Denver Post Editorial: Middle ground on biologic meds

Colorado BioScience Association President & CEO John Collar quoted in Sunday Denver Post editorial:

"Colorado has emerged as a center for research and development of biologics. The industry directly employs more than 21,000 Coloradans, according to John Collar, the Colorado BioScience Association's president and chief executive. Many more are employed in support jobs.

From big players like Amgen to smaller labs and medical research departments at our larger universities, biologics mean promising careers and opportunities here. As many as 650 companies, big and small, have operations in Colorado. Collar says the state now ranks fifth in the nation in attracting venture capital for biologics."

Link to the editorial

Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference: two Tucson bioscience firms picked to present to investors

"Two Tucson firms are among 30 presenting companies selected to showcase their innovations to investors and industry experts at the inaugural Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference to be held Sept. 17 in Denver.

The two Tucson firms are High Throughput Genomics and Medipacs. . .

The meeting will also include speeches by Tom Cech, a Nobel Laureate in chemistry, and Roy Davis, president of corporate development for Johnson & Johnson, and panels discussions."

Link to the article

Colorado BioScience Association: 2009 Fall Focus Newsletter

A quarterly look at Colorado's Medical Device and Biotechnology Industries. Included in this issue:

The Rocky Mountain Investor Conference

The 2009 Summer Externship Program

Letter from John Collar, CBSA President & CEO

The Fitz Bulletin Board: 2009 BioSymposium on Pulmonary Disease

Link to a pdf of the new newsletter

Colorado's Dr. Tom Cech appears on CNBC Squawk Box

Wed. Jun. 10 2009 6:15 AM ET
Joe Kernen discussing the future of biomedical research, with Thomas Cech, 1989 Nobel Laureate in chemistry.

View the video at Medical Miracles - CNBC.com

Read "the rest of the story" about Joe Kernen at the Colorado Life Science Deal Flow blog

Make plans to attend the Sept 17 Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference (RMLIC), where you'll get to hear Dr. Cech in person -- http://www.rmlic.com

Link to the latest RMLIC news release posted on the CNBC website

Investors Announced: Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference

On Thursday, September 17, Denver will welcome 31 life science investors and business development professionals for the inaugural Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference. The conference will showcase 30 of the region’s top life science companies to interested investors including business development professionals from large pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device and diagnostic companies.

“We are excited to welcome over 30 of the life science community’s most renowned investors to the inaugural Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference,” said John Collar, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association. “This will allow Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region to offer an inside look into the innovation and talent that lies in this region, and we can’t wait to see the partnerships and connections made during this conference.”The 31 Investor firms and companies attending to date for the September 17 Conference include:

o Amgen, http://www.amgen.com
o Bay City Capital, http://www.baycitycapital.com

o Boulder Ventures, http://www.boulderventures.com
o Celgene, http://www.celgene.com
o Chart Life Scienceso Clovis Oncology
o Covidien, http://www.covidien.com
o Frazier Healthcare Ventures, http://www.frazierhealthcare.com
o Genentech, http://www.gene.com
o H.I.G. Ventures, http://www.higventures.com
o High Country Ventures, http://www.coloradofund1.com
o Hunt BioVentures, http://www.huntbioventures.com
o Johnson & Johnson, http://www.jjdevcorp.com
o Keld, LLC, http://www.keldllc.com
o KRG Capital Partners, http://www.krgcapital.com
o Lilly Ventures, http://www.lillyventures.com
o Mesa Verde Venture Partners, http://www.mesaverdevp.com
o Morgenthaler Ventures, http://www.morgenthaler.com
o NovaQuesto Novartis Venture Fund, http://www.venturefund.novartis.com
o Prairiegold Ventures, http://www.pgvp.com
o Puente Partnerso Red Script, http://www.jjdevcorp.com
o Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association, http://www.rockymountainvca.com
o Sequel Ventures, http://www.sequelvc.com
o Skyline Ventures, http://www.skylineventures.com
o Sun Mountain Capital, http://www.sunmountaincapital.com
o Technology Partners, http://www.technologypartners.com
o Telegraph Hill Partners, http://www.thpartners.net
o vSpring Capital, http://www.vspring.com
o Yasuda Enterprise Development, http://www.yedvc.co.jp

Link to the Business Wire release

Link to the Conference website

ColoradoBiz TV: Andy Paliszewski of Siemens Energy at the CCIA Launch Event

Planet Profit Report

Andy Paliszewski of Siemens Energy talks about his company’s investment in renewable energy and the future of wind technology at the launch of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV interview

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Selects Absolutely PR

"Colorado public relations consulting firm, Absolutely Public Relations (http://www.absolutelypr.com/), has been named the PR agency of record for the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. The announcement was made by Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, owner/founder of Absolutely PR, who said the contract began earlier this year and two successful media relations campaigns are already yielding key media placements for the CCIA—both in traditional media outlets, as well as in the social media.

