DBJ: 'Biotechs feverish over Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact'

Quoting from today's Denver Business Journal:

"Delegates from the United States and at least eight other countries meet Sept. 6 to start the 14th round of negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement...

...Biotech observers worry the Obama adminstration could lessen the “exclusivity period” under which companies can keep their proprietary data about biotech drugs secret, dropping it from the 12 years under U.S. law to something shorter. The Obama administration has expressed support for a seven-year exclusivity period, to the alarm of the U.S. biotech industry.

'Twelve years of exclusivity is already on the low end of companies being able to recoup their costs of developing a drug,' said April Giles, executive vice president of the Colorado BioScience Association. 'If you can’t do that, there’s not any incentive for companies to invest and develop drugs in the United States.'

The expiration of an exclusivity period invites competition from makers of generic drugs. Shortening that period from 12 to seven years for treaty partner nations could scare drugmakers away from some international markets, making it hard to justify R&D spending and chasing more venture capitalists away from biotech, Giles said."

Link to the full article (subscription required)

Denver Post: 'Four growing biotech firms move into Fitzsimons Accelerator Building'

Quoting from the August 23rd article by John Mossman:

"The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority is celebrating the move of four startup companies from the Bioscience Park Center 'incubator' to its new wing known as the 'accelerator.'

The four biotech companies — Mitomics USA, Greffex Inc., Touch of Life Technologies and Light Labs — are among 39 firms that have been housed in Bioscience Park Center. They have run out of room and are graduating to the $8 million, three-story, 37,000-square-foot expansion, taking up most of that space. The new facility already is 78 percent leased.

'It's a nice problem to have when you haven't even opened your new building yet and you could potentially now be limited in space again,' said the authority's new president and chief executive, Steve VanNurden."

Link to denverpost.com

Aurora Sentinel: 'FRA celebrates grand opening of new wing'

Quoting from the August 22nd Aurora Sentinel:

"The FRA on Wednesday unveiled the new wing at their headquarters, a state-of-the-art addition that dramatically expanded the building at 12635 E. Montview Boulevard by about 50 percent. Steve VanNurdern, the FRA’s executive director, the new space is already about 80 percent full.

The FRA’s grand opening was scheduled for July 25, but they pushed it back to Aug. 22 because of the Aurora theater shootings. The first new tenant, Greffex Inc., moved into its new space this month. Next month, the other three new tenants — Mitomics, Touch of Life Technologies and LightLabs — are scheduled to move in.

The new wing will add about 40,000 square feet to the 60,000-square-foot home to the FRA and hub of the burgeoning Life Science District. The project is an important step for the district, officials say, because it will provide space for more advanced companies that are ready to take the next step beyond the facilities the building currently offers."

Link to the Aurora Sentinel

'Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Opens New Accelerator Facility' (four online postings)

Quoting from the Property Mentor website:

"The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority celebrates the shift of four new companies from the Bioscience Park Center “incubator” to its new division called the “accelerator.” The four biotech companies including Touch of Life Technologies Mitomics USA, Greffex Inc. and Light Labs along with 35 other firms have been housed in the Bioscience Park Center. The new building already is 78 percent leased."

Link to the Property Mentor site

Quoting from the online posting:

"'The Bioscience Park Center is designed to foster a collaborative environment—by having established companies in close proximity to incubator startups—further promoting an essential atmosphere that makes the Fitzsimons Life Science District an important hub in the overall growth of Colorado’s bioscience industry,' [Steve]VanNurden [Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Pres/CEO] explains. 'Companies relocating to the Accelerator include: Mitomics, Touch of Life Technologies, LightLabs and Greffex.'

Concurrent with the Accelerator's completion, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has been retained by the FRA to market its new facility adjacent to the Business Incubator. Speaking on behalf of the national firm, JLL Broker Lindsay Gilbert says, 'Colorado's Bioscience Industry is poised for growth, particularly at the research and patient-centric life sciences district at Fitzsimons. Our firm is thrilled to be partnering with Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority at this time of explosive growth for the district.'"

Link to the Healthcare Global site

From eWallstreeter August 22:

"Copyright © thinkBiotech Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) opens its new $8 million Accelerator facility today, expanding its Bioscience Park Center (BPC) by roughly 50%"

Link to eWallstreeter

Quoting from the August 22 posting:

"Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) opens its new $8 million Accelerator facility today, expanding its Bioscience Park Center (BPC) by roughly 50%"

Link to BiotechBlog

InnovatioNews: 'Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority opens new accelerator, expands capabilities in Bioscience Park Center'

Quoting from today's posting by Steve Porter:

"AURORA – Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority is today officially opening its new $8 million, 37,000-square-foot Accelerator Building, the FRA announced.

The new building is adjacent to its original Incubator Building at the Bioscience Park Center in the Fitzsimons Life Science District.

FRA’s original Incubator Building opened in 2000 and now houses 35 companies in different stages of development. The expansion will enable the companies to move into larger, long-term space."

Link to InnovatioNews

Colorado: Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority Opens New Accelerator in its Life Science District

Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) officially opens its new $8 million, 37,000 square-foot Accelerator Building today, adjacent to its original Incubator Building at the Bioscience Park Center (BCP) in the Fitzsimons Life Science District.

The announcement is made by Steve VanNurden, FRA President and CEO, who says, "The addition of this Accelerator will offer companies growing in the Incubator an opportunity to expand and continue their expansion nearby."

