Purdue Research Park official elected president of international research parks organization
Gregory Deason, director of the Purdue Research Park, on Tuesday (Dec. 9) was elected president of the Association of University Research Parks (AURP).
The election took place prior to the organization's annual conference, which will run Wednesday through Friday (Dec. 10-12) in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Purdue Research Park-based company opens office in Chicago
FanFound, a social networking site that connects musicians, music fans and music venues, has opened an office at 4 E. Huron St. in Chicago, officials announced today (Dec. 8).
FanFound was developed by officials at Chordcraft Music Co., which is headquartered at Purdue Research Park's Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville.
Purdue Research Park-based firm receives innovation award
Quadraspec Inc., a Purdue Research Park-based company, received the Innovation Award at the 2008 Indiana Entrepreneurial Leadership Awards.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana University's Kelley School of Business Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation present the awards annually. The Innovation Award is presented to a company that demonstrates best new practices, products or systems for today's business environment.
Indiana firm developing technology to keep high-tech tools cool
A small development firm here focused on creating cooling technologies for applications ranging from the space shuttle to nuclear reactors could hold the key to unlocking the power of new consumer technologies.
Mudawar Thermal Systems announced today the Navy awarded the company a grant for up to $1.5 million to create a new software system to accelerate the development of the firm's electronics cooling systems that nearly instantly remove performance-robbing heat from electronics in devices such as avionics, X-ray machines and hybrid vehicle propulsion systems.
ICx Technologies to develop novel mass spec solution
ICx Technologies (NASDAQ: ICXT) today announced a new joint research project with Purdue University's R. Graham Cooks, distinguished professor of chemistry, working through the university's Discovery Park Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development.
The research will focus on the area of novel ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AI-MS). Ambient ionization mass spectrometry allows scientists to analyze surfaces for chemicals at trace levels without the need for standard sample preparation. Mass spectrometers can now directly "sniff" surfaces for chemical markers.
Purdue Research Park donates to Food Finders Food Bank
Food Finders Food Bank added to its supply that helps the less fortunate when volunteers from the Purdue Research Park brought 2,426 pounds of donated food and paper products to its Lafayette, Ind., facility.
The non-perishable food and other items were collected by employees of Purdue Research Park-based companies and the Purdue Research Foundation during a drive that began Nov. 3 and ended Nov. 21. Employees of Griffin Analytical, a business unit of ICx Technologies Inc., contributed almost 1,900 pounds of food.
Purdue Research Park announces dates, nomination information for entrepreneurship program
Nominations for Indiana high school juniors and seniors in the 2009-2010 academic year are now being accepted for the third annual Purdue Research Park Entrepreneurship Academy.
The 2009 academy, which will take place June 21-26 on Purdue University's West Lafayette campus, allows students to participate in entrepreneurship-based opportunities and gain real-world business experiences. Indiana teachers, principals and other educators are asked to nominate students who excel in the areas of math, science and technology. Awards for winning team members include college tuition vouchers to help them further develop their entrepreneurial spirit and pursue a degree in higher education. All Purdue University campuses and some Ivy Tech Community College campuses accept the vouchers.
Educators looking to improve vocabulary and spelling skills of their students can find assistance through a new educational software program that provides individualized instruction.
CAL Tutor Vocabulary and Spelling™ allows teachers to individually design spelling and vocabulary lessons by adding, modifying or deleting words and lists from the program's 65 word themes.
Animation demystifies complex science; brings nanotechnology to life
Just as artists at Disney and Pixar Animation Studios bring Mickey Mouse, Shrek and Nemo to life, life science artists are using animation to bring viruses, bacteria and even nanowires to life and demystify scientific concepts.
Life science animators from Purdue Research Park-based Seyet LLC recently used their video talents to demonstrate how silicon nanowires form, a process that may change the way computers and consumer electronics are manufactured. Seyet's video provides people who don't have a medical or scientific background a "visual story" of how such complicated organisms or human-designed technologies operate.
Purdue Research Park-based company produces Chicago music festival
Officials of FanFound - a social networking site for musicians, music fans and music venues - are sponsoring and organizing the inaugural Chicago Bluegrass and Blues Festival.
The festival will be from noon until 11 p.m. Nov. 22 at Chicago's Congress Theater, 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave. Early bird general admission tickets to the festival are $31. Tickets are $35 the day of the festival. Tickets can be purchased at the Congress Theater box office or online at http://www.congresschicago.com or from Ticketmaster.com. Customers who use the online promotion code "FANFOUND" will receive a discount on the ticket price. A portion of the box office revenue will be donated to the Saving Tiny Hearts Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises money for research of congenital heart defects.
Purdue's Alfred Mann Institute provides seed funding for life science development projects
Early detection of breast cancer and the healing of tendon and ligament tears are two of the first four technologies to receive $375,000 in funding from the Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development at Purdue University.
"Our mission is to support the commercialization of life science technologies created at Purdue that help mankind," said John C. Hertig, executive director of the $100 million Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development (AMIPurdue). "We feel these technologies that are emerging from the discovery stage have the potential to make a significant contribution toward improving health care."
Purdue Research Foundation honors faculty entrepreneurs, inventors
The Purdue Research Foundation will honor 44 Purdue University faculty and staff at its annual Inventors' Recognition Dinner on Monday (Oct. 27) in the Purdue Memorial Ballrooms.
Honorees are being recognized for breakthroughs that have resulted, or may soon result, in commercial applications to benefit society.
Purdue Research Park-based company launches line of 4 milk products
Milk consumers can now purchase a brand of milk that provides beneficial nutrients through natural means.