Link to the Daily Dog posting

University of Colorado to break ground on new biotech building that will house the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology

"Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, University of Colorado President Bruce Benson, Nobel Laureate and CU Distinguished Professor Tom Cech (pictured here), CU-Boulder Chancellor Philip DiStefano and members from the entire CU-Boulder community will gather Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 4:15 p.m. on the CU-Boulder East Campus to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building. . .

'This building will solidify the University of Colorado's position as a world leader in biotechnology and biochemistry,' said CU President Bruce D. Benson. 'It will provide leading-edge facilities to help foster collaboration among our faculty researchers and students from Boulder, Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus. It will draw on the talents of scientists and engineers from several disciplines and create an incubator where innovation and discovery thrive.'

For the first time since its formation, the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology's research team, a "dream team" of scientists and engineers spanning eight CU departments, will be housed in one location. The team received a boost this year when Cech, 1989 winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry, rejoined CU's faculty in spring 2009 to head up the initiative."

Link to the CU - Office of News Services - Release

Link to more information about the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology - CIMB

Upcoming opportunity to hear Dr. Tom Cech: Dr. Cech will be delivering the keynote address at the Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference, Sept. 17 at the Ritz-Carton, Denver. Link to register: http://www.rmlic.com/register.html

Absolutely PR adds social media offerings

"DENVER, CO: Absolutely PR added social media PR strategy and tactics to its product offerings. After having worked with current clients the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) and the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) on social media outreach, the agency now offers consulting on embracing tools including news feed blogs, SEO PR, podcasting, Wikipedia, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and video channels."

Link to the PRWeek post

Link to the related PR Web newswire

"Ovarian Cancer, Awareness Now!" - 2nd Annual Ovarian Cancer March to the Colorado Capitol - Friday, Sept 4, 2009 Arrival at the Capitol Steps

"This is the second year my husband and I participated in support of our dear friend Elaine Rueb -- we also choose to support the COCA effort financially," Maggie Holben says. "The march, however, is about awareness. It was an awesome event again this year."

Link to the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Association website

Colorado is a stand out in the Clean Energy Economy

The August 28th Wall Street Journal mentioned Colorado in a quote from the Pew Environmental Group:

"'Oregon is one of the top three states in the country in terms of growing its clean-energy economy' along with Colorado and Tennessee, said Phyllis Cuttino, director of the Pew Environment Group's U.S. Global Warming campaign, a nonprofit that is part of the Pew Charitable Trusts."

Link to the article posting

The information comes from the June 2009 Pew report entitled "The Clean Energy Economy: Repowering Jobs, Businesses and Investments Across the Country." Colorado is singled among the "large and fast growing" category. Quoting from the report:

"Large and fast growing. Three states have large and fast-growing clean energy economies: Colorado, Oregon and Tennessee. In 2007, each of these states exceeded the national averages for both the number of jobs in the clean energy economy (15,106) and the average annual growth rate for those jobs (1.9 percent). These states are geographically dispersed, demonstrating that location is not the sole factor in the success and vitality of a state’s clean energy economy. Tennessee has had success developing jobs in the Conservation and Pollution Mitigation category, which includes recycling, waste treatment and water management; more than three quarters of the state’s jobs in the clean energy economy are in this category. Colorado has capitalized on its natural wind and sun resources to stimulate job growth in Clean Energy, while Oregon has become a leader in Energy Efficiency, with a quarter of its jobs in the clean energy economy in this category."

Link to a pdf of the Pew report

Colorado Life Science Deal Flow: The Best $200 You Can Spend on 9/17, Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference

From CLSDF's Adam Rubenstein: "If you have not heard about the upcoming Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference at the Ritz Carlton – Denver on 17 September, yet, you sure will get an earful about it here at CLSDF.

Today’s post particularly applies to those companies who have applied to present at the RMLSIC and were not selected as well as those entities who have not applied (perhaps you thought you were not ready to present yet?). Knowing that capital raising in our world is essentially, well…essential, the perspective of institutional life science investors is key in helping to highlight and address the critical “commercially relevant” questions that an early-stage entity must focus upon in order to efficiently leverage finite resources."

Link to the full posting

Baxa Corporation Named to Inc. 5000 as One of the Fastest‐Growing Private Companies in the US

Baxa Corporation announces that Inc.com has included Baxa Corporation on its annual ranking of the top 5,000 fastest‐growing private companies in the US. Baxa has grown by more than 36%, achieving Inc. recognition to the 5000 list all three years since its inception. This places Baxa on a prestigious list of enterprises that have appeared on the list multiple times, many of which have grown to become national icons.

