Governor Bill Ritter, Jr, signs executive orders assisting Colorado's bioscience industry

The CBSA gathered May 27 at the Colorado State Capitol to witness the signing of two Executive Orders by Governor Bill Ritter, Jr., benefitting the state's bioscience industry. Denise Brown, CBSA's Interim Executive Director, spoke on behalf of the CBSA. In a program prior to the signing, CBSA Board Member Jim Linfield, Cooley LLP, provided the program: "Hot Button Issues in Bioscience: Health Care Reform and Financing Constraints."

Link to the video of Denise Brown's remarks.

Link to the video of Governor Ritter's remarks.

Link to video of Jim Linfield's presentation (part 1 of 5).

Business Wire Release: http://ow.ly/1S9ge

Metro Denver Economic Development Corp Launches Colorado as North America's Cleantech Hub, Using New Media to Highlight Region's New Energy Economy

"Today, during the American Wind Energy Association's WindPower 2010 Conference & Exhibition in Dallas, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will lead a first-of-its kind #CleantechHub Twitter chat at 3 p.m. CDT discussing states' roles in growing new energy economies.

In addition to Governor Ritter's chat, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) will host two subsequent chats during the conference on Tuesday, May 25, by Renewable Energy World's Graham Jesmer and on Wednesday, May 26, by Clean Edge's Clint Wilder. Both hour-long chats will start at 3 p.m. CDT.

The #CleantechHub discussions and a new website — www.CleantechHub.org — are a part of the Metro Denver EDC's launch of its Colorado Cleantech campaign targeting national and international companies in wind, solar, biofuels, smart grid, and natural gas."

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association and Colorado Energy Coalition are in partnership with the Metro Denver EDC in debuting the new website: www.CleantechHub.org

Link to today's PR Newswire announcement

Colorado BioScience Assn's May BioBreakfast Focused on Two Colorado Success Stories

CBSA’s May BioBreakfast allowed two of Colorado’s 2009 Bioscience success stories to share their stories.

First up was Paul Beresford of Biodesix.

Dr. Tim Rodell of GlobeImmune presented next.

Link to the Rocky Radar recap.

MeiZen Facial Acupuncture, Co-Developed & Taught Internationally by Denver's Own Dr. Martha Lucas, Is Featured in Oprah's June O Magazine

Stop everything you're doing right now and go to the newsstand to pick up a copy of the June O Magazine. Why? Because MeiZen Facial Acupuncture is featured on page 164. MeiZen is the facial acupuncture system co-developed and taught internationally by Denver's own Dr. Martha Lucas. The photo was taken at the practice of Martha's New York student, Dr. Melinda Mingus. In addition to co-developing the MeiZen system, Martha is also the author of Vanity Calamity and a true acupuncture trailblazer! We admire Dr. Lucas' unwavering passion and dedication to Chinese medicine http://www.acupuncturewoman.com/.

If you're interested in learning more about the MeiZen system and not in the Denver area for assistance from Dr. Martha Lucas, you can find a MeiZen certified acupuncture practitioner in your area at this link: http://www.cosmeticacupunctureseminars.com/practitioners.html.

Colorado Gov Bill Ritter helps open $53 million Research Innovation Ctr on Colo State University Foothills campus

"University and government officials came together to celebrate the public unveiling of Colorado State University's Research Innovation Center.

The 72,000-square-foot facility on the Foothills Campus will serve university researchers as well as private companies in the biomedical field. It features state-of-the-art bioscience laboratories as well as office space, a portion of which will be set aside as a business incubator for lease by CSU startups and existing businesses.

The hope is to extend CSU's infectious disease supercluster by partnering the public and private sector scientists and embedding business development teams with the researchers. The goal, CSU President Tony Frank explained, is to shorten the time from laboratory to market for the groundbreaking research and discoveries being made at the university. Frank added that he expects this facility to be the first of several for CSU, with other research centers dedicated to the other superclusters in clean energy and cancer."

Link to Northern Colorado Business Report: http://www.ncbr.com/article.asp?id=51554

Link to Fort Collins Coloradoan: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20100512/NEWS01/5120320

Link to KUNC - NPR/Community Radio for Northern Colorado (includes audio report): http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kunc/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1648489/Regional/Governor.Helps.Open.New.CSU.Innovation.Center

Cleantech association starts online career center

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association in Denver has started a Web-based Career Center, connecting job seekers with prospective employers in the cleantech industry.

The job board, powered by JobTarget, serves association members as well as nonmembers."

Link to the Boulder County Business Report

CCIA launches online career center for companies, job seekers

"The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association has launched a new online career center for people looking for jobs in the cleantech industry and cleantech companies looking for workers.

People looking for jobs can post their resumes, including anonymous resumes, and sign up for alerts notifying them of jobs matching their criteria. Cleantech companies can post jobs to the site.

The new career center is available to members and non-members of CCIA."

Link to the posting at BrownonGreen.net

CCIA Launches New Online "Colorado Cleantech Career Center" for Job Seekers & Employers/Recruiters

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association now offers a new web-based Career Center, connecting job seekers with prospective employers in the cleantech industry. The announcement is made by Christine Shapard, CCIA Executive Director, who says the center is accessible at the "CAREERS" section of the CCIA website and serves both CCIA members and non-members alike. The new job board is powered by JobTarget.

"Our association promotes cleantech industry knowledge, networking, and excellence,” Shapard explains. “Launching an online career center for professionals in this field—and in our geographic region—is a natural extension of that mission.”

Link to the Colorado Cleantech Career Center

Link to the related news release

Colorado BioScience Association Showcases Colorado's Bioscience Industry at BIO 2010 Conference In Chicago

Colorado, with the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) in the lead role, will be heavily represented at the Biotechnology Industry Organization’s (BIO) International Convention, May 3-6 in Chicago. The announcement is made by Denise Brown, CBSA Interim Executive Director, who says the event will allow Colorado to showcase the exciting bioscience research and discoveries taking place here and provides an opportunity to share the positive features the state has to offer relocating companies.