FAVORED® Inc., a company based at the Purdue Research Park, launched a line of four milk products in Indiana and the Northeast region of the United States. The varieties of milk - whole, reduced fat, low fat and fat free - are sold in half-gallon cartons at participating Big Y World Class Markets, Dave's Marketplace stores and Roche Bros. supermarkets in the Northeast, and 15 participating Marsh Supermarkets in Indiana.
Purdue Research Foundation receives 3 international awards for economic development
The International Economic Development Council announced Tuesday (Oct. 21) that the Purdue Research Foundation has received three 2008 IEDC Excellence in Economic Development Awards.
The International Economic Development Council is the largest professional association of economic development practitioners in the world, with members in the United States, Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and other nations.
Pharmacy professor honored for improving lives, creating jobs
Prescription drugs have improved in quality and high-paying jobs have been created, thanks in part to a Purdue University professor who is the 2008 recipient of the university's Outstanding Commercialization Award.
The award, sponsored by the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, is being presented to Stephen Byrn, the Charles B. Jordan Professor of Medicinal Chemistry. Byrn also is head of the Department of Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and co-founder and consultant for SSCI (Solid State Chemical Information) Inc., an Aptuit Company.
American Heart Association recognizes Purdue Research Park-based firm as a 'Fit-Friendly Company'
The American Heart Association has named Quadraspec Inc., a Purdue Research Park-based company, a "Start! Fit-Friendly Company."
"This recognition from the American Heart Association is a tribute to Quadraspec's commitment to work-life balance," said Dick Aderman, the company's president and COO. "The Purdue Research Park makes amenities such as walking trails, a fitness center and other healthy lifestyle facilities and services available to all firms located here. These amenities have fostered an even higher quality of life for Quadraspec employees, which leads to greater job satisfaction and productivity."
Vasc-Alert LLC, a Purdue Research Park-based company, will help kidney dialysis providers meet new governmental regulations and assist caregivers in monitoring health problems associated with patients undergoing dialysis.
The new Medicare regulations for end-stage renal disease providers, which take effect Tuesday (Oct. 14), require that dialysis clinics provide both monitoring and surveillance of dialysis patients' vascular access sites. An access site is the connection between the patient and the machine that acts as an artificial kidney to filter impurities, waste and excess fluid from the blood and returns the blood to the patient's body.
BASi appoints new vice president of sales and marketing
BASi, a Purdue Research Park-based company, has named Jon Brewer vice president of sales and marketing.
Brewer, who assumed his new duties on Oct. 1, has nearly 25 years of experience as a sales and marketing executive in the pharmaceutical industry. Most recently he served as a consultant with pharmaceutical companies to develop and implement new business strategies.
Sen. Lugar meets with Purdue biofuels researchers, tour labs and Purdue Research Park
U.S. Sen. Richard G. Lugar on Thursday (Oct. 9) met with Purdue University biofuels and alternative energy researchers and toured campus research facilities at Discovery Park and the Purdue Research Park.
The Republican senator heard presentations from biofuel, biotechnology and hydrogen storage researchers at Purdue's Laboratory for Renewable Resource Engineering (LORRE) and Birck Nanotechnology centers in Discovery Park. He also toured facilities at Swift Enterprises Ltd., a Purdue Research Park-based company developing a lead-free, alternative aviation fuel.
Purdue dedicated Technology Center of Southeast Indiana
Purdue University officials and local dignitaries dedicated the 40,000-square-foot Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana on Wednesday (Oct. 1).
The Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana is one of four Purdue Research Park centers around the state that serve as incubators for startup or expanding companies. It also is home to most of the classrooms, labs and faculty offices for Purdue's College of Technology at New Albany location.
Boot camp offered for entrepreneurs looking to take funding step
Purdue faculty, staff, students and collaborators can learn about what's needed to launch a company at the university's third annual Company Fund Raising Boot Camp on Oct. 13-14 in Discovery Park.
Michael Birck, chairman and founder of telecommunication giant Tellabs Inc. and a Purdue trustee, is the keynote speaker for the event at the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, Room 121. Birck's talk, "Founding and Growing a Company," is at noon Oct. 13.
Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana to be dedicated
Purdue University officials will dedicate the 40,000-square-foot Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana at a 10:30 a.m. ceremony Wednesday (Oct. 1). The event will take place at the center, located at 3000 Technology Ave. in New Albany near the southeast corner of Interstate 265 and Charlestown Road.
The center, which opened in August, is one of four Purdue Research Park centers around the state that serve as incubators for startup or expanding companies. It is home to most of the classrooms, labs and faculty offices for Purdue's College of Technology at New Albany location. In addition, it houses the Purdue Extension Office for Floyd County and an office for Purdue's Technical Assistance Program.
Purdue Research Park-based company detects, traps bacteria that causes foodborne illness
A Purdue Research Park-based company has developed a method to capture and detect foodborne illness-causing bacteria such as E. coli that promises to be quicker and less expensive than current conventional technology on the market.
The company's technology is based on discoveries by a research group led by Associate Professor Bruce M. Applegate in Purdue University's Department of Food Sciences.
Quadraspec receives $2.5 million in funding from Clarian Health Ventures
Quadraspec Inc., a Purdue Research Park-based company, received $2.5 million in funding from a group of venture capital firms, led by Clarian Health Ventures Inc. of Indianapolis.