"We are honored to be acknowledged as one of the fastest‐growing private companies in the US," notes Greg Baldwin, Baxa Chairman and CEO. "The Inc. 5000 list is a great example of the positive impact that independent companies have on our economy." Baxa Corporation, founded in 1975, currently employs more than 500 associates through its Colorado headquarters, and Florida and United Kingdom subsidiary offices.

Link to the 2009 Inc 500/5000 List

Link to the news release

CriticalPoint, in partnership with Baxa Corporation, releases seven new training modules to its interactive programming for USP 797 compliance.

Baxa Corporation announces the launch of seven new training modules offered in The CriticalPoint Virtual Compounder training series. With these new modules, The Virtual Compounder training now comprises 10 self-paced, ACPE-approved modules that offer participants a total of 10 hours of ACPE credit. This innovative series of training lessons allows users not only to view, read and memorize materials, but to demonstrate a clear understanding and proficiency in USP 797 sterile compounding concepts.

The new Virtual Compounder modules teach users the skills necessary to be proficient in the following subjects: Daily Cleaning Activities, Monthly Cleaning Activities, Hazardous Spill Clean-up, Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) Cleaning, Compounding Aseptic Containment Isolator (CACI) Cleaning, Compounding Aseptic Isolator (CAI) Cleaning and Performing Volumetric Air Sampling. And along with the other subjects: Garbing and Gowning, Solution Preparation and Laminar Air Flow Workbench (LAFW) Cleaning, each module covers the related requirements for USP 797 compliance. The complete series of training programs is owned by CriticalPoint and is marketed under the Baxa Corporation brand.

Link to the CriticalPoint/Baxa web page

Link to the related PR Newswire

2009 Colorado BioSymposium on Pulmonary Disease

A day devoted to Colorado's nationally acclaimed research on Pulmonary Disease. Join us for this all-day event, highlighting Colorado's cutting edge research on Pulmonary Disease on the beautiful University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus. Experts from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine and National Jewish Health will discuss research pertaining to Airway Diseases, Lung Cancer, Vascularization and Hypertension, Interstitial Disease and Pulmonary Fibrosis, as well as the associated funding and commercialization.

The keynote speaker for the BioSymposium will be Eric Olson, PhD, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Molecular Biology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. The topic of Dr. Olson’s remarks will be The Treatment of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension.

Conference Details:

WHEN: September 16, 2009 7:30am to 6:30pm This event is preceding the Rocky Mountain Life Science Investors Conference.

We are excited to extend a discounted rate to attendees.

WHERE: The conference will be held at Research Complex 2 (Trivisible on the 2nd Floor) at the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado.

REGISTRATION: Registration closes September 10, 2009, or as soon as all spaces are filled.
SPACE IS LIMITED - PLEASE REGISTER EARLY!! Visit: http://www.fitzscience.com/Pulmonary_BioSymposium.aspx for registration and more details.

Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference Announces Final 13 Presenting Companies & Nationally Acclaimed Speakers

Organizers of the Inaugural Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference (RMLIC) have announced the final 13 of 30 presenting companies that will showcase their innovations to leading investors and industry experts on September 17 at the Ritz Carlton, Denver. The announcement is made by John Collar, President & CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA), who says the conference itinerary will also feature nationally acclaimed speakers Nobel Laureate Dr. Tom Cech and Roy Davis, President J&J Corporate Development.

“Both the Colorado BioScience Association and the Arizona BioIndustry Association along with our regional partners are simply thrilled to have both Roy Davis and Dr. Cech present during the Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference,” Collar explains. “This will provide an opportunity for attendees to hear from two leaders within the industry and show the excitement around the biosciences that lie within the Rocky Mountain region.”

The final 13 of the 30 presenting companies at the RMLIC include:

* Allogenesis – Denver, CO – Website coming soon
* Applied Microarrays, Inc. – Tempe, AZ - http://www.appliedmicroarrays.com/
* Axial Biotech – Salt Lake City, UT - http://www.axialbiotech.com/
* Beacon Biotechnology – Aurora, CO - http://www.beaconbiotechnology.com/
* Castle Biosciences- Phoenix, AZ - http://www.castlebiosciences.com/
* Leap Frogg – Grand Junction, CO – Website coming soon
* LigoCyte Pharmaceuticals – Bozeman, MT - http://www.ligocyte.com/
* Medipacs – Tucson, AZ - http://www.medipacs.com/
* NanoMR – Albuquerque, NM - http://www.nanomr.com/
* Numira Biosciences – Salt Lake City, UT - http://www.numirabio.com/
* PharmaJet – Golden, CO - http://www.pharmajet.com/
* SenesTech, Inc. – Flagstaff, AZ - http://www.senestech.com/
* Western States Biopharmaceuticals – Aurora, CO - http://www.westernstatesbiopharm.com/

