 2 - 12700 East 19th Avenue - TriVisible Room, Second Floor, P15-2100 - Aurora, CO 80045

CBSA members are free: non-yet members are $50 per registrant.

Thank you to the Colorado Science + Technology Park at Fitzsimons, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson and OSI Pharmaceuticals for sponsoring this event!

Link to register

July CBSA Focus: Boettcher Foundation Honors Inaugural Class of Investigators

"In 2008 the Boettcher Foundation, an institutional pillar of scholarship advancement in Colorado, was entrusted with the assets of the Webb-Waring Foundation. Staying true to the goals and legacy of the Webb and Waring families, and recognizing that innovation is the lifeblood of the life sciences industry, the Boettcher Foundation’s trustees and institutional partners deliberated for over two years on the best way to address the need for continued advancement in human health as well as the careers of young scientists.

The result was an innovative agreement between the Boettcher Foundation, the Webb-Waring Foundation for Biomedical Research and the University of Colorado, creating a new funding area that will support the work of early-career investigators in the biomedical field."

Link to the July CBSA Focus pdf - go to pages 3 & 4

Friday, July 23, 2010

July Issue: Focus Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

Letter from the President

Theodorescu to Lead UCCC

CAN Update

Boettcher Investigaors Honored

BioBusiness Solutions

BioWest Conference

Link to the Newsletter pdf

NATUREJobs.com -- Mile-high dreams

“'Because we have only a handful of venture capitalists in Colorado, most of our companies have to go out of state to raise capital,' says Denise Brown, interim executive director of the Colorado BioScience Association. 'And that's a little hard, because investors like to be geographically close to their companies.' Denver's geographical isolation from big population centres on the nation's coastlines can be a hindrance. 'What we lack is critical mass, which is enjoyed by the tier-one sectors,' says Brown, referring to places such as San Diego and Boston.

What Denver lacks in capital, it makes up for in innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, say some resident scientists. Bioscience company creation and employment growth in the past five years exceeded the national average, according to statistics compiled by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. And the public universities are doing a good job of fostering innovation. According to Brown, of the 20–25 new companies every year in Colorado, 75% are formed to develop university-based technologies. Colorado's 400 bioscience companies employ approximately 18,000 people statewide."

Link to NATUREJobs.com

Friday, July 16, 2010

DBJ Exclusive: "‘Fund of funds’ a top priority as Baumunk takes over CBSA"

"Holli Baumunk took over as president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) on July 12. She already was familiar with the state’s biotech drug and medical device companies from working as vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.

A top priority of her first year will be working on creating a “fund of funds,” designed to supply capital to private venture funds investing in startup companies that commercialize Colorado technologies in the biotech drug, medical device, biofuel and clean technology fields. An industry road map prepared for the CBSA in 2008 recommended pushing for a $250 million “fund of funds” similar to ones in other states that use money from state employee pension funds and other investors."

Link to Greg Avery's profile of Holli Baumunk in today's DBJ

Monday, July 12, 2010

Sheila M. Balzer, CPA, Named Director of the Colorado Society of CPAs

"DENVER, July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Sheila M. Balzer, CPA, Partner of Denver CPA Firm Holben Hay Balzer (HHB), has been appointed to a two-year term as a Director on the Board of the Colorado Society of CPAs (CSCPA). Her term began May 1, 2010. The announcement is made by William Holben, CPA, Managing Partner of HHB, who says, "Sheila had been with Husman & Company since 1994, prior to its merger with our firm in 2001. She specializes in audits for credit unions, pension plans, not-for-profits and family-owned businesses; plus taxation."

Further, Balzer has been a CSCPA member since 1997. She is Past Chair of the Society's Careers in Accounting Committee, member of the Leadership Council, and Past President of the Educational Foundation. Balzer is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy."