Quadraspec's products include its Inspira™ Dual Channel Reader that enables more accurate diagnosis of disease and better discovery of new medicines. The technology allows physicians and researchers to use a simple blood test to detect cancer, cardiovascular disease and other serious illnesses in their earliest, most treatable stages.
Purdue University leads the Big Ten in moving its discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace, and with a new program and support of Purdue alumni, it stands to do even better.
"Not only is Purdue first in the Big Ten for filing patents and starting new companies, but we are third in the nation behind the University of California and the University of Utah for our respective technology transfer statistics" said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, which oversees Purdue's Office of Technology Commercialization. "In 2007, Purdue had 10 startup companies based on Purdue University technologies. In 2006, we had 14 startup companies from discoveries made at Purdue.
National financial organization recognizes Purdue Research Foundation senior vice president
The Association of Financial Professionals has named Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of Purdue Research Foundation, to its 2008 AFP Honors Program.
Recipients for the honor were chosen from more than 100,000 national corporate financial practitioners from corporations, agencies, government, academia and nonprofits. Selection criteria included current title, professional qualifications and personal achievements. In addition, all practitioners were required to have earned the Certified Treasury Professional/Certified Cash Manager designation.
Endocyte receives Indiana Companies to Watch award
Endocyte Inc. has been named one of 50 Indiana Companies to Watch.
This award was presented by the Indiana Economic Development Corp., its Small Business Development Centers network, Purdue University and the Edward Lowe Foundation.
Indiana high school students complete participation in Purdue Research Park Entrepreneurship Academy
The Purdue Research Park presented college tuition vouchers to Indiana high school students who were on the top three teams in the second annual Entrepreneurship Academy.
The vouchers, which were awarded during a luncheon in the South Ballroom of Purdue University's Memorial Union, ranged from $100 to $500 and can be used to offset the costs of higher education. Tuition vouchers can be used at all Purdue University campuses, Indiana University at Kokomo and Ivy Tech. Students participating in the academy were juniors and seniors from 17 Indiana counties.
Inc. magazine names Purdue Research Park-based company as one of the fastest growing in the country
Editors of Inc. magazine announced that Passageways, a Purdue Research Park-based company, ranks as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States.
Passageways' ranking on the "Inc. 5000" list places it ninth among all Indiana-based companies and 27th among all software companies. It is the only West Lafayette business on the 2008 list. The company ranked 453rd out of the 5,000 companies listed. Information about the companies on the list appears in the September issue of Inc.
Quadraspec officials announce hiring of chief scientific officer
Quadraspec Inc. officials announced Tuesday (Sept. 2) that Stefan Gruenwald, M.D., Ph.D., has joined the company as chief scientific officer.
"Stefan will be an instrumental asset in providing exemplary scientific and strategic leadership and in developing Quadraspec's technology and scientific work force," said Jonathon Bradley, director of staffing at Quadraspec, a Purdue Research Park-based company.
Anderson firm wins Technical Assistance Program services
An Anderson, Ind., high-tech company has won 80 hours worth of business services valued at $10,000 from Purdue University's Technical Assistance Program in conjunction with the inaugural Indiana Companies to Watch initiative.
Xtreme Alternative Defense Systems Ltd. was selected from a drawing of the top 50 companies during a Wednesday (Aug. 27) night event that drew 500 people to the Indiana Roof Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.
Meds alert system helps patients, doctors, businesses
A medication timer being made by a Purdue Research Park company promises to help patients remember to take their medications and has the potential to help people as far away as Africa and Asia.
"Our device would be especially helpful to HIV or AIDS patients who have to remember to take dozens of pills several times a day," said Della Jules, who founded Jinsitec along with her sister, Yvette.
Purdue Technology Center executive earns NBIA certification
Kathy J. DeGuilio-Fox, manager of the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana has completed the National Business Incubation Association's Incubator Management Certificate program.
As business development manager at Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana, DeGuilio-Fox coordinates business development services needed by firms in the incubator facility, including business plan preparation, target market assessment, and validation and valuation of associated technologies. She also assists companies in their search for sources of capital, technical resource acquisition, organizational development, and forecasting and structuring of financial aspects of new business ventures.
Purdue Research Park officials break ground on center to house global tech company
Purdue Research Park officials broke ground Friday (Aug. 22) on its new 80,000-square-foot Innovation Center, which will be home to a national software solution center for global technology giant EDS.
Innovation Center, 3400 Kent Ave., will provide 45,000 square feet of space for more than 200 software engineer and business analyst positions for EDS. The remaining space will be used for other park companies. The Purdue Research Foundation and South Bend-based Holladay Properties Inc. have formed a joint venture to develop Innovation Center, which is slated to open in early 2009.
5 in Purdue Research Park named 'Companies to Watch'
Five Purdue Research Park-based companies were named by the Indiana Economic Development Corp. in its inaugural list of 50 "Companies to Watch."
"Four of these five companies - Cook Biotech, Endocyte, Quadraspec and Simulex - have a key product that was discovered at Purdue University," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, which manages the Purdue Research Park. "The companies then developed the technology through our Office of Technology Commercialization.
New Purdue Research Park company helps with global telecom needs
Small companies doing business internationally can get help untangling telecommunications networks through a new Purdue Research Park-affiliated company.
FlamencoNets, which is based in Indianapolis, was founded by Raul Flamenco, who serves as the company's president. The company provides services that will help new or established companies build and monitor their global data network.
Bioanalytical Systems Inc. reports earnings from continuing operations
Bioanalytical Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: BASI) reported financial results for its third quarter and nine months of fiscal 2008, ending June 30, 2008.