Last month, during the first-round of the RMLIC selection process, the following 17 companies were announced: Apoplogic, Aurora, CO; BioAmps, Aurora, CO; Biodesix, Broomfield, CO; BiOptix Diagnostics, Boulder, CO; Coherex, Salt Lake City, UT; GlobeImmune, Louisville, CO; High Throughput Genomics, Tucson, AZ; Inviragen, Fort Collins, CO; Kinetic Muscles, Tempe, AZ; LineaGen, Salt Lake City, UT; Medivance, Louisville, CO; miRagen, Boulder, CO; Myocept, Lafayette, CO; Regenesis, Scottsdale, AZ; ThermImage, Salt Lake City, UT; ValveXchange, Aurora, CO; and Vital Access, Salt Lake City, UT.

For registration information, visit the conference website at http://www.rmlic.com/

Link to the PR Web newswire

Baxa launches awareness campaign addressing serious risk of tubing misconnections in NICU

Baxa Corporation announces the launch of a new awareness campaign for its NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System. The exclusive NeoThrive System provides Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) a safer way to help their fragile patients grow. NeoThrive uses distinct “Enteral Only” orange coloring and a specialty connector to eliminate the risk of serious IV line misconnections. Together with the NeoThrive Enteral Pump, the Baxa system provides a dedicated enteral system that combines visual cues and clear identification to ensure the safety of enteral connections for NICU feeding.

“Our goal is to raise the awareness of the serious risk of enteral feeding misconnections among healthcare professionals, while offering the industry a safe and complete solution,” notes Katie Calabrese, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner and Baxa Clinical Support Specialist. “The effort is supported by two different media in order to ensure this critical information reaches a large audience,” She continues. “Helping these fragile babies thrive is the reason Baxa produced the NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System.”

Link to Baxa Corp's NeoThrive Website

Link to the PR Newswire Release

Denver’s Absolutely Public Relations Adds Social Media PR Strategy & Tactics To Product Line

Denver-based Absolutely Public Relations has added social media PR strategy and tactics to its product line. The 10-year-old consulting firm actively embraces all the Web 2.0/social media tools -- including news feed blogs, SEO PR, Podcasting, Wikipedia, Facebook/LinkedIn/Twitter, and video channels such as YouTube -- to help clients turn up the volume on their brands in both traditional and online media messaging.

“The single most important thing we do for clients in the social media realm is to retain brand integrity and consistency of message as we make use of social media opportunities,” Holben says. “A couple of excellent resources in understanding social media PR include the Social Media Revolution video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8 (view below) and the 2009 Digital Readiness Report http://www.ipressroom.com/pr/corporate/social-media-communications-skills-survey.aspx?a=form&rid=117348&id=97330#prform sponsored in part by the Public Relations Society of America.

Link to the PRWeb Newswire

ColoradoBiz TV: Ryan Ferrero at the CCIA Launch Event

Planet Profit Report

Ryan Ferrero of Primoris Energy Solutions talks at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association’s launch about how the company is bringing clean technology and innovation to the transportation industry.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV interview

Rocky Radar - Recap of CBSA August BioBreakfast Discussing Commercialization of University Technology

"Wednesday’s [Aug 19, 2009] CBSA BioBreakfast offered insight into programs both inside and outside the University system designed to support the commercialization of bioscience technologies. Northern Colorado was showcased first with Todd Headly of the Colorado State University Technology Transfer Office speaking first. CSU has a unique approach to commercialization with Superclusters established in three specific areas to facilitate commercialization: MicoRx for infectious disease, NeoTrex for cancer, and Cenergy for clean energy. To the early success of the supercluster structure, Headly noted that since their formation invention disclosures have increased 135%. While Headly is proud of this accomplishment, he noted that the technology transfer office also provides support to technologies outside the Superluster areas. CSU is currently raising an early stage seed fund to support commercialization efforts." more. . .

Read the Rocky Radar Report

ColoradoBiz TV: CCIA Launch Highlights

Planet Profit Report

Christine Shappard, the executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, talks to the press about the organization’s goal to make Colorado a world leader in the green economy. Plus, hear remarks from Don Elliman, new State of Colorado COO, and Colorado Governor Bill Ritter at the CCIA launch July 23, 2009.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV coverage

Top 10 U.S. states for cleantech in 2009: Colorado Ranks #4

1. California is the 800-pound gorilla of cleantech, with half of all cleantech-related venture capital going to the Golden State, a total of $6.5 billion from 2006 to 2008. Backed by the leadership of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, they also have the most aggressive greenhouse-gas reduction targets in the country.