Link to DenverPost.com

Holben Hay Balzer Partner Sheila M. Balzer, CPA, Named Director of the Colorado Society of CPAs

Sheila M. Balzer, CPA, Partner of Denver CPA Firm Holben Hay Balzer (HHB), has been appointed to a two-year term as a Director on the Board of the Colorado Society of CPAs (CSCPA). Her term began May 1, 2010. The announcement is made by William Holben, CPA, Managing Partner of HHB, who says, “Sheila had been with Husman & Company since 1994, prior to its merger with our firm in 2001. She specializes in audits for credit unions, pension plans, not-for-profits and family-owned businesses; plus taxation.”

Further, Balzer has been a CSCPA member since 1997. She is Past Chair of the Society’s Careers in Accounting Committee, member of the Leadership Council, and Past President of the Educational Foundation. Balzer is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Denver with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Accountancy.

“Having been an active member with the CSCPA for well over a decade, I’m looking forward to serving on the board. The Society has been instrumental in furthering both my career and professionalism over the years, and I’m very pleased to be able to be able to give back by participating on its leadership team,” Balzer explains.

Link to the PR Newswire

Link to the PR Web Newswire

Friday, July 09, 2010

New Ernst & Young Data - Cleantech Matters: The Rising Influence of Corporations on Cleantech Growth

SPEAKERS at July 8 CCIA member education event: Leaders from Ernst & Young’s Assurance Services groups in Denver and Houston led the discussion.

Lisa Shepard – Partner, Assurance Services

Milan Hall – Senior Manager, Assurance Services

BACKGROUND: Will corporations lead cleantech out of the "valley of death?" - Despite the enthusiastic support for cleantech from governments and large companies all over the world, the journey for a cleantech product from prototype to commercial scale remains so difficult that many in the industry have taken to calling it "the valley of death."

How will the industry escape this predicament? Part of the answer may be new financing and corporate partnership models that satisfy the funding requirements of a capital intensive industry as an acceptable level of risk for investors.

Corporations are being driven to implement a resource-efficiency agenda based on cleantech to improve operations and reduce costs, respond to climate change, achieve sustainability goals, generate revenue, decrease dependency on fossil fuels and comply with current and anticipated regulations. With such compelling motivation, will corporations lead the way in providing financing to bring clean technologies to commercial deployment?

Introduction and CCIA overview by Exec Director Christine Shapard at the CCIA YouTube Channel:

Ernst & Young's Lisa Shepard and Milan Hall - First 10 minutes of presentation at the CCIA YouTube Channel:


Links to helpful E&Y support materials:

Ernst & Young: Cleantech Matters - The rising influence of corporations on cleantech growth - Slides: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/CleantechMattersSlides.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Cleantech Matters - Influence of Corporations on Cleantech Growth: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/cleantechmatterspublication.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Cleantech Matters - The Future of Energy: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/FutureofEnergy.pdf

Ernst & Young Publication: Action Amid Uncertainty: http://www.denverprnewsroom.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/actionamiduncertainty.pdf

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Assistant professor at CSU chosen for research program

"An assistant professor at CSU has been named one of six recipients of a new research program that seeks to keep young scientists in Colorado to conduct research in the biomedical field.

Melissa Reynolds, an assistant professor of chemistry at Colorado State University, was the only scientist from the university to be named a Boettcher Investigator with the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program.

In its first year, the program provides $200,000 to $300,000 for up to three years to young researchers in the state."

Link to the Coloradoan

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Colorado's Cleantech Roadmap: a ColoradoBiz TV - Planet Profit Report video interview

ColoradoBiz Editor Mike Cote talks to Chris Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, about the recent Department of Commerce grant and Colorado's cleantech roadmap.

Friday, July 02, 2010

Denver Post: "Six Colorado biomed researchers land big grants"

"The Boettcher Foundation today awarded six biomedical researchers from Colorado universities three-year grants of up to $250,000 each.

All six are in early stages of their careers, a time when it is difficult for researchers to get the grants needed to fund scientific work.

The Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program grants are an investment in science that has the potential to make significant contributions to human health, said Timothy W. Schultz, president of the Boettcher Foundation."