"This will be the seventh year that representatives from Colorado have attended the conference, but this year Colorado’s presence will be greater than ever," Brown explains. "The Colorado Pavilion, located in booth #1426 of the Exhibit Hall area, includes a number of companies and partners helping to grow the bioscience industry in the state. As these companies can attest, the momentum of the industry in the Colorado, driven by leading research institutions, investors, and the support of the State government, is truly remarkable. On Tuesday evening, Roche Colorado Corporation and the CBSA will celebrate their partnership during a hospitality reception in The Colorado Pavilion focusing on the state’s success in the biosciences."

Of note, CBSA is debuting its 2010 Bioscience Colorado magazine at BIO - link to the pdf: http://ow.ly/1CCi6. Plus, Colorado is featured for the fourth time in a European Life Science Journal bylined article (go to page 64 in the pdf): http://ow.ly/1EHPD.

Link to the Business Wire release

Denver Business Journal: "PR pros can help executives enter networking circles"

PRSA Colorado President Elisabeth Monaghan contributed another bylined article to the Denver Business Journal today: "PR pros can help executives enter networking circles." In the article, Elisabeth kindly quoted me (Maggie Holben, author of this news feed blog):

"While some executives say they lack the time to network, Maggie Holben, owner of Absolutely Public Relations in Lakewood, says they still can establish professional contacts and enhance their company’s community exposure.

'Good networkers are active in community organizations,' she said. 'They aggressively pursue and serve on committees and hold board positions, including officer stints — even if those organizations center on their children’s school or extracurricular activities. If an executive doesn’t have the time to volunteer, he can readily share his company’s management and accounting talents, and he views this as an opportunity, not a chore.'

Holben also recommends that executives encourage others in their organizations to volunteer their time and talents, sit on nonprofit boards or join professional organizations.

'It is much easier for a public relations professional to nominate an executive for an award or promote a company when the organization invites and is recognized for creating a culture of community involvement,' she said."

Read more at: http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/stories/2010/05/03/smallb4.html

Colorado's Bioscience Industry featured in European Life Science Journal

A bylined article by Leah Kientz, CBSA Director of Public Policy & Programming, is featured in the current issue of the European Life Science Journal, "Europe's International Journal for Life Science." Found on page 64, this is the fourth collaboration between ELSJ and CBSA. The current ESLJ issue will be distributed next week at the BIO Convention in Chicago.

Link to the new ESLJ (page 64: "Colorado's bioscience industry boasts a strong infrastructure'"

9News/Denver: Score a job in Colorado's hot BioScience industry

"JEFFERSON COUNTY - the Colorado BioScience Association is hosting a Career and Resource Fair on April 28th, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. We featured a preview on 9NEWS 5 a.m. [CaridianBCT Recruiting Manager Michael Reilly interviewed with Kyle Dyer on behalf of the CBSA Career Fair].

The Fair is Wednesday, April 28, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. and will bring together students and job seekers looking to learn more about bioscience industry employment and training opportunities in the state.

The announcement was made by Denise Brown, CBSA Interim Executive Director, who says the fair is being held in response to company growth and workforce demands in Colorado's bioscience industry."

Link to the 9News posting

Colorado BioScience Association Annual All-Member Meeting - Video Highlights

Videos are now posted on CBSA's YouTube Channel of highlights from the Colorado BioScience Association Annual All-Member Meeting, held April 20 in Erie.

Accomplishments of the past year -- Rick Jory, CBSA Board Chairperson: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVqqJRXi5oQ

Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development -- Kevin Smith, EVP/COO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4XQA5tD54k

Colorado Center For Drug Discovery -- Terry Opgenorth, Director: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXFqkjkZVKg

Colorado BioScience Association names nine to board

April 21, 2010 - The Colorado BioScience Association appointed nine new board members at its annual meeting Tuesday in Erie. They are:

Denise Brown, principal, DM Brown LLC. (Brown is serving as CBSA's interim executive director following the resignation of John Collar as CEO in February).

Betty Iverson, state government affairs, Johnson & Johnson.

Ruth Lytle-Barnaby, executive director, Poudre Valley Health System Foundation.

Nick Saccamono, chief technology officer, SomaLogic.

Chris Smith, president, Cochlear.

Will Vaughn, director of technology transfer, Colorado School of Mines.

Jim Wilson, senior audit manager, Ernst & Young.

Dan Wittenberg, partner, Snell & Wilmer.

Michael Weiner, partner, Dorsey & Whitney.

Link to the article

Colorado BioScience Career and Resource Fair, April 28, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds

The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) is hosting its second annual Career and Resource Fair Wednesday, April 28, from 1:00 to 4 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The event will bring together students and job seekers looking to learn more about bioscience industry employment and training opportunities in the state. The announcement is made by Denise Brown, CBSA Interim Executive Director, who says the fair is being held in response to company growth and workforce demands in Colorado's bioscience industry.

“Colorado’s bioscience cluster continues to grow and develop, bringing additional job opportunities to the state. The industry is a desirable one in which to work, due mainly to its focus on creating life saving therapies and devices and providing meaningful career paths. We believe our Career and Resource Fair will help provide those with an interest in the industry more background information and possibly open doors to a new career.” Brown explains.

Link to the Business Wire Release

Colorado BioScience Association Announces 2010 Sponsors and Appoints Nine New Board Members

The Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announced 2010 association sponsors and welcomed nine new directors at its Annual All-Member Meeting, held yesterday at the Colorado National Golf Club facilities in Erie, CO. The announcement was made by Rick Jory, Chairperson of the CBSA Board of Directors. Jory, CEO of Sandhill Scientific, Inc., http://www.sandhillsci.com, Highlands Ranch, is beginning his second year of a two-year term as Chairperson.