For continuing operations, revenue in the third quarter increased 5.4 percent to $11.4 million compared to $10.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. Net income from continuing operations for the third quarter was $407,000, or $0.08 per basic and diluted share, compared to net income of $567,000, or $0.12 and $0.11 per basic and diluted share, respectively, for the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
Bioanalytical Systems officials announce employee promotions
Officials from Purdue Research Park-based company BASi (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.) (Nasdaq: BASI) have announced three employee promotions within the company.
International Beryllium Corp. and Purdue University officials announced a collaborative prelicense agreement to develop a new type of fuel for nuclear reactors that is longer lasting and more efficient than current fuels.
The objective of the prelicense agreement is to support the development an enhanced beryllium oxide nuclear fuel for commercial use in current and future nuclear power reactors.
Youngsters ages 6-12 will learn more than how to sell lemonade during a three-day entrepreneurship program at the Purdue Research Park.
The 20 young participants will tour the park, learn what it means to be an entrepreneur, work with a "Robosapians," study aerial imaging and visit a manufacturing facility. The three-day program is part of the Just Us Entrepreneurs program jointly offered by the Purdue Research Park and Nancy Justice, owner of Just Us Kids daycare center, which is based in the park.
The Purdue Research Park on Friday (Aug. 1) presented college tuition vouchers to Indiana high school students who were among the top three finishers in the second annual Entrepreneurship Academy.
The vouchers, which were awarded during a luncheon in the South Ballroom of Purdue University's Memorial Union, ranged in amounts from $100 to $500 and can be used to offset the costs of higher education. Students participating in the academy were juniors and seniors from 17 counties.
More than 45 Indiana high school students will present their business savvy and entrepreneurial skills on Friday (Aug. 1) at Purdue University during the final day of the Purdue Research Park Entrepreneurship Academy.
During the program, students learned how to conceive a business plan, identify a customer base, study the competition and develop a marketing plan. Participants were divided into five-member teams. Team members worked with Purdue Research Foundation staff, Purdue University faculty, industry leaders, business experts and successful high-tech entrepreneurs.
Purdue officials announced Wednesday (July 30) that James Marshall has been named the director for the Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana and that the Purdue College of Technology at New Albany will offer courses at the new center beginning in August.
The Purdue Technology Center is one of four Purdue Research Park centers around the state that serve as incubators for startup or expanding companies. Two other centers in operation are in West Lafayette, Ind., and Merrillville, Ind. A fourth center is under construction at the Purdue Research Park at Ameriplex-Indianapolis.
Purdue Research Foundation announces 10 new companies formed from Purdue University discoveries
Purdue Research Foundation's Office of Technology Commercialization announced Friday (July 25) that 10 new startup companies were formed from Purdue University-licensed technologies.
The Office of Technology Commercialization reported that the companies were launched in the fiscal year running from July 2007 to June 2008. The office's technology transfer managers work with Purdue researchers in moving their discoveries into development and delivery through viable commercial enterprises. Most of the companies are in the fields of medical devices, life sciences, information technology, agriculture, advanced manufacturing, telecommunication and engineering design.
Purdue Research Park company combines streaming video with e-mail communication
With skyrocketing fuel costs affecting travel budgets, a company at Purdue Research Park has a solution that will help organizations operate worldwide without anyone having to leave home base.
CoVideo Systems provides face-to-face marketing and organizational tools through Web-based, streaming video products. In addition, the company employs a team of consultants that help clients put the technology to its best use.
Purdue's new fund will help startup companies commercialize research discoveries
Purdue Research Foundation and Purdue University officials announced Wednesday (July 2) a new philanthropic initiative that will provide financial support for startup companies to expedite moving research discoveries from the laboratory through development to commercial delivery.
The Emerging Innovations Fund will provide commercialization funding support for early-stage technologies through small, finite grants. The funds to support the venture are in the process of being raised privately and initial capitalization will be $1.5 million.
Officials from Purdue Research Park-based companies can get ideas and strategies on how to increase sales and profits during a July 22 workshop offered at Purdue University.
The "Bigger Profits through Targeted Sales" workshop is designed for entrepreneurs and business owners interested in creating and expanding their companies. The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Dauch Alumni Center at 403 West Wood St. in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue Research Park Golf Scramble includes several All-American Purdue athletes
The Purdue Research Park Golf Scramble, which is open to the public, features former and current Purdue University athletes including All-American Leroy Keyes and current quarterback Curtis Painter.
The July 10 event, to be held at the Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex, begins with registration at 11 a.m., a noon lunch and a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The day-long scramble concludes with a 5 p.m. awards reception at the complex.
BASi-Swiftwater Group Alliance Expands Contract Services
BASi (Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.) (Nasdaq: BASI) and Swiftwater Group LLC have announced an agreement to form an alliance that will complement and expand both firms' service offerings.
Swiftwater Group, which is headquartered in Tucson, brings its extensive product development, regulatory, project management and auditing experience to work with BASi's contract research services for the pharmaceutical industry.
Top 50 Indiana Companies to Watch to be drawn from 133 finalists
More than 220 applications have been completed for the inaugural Indiana Companies to Watch awards program, which seeks to recognize the state's 50 most promising second-stage companies this summer.
Purdue University is collaborating with the Indiana Economic Development Corp. through its Small Business Development Centers and the Edward Lowe Foundation for the 2008 program.
Quality of life issues now central to economic development
Want to recruit high-tech business? Take note: Quality of life is just as important as a business plan for a company's success, says a Purdue University expert on economic development.
