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 NCBIO's annual unofficial tally of grants, plant expansions, licensing agreements, and equity investments in North Carolina life science entities totaled more than $1.17 billion in the year ending June 5, 2008. NCBIO prepared the report for members of the North Carolina General Assembly attending the Organization's 2008 Legislative Breakfast. The total was only slightly less than the $1.3 billion in announcements made during the year ending in June 2007.
The report shows more than $485 million in equity investments during the period, $336 million in investments in new and expanded facilities, $218 million in grants, and $125 million in licensing payments. The largest announcement of the period was Becton Dickinson & Company's March 2008 announcement of $137 million in new and expanded facilities in Durham and Wilson counties. Other major announcement included equity investments announced by Trans1 ($82 million) and Inspire Pharmaceuticals ($75 million). The fourth largest announcement of the period was UNC-Chapel Hill's disclosure of a five-year $61 million grant from the National Institutes of Health as part of the agency's Clinical and Translational Sciences Awards program.
 Members of the North Carolina State House have signed off on their version of the 2008-09 budget adjustments – including most items on NCBIO's 2008 legislative priority list. The 2008 budget bill revises the second year of a two-year spending plan adopted by the Assembly in 2007.
Life science priorities funding in the House Budget includes $4 million in non-recurring expansion funding for the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. NCBIO is supporting the Center's 2008 request for $6.75 million in additional funding, including monies for emerging company loan programs, research and education program expansions, reactivation of the Center's Historically Minority University infrastructure grants program and monies to match federal and private funding for expansion of the Center's headquarters in Research Triangle Park.
Other NCBIO priorities addressed in the House budget include reauthorization of North Carolina's research and development tax credit, $5 million in additional non-recurring funding for the North Carolina Biofuels Center, and $4.4 million in renewed non-recurring funding for the One North Carolina Small Business Program, which makes state grants of up to $100,000 to match federal SBIR and STTR grants to North Carolina companies.
The House budget also provides funding for several other life science items, including an additional $1 million in funding for North Carolina State University's bioengineering program, $4 million in additional funding for state university and community college programs at the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis, $200,000 in non-recurring funding for the Institute of Natural Biotechnology and Integrative Medicine at Asheville, and a final, $1 million per year increase in operating funding for the Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Training Enterprise (BRITE) at North Carolina Central University.
The House did not act on NCBIO's request to extend the cap on North Carolina's Qualified Business Venture Tax Credit to $10 million per year by 2010. NCBIO will be working with legislative leaders in the weeks ahead to win support for the cap increase in the Senate version of the budget bill.
The House budget now goes to the State Senate for consideration. Differences between the two chambers will be worked out in compromise discussions most likely to take place at the end of June or early July.
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| Rep. Ty Harrell talks with NCBIO Members |
NCBIO's Emerging Companies Forum played host to legislators and life science company leaders at the Organization's annual Legislative Breakfast, Thursday, June 5. The event provided an opportunity for more than 35 NCBIO company leaders to meet and exchange ideas with legislators from across North Carolina.
Senator Bill Purcell (D-Scotland) and Representative Ty Harrell (D-Wake) welcomed NCBIO members to the breakfast. NCBIO President, Sam Taylor, gave a brief overview of the Organization's legislative priorities. The event was sponsored by VWR International.
Taylor also used the occasion to update legislators on continuing investments in North Carolina life science companies and research institutions. Taylor reported that the Organization's ongoing, unofficial survey of life science equity investments, facility expansions, licensing agreements and grants totaled more than $1.17 billion in the year ending June 5, 2008. The total was consistent with total announcements during previous one-year periods.
"Our goal is to provide BRITE students with an education and skill set that will give them a strong competitive advantage in the biotech/biomanufacturing workplace," stated Chancellor Charlie Nelms at the dedication of North Carolina Central University 's $20 million Biomanufacturing Research Institute and Technology Enterprise (BRITE).
UNC System President Eriskine Bowles stated, "BRITE will change the economic competitiveness of the state." He added that he was proud of the visionary effort that had made North Carolina 's life science training initiatives possible.