Link to the Business Wire release

Cover article from Biotech Reporter Greg Avery: Bioscience Gets Boost From Grants

"State grants are funding new university laboratories in Aurora, Boulder and Fort Collins — filling what bioscience veterans say has been a gap in turning promising research into new pharmaceuticals and successful companies. The first installments of nearly $7 million in state biotech infrastructure grants are being paid this spring."

CBSA Interim Executive Director Denise Brown and CBSA Board Member Jim Linfield share their perspective in the report.

Link to the article

Link to descriptive chart - $10.5 million in state grants has been awarded to solidify biotech drug development infrastructure in Colorado

Sneak Peek: Ella'sArt is coming to Wellshire

Paintings by Erie artist Ella Buchholz are coming to the walls of two new Holben Homes at 3070 S. Jackson St. and 2971 S. Garfield St. in Denver.

"We first met Ella's paintings through a showing at Racine's restaurant in Denver several years ago. My wife and I love her floral works so much, we have two in our personal collection.

"Now prospective buyers touring my homes in Wellshire can get acquainted with Ella'sArt," Steve Holben, president of Holben Building Corp says.

Link to HolbenHomes.com

We enjoyed reading this guest column from Faegre & Benson's Jim Spaanstra and Rex O’Neal

"A Colorado clean technology revolution...or new energy economy fantasy?

The Obama administration held the nation’s first Forum on Climate Change on Aug 27, 2009, in Fort Collins. At that forum, Gov. Bill Ritter and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar engaged in somewhat tongue-and-cheek banter with California-based regulators.

The discourse centered on clean technology innovation and entrepreneurship, and whether it will propel the Front Range of Colorado to become the Rocky Mountain region’s version of Silicon Valley.

From where we sit, this could actually happen..."

Link to the ColoradoBiz Guest Column

Bell Perch Breaded Line & Online Ordering System Featured in March Fish Farming International

"Indiana-based Bell Aquaculture is looking to become a player in the U.S. retail segment with the introduction of a new line of breaded yellow perch entrees.

The company is going to begin selling product online, as well, Norman McCowan, president and CEO, said in February.

For the past year, the farm has been building out, he said Bell's perch (Perca flavescens) has been available through restaurant partners and various public sales and special events."

This issue was distributed at the 2010 Boston Seafood Show.

Link to the IntraFish/Fish Farming International Web site

Link to the related Bell Aquaculture PR Web newswire

Outsourcing Colorado - A look at Northern Colorado's Contract Research, Manufacturing and University Core Labs.

WHEN: Apr 26, 2010 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM
WHERE: Embassy Suites, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO
PRICE: Free

Outsourcing Colorado - A look at Northern Colorado's Contract Research, Manufacturing and University Core Labs.

Keynote Address: Lessons Learned From Academia to Startup and Beyond by Dr. Woody Emlen, Taligen Co-Founder.

Free admission. Limited space. Register today! We welcome ALL CROs, CMOs and Core laboratory facilities in Colorado to participate in this event. Link to registration information at the Colorado BioScience Association website: https://events.cobioscience.com/index.cfm?action=event&eventid=270

Note: the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) is a client of Absolutely PR.

Flip Video Symposium for Denver PR Pros

This morning a number of Denver PR consultants took Flip Video training from Jim Hooley, media consultant and former TV journalist:

2010 Biobootcamp | Coming April 29 - 30

2010 Biobootcamp is designed to help you jump start your new life science idea or company, this experience will provide you with not only a comprehensive overview of how to get your venture started, but will provide you with exposure to experienced bioentrepreneurs and a nationally acclaimed faculty.

By attending the biobootcamp, you will learn how to avoid the legal pitfalls of starting and building a life science business, and you will receive the help you need to plan a solid foundation for your new business venture.

Note: this event is provided at NO COST to qualified applicants.

If you are interested in joining the growing numbers of life scientists eager to commercialize their ideas, click here for details on how to apply for this event. This is a complimentary conference and there is no fee to apply: http://www.biobootcamp.com/apply.htm

Baxa Corp's NeoThrive Enteral Feeding System featured in March issue of Today's Medical Developments

"Dozens of patients – frequently tiny babies – have been killed or wounded by a little-known medical mistake made by nurses and doctors. Well documented in medical literature, the error is a tubing misconnection. It occurs... when caregivers deliver the wrong medication or liquid to the wrong part of a patient’s body.

Now, borrowing theory from automotive and industrial designers, medical supply companies are redesigning their tubes and syringes with behavior-shaping constraints that make these devastating mistakes impossible. In this arena, [Denver-based] Baxa Corp., has developed a syringe and pump specifically to feed premature babies in intensive care."

Link to the article posting

Reminder: BioBeers | DENVER 1Q10 Meetup

What: BioBeers DENVER 1Q10 Meetup


When: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 6:30 PM


Where: Vine Street Pub 1700 Vine St. Denver, CO 80206 303.388.2337

Link to information about this popular bio meetup!


BIOBEERS REMAINING 2010 SCHEDULE:

- 2Q10 Boulder 1 June Tue 6:30-7:30
- 2Q10 Denver 15 June Tue 6:30-7:30
- 3Q10 Boulder 7 Sept Tue 6:30-7:30
- 3Q10 Denver 21 Sept Tue 6:30-7:30
- 4Q10 Boulder 7 Dec Tue 6:30-7:30
- 4Q10 Denver 21 Dec Tue 6:30-7:30 (Holiday Party)

New Products: Bell Perch Announcement in Seafood Business

"Frozen breaded yellow perch fillets and Cajun nuggets are now available through an online ordering system from Bell Aquaculture.