"There is no question that when companies look for a place to set up a business they are looking at the amenities as much as they are looking at tax incentives, infrastructure and other factors," says Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and chief operating officer of the Purdue Research Foundation, which oversees the Purdue Research Park. "The competition for skilled employees is a worldwide phenomenon that will become more intensive as the global market continues to grow."
Purdue will highlight life sciences teamwork at global BIO 2008
A delegation from Purdue's Discovery Park and the Purdue Research Park will join global leaders next week at the BIO 2008 International Convention, showcasing how they are working together at the state, national and international levels to help heal, fuel and feed the world.
Slated for June 17-20 at the San Diego Convention Center, the annual event, sponsored by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, is expected to draw 20,000 corporate executives, researchers, government officials and venture capitalists for three days of networking and learning.
Dedication, house blessing planned for Purdue Research Park companies' Habitat for Humanity project
The dream of having a home with a white picket fence will become reality for Lafayette resident Marjorie "Margie" Britton when the Purdue Research Park companies' Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette home is dedicated on Sunday (June 8).
The $40,000 West Lafayette home is the culmination of the combined efforts and contributions of volunteers from the Purdue Research Park and many park companies. Construction on the home began April 12.
BASi adds vice president of quality
BASi officials announce that Kathleen Hodges has joined the company in the new position of vice president of quality.Hodges will report directly to Richard Shepperd, president and CEO of BASi (Bioanalytical Systems Inc.). She will have corporatewide responsibility for all matters relating to quality and regulatory issues
New technology could help prevent fractures in horses
Researchers are developing a monitoring system similar to those used by earthquake seismologists to detect tiny cracks in bones, a technology that could help prevent fractures in humans and racehorses.The new monitoring system records "acoustic emission data," or sound waves created by the tiny bone fissures. The same sorts of acoustic emissions are used to monitor the integrity of bridges, other structures and mechanical parts like helicopter turbine blades, said Ozan Akkus, an associate professor in Purdue University's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.
Seyet officials open new office in San Francisco, add vice president of business development
Seyet LLC officials announced that they are opening a new division in San Francisco and have hired an on-site director to manage the office.
Skip Sanzeri of Hillsborough, Calif., has been named vice president of new business development for the area. The new office is at 5 Thomas Mellon Circle in San Francisco Executive Park, located near Candlestick Park.
Purdue purchasing director named minority business 'Champion'
Purdue Purchasing Services director Larry Pherson has received the Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award from the Indiana Small Business Administration.
Pherson, founder of the Lafayette Supplier Diversity Development Coalition, shares the award with coalition co-founder Bill Ensign, Lafayette purchasing leader for Eli LiIly and Co., for going beyond their professional responsibilities to advance minority small business interests within the community.
Life Plus announces new alliance that will create expanded services
Life Plus LLC, a Purdue Research Park-based company, has announced the formation of an alliance that will enhance the firm's international capabilities in toxicology testing.
Life Plus has formed an alliance with an Indian laboratory that brings a unique set of capabilities to clients involved in commercializing new chemical technologies in Europe and those eight countries with chemical control laws: United States, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines.
'PRF DataStation' provides secure, expanded network of information technology services
Purdue Research Foundation officials announced Tuesday (May 20) a high-security "PRF DataStation" that will provide the necessary network of information technology needs for new and growing companies.
The energy-efficient center is a network carrier in a single location that provides fiber-optic connections where clients can lease cabinets or space within cabinets to house their network servers and other information technology equipment.
Designer aviation fuel may provide cleaner, greener, cheaper alternative
Swift Enterprises Ltd. has unveiled a new general aviation fuel that is less expensive, fuel-efficient and environmentally friendlier than any on the market, said co-founder John Rusek.
The general aviation industry includes all flights other than military and scheduled airline flights, both private and commercial. Data on Swift Enterprises' 100 percent renewable general aviation fuel was presented April 28 at an annual meeting of an international committee that oversees aviation fuel standards. Unlike current biomass fuels, SwiftFuel is comprised of synthetic hydrocarbons derived from biomass. Rusek said it can provide an effective range (distance between refueling) greater than petroleum while its projected cost is half the current petroleum manufacturing cost.
Purdue Research Foundation officials announce statewide technology centers director
Purdue Research Foundation officials announced that John M. Hanak will serve as director for the Purdue Research Park's four statewide technology centers.
The Indiana centers in operation or under construction are the Purdue Technology Center of West Lafayette, located in the Purdue Research Park; the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville; the Purdue Technology Center of Southeast Indiana in New Albany; and the Purdue Technology Center of Indianapolis. The centers offer space for new and expanding companies and provide business acceleration programs, leasing plans, conference rooms and human resources, and media relations and marketing assistance. Hanak begins his new responsibilities immediately.
Three companies based on Purdue research to explore venture capital opportunities in Silicon Valley
Three Indiana companies launched from research developed at Purdue University have won the opportunity to make formal presentations for funding from venture capital firms in Silicon Valley in mid May.
Moerae Matrix LLC, Kylin Therapeutics Inc., and Events 180° LLC were picked from several businesses that participated in the Fund Raising Boot Camp last October at Discovery Park's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship. Through their selection, camp sponsor Lonergan Partners will finance transportation and other arrangements for the trip to California on May 12-14.
Findings a step toward making new optical materials
Chemical engineers have developed a "self-assembling" method that could lead to an inexpensive way of making diamondlike crystals to improve optical communications and other technologies.
The method, developed at Purdue University, works by positioning tiny particles onto a silicon template containing precisely spaced holes that are about one-hundredth the width of a human hair. The template is immersed in water on top of which particles are floating, and the particles automatically fill in the holes as the template is lifted.