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| UNC President Bowles and NCCU Chancellor Nelms
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Norris Tolson, President and CEO of the NC Biotechnology Center, called the facility another link in the partnership North Carolina has created to grow the state's life science industry.
NCBIO Biotech Manufacturing Consultant, Hal Price, stated, "We are only at the beginning of achieving success. BRITE and its NCBioImpact partners have developed a comprehensive training network that will support industry's efforts to both develop and manufacture products that can save lives and improve the quality of life for people around the world."
State, academic and industry officials were present June 9 th for the dedication. The BRITE facility was funded by Golden LEAF Foundation. The 52,000 square foot state-of-state BRITE building is one of three North Carolina workforce development facilities that are part of the state's public-private consortium, NCBioImpact. NCBioImpact includes the Biotech Training & Education Center (BTEC) at North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Community College System's BioNetwork, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and NCBIO.
NCBIO elected four new members to the organization's Board of Directors and re-elected six other individuals at the annual meeting in Winston-Salem, May 19th. Jeff Collins, Executive in Residence, Pappas Ventures; Norris Tolson, President and CEO of the NC Biotechnology Center; Susan Thomason, Executive Director Global Business Development, NovaQuest; and Jan Turek, President and CEO of Biolex Therapeutics will serve until 2011.
Sam Taylor, President of NCBIO stated, "We are pleased that Susan, Jeff, Norris and Jan have agreed to join the Board. They have a great understanding of the life science industry in North Carolina, and will assist us in the continued growth of NCBIO."
Others re-elected to the Board are Dr. Charles Goldstein, Vice President Research & Director, BD Technologies; Matthew Jennings, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development, Teleflex; David Miller, Director, OCMO Operations and R&D Policy, GlaxoSmithKline; John Russell, Visiting Scholar, UNC-CH Center for Global Initiatives; and Mark Weedon, President, BWA Consulting.
Other NCBIO Board Members are: Karen Albritton, CapStrat; Lou Arp, Eisai; Jonathan Bryant, BASF Plant Science; Dennis Burns, Partner, TCG Group/Curasan; Chris Capel, Smith Anderson; John Cox, Biogen Idec; Don deBethizy, Targacept; Tim Gupton, Hughes Pittman and Gupton, LLP; Ana Menendez, Catalent; Mark Paige, Novozymes; Russ Read, National Center for the Biotechnology Work Force; Robert Schotzinger, Viamet; Thomas Staab, Chief Financial Officer Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; and Eric Ward, CropSoution.
A place to "live, work and play" is what Doug Edgeton calls the Piedmont Triad Research Park , Edgeton, who is President of the Park and Executive Vice President and COO for Wake Forest Health Sciences, highlighted the development of the park for more than 100 people attending the NCBIO Annual Meeting.
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| Doug Edgeton and Don deBethizy |
Edgeton says that the vision for the initiative is "to create a 230-acres, urban-based, mixed-use biotechnology research park that will bring into alignment and provide solutions to many independent business, academic and societal needs and aspirations, not only for the city of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County but also for the Piedmont Triad region and the entire State of North Carolina."
NCBIO Vice-Chairman Don deBethizy, CEO of Targacept, outlined some of NCBIO's accomplishments in 2007-08. NCBIO President, Sam Taylor, updated members on life science issues pending before the 2008 General Assembly.
In a standing room only group at the opening session of Biotech 2008, former North Carolina Governor, Jim Hunt, said that North Carolina must do more in science education and workforce training to remain competitive in a global economy. Hunt said, "Biotechnology and life sciences are the hope of the future for North Carolina and the U.S." While in office, Governor Hunt led efforts to transform the state's economy by launching the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center.
More than 700 business people from across the Southeast attended Biotech 2008, held in Winston-Salem. The 17 th annual event, hosted by the Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED) and co-sponsored by NCBIO and the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, included presentations by thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, investors and researchers from the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and life sciences.
At a gala dinner on May 19th, CED's outgoing president Monica Doss received the Charles Hamner Leadership Award for her more than 20-year stewardship of the organization and support of the state's new-economy entrepreneurs. Doss retire d from CED at the end of May. The award was presented by its namesake, Charles Hamner, former director of the NC Biotechnology Center.