Bell’s panko breading balances tangy and mild flavors, and the fillets cook best in canola oil in just under three minutes. The sweet, mild-tasting fish is available year-round. Bell Aquaculture in Albany, Ind., owns and operates one of the nation’s largest yellow perch farms, with corporate headquarters and production facilities nearby in Redkey, northeast of Indianapolis. The fillets and nuggets are available in orders of either 5 or 20 pounds. Non-breaded fillets will be available online in the near future. Contact Bell Aquaculture at (765) 369-2392, or visit www.bellperch.com."

Link to Seafood Business online

Fitzsimons: From vacant Army post to medical promised land

There was a great multi-part feature in Sunday's Denver Post on the Fitzsimons Life Sciences District and Anschutz Medical Campus and how it "has emerged as an economic bright spot in the area, bringing advanced health care and research facilities to the region, garnering national attention, and providing an economic engine that is expected to employ nearly 45,000 people when it is fully developed."

Don't miss these related articles:
1) Venture capital firms sought to boost Fitzsimons life-science incubator
2) Fitzsimons growth fueling retail development
3) CU Hospital's diabetes research sets standards worldwide

Link to Margaret Jackson's Feature Article

Special Report: Green Technology - Can Green Technology Propel Economic Development?

Chad Vander Veen's article in the March 2010 Governing magazine includes quotes from Matt Cheroutes, CCIA Founding Board Member:

"That's the case in Colorado, where Gov. Bill Ritter ordered his Energy Office, Economic Development Office and state CIO to collaborate on ways to nurture green technology start-ups and create demand among consumers for emerging — and typically more expensive — green products.

Colorado is testing a new Discovery Grant Program designed to help early stage companies, which are often simply groups of researchers attempting to take an idea out of the lab and into the commercial market.

'At that point, there's not a lot of available seed capital. So to give them some small grants at the very beginning really shows great support from the state,' says Matt Cheroutes, director of communications and external affairs for the Colorado Governor's Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

Cheroutes, a founding member of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, says strong executive support for green technology in Colorado will lead to job growth and economic prosperity. But that won't happen, he says, unless companies can deliver their products to a public that can afford them — a tall order in green tech markets that are often too immature to deliver at affordable economies of scale.

Cheroutes says the state works closely with renewable energy firms to develop incentives for consumers. Take solar power, for example, where the cost of installing solar panels typically doesn't pencil out for the average homeowner.

'We've had a lot of people in our state say they want solar on their homes,' Cheroutes says. 'But they simply can't afford the initial investment to do it. We've seen estimates anywhere from $8,000 for a very small home to $15,000 for a medium-sized home. These days, not a lot of people have the ability to pay that.'

The state worked with two Colorado solar firms — SolarCity and SunRun — to develop a financing model that makes solar installations more affordable. Instead of paying the full installation fee upfront, consumers instead put up a down payment that is a fraction of the total cost. Over the next three or four years, the energy savings the consumer realizes goes back to the solar company to pay the remaining balance. After the company is paid in full, the consumer's energy bill decreases significantly. . .

'The culture has changed in Colorado,' says Cheroutes. 'It's something that everyone in Colorado has sort of agreed to and bought in to. And whether that's out of a desire to protect our mountains or to keep our kids from being sent halfway around the world to fight, or if it's to keep kids who are home employed and working, it's a cultural mind change, and sometimes those are the hardest things to deal with in the beginning. So if you have the will of the people, of industry and of political leaders, you can make anything happen.'"

Link to the article

Video Recap from Feb 25 Colorado Cleantech Event - Advanced Water Management: Using Cleantech to Manage Scarce Resources

The CCIA assembled national and regional water experts at the University of Denver to discuss advanced water management and using cleantech to manage scarce resources.

Welcome from Rahmat Shoureshi, Dean and Professor:



CCIA Overview by Christine Shapard, Founding Executive Director:



Cameron J. Brooks, Ph.D.
Director of Solutions & Business Development
IBM Big Green Innovations (first of five parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):



Robin Newmark
Principal Program Manager, Planning and Program Development
National Renewable Energy Laboratory:



Roger Austin
National Vice President and Managing Consulting Director
MWH:



Forbes Guthrie
Director
Stewart Environmental Consultants, Inc. (first of two parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):



Jeffrey Popiel
President & CEO
Geotech Environmental Equipment (first of two parts available on the COCleantech YouTube Channel):



Link to the CCIA YouTube Channel

March 2 is the 2010 BioBeers Launch at Twisted Pine in Boulder

Kickoff the 2010 BioBeers Season at "BioBeers - Boulder" on March 2. BioBeers wonderful friends at the Twisted Pine will host (click for details & signup) Note: please arrive promptly at 6:30 p.m.

This will be a special event with a chance to talk and connect with local life science leaders, such as Rick Duke Ph.D. and Kevin Smith of CID4 as well as Robin Shandas, Ph.D., head of the new Bioengineering Department at University of Colorado-Denver and research professor of mechanical engineering at CU-Boulder. All three will be speaking about their ongoing efforts to elevate Colorado bioscience.

Dr. Richard C. Duke, Ph.D. is a biotechnology executive, inventor, biomedical researcher and serial entrepreneur with fifteen years of experience in building, financing, and managing start-up biotechnology companies based on inventions made in Colorado's non-profit research institutions. He is currently Co-scientific Founder, President and CEO of ApopLogic Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Duke is a Co-scientific Founder and former CEO, President and Director of GlobeImmune, Inc. and was involved in the formation of Sierra Neuropharmaceuticals where he was an initial Director. These Colorado-based companies have raised more than $150 million in financing and have multiple products in phase 1 and 2 human clinical trials. In addition to his entrepreneurial activities, Dr. Duke has over twenty-five years of experience in cutting-edge biomedical research and is a tenured faculty member in the Departments of Medicine (Medical Oncology) and Immunology at the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Duke has provided independent 3rd party life research analysis in the life sciences sector to Janus Capital and to venture capital firms.