Link to the Denver Post

"CBSA commends Boettcher Foundation on historic launch"

"In ceremonies held at the Colorado Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, the first class of 'Boettcher Investigators' in the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program was introduced by Edward D. 'Ted' White III, Chairman of the Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.; Gregory Downey, M.D., Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at National Jewish Health and Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Immunology at University of Colorado's School of Medicine; and Timothy W. Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation, also spoke at the historic event.

The announcement is made by Denise M. Brown, Interim Executive Director of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says the Boettcher Foundation's new program fills an important unmet need by assisting early-career investigators engaged in biomedical sciences in Colorado to advance their research and honors the tradition of the Webb and Waring families by investing in science that has the possibility of making significant contributions to human health. Boettcher Foundation is a 2010 Gold Sponsor of the CBSA."

Link to the Metro Denver News Center

"MCDB Professor chosen as Boettcher Investigator"

"MCDB and CIMB Assistant Professor Robin Dowell has been chosen in the first class of Boettcher Investigators. This new grant program has been created to support biomedical research. The Dowell lab will use this grant to advance research into why closely related people respond differently to drug treatments."

Link to MCDB site

"Jedlicka is inaugural Boettcher Investigator, receives Alex’s Lemonade Stand Young Investigator Award"

"Pediatric pathologist studies role of microRNAs in deadly Ewing’s sarcoma

Aurora, Colo. (June 30, 2010)—A Colorado cancer researcher has received two grants totaling $280,000 to support his work in understanding the function of microRNAs in Ewing’s sarcoma.

Paul Jedlicka, MD, PhD, member of the University of Colorado Cancer Center Molecular Oncology Program and assistant professor of pathology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, is one of three University of Colorado scientists to be named inaugural Boettcher Investigators, an award that shares a $700,000 pool of grant money. The program supports early-career biomedical investigators working to make a direct impact on human health.

Jedlicka also received a two-year, $80,000 Young Investigator Award from the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer to continue work on microRNAs identified by his laboratory that may suppress Ewing’s sarcoma tumors. He’ll use the Boettcher Investigator funding to look at other sets of microRNA that may regulate the development of Ewing’s sarcoma."

Link to the University of Colorado Cancer Center posting

Rocky Radar: "Boettcher Foundation Announces Inaugural Class of Investigators"

"Yesterday, the Boettcher Foundation presented grants to the inaugural class of the Webb-Waring Biomedical research program. The six investigators from Colorado institutions will receive between $200,000 and $300,000 each spread over the next three years to support their research efforts. According to Governor Bill Ritter, who was on hand to announce these awards represent 'the Boettcher Foundation’s newest endeavor to improve quality of life in Colorado and around the country.'

The grants are targeted towards promising biomedical researchers early in their careers at a time when it ca be challenging for these investigators to attract NIH or private funds. Tim Shultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation, cited a statistic that on average scientists receive their first outside funding for independent research at the age of 44. Shultz noted that the new program is designed to specifically target this funding gap when modest grants can have a disproportionate impact in moving research forward and keeping the best talent in Colorado."

Link to Rocky Radar

"CU researchers picked for biomedical grant team"

"AURORA Two researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine have been named to a statewide biomedical research team that will draw on a three-year, $700,000 grant.

Gidon Felsen and Paul Jedlicka, both professors at the School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, were named as “Boettcher Investigators” June 30 as part of the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program. The joint effort between the Denver-based Boettcher Foundation, the Webb-Waring Foundation for Biomedical Research and the University of Colorado seeks to advance clinical research on cancer, Parkinson’s and other ailments. The program also seeks to reduce the amount of time that therapies to patients.

Felsen and Jedlicka will join Robin Dowell, a professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, as CU faculty joining the team. The official investigators were among 65 applicants from CU’s four campuses who applied for the post."