 North Carolina will have a redesigned pavilion for the BIO conference in San Diego . Developed by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the pavilion will feature companies in North Carolina along with the NCBioImpact workforce training program and state and regional life science economic development initiatives.
Academics and industry leaders from across the globe will showcase their innovative ideas on the next groundbreaking technologies in the life sciences at the 2008 BIO International Convention's Innovation Corridor poster session.
The BIO International Convention helps to support the association's programs and initiatives. BIO works throughout the year to create a policy environment that enables the industry to continue to fulfill its vision of bettering the world through biotechnology innovation. The 2009 event will be held in Atlanta May 18-21.
NCBIO is pleased to partner with Business North Carolina magazine to offer its members a complimentary one-year trial subscription to Business North Carolina . Business North Carolina is a leading source of in-depth business news coverage in North Carolina and frequently features interesting stories about North Carolina 's bioscience industry. Normally available to subscribers for $30 per year, NCBIO members can obtain a free one-year trial subscription through this one-time offer. Visit Business North Carolina's web site and enter "NCBIO8" in the Special Code field. Click on Business North Carolina, for more information about the magazine.
 The Talecris New Trials Support program (Talents), sponsored by Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc., is now accepting applications for the 2008 research grants cycle. The Talents program, entering its third year, aims to advance basic and clinical research addressing the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IGIV) in immunological, hematological, and neurological indications. Totaling $1 million, the grants support either a one or two-year research period and include funding for salary, overheads, and direct costs.
Interested investigators are invited to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Talents Evaluation Committee, a committee comprised of Talecris scientists and external experts in immunology, neurology, and hematology. The deadline for submission of an LOI for the 2008 cycle is August 4, 2008. Upon LOI approval by the Evaluation Committee, investigators will receive a full application form to be completed by mid-October 2008. Selection of proposals for funding will be based on scientific merit, applicant qualifications, research environment, and consistency with the overall Talents program goals. Funding decisions and notification of award recipients will be made in late 2008 with funding beginning in 2009.
"When we announced this program in 2006, we did so with an aim to support the intellectual endeavors of the global IGIV research community," said Larry Stern, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Talecris Biotherapeutics. "The scientific knowledge and insights gained from these funded studies are significant, and we continue to be impressed with the quality of the research teams and scientific proposals."
Argos Therapeutics has announced the initiation of a Phase 2a proof-of-concept clinical trial to test the efficacy of its AGS-004 therapy in improving immune control of viral replication in HIV-infected adults. AGS-004 is a product of the Company's ArcelisTM technology, a personalized, RNA-loaded dendritic cell-based immunotherapy that is perfectly matched to each patient's unique HIV viral burden. The target population for the study is HIV-1 infected patients with durable viral suppression from active antiretroviral therapy (ART). In April, Argos reported positive safety and feasibility data from the Phase 1 trial of AGS-004 in HIV-infected adults on ART. The Company plans to present full Phase 1 trial results, including immune response data, at the International AIDS Conference in August 2008.
BioLink Life Sciences, Inc has been selected by the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) to participate in the 2008 MBA Summer Consulting Program. BioLink has been matched with Dr. Virupaksh Mahaparale, a physician who is completing his Master of Business Administration degree at North Carolina State University.
BioLink Life Sciences, Inc., a boutique drug company located in Cary, NC, "repairs" widely used drugs by changing the formulation of each drug to eliminate its side effects. "Dr. Mahaparale's consulting assignment will provide unique business and medical support for our "repaired" drug program," BioLink's President Deanna Nelson noted. "His clinical experience and MBA training at NCSU should accelerate commercialization of our new drugs. Together we have already initiated work on a strategic plan for development of BioFeRxTM, BioLink's uniquely beneficial iron supplement ."
