Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Business-Briefs: "2 Metro firms win medical startup funds"

"Two state companies were selected to receive a total of $900,000 in startup funding from the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4), the institute said Monday.

Boulder-based Sophono Inc. will receive $600,000 for its Alpha 1 Magnetic Bone Anchored Hearing System. The company says the system is the first if its kind and is designed to treat conductive and mixed hearing loss and single- sided deafness.

Aurora-based PeptiVir Inc. will receive $300,000 for its universal flu vaccine under development. The grants are the first made by CID4, which is funded by $3.75 million from the state and $1 million from the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority."

Link to DenverPost.com

Friday, September 24, 2010

CBSA's Holli Baumunk & a number of CBSA/bioscience industry supporters named to new state VC Advisory Panel

Earlier this week, as reported in the Denver Business Journal, Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter "named 21 people to a new Venture Capital Investment Advisory Committee. The panel is charged with helping to draw financial support for several Colorado industry sectors, including aerospace, bioscience, clean energy and information communication technology."

CBSA President/CEO Holli Baumunk is serving as a ex-officio, non-voting member. Those CBSA Board Members selected include: Richard C. Duke of Denver – CID4 and ApopLogic; James C.T. Linfield of Boulder – Cooley LLP; and David N. Allen of Superior – VP for CU Tech Transfer. Other CBSA and bioscience industry supporters include: Michael Artinger of Boulder - FBBp; Susan M. Kunz of Boulder - BioVantage; Timothy H. Connor of Boulder – Sequel Ventures; Timothy R. Reeser of Fort Collins - COO for Cenergy, CSU’s Energy SuperCluster; and Ronald G. Rossi of Evergreen - Polsinelli Shughart, Managing Partner.

Link to Governor Ritter's news release

Link to the Denver Business Journal article

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

BioWest Conference & Expo To Showcase 40+ New Technologies, Products & Services

More than 40 exhibitors will be showcasing new technology, products and services for 500+ attendees at the 2010 BioWest Conference & Expo. The announcement is made by Holli Baumunk, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says this event will bring together the industry in the Rocky Mountain Region for seminars and educational topics and to view the latest new products and services offered to the bioscience community.

“The bioscience community wouldn’t be able to survive without the essential support services and products that help advance companies,” Baumunk explains. “The exhibit hall at BioWest offers our companies a chance to see the new products and services that are being offered today, and we are happy to welcome these forty exhibitors to BioWest and look forward to a successful conference.”

Link to register

Link to the Business Wire release

Monday, September 20, 2010

CBSA Pres/CEO Holli Baumunk Interviewed on 9News about BioWest 2010 - Coming Sept 29-30 to Denver's Grand Hyatt

Holli Baumunk, CBSA President & CEO, interviewed with 9News Business Reporter Gregg Moss this morning about the upcoming BioWest event, Sept 29-30, at Denver's Grand Hyatt. Here are some fast facts about the 2010 Biowest Conference & Expo from Holli...

• The big news this year is that we have CSU's Temple Grandin as the keynote speaker at our Awards Dinner on the evening of the 29th.

• Dr. Grandin is an animal science professor at CSU and the HBO movie of her life story just won seven Emmy Awards.

• Ag bio is an important part of the bioscience industry and Dr. Grandin has one of the most compelling stories to tell about her work with cattle and her challenges and victories as a person with autism.

• We're just thrilled to have Dr. Grandin with us this year during BioWest -- a very special year for her...and all of us...with the Emmy honors just occurring.

• BioWest is our annual 2-day gathering of the Bioscience industry in the Rocky Mountain Region with over 300 companies coming together to discuss the latest news and trends in the industry.

• This is our 8th year running.

• Speakers include the National Venture Association, the FDA as well as leaders in pharma, biotech and medical devices.

• BioWest will again include a special competition called the Venture Showcase.

• The Venture Showcase is a highlight of the conference where four emerging Colorado companies compete in front of a Venture Capital panel. The winner is announced at our awards dinner and receives a $7,500 prize from the Dorsey and Whitney law firm.