Chao Center quality assurance director appointed to U.S. Pharmacopeia Expert Committee
Joseph G. Stowell of the Chao Center for Industrial Pharmacy & Contract Manufacturing has been appointed to serve on the U.S. Pharmacopeia Expert Committee for Monograph Development: Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Dermatology.
Stowell is the Chao Center's quality assurance director and an adjunct assistant professor in Purdue University's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. He taught at the university for more than 20 years. He was responsible for the undergraduate teaching laboratories in the school for organic, analytical and the integrated laboratory series, as well as writing the laboratory manuals used in those courses. Stowell received his doctorate in organic chemistry from the University of California at Davis.
Simulex celebrates open house with expansion, announcement of two separate divisions
Simulex Inc. will celebrate an open house Thursday (April 17) at its newly expanded headquarters in the Purdue Research Park where officials will announce the company's two new divisions.
The company is now divided into Simulex Federal and Simulex Global divisions.
Murphy Cancer Foundation program gives veterinarians insight on improving the lives of aging pets
The Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation will hold the first training program of its kind to help veterinarians understand how aging affects dogs and cats.
Just as humans are living longer and more productive lives today, dogs and cats also are living longer. Recent consumer research indicates that a top desire for pet owners is to maximize the healthy lifespan of their companion animals.
Groundbreaking scheduled for Purdue Research Park companies' Habitat for Humanity project
Construction on the Purdue Research Park companies' Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette home will begin Saturday (April 12) when park officials and company representatives break ground on the West Lafayette site of the $40,000 structure.
"This project is truly a joint effort among the Purdue Research Park and park-based companies," said Gregory W. Deason, vice president of development for the Purdue Research Foundation and director of the Purdue Research Park. "We were approached by some park company representatives about pooling our resources to build a home for someone, and we began a volunteer effort with foundation employees to coordinate the fundraising."
Purdue Technology Center, Quadraspec finalists in separate categories for two international awards
The National Business Incubation Association named the Purdue Technology Center and Quadraspec Inc. as finalists for two international awards at its annual nominations meeting in Athens, Ohio.
The Purdue Technology Center is a 2008 Outstanding Incubator of the Year Award finalist and Quadraspec is a 2008 Outstanding Incubator Graduate Award finalist. The winners will be announced May 6 at the organization's 22nd International Conference on Business Incubation in San Antonio.
Purdue Research Park breaks ground, announces gift for new tech center
The Purdue Research Park broke ground Monday (April 7) on a nearly 13-acre expansion for which the wife of a Purdue University alumnus has donated $3 million to help fund a new technology center.
The deferred gift from Heddy Kurz of Louisville will be applied toward construction of Purdue Research Park's $14.5 million Purdue Technology Center II building, which will be located at 1280 Win Hentschel Blvd. The center will support about 275 jobs and 26 companies. The average annual wage of employees working in the park is $52,000.
Student, faculty entrepreneurs elevate their sales pitch to victory
A Purdue University senior in health sciences and a graduate student seeking his MBA beat out 30 other competitors Friday (March 28) at the second annual Purdue University Elevator Pitch Competition.
John Mullen, of Dayton, Ohio, won the student competition for the best two-minute sales pitch for his company EcoDisc Inc., which is developing a biodegradable shooting target.
Purdue Research Park companies unite to benefit Habitat for Humanity project
Companies in the Purdue Research Park will join forces to raise money to help fund "Project White Picket Fence," a Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette home to be built this spring.
"The goal of Project White Picket Fence is to raise the $40,000 needed to construct a Habitat home," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, the organization that administers the research park. "This project is an opportunity for us to become even more involved with the community where we live and work."
Quadraspec, TriMedx partner in strategic service initiative
TriMedx, a national leader in health-care equipment services, and Quadraspec, an emerging diagnostics platform company based in Purdue Research Park, announced Wednesday (March 19) a strategic service relationship in the life sciences industry.
Both Indiana-based firms are past recipients of Techpoint's MIRA award and are recognized as innovation leaders in their industries.
Quadraspec receives USDA product license for canine heartworm test
Quadraspec Inc. announced Wednesday (March 19) that it will launch its first licensed product, the Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit, after receiving a key regulatory approval earlier this year from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit is an immunoassay designed to directly detect the presence of the heartworm antigen. Heartworms are parasitic worms that live in the right ventricle of the heart and nearby blood vessels. The parasites are transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. In 2004 more than 250,000 domesticated animals contracted heartworm in the United States, with the states of Florida and Texas reporting the highest incidence, according to the American Heartworm Society.
Indiana Companies to Watch program will recognize state's top second-stage companies
Nominations are now being accepted for the first Indiana Companies to Watch awards program to determine the most promising growth-oriented companies around the state.
Purdue University is partnering with the Indiana governor's office, Indiana Economic Development Corp. and its Small Business Development Center Network, KeyBank in Central Indiana, and the Edward Lowe Foundation for the inaugural awards. The first group of winners will be announced Aug. 28 during a recognition ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
Nominations are being accepted for the Purdue Research Park's second annual summer academy, which allows Indiana high school juniors and seniors to participate in entrepreneurship-based opportunities and gain real-world business experiences.
"Last year was the inaugural Entrepreneurship Academy, and the response from participants and teachers was so positive that we are expanding the program to include students from around the state," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, which manages the Purdue Research Park.
