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Dear Members,
If you haven’t taken note already, I encourage you to visit our Bio Nebraska website to learn more about the ten members who have joined our board. I am excited to have their insight this year; it’s looking to be an exciting year for our organization.
You may notice a few differences in our newsletter starting this month. To remain as informative and relevant as possible, we are making some changes. One of the most significant is the new Member Spotlight feature, where we will be providing information about one of our members each month. This month, we focus on Benchmark Biolabs, a dynamic company based in Lincoln with worldwide importance.
- We are now seeking nominations for the 2012 Governor’s Bioscience Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to our state’s bioscience industry. Any individual who positively impacts the state’s bioscience industry through innovation, public policy, investment, business creation, or leadership is eligible for the award. The nominee is not required to be a member of Bio Nebraska. More information and nomination forms are available on our website. Nominations are due March 16.
- Don’t forget our own Annual Meeting on April 16. And, for more networking opportunities, check out our list of upcoming events, including the BIO convention and a visit with congressional representatives in Washington to talk about bio issues. I plan to be at all three events, and know of several others in Nebraska who will be attending as well. Join us.
Phil Kozera
Executive Director |
Phil Kozera
Executive Director
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Benchmark Biolabs
Founded in 1986, Benchmark Biolabs is a Lincoln-based company led by its founder and president, Timothy J. Miller, Ph.D. The company focuses on streamlining and supporting the development process for biotechnology and pharmaceutical innovators, providing a suite of services to customers throughout the world — from emerging biotech companies to the top pharmaceutical and biotech firms. Benchmark scientists have received more than 60 patents and are responsible for dozens of USDA- and FDA-approved products — including three first-in-the-world products.
Among its many notable achievements, Benchmark developed the first plant-derived animal vaccine, was the first to license an oral delivery platform for fish vaccines that made the oral vaccination of farmed fish possible, and was the first to license an in-vitro potency test for live parasites.
In addition to the company’s state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, Benchmark has managed three USDA-licensed vaccine production facilities at its campus on West Industrial Lake Drive. The company also assists clients by providing contract testing services, methods development and validation, manufacturing process development, facilities design, regulatory affairs consulting, customized employee training solutions and other numerous custom services.
Benchmark became a Bio Nebraska member in 2007. “I’ve found that Bio Nebraska has been an excellent platform for networking both in and out of the state,” said Josh Johnson, who heads up the company’s business development efforts. "We have attended the BIO International Convention as part of Bio Nebraska and found it a great way to showcase our company to national and international markets. Similarly, we found partnership opportunities within the state through collaborating with Bio Nebraska on special events."
For more information about this member company, visit www.benchmarkbiolabs.com. |
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Market your company for little cost at BIO Convention
Bio Nebraska will be managing the Nebraska trade show booth at the BIO International Convention in June in Boston. In previous years, Nebraska companies have obtained significant exposure at this trade show; the show is an excellent marketing opportunity that shouldn’t be missed. If you are interested in attending or exhibiting, please contact Phil Kozera or find registration information at www.convention.bio.org.
UNL to target E. coli in $25 million study
UNL has received a $25 million from the USDA to study E. coli strains with the goal to reduce the incidence of E. coli in cattle. The university will lead a team of 48 scientists from 11 other universities and institutions. “Today’s complex challenges simply demand this kind of large-scale collaborative and interdisciplinary approach,” said Prem Paul, UNL vice chancellor for research and economic development. UNL news
Bill would exempt biochips from sales tax
State Sen. Galen Hadley and four others have introduced LB830 that would exempt biochips from a use tax. Bio Nebraska has sent a letter in support of the bill, which had a hearing before the Revenue Committee on January 26. Read the full language of the bill. In the next few weeks, the speaker priority bills and the senators’ priority bills will be designated. The last day of this 60-day session is April 12.
UNL will lead nation on food, fuel and water issues
UNL can be the leading land grant university concerning the issues of food, fuel and water, said Ronnie Green, vice chancellor of UNL’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. There is an automated plant phenotyping laboratory included in the plans for the Industrial Arts Building, part of the college’s Innovation Campus on the old state fairgrounds. The laboratory will study relationships between plant traits and genes, one of only two such facilities in the world. Kearney Hub
UNL names new agribusiness leader
Tom Field is the new director of the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program and the Paul Engler Chair of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship at UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Creighton receives $3.3 million to study artery repair procedure
A Creighton University School of Medicine researcher has won a $3.3 million grant to study how using a patient’s own adult stem cells might help repair damaged coronary arteries. Creighton University News Center
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Drugmakers looking to biosimilars market
With the looming patent expiration of several major drugs, generic-drug makers are looking to biosimilars because of the segment's competitive advantage and the expectation of high profit margins, according to a report from Frost & Sullivan. PharmaTimes Online.
Read a related story in The Boston Globe about three Massachusetts companies getting into the biosimilar market.
Look for 8 percent annual growth in renewable energy market
The world’s consumption of renewable energy will increase 8.2 percent annually through 2030. Even so, renewable energy will still account for only 6 percent of energy use in 2030. Oil consumption will increase by just 0.7% annually. All this is according to a new BP report. FuelFix.com
Venture capital funding up for biotech companies
Biotechnology received a 22 percent boost in venture capital funding last year. Funding for medical device and equipment companies rose 20 percent, but first-time investing in these companies is down raising concerns for the future. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News
Experts debate value of lengthening patent protection for blockbuster drugs
Extending patent protection on drugs would provide the investment needed to research and develop new drugs, drug makers say. On the other hand, critics contend that drug makers focus on developing marketable drugs, not the drugs that are most needed so extending patents wouldn’t help patients. Wall Street Journal online
Novozymes CEO predicts great opportunities for biofuels
About 17.5 percent of agricultural residue could be used as feedstock to develop biofuels, according to the CEO of Novozymes. That would be enough to replace more than half of the world’s gasoline demand in 2030. “The world has a unique opportunity to develop a next-generation bioproduct industry based on agricultural residues by 2030,” he said. Novozymes news
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Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
Location: The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
Call the chamber at (402) 474-4422 for more information
Omaha Science Café
"Workplace Dignity: Boosting Employee Performance and Well-Being
with Better Communication"
Presented by Kristen Lucas, Ph.D.
6:30 p.m., February 2
The Slowdown, 729 North 14 St., Omaha
2012 Governor’s Ag Conference
Feb. 15-16, Holiday Inn Convention Center, Kearney
Ag Conference information. “Water for Food: Think globally, act locally”
By Professor Roberto Lenton
Heuermann Lectures/UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Monday, Feb. 20
3 p.m. reception/3:30 p.m. lecture
Hardin Hall, 33rd and Holdrege, Lincoln The Nebraska Summit on Entrepreneurship
Friday, February 24
Embassy Suites Omaha-La Vista Hotel and Conference Center in La Vista, Nebraska.
More information available on Bio Nebraska website.
Nebraska Bio Sciences Annual Meeting
4–6 p.m., Monday, April 16, 2012
Location: Streck Inc., 7002 S. 109th St., La Vista 2012 BIO Legislative Fly-in
April 24-25, 2012, in Washington, D.C.
Annual event for members of biotechnology industry to meet with congressional members.
Event and registration information available here.
2012 BIO International Convention
June 18-21, 2012, in Boston
Nearly 2,000 exhibitors expected
Event and registration information available here.
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
Location: The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel, Lincoln
Call the chamber at (402) 474-4422 for more information |
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