• CBSA also announces industry awards at the dinner.

• Bioscience was one of the few industries, along with Cleantech, that grew in Colorado last year.

• The Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology industry grew at a faster rate than the national average at 4.9% in 2009 and 21% over the last five years.

• There are over 400 bioscience companies employing over 17,000 employees in Colorado.

• Innovation is a key economic driver in Bioscience. For ever $1 that is invested in a Research Institution, $32 goes back into the local economy.

• To recap, BioWest 2010 is Sept 29th and 30th at the Denver Grand Hyatt - information and registration is available at BioWestConference.com.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development Announces Second Statewide 'Call for Proposals' From Life Science Technologies. . .

"AURORA, Colo., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) has issued its second statewide 'Call for Proposals' from Colorado life science technologies in need of funding and active management guidance. The announcement is made by Kevin M. Smith, CID4 Executive Vice President/COO, who says, 'CID4 launched in February, concurrent with our first solicitation. The response identified many exciting technologies with significant job creation potential and has resulted in the selection of two projects to receive CID4 funding - one biopharmaceutical and one medical device. The final legal documents are in process, and we look forward to announcing the selected technologies in the very near future.'"

Link to denverpost.com

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Executive Director Christine Shapard Appointed Council Chair of New Green Jobs Colorado Advisory Council


Christine Shapard, Founding Executive Director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) has been appointed Chair of the Green Jobs Colorado Advisory Council (GJCAC) by Donald J. Mares, Executive Director Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The announcement is made jointly by Mares and Shapard.

"Colorado's New Energy Economy has set a national precedent in research, innovation and clean-energy job creation. Through legislation and policy, Colorado has been able to create thousands of new jobs across the state," Shapard says. "The Advisory Council will work to build a workforce for Colorado’s New Energy Economy through administering the Green Jobs Colorado Training program and coordinating statewide green job efforts."

Further, Shapard explains, "While we've been able to continue to attract new clean technology companies, we must ensure our workforce development pipeline is training Coloradoans for these jobs. By providing incentives for certified training providers through our new training program, we will make sure Coloradoans can obtain the skills, both specific and transferable, needed to secure jobs in the wind, solar, energy efficiency and other renewable energy industries."

Link to the NewsRelease Wire Posting

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Cleantech VC Visionary Ira Ehrenpreis Keynotes Colo Cleantech Awards Oct 19, Denver Marriott City Center

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) will hold its first "Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration" Tuesday, October 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Denver Marriott City Center. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, Executive Director of the CCIA who says, "We're extremely pleased to welcome Ira Ehrenpreis, noted venture capitalist and cleantech industry expert, as our keynote speaker for the inaugural event. In concert with Mr. Ehrenpreis’ presentation, we'll also be showcasing those companies and individuals who have made a significant impact on Colorado's cleantech industry this past year, based on job creation, capital raised and other demonstrated criteria."

Widely regarded as one of the most experienced cleantech investors, Mr. Ehrenpreis will deliver a keynote address covering "The State of the Cleantech Industry." As one of the pioneers in the cleantech sector, he'll share how the sector has evolved over the past decade and review the drivers behind cleantech’s emergence as the fastest growing area of the venture asset class. Mr. Ehrenpreis will also review the challenges the industry faces and those issues notwithstanding, why he believes cleantech will continue to be a good bet in the years and decades to come.

Further, according to Shapard, "The CCIA luncheon is the one event where Colorado's cleantech community will come together to honor the creativity and dedication to our new energy economy put forth by entrepreneurs, educators, corporate innovators, volunteers and policymakers." Awards will be presented in multiple categories. Individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves, companies, colleagues, clients or vendors -- those who have made a major difference in Colorado's cleantech community. Nominations are open until Friday, September 17, 5 p.m. For more information, visit: https://web.memberclicks.com/mc/quickForm/viewForm.do?orgId=ccia&formId=84863

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

CID4 Announces Second Statewide “Call for Proposals” From Life Science Technologies In Need of Funding and Active Management

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) has issued its second statewide 'Call for Proposals' from Colorado life science technologies in need of funding and active management guidance. The announcement is made by Kevin M. Smith, CID4 Executive Vice President/COO and spokesperson, who says, "CID4 officially launched in February of this year, concurrent with the rollout of our first solicitation. The response to our first solicitation identified many exciting technologies with significant job creation potential and has resulted in the selection of two projects to receive CID4 funding - one biopharmaceutical and one medical device. The final legal documents are in process and we look forward to announcing the selected technologies in the very near future."