2008 Purdue Research Park Job Fair features variety of high-tech jobs
Job candidates can choose from more than 100 available full-time positions, including those of director of quality assurance, senior design engineer and systems administrator, at the 2008 Purdue Research Park High-Tech Job Fair on Tuesday (March 4).
"The goal of the job fair is to successfully match the talents of qualified job seekers with the high-tech opportunities of Purdue Research Park's companies," said Joseph B. Hornett, senior vice president, treasurer and COO of the Purdue Research Foundation, the organization that administers the research park and sponsors the job fair.
Medical developer opens expanded R&D center at Purdue Research Park
Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and officials from the Purdue Research Park joined biotechnology developer MED Institute on Friday (Feb. 29) to announce the opening of the company's expanded research and development center here, which is expected to employ more than 250 people by 2011.
MED Institute, the product development subsidiary of Bloomington, Ind.-based Cook Medical, made the announcement from its newly renovated 92,000-square-foot development center located in the former Great Lakes Corp. headquarters.
Indy's FAST Diagnostics takes first in Purdue life sciences competition
Indianapolis-based FAST Diagnostics took top honors and $50,000 in cash and services on Thursday (Feb. 28) in Purdue University's Life Sciences Business Plan Competition. The competition, now in its fifth year, attracted 42 entrants. Judges advanced 21 of those to the business plan phase in which firms provided detailed roadmaps for moving products and technologies from concept and prototype stage to commercialization. Lilly Endowment was the lead sponsor for the event, which was coordinated by Purdue's Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship.
Purdue Research Foundation official to speak to northern Kentucky, southern Indiana business leaders
A Purdue Research Foundation official will talk to southern Indiana and northern Kentucky business leaders Wednesday (March 5) about a Purdue Research Park initiative and its new facility in southeast Indiana.
Joseph B. Hornett, Purdue Research Foundation senior vice president, treasurer and COO, will speak at the Venture Club of Louisville's luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Galt House in Louisville. Nonmembers can attend the luncheon at a cost of $35. For more information, visit http://www.ventureclub-louisville.org or call (502) 598-6868.
International technology company to open new software center in Purdue Research Park
Gov. Mitch Daniels joined executives from global technology giant EDS (NYSE:EDS) and officials from Purdue Research Park on Thursday (Feb. 21) to announce the company's plans to locate its national software solution center here, creating more than 200 software engineer and business analyst positions by 2010.
The technology developer has already committed to lease 13,000 square feet in an office building in the Purdue Research Park and hired more than a dozen professionals. Officials of the Purdue Research Park said a new 78,000-square-foot structure, called Innovation Center, will be constructed. EDS will occupy 45,000 square feet of the new facility, which is slated to open in early 2009.
Biotechnology Developer Grows its Purdue Research Park Operation
Kylin Therapeutics, a developer of cancer and disease fighting biotechnology, announced today it has doubled its workforce and outside investment in its operations with the help of Indiana’s 21st Century Research and Technology Fund.
The state awarded the biotech company a $250,000 grant to further develop and commercialize Purdue University technology that allows doctors to target drug delivery for treatment of diseases ranging from AIDS to cancer.
Endocyte executive to speak to budding entrepreneurs
Ron Ellis, president and CEO of Endocyte Inc., will speak about effective business practices at 6 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Purdue Technology Center in Purdue Research Park.
The event, sponsored by Blue Chip Venture Company, is free and open to the public. The lecture will be followed by a networking reception that includes students, entrepreneurs and people from the community.
Video showcases interdisciplinary research successes at Purdue's Discovery Park
Purdue's Discovery Park, which has grown into a $375 million hub for interdisciplinary research in just five years, has produced a new video outlining its successes and how the park is helping reinvent the 21st century research university.
The 10-minute video highlights Purdue's interdisciplinary projects in nanotechnology, cancer, alternative energy, entrepreneurship, health-care engineering, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, the environment, cyberinfrastructure, innovative learning and homeland security.
Former Purdue Agriculture Dean Earl Butz dead at 98
Former Secretary of Agriculture and dean of Purdue University's College of Agriculture Earl Butz, died overnight in his sleep in Washington, D.C. He was 98 years old.
Endocyte secures $15 million venture debt facility
Endocyte, Inc. announced today (Friday, Jan. 25) that it has secured a venture debt facility of $15 million through Oxford Finance Corp. and GE Healthcare Financial Services acting as agent.
"This funding enhances our financial flexibility and enables us to even more effectively advance our pipeline of proprietary receptor targeting products," said Mike Sherman, chief financial officer at Endocyte. "The addition of non-dilutive, venture debt financing represents an especially attractive complement to Endocyte?s existing capital structure
ICx Technologies completes initial stock sale to the public
Officials of Griffin Analytical Technologies are pleased to announce that its parent company, ICx Technologies, is now trading on NASDAQ under the symbol "ICXT," following the initial public offering on Nov. 8.
Griffin Analytical, a wholly owned subsidiary of ICx Technologies since 2005, is based at the Purdue Research Park in West Lafayette, Ind. Griffin Analytical was founded in late 2001, secured Series A funding in 2003 and was acquired by ICx in late 2005. Operating as part of the Detection Division within ICx, Griffin provides premium class, on-site chemical detection products focused the security and environmental monitoring markets.
Report provides blueprint for cancer prevention research
A scientific report published this month provides a blueprint to revolutionize the future of cancer prevention research.
Until now, most research on how to prevent cancer has provided information about the average person - nothing tailored for the individual.