Link to the Aurora Sentinel

DBJ: "1st 'Boettcher Investigators' in biomedical program named"

"Officials revealed the identities Wednesday of six Colorado scientists awarded more than $1.2 million in grants under a new, $40 million biomedical research program.

The Boettcher Foundation, Webb-Waring Institute for Biomedical Research and the University of Colorado announced the research appointments at the governor’s mansion."

Link to the Denver Business Journal

BioMed Reports: "Colorado BioScience Association Commends the Boettcher Foundation on Today’s Historic Launch"

"DENVER--In ceremonies held today at the Colorado Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, the first class of ‘Boettcher Investigators’ in the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program was introduced by Edward D. 'Ted' White III, Chairman of the Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.; Gregory Downey, M.D., Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at National Jewish Health and Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Immunology at University of Colorado’s School of Medicine; and Timothy W. Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation, also spoke at this historic event.

The announcement is made by Denise M. Brown, Interim Executive Director of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says the Boettcher Foundation’s new program fills an important unmet need by assisting early-career investigators engaged in biomedical sciences in Colorado to advance their research and honors the tradition of the Webb and Waring families by investing in science that has the possibility of making significant contributions to human health. Boettcher Foundation is a 2010 Gold Sponsor of the CBSA."

Link to BioMed Reports

BioPortfolio: "Colorado BioScience Association Commends the Boettcher Foundation on Today’s Historic Launch"

"In ceremonies held today at the Colorado Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion, the first class of ‘Boettcher Investigators’ in the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program was introduced by Edward D. 'Ted' White III, Chairman of the Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr.; Gregory Downey, M.D., Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at National Jewish Health and Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Immunology at University of Colorado’s School of Medicine; and Timothy W. Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation, also spoke at this historic event.

The announcement is made by Denise M. Brown, Interim Executive Director of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says the Boettcher Foundation’s new program fills an important unmet need by assisting early-career investigators engaged in biomedical sciences in Colorado to advance their research and honors the tradition of the Webb and Waring families by investing in science that has the possibility of making significant contributions to human health. Boettcher Foundation is a 2010 Gold Sponsor of the CBSA."


Link to the BioPortfolio posting

Colorado State University Chemistry Researcher Named One of Six 2010 Inaugural Boettcher Investigators

"FORT COLLINS - The Boettcher Foundation on Wednesday named Colorado State University chemist Melissa Reynolds one of only six 2010 Boettcher Investigators as part of the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program, which helps recruit, retain and advance scientific talent in Colorado.

Reynolds is an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the chemistry department and the School of Biomedical Engineering. Reynolds is developing biocompatible coatings for medical devices that would create a natural and safe approach to healing by allowing implanted materials to be left in the body longer without rejection."

Link to the CSU News & Information posting

First class of Boettcher Investigators taking on cancer, Parkinson's, more

"Three University of Colorado researchers are among an elite corps of Colorado scientists who have earned the title 'Boettcher Investigator' under a new grant program that will support biomedical research, advance the world's understanding of cancer, Parkinson's and other human health challenges, and speed therapies to patients.

CU's 2010 Boettcher Investigators are Robin Dowell, Ph.D., an assistant professor at CU's Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology, or CIMB, and Gidon Felsen, Ph.D., and Paul Jedlicka, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professors at the CU School of Medicine. All will share in $700,000 of grant money that will fund up to three years of their research starting Thursday, July 1."

Link to the posting in the CU Faculty & Staff Newsletter

Thursday, July 01, 2010

Video Recap: 2010 Boettcher Investigator Launch News Conference

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., at the Governor's Residence - Welcome to the Conference


Timothy W. Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation - About the Program


Edward D. "Ted" White III, Chairman of the Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees Announces 2010 Boettcher Investigators


Gregory Downey, M.D., Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs at National Jewish Health and Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Immunology at University of Colorado's School of Medicine - On Behalf of Colorado's Research Institutions


Timothy W. Schultz, President and Executive Director of the Boettcher Foundation - Concluding Remarks


Link to the Boettcher Investigators' You Tube Channel