2. Texas boasts the world’s largest wind farm, and generates more electricity from wind than any other state. Moreover, Texas attracted more than $716 million in cleantech-related venture capital funds between 2006 and 2008.

3.Massachusetts can lay claim to the best university cluster in the world, with MIT, Harvard University, Boston University, Tufts University and Northeastern University helping attract from 2006 to 2008 $1.2 billion in venture capital funds—second only to California.

4. Colorado is cultivating a true cleantech culture, with roughly 200 cleantech firms dotting the area stretching from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. The state has attracted more than 17,000 cleantech jobs from 2006 to 2008. Colorado was also able to attract Vestas Wind Systems, the world's leading supplier of wind turbines, to open four new plants—an investment of more than $600 million.

Find out the rest

Pharmaceutical Job Site: Colorado biotechnology cluster on the rise

When the general public thinks about the life science industry, Boston and San Francisco come to mind first, with other areas such as New Jersey, San Diego and RTP coming in second. In reality, there are many other areas that have thriving biotech centers, and we make it our business to find out more about these less known areas whenever we can.

Colorado is home to a larger than expected number of life science companies, ranging from biotech and pharmaceutical to medical devices and agricultural biotech. According to the Colorado BioScience Association, there are approximately 380 bioscience companies in Colorado, directly creating over 16,000 biotech jobs and another indirectly supported 20,000 jobs. The average salary for these positions is well in excess of $60,000 per year. . .

Link to the Pharmaceutical Job Site

Mike Cote Interview with Ron Bernal, chairman of CCIA

Ron Bernal, of Sequel Venture Partners and chairman of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, talks at the organization’s launch event about how the group plans to develop the green energy sector in Colorado.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV interview

August 9 - Denver Post: A conversation with Christine Shapard

A conversation with Christine Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, edited for length and clarity by staff writer Mark Jaffe:

Q: How has the recession affected clean-technology companies, especially startups?

Q: If climate and energy legislation, along the lines of the Waxman-Markey bill passed by the House, becomes law, what impact could it have for companies here?

Q: What effect is the Obama administration's economic stimulus package having on clean-technology companies?

Link to Chris Shapard's answers

Baxa Corporation Launches “Culture of Safety” Facebook Page

Baxa announces the launch of a new Facebook Page designed to influence a change in patient and medication safety practices. The Culture of Safety Page, sponsored by Baxa Corporation encourages pharmacy and nursing professionals to share experiences, insights and ideas for improving their profession and creating solutions that interject safety into the healthcare process. The site also serves as a portal for Web sites and resources related to establishing a cultural awareness around patient safety within specific health systems.

Link to the Culture of Safety sponsored by Baxa Corporation Facebook Page

Link to the related PR Newswire

Colorado BioScience Association Announces 2009 Education Initiatives: Summer Externship Recipient, New Leadership Academy & BioNimbus Partnership

The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) has embarked on an ambitious roster of education initiatives this year. The announcement is made by John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, who says the organization is again sponsoring a high school biology teacher in a paid externship program at a member bioscience company, participating in the new statewide Elementary Science Teacher Leadership Academy, and partnering with the BioNimbus organization to create a new database that better connect teachers, schools and companies.

Tammy Heartly (left), a Fairview High School biology teacher, is the second teacher to take part in the CBSA’s externship program and has spent part of her summer at OSI Pharmaceuticals in Boulder. Her experience at OSI includes investigating a preservative on a tissue sample to see if the preservative will keep the tissue’s DNA intact and show whether the use of the preservative will allow the DNA to sequence correctly.

Link to the Business Wire Education Initiatives Release

ColoradoBiz TV: Don Marostica of Colorado’s OEDIT at CCIA's Launch

Planet Profit Report

Don Marostica, Gov. Ritter’s Republican pick to head the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, explains at the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association’s launch how green collar jobs will help put some of Colorado’s 250,000 unemployed to work.

Link to Mike Cote's interview with Don

Absolutely Public Relations Named PR Agency of Record for the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

Colorado public relations consulting firm, Absolutely Public Relations, is the PR agency of record (AOR) for the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). The announcement is made by Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, owner/founder of Absolutely PR, who says the contract began earlier this year and two successful media relations campaigns are already yielding key media placements for the CCIA – both in traditional media outlets, as well as in the social media.

During recent launch festivities at the Governor’s Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the CCIA. The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said, “The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado’s position as the nation’s cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator and we are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country.”

“Over the past few years, Colorado has become a national leader in the New Energy Economy, and one key reason is the thriving community of 300 cleantech companies and 20,000 employees based here,” Gov. Ritter said. “Even in this difficult economy, cleantech remains a vital part of our forward-looking economic-development strategy. The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association will help harness the power and the potential of this important economic sector as we lead Colorado forward and establish this state as the cleantech capital of the world.”

