News Releases
AureoGen uses genetic engineering to perfect drug compound March 3, 2008
KALAMAZOO – Two scientists who knew each other for 20 years while working for Upjohn and Pharmacia began their own drug research company in the hopes of realizing a novel way of making drug compounds. Click here for full story
Southwest Michigan Innovation Center March 3, 2008
KALAMAZOO – The story of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center (SMIC) can best be described as “The Perfect Storm.”
That’s the phrase SMIC’s CEO Fred Einspahr uses as illustration, and it doesn’t require much delving into the center’s history before understanding why.
Tech Tour Gets Under Way In Kalamazoo April 22, 2008
Wednesday morning, I'll be meeting with several fascinating tech companies in southwest Michigan, everything from a Web consultant operating out of Buchanan, to a life sciences startup, to a longtime Kalamazoo software developer that's just been bought out -- what's the future there? -- to a tour of the Southwest Michigan Innovation Center, a life sciences incubator.
Local Company Receives $1M Grant from the National Institutes of Health to Fight Cause of Cervical Cancer
NanoVir of Kalamazoo was recently awarded approximately $1 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further its research on the treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV).
BRCC firm sets milestone, moves to human testing for new drug April 17, 2007
Meditrina Pharmaceuticals Inc., a company launched with the assistance of
Western Michigan University’s Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, is the first life science startup with local ties to progress to the human testing phase for new drug development.
Meditrina Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Initiates Phase II Trial and Raises $4.4M in Initial Funding April 4, 2007
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (April 4, 2007) – Meditrina Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today
announced the start of its phase II clinical trial for its lead product candidate,
Femathina™ (MPI-674). MPI-674 is an aromatase inhibitor that Meditrina is
repurposing for the treatment of several serious women’s health conditions including
endometrial thinning prior to endometrial ablations in premenopausal women with
abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). In addition, Meditrina has secured $4.4M in initial
funding from the 21st Century Jobs Fund administered by the Michigan Economic
Development Corporation and from the Biosciences Research and Commercialization
Center at Western Michigan University to advance the Company’s initiatives.
Firm with WMU ties gets second-round 21st Century Jobs funding October 19, 2006
KALAMAZOO --An Ann Arbor area pharmaceutical firm with strong ties to Western Michigan University's Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center is a big winner in the second round of 21st Century Jobs Funding announced Oct. 16 by Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm.
Meditrina Inc. will receive $3.8 million--the largest amount awarded to 24 companies and organizations named to share the $35 million in new funding announced by Granholm. Meditrina is a startup women's health company launched with initial funding from WMU's BRCC and intellectual property discovered at Wayne State University Medical School. The technology is a late-phase pharmaceutical opportunity aimed at developing new uses for an existing class of drugs on the market.
Company Founded by former Pharmacia Scientists Enters Agreement with Japanese Biotech Firm January 30, 2006
Kalamazoo , MI : AureoGen Biosciences, Inc., a Kalamazoo-based biotech company that is using an innovative genetic engineering technology for the discovery and production of novel antibiotics, has announced that it has entered into a license agreement with Takara Bio Inc. The agreement will provide AureoGen access to several patent protected antibiotic compounds, as well as a proprietary organism that produces a potent antifungal compound.
Dr. Jack Luderer, one of the speakers for the “Business of Biotechnology” course lecture series October 18, 2006
Dr. Jack Luderer, executive director of Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center was one of the speakers for the “Business of Biotechnology” course lecture series at Wayne State University School of Medicine on September 29, 2006. The course is underwritten by a MEEN grant (“Michigan Educational Entrepreneurship Network”). The course is designed to provide insight into the interface of research, medicine and business during the translation of basic biomedical discoveries into clinical practice. Dr. Luderer’s presentation was on the role of clinical trials and regulatory approvals in the commercialization process.
Dr. Jack Luderer presented during 2006 Economic Development Course September 13, 2006
Dr. Jack Luderer, executive director of Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, was a presenter on Internet 2 to the Michigan Economic Developers Association for their 2006 Economic Development Course on September 13. Dr. Luderer’s presentation, “The Bioscience Research and Commercialization Center links University Technologies Across Michigan to Create New Companies” focused on how Western Michigan University is working with other universities to take high tech start-ups from concept to viable businesses.
21st Century Jobs Fund supports WMU initiatives September 7, 2006
KALAMAZOO-- Western Michigan University research initiatives came up on the winning side of the equation Sept. 6 when Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm announced the names of 61 awardees selected to share more than $100 million from the first round of the 21st Century Jobs Fund initiative to create jobs in Michigan's emerging technologies.
NanoVir nominated for work on prevention of cervical cancer August 7, 2006
NanoVir LLC, a Kalamazoo, Mich.-based biotechnology company, has been nominated for a Tibbetts award in recognition of their work in identifying a potential treatment to fight the virus that causes cervical cancer.
Russell named director for two WMU campuses July 2, 2006
A veteran higher education administrator has been named director of Western Michigan University's Extended University Programs campuses in Battle Creek and Lansing.
WMU Alumni Association selects new leadership July 2, 2006
Thirteen officers, executive committee members and directors have been elected to terms on the 2006-07 Western Michigan University Alumni Association Board of Directors, effective July 1.
WMU center hired to evaluate Louisiana schools June 27, 2006
Western Michigan University's Evaluation Center has been hired to evaluate the effectiveness of a sweeping education initiative supporting Central Louisiana school districts.
Life science firm makes commitment to Kalamazoo June 26, 2006
A life science startup with a patented product designed for clinical research is moving its operations to Kalamazoo with funding support from Western Michigan University's Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center and Michigan's Technology Tri-Corridor.
ADMETrx Technology recently featured in Genetic Engineering News May 1, 2006
Drug Discovery: ADMETox Improves Drug Discovery Rates Combining with In silico Modeling, In vitro Testing, Automation, and High-Throughput Screening
Luderer takes reins at BRCC May 16, 2005
Dr. Jack R. Luderer is the new executive director of Western Michigan University's Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, effective today.
Pfizer gives WMU $2.9 million in research equipment March 31, 2004
Equipment being used in Haenicke Hall labs and by some life sciences startup firms at WMU Parkview Campus.
Nine local biotech firms awarded first BRCC funds March 30, 2004
BRCC governing board awards $1.9 million to nine R&D firms, elects Don Parfet chair at inaugural meeting.
BRCC governing board members announced March 1, 2004
Perrigo's Michael Jandernoa and Apjohn's Donald Parfet among those named by President Bailey to BRCC board.
Keck grant will fund nanotechnology focus on cell biology January 17, 2004
Keck Foundation awards $500,000 for nanotech-based research aimed at unlocking a secret of cellular membranes.
Fisher to head BRCC on interim basis January 9, 2004
Biotech entrepreneur and former Pfizer researcher Dr. Christopher Fisher named interim director of BRCC.
WMU will establish research foundation December 15, 2003
Creation of WMU Research Foundation aids many goals, including receipt of patent donations, creation of small business incubators.
Meeting advances bioscience technology development November 19, 2003
Researchers from Michigan Tech and Oakland University visit WMU, Nov. 20, to explore collaboration.
Bailey named to Technology Tri-Corridor Committee October 21, 2003
Gov. Granholm names WMU president to newly created Technology Tri-Corridor Steering Committee.
Granholm presents $10 million check for biosciences center August 5, 2003
Gov. Granholm presents President Bailey with with ceremonial check for new Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center.
Trustees establish life sciences research center July 30, 2003
WMU gets $10 million to launch research center for development and commercialization of pharmaceutical and biosciences products.