Kevin M. Smith was a member of the group that developed the business plan and State Grant proposal which resulted in the creation of CID4. Prior to joining CID4, Kevin was Managing Director of Act Three Consulting, LLC. Act Three was formed in July 2007 to provide consulting services to management teams and their advisors during times of dramatic change. Prior to founding Act Three, Kevin spent nine years as President of Gambro, Inc., the US holding company for the publicly-traded, Swedish-based Gambro Group, until its acquisition by private equity investors in 2006. The US operations of Gambro included the manufacture and distribution of cardiovascular (CV), blood separation and renal dialysis products and the operation of US and international kidney dialysis centers. Before joining Gambro, Kevin was an audit partner in the Denver and New York offices of Ernst & Young, specializing in entrepreneurial services and led the formation of E&Y's Denver Life Sciences Practice. Kevin graduated from Kansas State University in 1970 and worked in New York until his relocation to Colorado in 1988.

Robin Shandas, Ph.D. is the head of the new Bioengineering Department at University of Colorado-Denver and research professor of mechanical engineering at CU-Boulder. This new program will be a driver of economic development in bioengineering fields (Colorado has more than 150 medical device companies). Several companies and jobs have already been created due to bioengineering research in Colorado and this program will continue to grow the medical technology industry and research labs in the state. CU-based startups that could be classified as Bioengineering include: 2C Tech Corp, BioTricity Medical, Cello Bioengineering, EndoShape, Illumasonix, Locomotion, MedShape Solutions, Precision Biopsy, Physical Activities Innovation and TissueFusion. Since 2006, this set of companies has raised more than $20.5 million in grants and seed financing.

For details and to RSVP: http://www.biobeers.com

What a debacle, CU J-School! Please pay attention to your Student Ad Club.

Note: I first posted this at my "What Were They Thinking?" blog. I felt it belonged here as well.

Yesterday an odd e-mail came through with the subject: “AGENCY CONTEST: design our logo.” It was from the general e-mail adclub@Colorado.EDU, not an individual. There was no message and a pdf attachment. I threw it in the trash without opening the attachment (standard practice of e-mail safety these days).

Then the barrage hit. It turned out to be a spam “reachout” to 188 e-mail addresses (the e-mailer didn’t hide them) in the Denver-Boulder ad and PR professional community. When people are spammed they tend to hit “reply all” and say the “darnest” things. So, in the course of my day I had to back track and see what the heck was going on.

Back track I did and took at look at the pdf. Link here (if you want to save it in your “odd but true” file or read the following):

“we need your skills to design our logo

CUadclub is crowd-sourcing their logo to the best creatives in the front range and we are summoning your professional talent to brand our club. The winners’ design will be screenprinted on the front of our 2010 t-shirt and other schwag. The winners’ agency will be showcased on the back of the shirt and be awarded a shiny trophy.

Submit file of your submission to adclub@colorado.edu by Friday, March 19th for review. Logo should use only 2 colors and work on t-shirts and other branded items. Max of 3 designs submitted per office.”

So in the course of one rude spam attack, I learned:

1) Spamming is now fondly called crowdsourcing. Check that one out in your Wikipedia.

2) Student ad clubs and agencies that started years ago when these current students were being conceived (or before), somehow forgot that universities have Fine Arts departments with competent logo designers.

3) Contests no longer have rules (like who owns the submitted and winning designs or who’s judging the contest, etc.) -- the usual legal particulars.

4) Ad clubbers at CU seem to think that employed Denver area designers should jump at the chance to have their logo design printed on a college club T-shirt. Huh? What a rude disconnect between the university and the professional community.

Being a former university ad instructor and student ad agency advisor, I found this situation unusually interesting, so I tracked down an individual who claimed responsibility for the project (the club president). We e-mailed directly and I, of course, had to personally share some unsolicited "sage advice" last evening. I also found out, according to the club president, there's no faculty advisor/adult on duty for their club, and apparently CU lets these independent “clubs” run rouge these days (I guess in the spirit of Sarah Palin).

You’ll find “Advertising Club” on this list at the CU website labeled as an independent: http://castle.colorado.edu/guide/Groups_Journalism.asp

Then with further investigation, I found the University of Colorado ad club on Facebook and Twitter with yet another disconnect. Right now, given this could change with a photo upload, both have skylines of Seattle as their profile pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CUadclub/181747056295

http://twitter.com/CUadclub

Hey Denver ad people, good news, there’s definitely job security, with what we saw displayed yesterday at the university level.

What a debacle, CU J-School! Certainly not something to be proud of in my opinion.

"With $4.75M in hand, institute helps biotech startups"

"Local bioscience industry boosters have formed a state-supported nonprofit institute to fund biotechnology startups and provide them executive leadership at their earliest stages.

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) is armed with $3.75 million from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and $1 million from the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority in the next five years."

Link to the Denver Business Journal feature

CID4's first funding solicitation deadline is March 1st

From w3w3's Larry Nelson recapping his interview with CID4's Rick Duke and Kevin Smith:

"Kevin added, 'Back in late October when we last talked, we were poised to start operations, doing a lot of planning but we hadn't really started yet. The good news is since then we've finalized our grants with the State of Colorado and our grant with the Fitzsimmons Redevelopment Authority and we're ready to start operations. We've actually launched that first solicitation for technology. But in order to do that we've brought together a business and technical advisory committee consisting of some of the top leaders in the State of Colorado, both in the financing of early stage companies as well as folks with understanding of the medical drug technology development process and the medical device technology process.'"

"Larry asked, 'Rick could you tell us about the solicitation process and what kind of investments you're actually looking for?' 'We have a solicitation process that involves a very simple and straight forward application that's available on our web site and it's open for private companies as well as research institutions or even individual inventors to submit. The caveat is we are looking for technologies that are ready to enter clinical development.' Submissions are due March 1, 2010 and commercialization is a key word."