Details for responding to CID4’s second proposal solicitation:

* Respond electronically at: http://www.cid4.com
* Final submissions due: October 15, 2010

Link to the PR Newswire

Link to the PitchEngine social media release

Monday, September 13, 2010

Four Finalists Selected for BioWest 2010 Venture Showcase Competition, Presenting Life-Changing Technologies

Cutting-edge development of a universal influenza vaccine, an innovative hybrid peptide manufacturing process, groundbreaking algae production system for wastewater treatment, and a revolutionary nontoxic surface treatment to control the growth of bacteria comprise the four finalists in this year’s BioWest Venture Showcase competition sponsored by Dorsey & Whitney and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. The announcement is made by Holli Baumunk, President and CEO, Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).

“By focusing on new therapies and vaccines targeting common diseases, creating systems and devices to fix problems and finding ways to more easily treat wastewater, the four finalists chosen for this year’s BioWest Venture Showcase are all on the frontline in making the world a better place,” Baumunk says. “The four finalists were selected from a group of 19 that will present at the BioWest Venture Showcase on Wednesday, September 29 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at Denver’s Grand Hyatt. The winner will receive the $7,500 Dorsey & Whitney Venture Showcase award at the CBSA’s Annual Awards Dinner on the same day.”

To attend the Venture Showcase presentations and Annual Awards Dinner at BioWest, visit http://www.BioWestConference.com

An overview of each finalist follows:

* AmideBio (Boulder, CO) is a company in the business of improvement of human health by providing low cost and efficient manufacturing of peptides for the research and development markets. The Company’s proprietary hybrid manufacturing process also enables small scale cGMP manufacturing for clinical trials and the development of generic peptide therapeutics. In order to make progress against certain diseases and conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, it is necessary to be able to cost-effectively produce large quantities of peptides for research and development use, and ultimately therapeutic purposes. Current peptide synthesis technology is unable to produce certain peptides at an acceptable cost, or at all. AmideBio’s proprietary technology enables very cost-effective production of peptides and thus is a key enabling technology for development of new therapeutics for diseases for which there are currently limited or no good treatment options. Visit, http://www.amidebio.com

* BioVantage (Golden, CO) In response to escalating water scarcity and the undeniable water/energy nexus, BioVantage is developing cost-effective, sustainable, “green” solutions for wastewater reclamation. Comprised of patent-pending technology and processes, BioVantage’s algae production system produces proprietary algae consortia for use in wastewater lagoons to accelerate natural remediation. This allows a greater degree of reuse of one of our planet’s most valuable and scarce resources, water. Visit, http://www.biovantageresources.com

* PeptiVir, Inc. (Aurora, CO) is an early stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of a conformationally-constrained, synthetic peptide-based vaccine platform for the prevention of viral diseases. PeptiVir’s lead product, PVI-1000, has the potential to be a “universal” influenza vaccine wherein one or two administrations could lead to sustained protection against multiple seasonal and pandemic strains. This is in contrast to existing influenza vaccines that must be generated and administered yearly and induce antibodies that provide protection only against that year’s seasonal flu strains. Unlike other universal vaccine strategies that are being investigated and that focus on inducing cell-mediated immunity, PVI-1000 is predicted to work by inducing cross-reactive antibodies that would protect against multiple influenza virus strains, a prediction that should be readily confirmed in humans by examining the biological activity of the antibodies produced following vaccination.

