Denver Post: 'Colorado in running for U.S. patent satellite office'

Quoting from today's Denver Post article by Allison Sherry - @allisonsherry - on the 'Bring A Patent Office To Colorado' initiative:

"Holli Riebel, president of the Colorado BioScience Association, helped marshal signatures and support within her field for the office.

'Many times, things go to the coasts and they don't go to the middle of the country,' she said. 'I think there's a huge market that could be drawn from the middle. It's an easy place for everyone to get to, and we do have an international airport.'"

Link to the Denver Post article

View the related video:
http://youtu.be/xKW6j33EipQ

Link to the news release: 'Colorado Business Leaders Unveil New Report Making the Case for Patent Office in Denver'

This Thursday: Colorado's 'BioScience Day at the Capitol'

Colorado BioScience Association will host the fourth annual “BioScience Day at the Capitol” on Thursday, February 2nd, 7:30-9:00 a.m. at the Legislative Services Building, A, 14th & Sherman (South side of Capitol). The event will bring together industry leaders and legislators to support the growth of bioscience in Colorado.

Agenda for BioScience Day at the Capitol:

* 8:00-8:10 a.m. – Welcome by Holli Riebel, President and CEO, CBSA

* 8:10-8:40 a.m. – Legislators discuss the 2012 session and their vision for the bioscience industry

Representative Cheri Gerou - Overview of the 2012 Budget
Speaker of the House, Representative Frank McNulty
Senate President Brandon Shaffer

* 8:40-9:00 a.m. – Federal Legislation Presentation by Jason Sapsin, Polsinelli Shughart

This year CBSA will build upon one of its most successful years in its history, making impressive strides in the areas of industry advocacy, programming, marketing communications, membership and education. CBSA was instrumental in the development and passage of House Bill 1283 and Senate Bill 47 retaining and further funding Colorado's Bioscience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program. Other legislative success included passing of Senate Bill 159, distribution of the state's share of limited gaming revenue.

Link to the Business Wire release

Link to the PitchEngine social media release

CBSA January FOCUS Newsletter: Featuring Fitzsimons Bioscience Park's $8 Million Expansion and a Sneak Peek at CBSA's Plans for the Upcoming Year

Quoting CBSA President & CEO Holli Riebel:

"As we kick off the New Year at CBSA we are thankful for a great 2011 and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2012. Our community's spirit of innovation and history of success continues to push the bioscience industry forward. CBSA's strategic goals for the year are to:

* Promote a supportive regulatory and tax environment at the state and federal level.
* Increase access to capital.
* Brand Colorado's innovation in the bioscience industry.
* Enhance programs and services for our members.
* Create a bioscience community that fosters growth.

A feature detailing the $8 millon expansion of the Fitzsimons Bioscience Park is on page 2.

Link to the January FOCUS newsletter

Hey Denver! Bob the Cat is ready to be adopted at Cat Care Society

Today Cat Care Society Adoption Manager Abbi Collins took Bob to Petline9 with Kathy Sabine.

In Bob's own words: "Hi folks, my name is Bob. I'm a big, sweet, cuddly boy. My person couldn't afford to take care of me anymore so I came to the shelter to look for a new home. I'm a very friendly guy and I really love to snuggle. I'm pretty nice to just about everyone. I even get along with those slobbery dogs (if they behave). I'm a senior kitty and what's cool is that because of my age, I'm covered by the Perpet-U-Care Program which will pay for a portion of my health care for the rest of my life. That's a pretty great program and I'm definitely worth it. I'm pretty low key and like to just hang out mostly. If you like to hang out too, why don't we do it together? We could have some fascinating conversations."

Come and visit Bob at Cat Care Society...

The CCS Shelter is open:
Tuesday through Friday Noon - 5:30 P.M.
Saturday 11 am - 4:30 P.M.
Sunday Noon – 3 P.M.
Closed Monday

Link to Bob's Petfinder Profile

Denver Business Journal: 'VC-backed startups now free to chase SBIR grant money'

Quoting CBSA board members Mark Spiecker and Rick Duke in Greg Avery's article:

"The change will be particularly helpful to many early-stage bioscience companies in Colorado, making them eligible for a program that’s awarded $16 billion in grants since 1997.

'Everybody’s writing SBIR grants or counting on them in one way or another,' said Mark Spiecker, co-founder of Sharklet Technologies.

The Aurora-based startup has survived on SBIR grants that pay for its research into a bacteria-fighting surface coating for medical uses, a technology inspired by the bacteria-fighting properties of shark skin. But that meant limiting the involvement of VC investors.