Link to the PR Newswire

17 Companies Accepted During 1st-Round Vetting For Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference

In its selection committee’s first round, the Rocky Mountain Life Science Investor Conference (RMLIC) has chosen 17 of thirty regional companies to showcase their technologies on Thursday, September 17th at the Ritz Carlton in Denver. The announcement is made by John Collar, President & CEO of the Colorado Bioscience Association (CBSA), whose organization is co-hosting the inaugural event with the Arizona BioIndustry Organization (AZBio), along with regional industry partners in Montana, Utah, and New Mexico.

Companies selected in first-round vetting for the RMLIC include:

* Apoplogic - Aurora, CO
* BioAmps - Aurora, CO
* BioDesix - Broomfield, CO
* BiOptix - Boulder, CO
* Coherex – Salt Lake City, UT
* GlobeImmune - Louisville, CO
* High Throughput Genomics - Tucson, AZ
* Inviragen - Fort Collins, CO
* Kinetic Muscles - Tempe, AZ
* Lineagen - Salt Lake City, UT
* Medivance - Louisville, CO
* miRagen - Boulder, CO
* Myocept -Lafayette, CO
* Regenesis - Scottsdale, AZ
* ThermImage - Salt Lake City, UT
* ValvExchange - Aurora, CO
* Vital Access - Salt Lake City, UT

Link to the Business Wire release

From the UK - NewNet Profile: Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

"Christine Shapard, the executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association discusses why private investment is crucial in pushing cleantech forward, the effects of a new Administration and the potential impact to the industry of stimulus funding. . .

. . .‘Our aim is to make Colorado the epicentre of the cleantech industry in the US and the world. We are focused on making sure that companies grow in Colorado, so we are trying to build the business environment companies need to grow their operations and get their products out into the market place. There are currently more than 300 cleantech businesses operating in the area and we are home to the nation’s national laboratory devoted to renewable energy. We work very closely with the state legislature and lobby in Washington DC on behalf of the industry. In addition, we work alongside the Governor to ensure that companies are being heard and receiving adequate awareness.'"

Link to the Q&A with Chris Shapard about CCIA

Building a Successful Biotech Incubator: Proximity to Academic Hubs and Capital Remains a Crucial Factor in Hatching a Thriving Cluster

Gail Dutton included these quotes about Colorado in her July 1st feature in Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News:

Colorado is succeeding in this endeavor. Since committing the state to bioscience in 2003, bioscience investments through 2008 totaled $1.3 billion, ranking Colorado number 11 in the U.S. for bioscience venture capital investments, according to the just-released Colorado BioScience Association study. This was accomplished through state funding for proof-of-concept activities and through proceedings to strengthen bioscience infrastructure with increased university competency and business networks.

In 2003, Colorado decided to make the biosciences a key driver of the state’s future economy. Since then, its universities have increased bioscience research capabilities and added classes to support biosciences. Colorado is capitalizing on its strengths in medical devices by expanding the biotechnology sales and use tax credit to medical-device companies, maintaining a dedicated bioscience staff for the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade, and making a long-term commitment by funding ongoing development projects, including medical campuses, technology parks, and superclusters. A Biosciences Executive Corps also has been created to mentor start-up companies, along with entrepreneurial support networks.

Link to the article

ColoradoBiz TV's Mike Cote Interviews Gov. Bill Ritter at the CCIA Launch

At the launch of the new Colorado Cleantech Industry Association on July 23, Gov. Bill Ritter talks about the significance of “clean tech” and renewable energy in Colorado and how the industry can contribute to job creation. Read more about Colorado’s ‘New Energy Economy’ here.

Link to the ColoradoBiz TV "Executive Edge" Interview

Link to Cote’s Colorado: Colorado clean tech goes to Washington

CCIA Launches Among Luminaries at the Governor’s Mansion

"On Thursday afternoon a dense collection of Colorado luminaries gathered at the Governor’s mansion to celebrate the launch of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) under the leadership of Executive Director Christine Shapard.

The mission of the association is to provide representation and advocacy, a unified voice, relevant programming and capacity development to the clean technology industry taking shape within the state. Shapard, who began building the new organization after a successful leadership role at the Colorado BioScience Association, noted CCIA’s 'dedication to making Colorado a world leader' in clean technology and cited its strong backing by ninety member companies, including Xcel Energy, Google, and Silicon Valley Bank."

Link to the Rocky Radar Report

Cleantech Trade Group Launches To Start-Up Acclaim

"Of the politicians, businesspeople, and academics who gathered at the governor’s mansion on July 23, the most relieved by far had to be Chris Shapard, executive director of the brand-new Colorado Cleantech Industry Organization. . .