* Sharklet Technologies, Inc. (Aurora, CO) is a life sciences company that has engineered a revolutionary surface product called Sharklet. Sharklet is the first non-toxic, long-lasting and no-kill surface used to control the growth of bacteria. Sharklet is a patented surface technology comprised of millions of raised, microscopic features arranged in distinct diamond shapes to form a continuous pattern. Laboratory tests show that the Sharklet micro-pattern disrupts several critical microbial colonizing processes that are necessary for bacteria to develop into a disease-causing biofilm. In tests simulating an ambient hospital environment, the Sharklet patterned surface has shown to significantly reduce survival and touch transfer of bacteria. Until the advent of Sharklet, kill strategies including antibiotics, disinfectants and biocides have been the primary weapons to control bacterial growth. These kill strategies and their overuse has led to increased bacterial resistance, causing harm to people and the environment. Visit, http://www.sharklet.com

Link to the Business Wire release

Sunday, September 12, 2010

"Nominations Deadline for the Colorado Cleantech Leadership Awards is September 17th"

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is hosting the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration, October 19 at the Denver Marriott City Center. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry. Awards will be presented in multiple categories. CCIA encourages companies to self-nominate or to nominate colleagues or vendors that have made a significant difference in Colorado’s cleantech community.

Link to the nomination form can be found HERE.

Important dates to keep in mind: Nominations will close at 5:00pm on September 17; Finalists will be notified the week of September 27; Award winners will be notified the week of October 4."

Link to Colorado Energy News

September ColoradoBiz: Colorado's "Road map to a cleantech future" & More


"Colorado’s New Energy Economy needs a plan, and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association is stepping in to help. The CCIA, together with Navigant Consulting and a 25-person steering committee, is developing the Cleantech Roadmap for the state of Colorado.

Christine Shapard, executive director of CCIA, says the road map will be an action plan, not just a report. 'A report sits on a shelf,' she says. 'This will be a living document. It will have specific actions for the state legislature, partnerships that need to be formed, grants that need to be pursued, and timelines and responsible parties.'"

Link to the Colorado Cleantech Roadmap article

Plus there's more on the Colorado Cleantech topic:

"Cleantech trends - It's happening now, and it's happening here

Venture visionary has deep roots in cleantech - Ira Ehrenpreis of Technology Partners will serve as keynote speaker at awards celebration

Powering up the future - Utilities balance new energy development while continuing to focus on reliability

NREL Growth Forum: gathering connects companies with investors

The race for global green - U.S. risks losing its position as the leader in cleantech

The Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration 2010 is October 19 11-1 at the Denver Marriott City Center. Link for registration details (note: awards nominations close Friday, Sept 17, 5 p.m.)

"Colorado is poised to become a world leader in the cleantech industry" - By CCIA Founding Executive Director Christine Shapard

From the ColoradoBiz Planet-Profit Report Guest Voice Column - now online and in the September ColoradoBiz magazine:

"Consider these impressive stats – Colorado is No. 3 in the U.S. for cleantech venture capital financing; we’re No. 4 in the country for percentage of jobs in the cleantech sector, and the state is home to more than 300 companies producing cleantech products. According to Pew Charitable Trusts, Colorado’s cleantech industry is growing faster than the state’s other industry sectors.

Pretty impressive stats for a less-populated state like Colorado, aren’t they? We think so, and that’s why we started the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). We aim to create a business climate that not only helps the state maintain its globally recognized clean technology leadership position, but also enables us to jump ahead and lead the world."

Link to the ColoradoBiz Planet-Profit Report column

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Deadline Sept 17: Nominations for the 1st Annual Colorado Cleantech Leadership Awards

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is pleased to announce the inaugural Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration, October 19 at the Denver Marriott City Center. This celebratory luncheon will honor the companies and entrepreneurs driving Colorado’s thriving cleantech industry.

Awards will be presented in multiple categories. We encourage companies to self-nominate or to nominate colleagues or vendors that have made a significant difference in Colorado's cleantech community.