Cell phone sensors detect radiation to thwart nuclear terrorism
Researchers at Purdue University are working with the state of Indiana to develop a system that would use a network of cell phones to detect and track radiation to help prevent terrorist attacks with radiological "dirty bombs" and nuclear weapons.
Such a system could blanket the nation with millions of cell phones equipped with radiation sensors able to detect even light residues of radioactive material. Because cell phones already contain global positioning locators, the network of phones would serve as a tracking system, said physics professor Ephraim Fischbach. Fischbach is working with Jere Jenkins, director of Purdue's radiation laboratories within the School of Nuclear Engineering.
Endocyte Inc. announced Tuesday (Jan. 15) that it has entered into an exclusive license agreement with R&D Biopharmaceuticals for the use of tubulysin anticancer agents with Endocyte's proprietary drug conjugate platform.
Tubulysins are a new class of natural, highly potent investigational anticancer agents shown to destabilize microtubules and induce cell death. The agreement resulted from an existing research collaboration between the two companies to develop folate-tubulysin conjugates for the treatment of cancer.
Endocyte announces achievement of milestone in collaboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb
Endocyte Inc. announces its right to receive a milestone payment from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (NYSE: BMY), triggered by the commencement of a Phase 1 clinical trial for a folate-epothilone chemotherapeutic agent.
The agent resulted from a collaborative research effort between the two companies and is subject to a licensing agreement announced early in 2006. Bristol-Myers Squibb is responsible for all development, manufacturing, registration and marketing of the folate-epothilone chemotherapeutic agent.
Endocyte to present at 26th annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference
Endocyte Inc., a privately-held biotechnology company developing receptor-targeted therapeutics, announced Friday (Jan. 4) that it will be presenting at the 26th annual JPMorgan Healthcare Conference, which will take place at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco.
Ron Ellis, Endocyte president and CEO, will present an overview of the company's development program and clinical pipeline at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 9) in the Elizabethan C/D Room.
Purdue Research Park company commercializing method to improve early cancer diagnosis
A new Purdue University-licensed technology to improve early cancer diagnosis is being developed by MatrixBio LLC, a Purdue Research Park company.
The company has just received seed round funding from the Main Street Venture Fund, located in Fort Wayne, Ind., which will allow the company to further develop its diagnostic tests and to proceed with its second phase of clinical trials. Main Street Venture Fund is part of Ruffolo Benson LLC, a private equity firm in Indiana.
New smart tire senses damage, increases safety
A new type of "smart" tire developed by a Purdue University professor is able to sense damage when a tire goes flat or loses treads, making it safer for road travel.
The tire's technology also can be used to detect impending defects before a tire is mass produced. A team led by Gary W. Krutz, director of Purdue's Electrohydraulic Center and a professor of agricultural and biological engineering, has developed a tire system that senses failures in real time. The concept behind the technology is that the entire tire acts as a sensor that sends information to onboard computers.
Zeeko Technologies LLC, a Purdue Research Park-based company, announced that its sister company, Zeeko Ltd., was awarded a $5 million contract to develop a component to be used on the world's largest telescope.
The component, a polishing machine, will be used to finish the mirrors for the European Southern Observatory's Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) project. The observatory is a proposed member to operate a new generation of astronomical telescopes, envisioned to dwarf the world's largest telescopes.
Chandra Lovejoy Joins Endocyte as Director of Regulatory Affairs
Endocyte Inc. announced Monday (Dec. 17) the appointment of Chandra Lovejoy to the position of director, regulatory affairs.
Lovejoy comes to Endocyte from Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, Calif., where she was most recently a manager of regulatory affairs. In this role, she provided regulatory leadership to support the development of key oncology programs, including strategy for registration trials, formal FDA meetings and regulatory submissions, among other responsibilities.
Purdue center takes on North American battle against multidrug-resistant tuberculosis
Multidrug- resistant tuberculosis has a new challenger, a center in the Purdue Research Park that on Tuesday (Dec. 11) became the sole North American producer of a potent antibiotic.
The drug, Seromycin, had been developed earlier by Eli Lilly and Co., which, in turn, gave the park's Chao Center for Industrial Pharmacy & Contract Manufacturing the exclusive rights to manufacture, distribute and sell the drug.
Director named for Purdue's $100 million Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development
A former president and CEO of an international producer of medical devices will serve as the executive director of the Alfred Mann Institute for Biomedical Development at Purdue University.
Purdue and Purdue Research Foundation officials announced Friday (Nov. 30) that John C. Hertig, the former president and CEO of Enpath Medical Inc. in Minneapolis, will be the institute's inaugural executive director. The Purdue engineering alumnus begins his duties on Monday (Dec. 3).
Purdue awards Order of Griffin to WL mayor
Purdue University on Tuesday (Nov. 27) presented West Lafayette Mayor Jan Mills with the Order of the Griffin, one of the university's highest honors.
Purdue Research Park company to be featured on History Channel
Cook Biotech Inc., a company at the Purdue Research Park, will be featured in a History Channel "Modern Marvels" episode, entitled "The Pig," at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Tuesday (Nov. 27) and at midnight Wednesday (Nov. 28).
Cook Biotech produces a regenerative tissue graft called Surgisis Biodesign. The material's medical applications were discovered initially in the 1980s by a research team led by Leslie Geddes, Purdue's Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering.
First Precision LLC, a Northwest Indiana Purdue Research Parks company, received the grand prize and a Purdue University professor received the Most Innovative New Product Award during the 2007 Venture Idol competition in Indianapolis.
Robert McShane, president and CEO of First Precision, said his company was ranked first by a voting audience and by judges composed of company owners and venture capitalists.