Link to the w3w3.com site (posted 2/22/10)

Link to download the mp3 from w3w3.com

APR's Maggie Holben Shares PR Perspective with ArgusLeader on YouTube Protests

Absolutely PR's Maggie Holben shared PR perspective yesterday with Thom Gabrukiewicz of the Sioux Falls ArgusLeader. Thoughts from Holben:

"And viral efforts such as this one can be disastrous for companies, especially in the age of instant information, said Maggie Holben, a public relations expert from Lakewood, Colo.

'That's what we fondly call a crisis,' she said of YouTube protests such as Hadrick's. 'You have to circle the wagons, you have to respond and you have to tell people who you are. Is there a trick remedy? No. It's honesty.'"

The YouTube protest involves a South Dakota rancher who takes issue with a Yellow Tail wine PR campaign that raises funds for the Humane Society of the United States. Details from Gabrukiewicz' report:

"My concern is with the Humane Society of the United States, which isn't connected at all with the dog and cat shelters in our local communities," the fifth-generation Vale rancher said Thursday. "This is an organization that's pushing a vegan agenda in this country, and that concerns me. That donation is going to go to efforts to try and put me out of business, and I'm just not going to support a company that does that."

Link to the ArgusLeader

Take a look at the YouTube protest:

CCIA & IBM Focus on Smart Water Feb 25 at DU Craig Hall Community Room

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) is offering “Advanced Water Management: Using Cleantech to Manage Scarce Resources,” February 25, with keynote presentation by Cameron Brooks on IBM’s Smarter Planet Initiatives. IBM is already staking claims in the smart grid industry to better manage electricity. Now it's doing the same for water, with a broad offering that will include developing sensor and intelligence networks for water utilities, smart water meters and a new technology for water filtration.

Keynote speaker is Dr. Cameron Brooks, Director of Solutions & Business Development, IBM Big Green Innovations. He will introduce IBM’s Smarter Planet initiatives and discuss the technologies IBM is employing to leverage their smart grid expertise for the water “grid.” Dr. Brooks will also provide IBM’s perspective into where the water technology market is headed relative to IP sharing, investment, partnership and global opportunities.

Following the IBM keynote presentation, the CCIA will open a panel discussion with experts from:

* Stewart Environmental
* MWH Global
* National Renewable Energy Laboratory
* Geotech Environmental Equipment

Event details: February 25, 7:30 – 10:30 a.m., at Craig Hall Community Room, University of Denver. Registration is required by contacting Shelly Curtiss at 303-623-2690 or Shelly@coloradocleantech.com – CCIA members attend free of charge; $35 for non-members. Note space is limited and reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/AdvWaterMgmt

Link to the Advanced Water Management news release

Bell Perch Featured: Culinary Schmooze

"Yellow perch – the sweet, mild tasting fish that everyone loves, especially at Friday Night Fish Fries – is now officially back in time to kickoff the Lenten season. The rollout of Bell Aquaculture’s breaded yellow perch products and launch of the Bell Perch™ Online Ordering System means ample supplies of yellow perch fillets will now be available year around. Bell Aquaculture owns and operates of the nation’s largest yellow perch farm in Albany, IN, with corporate headquarters and production facilities nearby in Redkey, northeast of Indianapolis."

Link to the Culinary Schmooze article

2009 ACG Corporate Growth Award Goes to Denver's Baxa Corp

Congratulations to the Baxa team. You're awesome!

"Baxa is a Douglas County-based medical device and software firm with annual sales of about $145 million that has been growing steadily in the annual 11 percent to 14 percent range.

Baldwin gratefully acknowledges the 2009 ACG Corporate Growth Award 'celebrating a leading company with steady growth and annual sales exceeding $100 million,' a description that fits Baxa like a glove."

Link to the Colorado Biz Magazine posting

Altira's Cory Steffek: "Colorado's going to be very well positioned in the future."

Cory Steffek shared secrets to securing funding for early stage startups at the CCIA BioFuels dual-panel program Feb 11 at the Denver Chamber. Here's a recap of participants for this outstanding CCIA event.

Panel 1, moderated by Stacey Simms, Governor's Energy Office: Rich Schoonover, Solix Biofuels; Christopher Ryan, Ph.D., Gevo; Justin Bzdek, Symbios Technologies; Phil Kastelie, Colorado Forest and Energy.

Panel 2, moderated by Wayne Greenberg, Architectural Energy and Heartland Renewable Energy: Chas Eggert, OPX Biotechnologies; Cory Steffek, Altira Group; Mike Miller, formerly Blue Sun Biodiesel; John Ashworth, Ph.D., National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Bell Perch™ Yellow Perch Now Ready For Friday Night Fish Fryin'

Great news today from Absolutely PR client, Bell Aquaculture - Bell's rolling out its Breaded Perch line (including both fillets and yummy Cajun Nuggets) and debuting their online ordering system. Details:

"Yellow perch – the sweet, mild tasting fish everyone loves, especially at Friday Night Fish Fries – is now officially back in time to kickoff the Lenten season. The rollout of Bell Aquaculture’s breaded yellow perch products and launch of the Bell Perch™ Online Ordering System means ample supplies of yellow perch fillets will now be available year around. Bell Aquaculture owns and operates of the nation’s largest yellow perch farm in Albany, IN, with corporate headquarters and production facilities nearby in Redkey, northeast of Indianapolis.

For the past year, as the farm has been building out, Bell Perch has only been available through restaurant partners and various public sales and special events, such as the annual Purdue University Ag Alumni Fish Fry."

Link to online ordering

Link to the PR Web newswire

Bioscience Day at the Capitol: Patrick Kelly, Biotechnology Industry Association, YouTube Now Posted

Patrick Kelly, vice president for state government relations and alliance development for the Biotechnology Industry Association, spoke about industry legislation at the federal level at the 2010 Bioscience Day at the Capitol.

Location: Colorado State Capitol - January 27, 2010.



This is the first of four parts.