First conceived nearly a year ago, the CCIA seemed at first like a slam dunk: 'When we first starting raising money back in September, everyone said, no problem! As the world economy came to a screeching halt, the road got tougher: some of the trade organization’s members are “on a payment plan,' Shapard said, but the CCIA, formed to lead and catalyze the renewable-energy industry at the heart of Colorado’s New Energy Economy, is now off the drawing board with more than 80 members and strong support from the Governor’s Energy Office, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory."

Read Richard Martin's Report

New Colorado Cleantech Industry Association announced

On July 23, during launch festivities at the Governor's Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA). The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said, "The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado's position as the nation's cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator. We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

Link to the MetroDenver News Center

Colorado Cleantech Industry Association Officially Launched

Gov. Bill Ritter, D-Colo., has created the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) with industry executives.

"The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado's position as the nation's cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator," says Christine Shapard, founding executive director of the CCIA. "We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country."

Link to the posting

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter & Industry Leaders Announce Formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association

DENVER, July 24 -- Yesterday, during launch festivities at the Governor’s Mansion, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter announced formation of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA).

The announcement was made together with Christine Shapard, founding Executive Director of the CCIA who said, “The CCIA is the only industry-led, industry-focused cleantech group in the state created to solidify Colorado’s position as the nation’s cleantech leader, new energy economy driver and technology innovator. We are one of only four cleantech business associations in the country.”

Link to NewsReleaseWire for the launch event release

9News Covers CCIA Launch - Cleantech: 'The only industry hiring right now'

"DENVER - The fastest-growing industry in Colorado might be the "only industry that's hiring right now," according to the executive director of a trade association formed to maximize its potential.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association was officially launched at an event inside the Governor's Mansion on Thursday to celebrate the 300 companies who have already hired roughly 20,000 workers and brought in more than $300 million in venture capital last year alone.

'In my years of economic development, I see this as having more potential than the IT sector did,' said Chris Shapard, who runs the new trade group that lists Colorado's traditional energy companies, its research institutions, renewable technology leaders and state offices as its members. 'The passion that I've seen here is incredible. The drive, the energy, no pun intended, is much more than other sectors that I've seen.'"

Link to 9News coverage of the CCIA launch by Adam Schrager

Baxa Launches Enhanced Online Product Content

Baxa Corporation announces the launch of new interactive functionality to its Web site product pages that enables a 360-degree view and enhanced content. With this new feature, users can zoom in to see high-resolution product photos and, on key products, a 360-degree view.

Baxa Corporation markets and sells medical devices for use in health-system pharmacies and for patient care. Its OEM group provides specialty products for packaging with prescription pharmaceuticals. For more information about Baxa, or to demonstrate the new Web site features, visit http://tiny.cc/UleLk

Link to the PR Newswire announcement

U.S. Pharmacopeia Hosts "Aseptic Processing and Compliance Tools for USP <797>" at Baxa Corp STAR Center

Conducted in association with the Star Center, This two-day course, is designed to provide practical experience to successfully implemented USP <797> requirements in a healthcare settings. Participants will earn 21 hours of CE credit, including one (1) hour of law credit. Pharmacists, technicians and other persons involved in facility/clean room design or environmental controls will benefit from taking this course.

Link to the USP course overview

Link to the Baxa STAR Center

Denver Post: New, bigger homes take hold in Wellshire

"The thriving area in southeast Denver has a small-town feel."

Today's Denver Post featured the Wellshire neighborhood, where Holben Homes has two new homes for sale.

Quote from the article by Christain Toto: "Stephen Holben, president and owner of Denver-based Holben Building Corp., said Wellshire homes appreciated 5.3 percent last year and dozens of homes and townhouses are in various stages of planning or completion."

Link to the article

Link to the Holben Homes website

"Effectively Using PR To Turn Up The Volume On Your Brand" Now Posted At Experts.com

My "Effectively Using PR To Turn Up The Volume On Your Brand" article is now posted at the Experts.com resources center.

Link to the article

Link to my Experts.com profile page

Colorado Boasts Three Markets in the Milken Institute's North American High Tech Top 50

A new study from the Milken Institute shows three Colorado MSAs ranking in the top 50 of the "North America High Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge Based Industries Ranking." Link to support data per market:


Denver-Aurora, CO (MSA)

Boulder, CO (MSA)

Colorado Springs, CO (MSA)


The full report and executive summary of North America's High-Tech Economy: The Geography of Knowledge-Based Industries is available for free download after registration at http://www.milkeninstitute.org/nahightech/nahightech.taf.