The FRA's original Incubator Building opened in 2000 and now houses 35 companies in different stages of development. The expansion will enable companies to move into larger, long-term space. The new space includes:

* Built-to-suit spaces with access to incubator services and amenities

* World class resources at your finger tips - university research facilities and major medical centers

* Collaborative environment with complimentary business and networking opportunities

"The Bioscience Park Center is designed to foster a collaborative environment—by having established companies in close proximity to incubator startups—further promoting an essential atmosphere that makes the Fitzsimons Life Science District an important hub in the overall growth of Colorado’s bioscience industry," VanNurden explains. "Companies relocating to the Accelerator include: Mitomics, Touch of Life Technologies, LightLabs and Greffex."

Concurrent with the Accelerator's completion, Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) has been retained by the FRA to market its new facility adjacent to the Business Incubator. Speaking on behalf of the national firm, JLL Broker Lindsay Gilbert says, "Colorado's Bioscience Industry is poised for growth, particularly at the research and patient-centric life sciences district at Fitzsimons. Our firm is thrilled to be partnering with Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority at this time of explosive growth for the district."

Link to the PR Web Newswire

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Colorado BioScience Association Begins Formal Search Process For President/CEO

The Colorado BioScience Association has formed an ad hoc Search Committee that has begun the process of finding a new President and CEO. A job description and requirements have been posted on the CBSA website and other human resource outlets (http://www.cobioscience.com/job-post/president-ceo).

The solicitation will be open until September 15th and the committee will start the interview process soon afterwards. Those interested in this position are asked to submit their application as a PDF containing a cover letter, resume and three professional references to info@cobioscience.com.

Holli Riebel resigned from the position last month when she was named chief operating officer of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. April Giles, CBSA executive vice president, is overseeing the association’s day-to-day operations following Riebel’s departure. Steve Orndorff, chairman of the CBSA board and CEO of Ariel Pharmaceuticals, said that Riebel has been a strong asset for the CBSA. "She has accomplished a number of goals and led the organization to many successes," Orndorff said. "I can say unequivocally that CBSA is stronger than ever due to Holli’s effective leadership."

Link to the job description

Aurora Sentinel: 'New Fitzsimons redevelopment president says growing site looks a lot like Mayo'

Quoting from the August 7th article by Sara Castellanos:

"The fledgling health-care industry growing on the former Fitzsimons Army Base is similar to the way the world-renowned Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic looked about two decades ago, the new president of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority said Aug 6.

Steve VanNurden, formerly the chairman of Mayo Clinic Ventures, the invention arm of the hospital, told Aurora City Council members at a regularly scheduled meeting that when he first started his job in 1990, there were still construction cranes on the site, much like the ones at Anschutz Medical Campus now.

Back then, Mayo Clinic had about 31,000 employees. VanNurden said he saw the campus grow to 58,000 employees when he left to take the Fitzsimons post.

About 19,000 people are currently employed on the former Fitzsimons Army Base, he said."

Link to the Aurora Sentinel

Denver Post: 'Tails of the Painted Cats: A purr-fect way to raise money for the Cat Care Society'

Saturday, July 28 was the second Tails of the Painted Cats gala fundraiser, and it was a great success! Thank you to everyone who attended, who bid, and who helped bring the event to fruition!

Read Denver Post Society Editor Joanne Davidson's article here (it was also in the Sunday, August 5th printed edition of the paper): http://blogs.denverpost.com/style/2012/08/05/cat-care-societys-purrfect/

Plus check out the Denver Post photos online: http://photos.denverpost.com/2012/08/05/tails-of-the-painted-cats-a-purr-fect-event-for-the-cat-care-society/

And visit the Tails of the Painted Cats Facebook Page to see pictures from the event: http://www.facebook.com/TailsofthePaintedCats

See who the lucky winners were for each cat here: http://www.catcaresociety.org/paintedcats_results_2012.html

And, last but not least there are videos to check out: http://denvercatcare.blogspot.com/2012/08/video-highlights-tails-of-painted-cats.html

MDD: 'Colorado sees steady uptick in device companies since 2001'

Quoting from the July 20th article by Omar Ford:

"Since 2001, the state of Colorado has seen a signifi cant increase in the number of medical device establishments and companies according to the Battelle/Bio State Bioscience Industry Development 2012 report. The 149-page report ranks Colorado in the second tier of Bioscience states and points out that the Centennial state is only one of a handful of states that grew more than 1,000 new jobs in its medical device sector.

The report was released at the BIO International Convention in Boston last month. The project team assembling the information included Battelle (Washington), a nonprofi t independent research and development organization; Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO; Washington) and PMP Public Affairs Consulting (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), an independent consulting firm serving the public and constituent relations needs of bioscience-related companies and associations.

'Colorado has always ranked nationally as one of the top areas for a variety of high level technical type of industries like aerospace, IT, energy and bioscience,' Holli Riebel, [CBSA] president/CEO told Medical Device Daily. 'Oftentimes you get movement back and forth in the workforce between those sectors, so when some of these sectors go through a down cycle they’ve been able to come to another industry cycle.;"

Link to the article pdf

Denver Animal News: 'Painted Cats' raise thousands for Lakewood's Cat Care

Quoting from the posting by John Davidson:

"Organizers are still counting the proceeds, but the Cat Care Society raised thousands of dollars Saturday night at its 'Tails of the Painted Cats' auction and dinner.

The Society is a Lakewood-based non-profit with the mission of improving the quality of life for homeless, injured and abused cats in the Denver metropolitan area.

The highlight of this weekend's event at the Lakewood Country Club was the auction of fiberglass cat figures painted in a variety of ways by local artists."

Link to examiner.com

Link to an overview of the Tails of the Painted Cats winners