Link to the CBSA YouTube Channel

Denver's Baxa Corp: 2010 STAR Center Course Schedule in Pharmacy Purchasing & Products

Pharmacy Purchasing & Products Magazine featured Baxa Corporation's 2010 course dates its STAR Center® in the January 2010 issue. The STAR Center, the world’s first purpose-built premier facility designed for cleanroom and pharmacy practice demonstration, is located at the company’s headquarters south of Denver, Colorado. Together, Baxa and the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) will host a series of courses in 2010 to be taught by industry experts and members of the USP 797 Sterile Compounding Committee.

The first ACPE-accredited USP compliance class will be held February 23 - 25, 2010 with subsequent program dates running through October, 2010. Attendance in STAR Center classes is limited to 24 participants to ensure resource availability, student teacher ratios and the opportunity for hands-on experience in the ISO 7 cleanroom.

Link to the PP&P January issue - New & Noteworthy

Baxa Corp announces 9-City Road Show & March 25th Webinar touting new DoseEdge

Baxa Corporation announces dates for a nine-city road show tour featuring the DoseEdge Pharmacy Workflow Manager. A related March Webinar is scheduled for customers who are unable to attend the live product demonstration programs.

“The dose preparation process is much simpler than it was before. It really gives the pharmacist the assurance that they're making the correct product, especially at the correct time” states Michael Culligan, Assistant Pharmacy Director at St. Francis Care in Hartford, CT. Beginning in Dallas, TX on February 17th, customers interested in gaining improvements in their pharmacy workflow management and medication safety are encouraged to attend one of the two-hour sessions planned for an exclusive hands-on product demonstration and intimate Q&A with pharmacy efficiency and product experts.

In addition to the road shows, Baxa Corporation is sponsoring a Webinar program on March 25th at 1pm ET entitled “DoseEdge: Changing Pharmacy Practice Through Dose Management.” Presented by Dennis Tribble, PharmD and Chief Technology Officer for Baxa Corporation, this one-hour presentation will provide a real-time product demonstration, for the customers who are unable to attend one of the nine scheduled road show dates, on how DoseEdge helps IV rooms run more efficiently by eliminating the most common reasons for drug preparation errors.

Link to register for the March 25th webinar

Link to the PR Newswire posting

Reminder: Feb 15 Deadline for CID4 Letters of Intent

The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) encourages life science entities in need of funding to submit letters of intent by February 15th deadline.

CID4 is in the midst of its initial technology solicitation and the interest from Colorado bioscience companies has been high. “We encourage all entities which are pursuing life science product technologies and are in need of funding and management support to submit a letter of intent by the deadline – February 15, 2010,” says Kevin M. Smith, CID4 EVP/COO and spokesperson.

“Details of CID4 participation in any individual technology development project will need to be individually negotiated”, says Richard C. Duke, Ph.D., CID4 President/CEO. “We would not want to miss an opportunity to add our support to an ongoing effort because an existing entity self-determined that they were not eligible for the program”’ Duke continued.

Link to complete information and the submission form

CID4 accepting proposals for technologies in need of funding

"A Colorado nonprofit is launching an initiative designed to assist life sciences technologies and companies through funding and active management.

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development, or CID4, is soliciting proposals for drug, vaccine, device and diagnostic technologies that are on the verge of clinical development and available to be exclusively licensed by the CID4, officials said."

Link to the Boulder Daily Camera article

CID4 Launches Today with a Statewide “Call for Proposals” From Colorado Life Science Technologies In Need of Funding and Active Management

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) officially launches today with a statewide “Call for Proposals” from Colorado life science technologies in need of funding and active management. The announcement is made by Kevin M. Smith, CID4 Executive Vice President/COO and spokesperson, who says “CID4 is a private, not-for-profit entity, formed in 2009 to bridge the gap between basic research and successful product commercialization, thereby creating more Colorado jobs in the life science industry.”

The Institute’s mission is to advance the life science industry in Colorado through active management and funding of projects, resulting in the creation of new companies and new jobs. The need for CID4 was initially outlined in the ‘Colorado Bioscience Roadmap 2008,’ a study compiled by the national Battelle Technology Partnership Practice for the State of Colorado and its bioscience industry partners. Link to a copy of the study

"With more than 20,000 good-paying jobs in Colorado, the life sciences industry is one of our state's most important economic sectors today and it holds incredible promise for tomorrow," Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter said. "I'm pleased CID4 is now ready to advance to the next level as we lead Colorado forward on the road to economic health and recovery."

CID4 was formed through the collaborative efforts of all sectors of the Colorado Life Science community as reflected in the composition of its Board of Directors:

* David N. Allen – University of Colorado
* Denise Brown – Consultant & Former Executive Director of the Colorado BioScience Association
* John Collar – President and CEO, Colorado BioScience Association
* Richard C. Duke, Ph.D – President & CEO , CID4
* Terry Opgenorth, Ph.D. – COO NeoTREX®, CSU Ventures, Inc.
* Kevin M. Smith – Executive Vice President & COO, CID4
* The Honorable Edward J. Tauer – Mayor, City of Aurora & Chair of the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority

“We are very excited about this opportunity to continue developing Colorado’s life science sector. With initial financial support in the form of grants from the State of Colorado and Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, we have been able to commence operations, recruit a highly distinguished Technical and Business Advisory Committee and reach out to sources of technology across the State,” Richard C. Duke, CID4 President & CEO, explains. “We are now poised to conduct the first of what we expect to be semi-annual solicitations for new technologies. And, the selection process will be rigorous, with only three or four technologies selected each year.”

Unlike a pure investment firm, CID4 will select technologies that have the ability to generate Colorado jobs, as well as financial returns. “We fully expect this new model will allow us to attract additional funding in the form of philanthropic contributions and targeted product investment by angel investors and venture capitalists,” Smith says.