Bioscience Colorado Magazine 2009-10, Now Available

Welcome to the 2009-2010 edition of Bioscience Colorado brought to you by the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA).

Bioscience Colorado is the only in-depth guide and directory to the bioscience industry in the state, and is distributed nationally and internationally by the CBSA, research institutions and economic development offices. The new magazine, includes articles showcasing Colorado companies, the history of Colorado bioscience industry, Colorado's global bioscience outreach and an overview of Colorado's broad welcome mat for bioscience startups.

The updated bioscience directory provides the most current listing of medical device, biotechnology, biofuels and pharmaceutical companies in Colorado. The directory also provides a comprehensive listing of service providers for the industry that are recommended by the Association.

Link to new issue

Baxa Corporation’s Dennis Tribble, PharmD, Now Profiled at Expert411.com for Media and Professional Access

Englewood, Colo., June 29, 2009 – Dennis Tribble, PharmD, is now profiled at the Expert Information for Journalists site - http://expert411.com/_wsn/page3.html - for media and professional access. This announcement is made by Marian Robinson, VP Marketing for Baxa Corporation, who says Tribble is Chief Pharmacy Officer and Chief Technology Officer for the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FHT, Inc. Baxa is a Denver-based manufacturer of software and devices for health-system pharmacies.

“Dennis is an expert on health-system safety and related medication safety issues,” Robinson explains. “His experience in pharmacy operations and information technology make him a passionate advocate for a complete restructuring of the pharmacy practice paradigm and the use of technology in bringing about that vision.”

Link to the PR Newswire posting

Link to the PRWeb newswire

Denver-based Acupuncturist, Dr. Martha Lucas, Releases New Book: “Vanity Calamity: Your Guide to Cosmetic Acupuncture for Anti-aging”

Denver, CO, June 22, 2009 – Martha Lucas, Ph.D., L.Ac., Denver-based acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has authored "Vanity Calamity: Your Guide to Cosmetic Acupuncture for Anti-aging." The announcement is made by Dr. Lucas who says, “Vanity Calamity tells the history of vanity and what women have been willing to do to look younger or more beautiful. Now there’s a healthy, safe option - Cosmetic Acupuncture. My new book, now available for purchase at Amazon.com, shares how to look young naturally, including foods that nourish the skin.”

Dr. Lucas received her Ph.D. in Research Psychology from the University of Louisville in Kentucky, and her degree in TCM from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Denver. Besides her formal TCM training, Dr. Lucas interned with Jim Ramholz, O.M.D., in Advanced Pulse Diagnosis; Master Doctor Zheng Gao Yao, QiGong Medical Massage; and Timothy McGee, L.Ac. Dr. Lucas sees patients at her private practice located in the Capitol Hill area of Denver, specializing in serious chronic illness, male and female fertility issues, weight loss, and cosmetic acupuncture. Additional information is available at http://www.acupuncturewoman.com/

Purchase Vanity Calamity (ISBN: 9780578026299) at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0578026295

Link to the PR Web newswire

Colorado Governor Signs Two Bills Designed to Accelerate State's Life-Sci Growth

BioRegion News: June 5, 2009 -- Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed into law this week a pair of bills sought by state life science leaders.

Both bills, however, include changes that scale down the tax breaks that were originally proposed through the measures, reflecting the state's need to balance its budget by wiping out a $1.4 billion shortfall blamed on the ongoing economic upheaval.

Ritter on June 1 signed House Bill 09-1035, which expands the categories of business eligible for refunds of up to $50,000 in state sales and use taxes paid on personal property for research and development to include medical-device makers, producers of biofuels, and other "clean" technologies that are headquartered in Colorado and that employ 50 or fewer full-time employees. Biotech businesses are already eligible for the credit.

The governor, a Democrat in his first term, also enacted House Bill 09-1105, which provides tax incentives for angel investors in life-sciences startups, as well as other companies "primarily in research and development or manufacturing of new technologies, products, or processes."

Link to the posting

Making Hospital Pharmacies Safer: Baxa Corporation Releases IntelliFlowRx™ Upgrades

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 17 - Baxa Corporation announces the release of upgrades to its IntelliFlowRx workflow management system. IntelliFlowRx is designed to improve safety and accuracy in pharmacy-based IV admixture preparation. The system also streamlines compliance with sterile preparation regulatory steps while improving visibility to and oversight of IV room operations.

In its first year of full production use, IntelliFlowRx has processed nearly a half million doses and serves more than 1,000 pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Additional upgrades to the IntelliFlowRx Software are anticipated in the latter part of the year that will integrate the program with existing Baxa automation for more seamless management of health-system pharmacy workflow.

Link to the IntelliFlowRx microsite

Link to the related PR Newswire