Sharklet landed $1.2 million in SBIR grants in early 2011. Without them, the company would have shut down, Spiecker said. Sharklet’s pursuing more SBIR grants under the new rules...

...For more established biotechs, the old SBIR ban limited their ability to research new uses for their technologies, said Rick Duke, a veteran biotech entrepreneur who helps run the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4), a nonprofit incubator for biotech companies.

Now a biotech can use for SBIR grants for research to broaden the number of products the company’s developing, while investors fund getting the first product to market. That should help companies grow faster and be stronger, and speed the development of new medicines.

'It’s helpful from the point of view of continuing to be innovative among companies that are funded with venture capital,' Duke said."

Link to the article that also quoted Cartier Esham, BIO’s senior director on health regulations for emerging companies (subscription required for full article access)

GEN: 'Cities are trying to attract more talent and incentives to meet demands of the life science industry."

Quoting from the January 3rd article by Alex Philippidis:

"Denver anchors a growing Colorado biopharma effort that will see the state divert part of the corporate sales taxes collected from biotech and cleantech companies between 2013 and 2023 to help fund startups in those industries under a law enacted in May by Gov. John Hickenlooper (D). Bio startups also saw welcome news earlier this month when the Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority announced plans for an $8 million, 37,000 sq. ft. “accelerator” space within its Bioscience Park for companies past the incubator stage."

Link to GEN

Today's Petline9 Introduced Cat Care Society's Rory to Denver -- Hoping To Find His Perfect Forever Home

Today Suellen Scott took Rory to 9News for Petline9. Rory's story:

"Howdy! I'm Rory. I came to the shelter when I was very young. Now I'm growing up; I'm already almost five whole months old! I might seem a little shy when you come to see me in the kitten room. That's because I am a tamed feral. That means I was born out in the big wild world away from people, so it's taken me a little time to get used to be around people. Even though the people around here don't mean me any harm... still I can be a little bit of a scaredy cat sometimes. But if you are patient and not too "scary", I'll show you how cute and playful I can be. I would love to get to know you and be your friend. I am a good friend to other kitties too. I would like to come home with you. Please stop by and get to know me. You'll be glad you did."

The shelter at 5787 W. 6th Avenue is open:
Tuesday through Friday Noon - 5:30 P.M.
Saturday 11 am - 4:30 P.M.
Sunday Noon – 3 P.M.
Closed Monday


http://youtu.be/Gl_abVY2wDk

Cat Care Society Staff Favorites: Mr. Chester & Sapphire -- An Awesome Pair Together

Chester and Sapphire came to Cat Care Society in March 2011 because their owner passed away the day after Christmas. They were very well loved in their home, and their personalities show it!

Sapphire (grey) is very active and outgoing. She loves to run up and down the hallways, and will seek out people to get petting from. She is very busy and keeps herself entertained. She enjoys string and little things that she can chase and bat around. Sapphire is a sweet girl and would be a fantastic addition to any family.

Mr. Chester is mellow, laid-back, and easygoing. He accepts life’s challenges with aplomb. Chester loves attention and gets very excited for brushing. He especially loves to have his ample rear brushed! He will talk to you and update you on the household affairs, and he is VERY good at keeping your lap warm. You will not find a more affectionate (or handsome) guy!

Take a look at Mr. Chester & Sapphire last month while they were still living on the CCS lower level where The Cat Clinic is located -- now they're upstairs (patiently waiting for their forever home)...


http://youtu.be/TytWQRC3VWs

Mr. Chester's Petfinder Profile

Sapphire's Petfinder Profile

Cat Care Society Staff Favorites: Mr. Chester & Sapphire -- An Awesome Pair Together

Chester and Sapphire came to Cat Care Society in March 2011 because their owner passed away the day after Christmas. They were very well loved in their home, and their personalities show it!
Sapphire (grey) is very active and outgoing. She loves to run up and down the hallways, and will seek out people to get petting from. She is very busy and keeps herself entertained. She enjoys string and little things that she can chase and bat around. Sapphire is a sweet girl and would be a fantastic addition to any family.

Mr. Chester is mellow, laid-back, and easygoing. He accepts life’s challenges with aplomb. Chester loves attention and gets very excited for brushing. He especially loves to have his ample rear brushed! He will talk to you and update you on the household affairs, and he is VERY good at keeping your lap warm. You will not find a more affectionate (or handsome) guy!

Take a look at Mr. Chester & Sapphire last month while they were still living on the CCS lower level where The Cat Clinic is located -- now they're upstairs (patiently waiting for their forever home)...


http://youtu.be/TytWQRC3VWs

Mr. Chester's Petfinder Profile

Sapphire's Petfinder Profile