“Bioscience companies can bring great jobs to Colorado’s families. By helping promising technologies in need of startup assistance to become great companies, CID4 becomes our secret weapon to growing more, higher-paying Colorado jobs” The Honorable Ed Tauer, Mayor of the City of Aurora and member of the CID4 Board of Directors, says. CID4 is headquartered at 12635 E. Montview Blvd., Suite 127, in the Fitzsimons Life Science District in Aurora.

About the First Solicitation

CID4 invites Colorado-based Technology Transfer Offices (TTOs), researchers and inventors from Colorado-based public and private not-for-profit research Institutions, independent researchers and inventors in Colorado, and private Colorado-based Life Science Companies to submit technologies for consideration. Deadlines for response to the solicitation: February 15, 2010, letters of intent due; March 1, 2010, final submissions due. Note, this proposal solicitation is for drug, vaccine, device and diagnostic technologies poised to enter clinical development and available for exclusive license to the CID4. Link to information and the submission form

Link to the PR Web newswire

Baxa offers free webinar Feb 25: Improving the Quality of Sterile Compounding Through Automation

Baxa Corporation announces a new Webinar program supporting quality and compliance in sterile compounding activities. The Webinar titled “Improving Sterile Compounding Quality Through Automation,” features Eric Kastango RPh, MBA, FASHP in a discussion of the testing requirements and industry regulations and the use of automation to achieve product quality and patient safety goals. This ACPE-accredited Webinar presentation provides participants with one CE credit and takes place on February 25, 2010, at 2 PM Eastern Time/11 AM Pacific Time.

Interested participants can register for the February 25th Webinar at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/246924387 or by visiting the Baxa Webinar site at http://www.baxa.com/webinars. Visitors are encouraged to register in advance as space is limited.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Media Preparedness -- thank you, Mark!

Thank you to Mark Chamberlin, Wichita, KS, for mentioning me and Absolutely PR in his recent presentation to the Wichita American Marketing Association. BTW - I'm a former Wichitan of 23 years and a former member of WAMA:

Media Preparedness By Mark Chamberlin, Armstrong Shank

View more presentations from ArmstrongShank.

Colorado's Bioscience Industry Leaders and Legislators Focus on 2010 Initiatives At the Annual CBSA 'Bioscience Day at the Capitol'

The second annual "Bioscience Day at the Capitol," on Wednesday, January 27, will allow bioscience industry leaders and state legislators to discuss the industry and thoughts on the year ahead. The announcement is made by Leah Kientz, Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) Director of Public Policy and Programs, who says "This event brings the industry together to discuss ideas to help Colorado bioscience companies grow and prosper, while also providing a forum for legislators to discuss their views on the industry and the legislative session ahead."

Link to the Business Wire release

Bell Aquaculture’s Bell Perch™ Featured for a Second Year At Purdue’s Ag Alumni Fish Fry Feb. 6

Congratulations to Absolutely PR client Bell Aquaculture for Bell Perch™ being featured at the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry for the second year running.

Under sponsorship of the Indiana Soybean Alliance (ISA), Bell Aquaculture is again providing fish for Purdue University's Agricultural Alumni Fish Fry - Saturday, Feb. 6. The announcement is made by Norman McCowan, Bell Aquaculture President & CEO, who says this is the second consecutive year Indiana raised Bell Perch™ will be on the menu, along with pork, since its reintroduction to the event last year. The luncheon, starting at 11:30 a.m., is in the Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Denver Magazine, January Issue: The New Health Technology

Barbara T. Zimmerman, PhD, authors "The New Health Technology" in the January Denver Magazine. John Collar, CBSA President & CEO, and CBSA Board Members Rick Duke and Kevin Smith are included.

Pick up a copy on the newsstand or read online

Jan 2010 5280 Magazine: Colorado's entrepreneurs go clean and green for the future

The CCIA's Founding Executive Director Chris Shapard is ringing in the New Year in Julie Dugdale's "Tech Savvy - Colorado's entrepreneurs go clean and green for the future" column. Chris' quote:

"The potential is huge," says Christine Shapard, executive director of the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association. "And not just for windmills and solar farms. There are so many opportunities here."

Go buy it at the news stand now (Colorado's own Dana Perino and keynoter at the PRSA Colorado member retreat this year or read it online by clicking here.

Baxa Corporation to Sponsor Free Culture of Safety Webinar

The Webinar presentation, titled "A Culture of Safety in Pharmacy: Lessons Learned," features an industry-leading panel of professionals discussing the controversy around medication errors, error reporting and the promotion of patient safety through cultural changes in health-system pharmacies. This ACPE-accredited Webinar presentation provides participants with two CE credits and takes place on January 14, 2010.

The four-speaker panel, which brings diverse expertise to the discussion, is moderated by Dennis Tribble, PharmD, Chief Pharmacy Officer for Baxa Corporation. Program speakers are Rita Shane, PharmD, FASHP - Director of Pharmacy Services at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Seth Eisenberg, RN, ASN, ONC®, the Professional Practice Coordinator of Infusion Services at Seattle Cancer Center; Patricia Kienle, RPh, MPA, FASHP - Director of Clinical Accreditation and Medication Safety, Quality and Regulatory Affairs for Cardinal Health Pharmacy Solutions; and John Poikonen, PharmD - the Director of Clinical Informatics at UMass Memorial Medical Center.

Link to the PR Web newswire

'Tis the week at Absolutely PR for reflecting with gratitude on all the "Good Stuff" in 2009

Absolutely Public Relations celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2009 and achieved key media placement results for clients in both the traditional and social media spaces. The yearend review is shared by Absolutely PR Owner/Founder Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, who says she represented Colorado Cleantech Industry Association, Bell Aquaculture, Colorado BioScience Association, Baxa Corporation, Dr. Martha Lucas/Cosmetic Acupuncture Seminars, and Holben Building Corporation in 2009.

Link to yearend review on PR Web