Link to the online nomination form

Important dates to keep in mind:

Nominations will close at 5:00pm on September 17

Finalists will be notified the week of September 27

Award winners will be notified the week of October 4

Dr. Temple Grandin Keynotes CBSA Awards Dinner at 2010 BioWest Conference & Expo

From today's posting by DBJ Report Mark Harden: "Temple Grandin, the Colorado State University animal science professor whose life story was featured in an Emmy Award-winning television movie, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s BioWest Conference on bioscience in Denver.

The eighth annual conference, presented by the Colorado BioScience Association, will be held Sept. 29-30 at the Grand Hyatt in Denver. Grandin will speak at BioWest’s annual awards dinner."

Link to the Denver Business Journal website

Colorado's Emmy® Award Winning Heroine Dr. Temple Grandin Keynotes CBSA Awards Dinner at 2010 BioWest Conference & Expo

General registration is now open for the Rocky Mountain Region’s Premier Bioscience Conference & Expo, BioWest 2010, at the event website. This year's event, September 29 & 30 at Denver's Grand Hyatt (1750 Welton), is headlined during the Annual Awards Dinner by Colorado State University Animal-Science Professor Dr. Temple Grandin, whose HBO made-for-cable biopic just swept the Prime Time Emmy® Awards with five major and two creative arts award wins for her inspiring life story as a renowned animal scientist and autism activist.

The announcement is made by Holli Baumunk, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says, “This is the eighth annual BioWest conference and the best to date. More than 700 national and international industry leaders, government representatives, executives, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and professional services firms are expected to attend.”

Baumunk continues, “BioWest is the region’s preferred venue for visiting with researchers about their newest discoveries and meeting founders of the area’s most innovative and promising bioscience start-up companies. Dr. Grandin, whose work is a prime example of the important research being done in Colorado, headlines an impressive lineup of speakers during the BioWest Conference, and we are all looking forward to her awards dinner keynote. Further, the conference will again showcase Colorado's early-stage companies during a research poster session and at the popular Venture Showcase Competition with four companies presenting to win a $7,500 grand prize.”

Link to the BioWest 2010 website

Link to the Business Wire release

Link to the PRWeb newswire

Thursday, September 02, 2010

New Study: The Mountain West Can Lead the Way on Energy Innovation

We want to call your attention to a report released yesterday by Brookings Mountain West.

Quoting from the report's conclusion: "The Intermountain West region is poised to help reinvent America’s fossil-fuel dependent energy system and so construct the “next economy” in the Mountain region and nationally.

The nation should move proactively and aggressively to build the proposed Intermountain West network of high-powered energy innovation commercialization centers.

Through such an intervention, the federal government could catalyze a dynamic new partnership of Mountain West businesses, research universities, federal laboratories, entrepreneurs, and state and local government to transform the nation’s carbon-dependent economy. Along the way, the nation could experiment with a dynamic new approach to leveraging for the nation’s benefit a powerful regional innovation complex while helping to empower the Intermountain West to reach its potential for prominence in a 'next economy' that will be opportunity-rich as well as export-oriented, lower-carbon, and innovation fueled."

Link to the study

Wednesday, September 01, 2010

Holli Baumunk Interview: Major impact on the Colorado economy

w3w3's Larry Nelson recently interviewed Holli Baumunk the newly appointed President and CEO of Colorado BioScience Association or CBSA. Quoting from the w3w3 Biosciences Channel: "We've followed Holli's career over the years and, 'I've seen you in everything from aerospace to all different types of areas, but you're always helping organizations and businesses flourish and grow.' Holli's been in economic growth for over 22 years, and 'Really believes in working with these industries. It helps the economy, grows jobs, wealth in the community - can't get any better than that,' she said."

Link to read the article

Link to the podcast interview - mp3

Last day for CBSA nominations


"Monday, Aug. 30, is [was] the final day to submit nominations for the eighth annual Colorado Bioscience Association Awards Dinner...Awards will be presented on Sept. 29 at the CBSA Annual Awards Dinner, part of the two-day BioWest Conference and Expo at the Grand Hyatt in Denver. Colorado State University professor, best-selling author and Emmy winner Temple Grandin will be the keynote speaker."

Link to the Northern Colorado Business Report website