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For six years, the BioPartnering North America (BPN) Conference has been one of the most dynamic life science conferences in the world. The Conference attracts 900 attendees representing 400 companies from around the globe.
Though the Conference does provide informational content, it is organized to optimize networking opportunities. “The TTO will attend this exciting event again in 2009,” said Dr. Odd Bres, Technology Manager. “We appreciate the energy of the event and the unfettered networking opportunities.”
The TTO manages more than 80 alliances and a large intellectual property estate of over 350 patents that cover 275 technologies. The senior staff of the TTO maintains an active travel schedule to build vibrant and productive alliances. The Office’s participation at BPN is focused on new therapeutic compounds, new diagnostic tests and new research tools.
“This year, the TTO will feature some new, very promising technologies, including new antibiotics against hospital borne resistant bacteria, new more effective and less toxic chemotherapy drugs and a new way to prevent vascular disease in diabetes. All of these technologies show the potential to meet pressing medical needs.”
“Each year, the TTO staff and our faculty-clients attend approximately ten conferences around the world, still, BPN is one of our favorites,” said Gary Breit, Executive Director. “The TTO manages a diverse set of alliances designed to build value for our corporate and faculty partners … our BPN participation is one effort to maintain our close relationships with business development professionals from partner organizations.”
For more information about BioPartnering North America visit their website www.techvision.com/bpn.
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Over the years, the TTO has built a tradition for producing exciting “Signature Events” (“Ribs on the Red,” “Pickerel & Patents,” and “Season’s Surprise”) for the technology community. These events include a short presentation on technology issues, a complimentary lunch and (sometimes) a token gift. At the recent, Pickerel & Patents, we provided a bass-bustin’ lure that is already catching fish and spawning stories.
Micheal Boyd is the Executive Director of Fortune Cat Games Studio in Winnipeg and sends this report:
" The weekend in November after the Pickerel and Patents event, I went out to the cottage with a couple of friends to finish the winterizing of our cottage. We had previously done most of the work in October so this was really an excuse to have a late fall weekend out with the guys (read: play poker and drink beer).
On the Saturday, it was unusually nice for that time of year. There was virtually no wind and since the lake usually doesn`t freeze over until December, it felt like a beautiful fall day. We all went for a hike and when we came back to the cottage, we decided to go down to the dock and relax for a bit. We would have taken the boat out for a ride if it weren’t for the fact that it was already in storage for the winter months and not in the old boat house.
One of the guys got the bright idea that we should fish off the dock to see if we could add a bit of “surf” to that night’s planned BBQ steak dinner. Unfortunately, the tackle box with the fishing lures is stored in the boat and not around. I was about to say we couldn`t when I remembered that the "TTO lure" from the Pickerel and Patents event in my laptop backpack I brought with me.
I said it was doubtful we would catch anything but Chris remained persistent. He wanted to cast a few lines in while we were relaxing. I went up to the cottage, got the lure and attached it to the old fishing rod we keep in the boat house, and cast the line in.
I started to reel it back in and almost instantly felt a tug on the line. I had snagged a fish on the first cast in. I was amazed... I had never done that and certainly did not expect to do it this time.
I won`t try and sell you some amazing fish story but believe me, this was an epic struggle between man and fish. After what must have been a few minutes, we pulled a large Jackfish up onto the dock. Unfortunately, the gear to clean a fish was also in the tackle box. Since Jackfish are so bony and hard to clean at the best of times we had to let the fish go.
We didn`t expect to catch anything and since this was so spontaneous in how it happened, nobody had a camera to take a picture. After all... if we did this wouldn`t be a "true fishing story" now would it.
I will certainly use that lure again as I now call it my "Lucky lure." At next year`s TTO event, I hope the giveaway is more fishing gear so I can build a complete set to leave at the cottage. That way, I`ll never have to catch and release again."
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Hot Technology: Compounds for Modulating Triglyceride (TG) and VLDL Secretion
Hypertriglycridemia has been identified as a risk factor for various vascular diseases especially those affecting the heart and kidneys. Elevations in serum levels of triglycerides (TG) may result from either increased TG secretion or decreased TG degradation. Elevated triglycerides in the blood vessels can lead to fatal events such as heart attack, stroke, peripheral arterial diseases.
The most aggressive lipids, i.e., very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, make up 15-20 percent of total serum cholesterol. VLDLs are made up of 50 percent triglycerides. VLDL cholesterol is considered a type of “bad” cholesterol because elevated levels are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease.
University of Manitoba researchers have developed a method to reduce serum TG and VLDL levels by use of an autophagocytosis inducing compound. The inventors have determined that alterations to membrane phospholipid composition and remodeling inhibit second-step VLDL assembly and activate post-ER degradation.
The invention comprises a method of identifying autophagocytosis modulating/inducing compounds, a pharmaceutical composition of the same, and administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an autophagocytosis inducing compound to a patient in need thereof. The composition has the added advantage of being administered orally, parenterally, as inhalation or as rectal suppository.
The U.S. lipid therapeutics market has been able to realize an enormous amount of growth due to the statin class, however, class areas outside of the statins are now beginning to show greater amounts of revenue growth. In 2009, the market is forecast to grow by 8.7 percent with revenues to $23.67 billion. In 2010, the market is forecast to grow by 8.3 percent to reach $25.64 billion.
For more information regarding this opportunity contact Dr. Neeraj Visen at 204.474.9466 or neeraj_visen@umanitoba.ca
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Upcoming Events
BIOPARTNERING NORTH AMERICA
February 8 - 10, 2009 | Vancouver
BioPartnering North America (BPN) is North America’s most innovative partnering conference for the life sciences, offering 78 company presentations, partnering software, interactive sessions and workshops, and the best networking opportunities with business development executives in the life sciences. >> Link
AUTM ANNUAL MEETING 2009
February 12 - 14, 2009 | Orlando
The meeting is a three-day educational conference that draws from the global community of technology transfer professionals, researchers and other intellectual property experts. >> Link
LES 2009 WINTER MEETING
February 25 - 27, 2009 | San Antonio
The LES 2009 Winter meeting will incorporate the professional aspects of licensing and how they exemplify licensing as a culture…a global culture. >> Link
NZBIO CONFERENCE
March 9 - 11, 2009 | Aukland
One of New Zealand's largest and most vibrant annual conferences.
Well established as the premier showcase for the New Zealand life sciences sector, NZBIO attracts delegates from around the world and from all aspects of the life sciences industry. >> Link
LES SPRING MEETING
May 6 -68, 2009 | Montreal
Opportunities to examine Networking in the 21st century with an influence from IT and Health Care. >> Link
BIO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2009
May 18 - 21, 2009 | Atlanta
Don't miss our world-class exhibition, engaging session and panel discussions, and endless networking opportunities at the global event for biotechnology - next May in Atlanta! >> Link
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Bringing Research to Life
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