UNMC part of team that will showcase biotechnology innovations

Shown here is part of the Nebraska Pavilion that will be transported to the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2007 Annual International Convention, which will be held May 6-9 in Boston.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first of three stories that will run in UNMC Today this week that focus on the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) Convention, held May 6-9 in Boston. A team from UNMC will join a number of other Nebraska academic, business and industry organizations in showcasing biotechnology innovations during the convention, which will take place in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Nebraska group will be among 1,700 other organizations showcasing their displays on the 200,000- foot trade show floor.

Nebraska is home to a computer-aided orthopedic surgical system that may enable surgeons to do faster, less invasive, more precise bone cutting and alignment of knee implants; research on nanoparticle sensors with sensitivity rivaling human fingers could give robots a delicate sense of touch; and the nation’s only 10-bed patient biocontainment unit that sets the standard for biopreparedness.

These innovations and dozens of bioscience research and business partnerships will be highlighted in the Nebraska Pavilion at the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) 2007 Annual International Convention May 6-9 in Boston. A team of more than 25 Nebraska scientists, policymakers, university leaders and economic development experts will be on hand in Boston to showcase Nebraska technology, research and development to 20,000 visitors from around the world.

The Nebraska contingent is led by Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association and includes representatives from UNMC, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska Technology Park, Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Omaha Public Power District and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. Representatives from UNL’s Office of Technology Development and from UNeMed, UNMC’s licensing and marketing arm, will be on hand to promote the commercial potential of numerous university technologies and inventions.

The event is the world’s largest gathering of bioscience executives, investors, journalists, policymakers and scientists drawing visitors from more than 60 countries. Represented will be more than 1,100 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations.

Donald Leuenberger

The BIO convention is the place to be if you’re serious about being a part of the biotechnology industry, said Julie Karavas, director of Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association. Bio Nebraska was formed in 2005 to coordinate and expand life sciences in the state.

This is the third year that there has been a statewide presence at the convention and the seventh year that UNMC has had an exhibit, said Don Leuenberger, vice chancellor of business and finance at the medical center.

“We are looking forward to another opportunity to showcase the promising technologies UNMC has in development,” Leuenberger said. “The exposure UNMC and Nebraska gets at BIO is phenomenal. It’s a chance to show people around the world that we are on the map and are interested in attracting researchers and potential partners that ultimately improve health and benefit Nebraska’s economy.”

Watch for the BIO Blogosphere The UNMC team plans to blog during the BIO convention in Boston. Watch UNMC Today for more information about the blog.

The conference is a great opportunity for Nebraskans interested and invested in biotechnology to make contacts and let people know what is happening in our state in biotechnology, Karavas said.

“This conference is the place for everyone in the industry to share the word about new discoveries and build awareness and excitement about economic opportunities in the industry, both nationally and globally,” she said.

The advantages UNL gets from participation also are important to its efforts in life sciences research, said Prem Paul, UNL vice chancellor for research.

“Our faculty have so much innovative research work underway in biosciences and BIO is a great opportunity to showcase this work,” Paul said. “This is a terrific opportunity for the university to team with business and industry representatives to tell the world about the great things that are happening in Nebraska, to increase our visibility and generate broader interest that could lead to partnerships and economic opportunities.”

UNMC will feature several technologies, including a revolutionary recombinant protein purification technology. Allied Minds, a Boston-area pre-seed investment firm, purchased the license for the technology from UNeMed, formed Purtein LLC, and made a $500,000 investment.

James Linder, M.D.

James Linder, M.D., president of UNeMed, said the venture with Allied Minds is an exciting one.

“We see the partnership as a fast, effective way to commercialize this novel technology,” Dr. Linder said. “This technology has very broad applications to help companies or those with research interests get their job done. It can be used to make many products better.”

UNMC researchers also are working on a computer-aided orthopedic surgical system they hope will enable surgeons to do faster, less invasive, more precise bone cutting and alignment of knee implants. UNMC also will highlight its strength in biosecurity and biopreparedness, including the biocontainment unit.

Marsha Morien

“The biocontainment unit we’re featuring is the only one of its kind in the U.S.,” said Marsha Morien, administrator for UNMC’s Center for Biosecurity and executive director of the Computer Assisted Medicine and Surgery, who helps lead the UNMC BIO team. “What we have here is very special. The staff has developed incredible expertise for units like this.”

UNL will showcase the nanoparticle-based sensor and also a recent discovery of how a “necklace” of gold nanoparticles can conduct electricity, which could lead to development of bioelectronics.

Lincoln and Omaha chamber and state Department of Economic Development representatives will present Nebraska as a state with numerous jobs, ample economic opportunities and a cooperative, supportive business and industry climate.

“With our expanding list of leading bioscience related businesses, medical and research centers, and a highly productive, skilled workforce, Nebraska stands out as a state for the bioscience industry,” said Richard Baier, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development.

Those who visit the Nebraska Pavilion at BIO also will be eligible for drawing to win Omaha Steaks.