Entegrion's lifesaving bandage i s now available in Military Base Supply Centers. Entegrion is partnering with LC Industries of Durham, the nation's largest employer of the visually impaired. This new partnership will put Entegrion's lifesaving bandages in the hands of men and women in armed forces and other government agencies through distribution at LC Industries-operated military base supply centers across the country. Soldiers and unit medics can now purchase the lifesaving StasilonTM - FR dressings in their supply centers to take into combat. Unlike absorbent cotton, the combination of glass and bamboo fibers trigger the body's natural mechanisms for hemorrhage control by rapidly constricting and clotting damaged blood vessels, stabilizing the wound and drastically reducing severe blood loss.
Hutchison Law Group PLLC, has announced the opening of an office in the Research Triangle Park in the First Flight Venture Center's (FFVC) executive suites. "The decision to have a physical presence within the First Flight Venture Center and be centrally located within RTP is a natural extension of our long-standing relationship with FFVC as well as the clients we serve in RTP," said Hutchison Law Group member and FFVC Chairman Fred Hutchison. "Hutchison Law Group and FFVC are both focused on working with entrepreneurs to successfully launch new businesses. This partnership allows us to strengthen our relationship to better serve emerging growth companies in the area."
John Fogg, a partner with Hutchison Law Group has been honored with the ‘40 Under 40' award from the Triangle Business Journal. Prior to joining Hutchison Law Group, Fogg was a partner in the Silicon Valley office of Gray Cary Ware and Freidenrich, LLP (now DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary). His practice focuses on public offerings, venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance and securities compliance. Since moving to the area in late 2004, Fogg has assisted RTP companies in raising over $150 million in venture capital and has represented companies in numerous merger and acquisition transactions, including companies sold to Cisco Systems and Microsoft. Additionally, he advised Sony Ericsson in connection with the sale of one of its business divisions, and Merrion Pharmaceuticals in connection with its public offering in Ireland.
Targacept, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR TherapeuticsTM, has announced the designation of a lead compound in its smoking cessation program, triggering a $500,000 milestone payment under its alliance agreement with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). "We are delighted to have successfully leveraged our expertise in NNRs to bring forward a novel compound for smoking cessation, an area that is not only a major healthcare need but also where application of the NNR mechanism has been validated commercially," said J. Donald deBethizy, President and CEO of Targacept. "Emerging science has made the promise of NNR-targeted compounds as smoking cessation aids increasingly evident. It is important for a smoking cessation aid to specifically target the areas of the brain that serve as pathways for addiction, while addressing limitations of currently available products by minimizing unwanted side effects."
 The Food and Drug Administration and National Institutes of Health received much-needed funding increases in the FY 2008 Supplemental Appropriations bill the Senate passed in May . In its $400 million appropriation to NIH, the Senate bill recognizes the need for increased appropriations for the NIH. Of the $275 million for the FDA, $48 million will go to the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research and $23 million to the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. This funding will provide the FDA with the resources necessary to keep pace with rapidly evolving biomedical science and make sound regulatory decisions in a timely and efficient manner.
"These funds will make more treatments and cures being developed available to millions of Americans," said Jim Greenwood, president and CEO of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. "Proper funding of these agencies ensures that we can meet the growing demand for project grants, and fund the therapies our innovators and scientists are trying to bring to market."
June 13, 2008. Taiwan Biotechnology Seminar 2008. 11:30 am – 1:45 pm, Radisson RTP, Room A&B. RSVP to Taiwan Trade Center Miami, 305-266-9191 or email Miami@taitra.org.tw. Keynote Saperk, Dr. Chei-Hsiang Chen, Director of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries Program Office, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, R.O.C.
July 30, 2008. CED MedTech Forum 5:30-8:00 PM. "How to Achieve a Therapeutic Valuation for a MedTech Company. For more information.
Summer 2008. Biotechnology Workshops for Educators. Sponsored by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, multiple workshops on various subjects through out the summer. North Carolina educators receive a daily stipend, room and board, technology or regular CEUs, and access to the Biotechnology Center's Free Supplies and Equipment Loan Programs. Workshops are designed for high school teachers, but middle school teachers, community college instructors and college faculty may also attend. For more information.
June 30-July 3, 2008. Genomics and Bioinformatics: Teaching with Model Organisms, UNC Chapel Hill. This workshop is for both high school and college faculty. Lead instructors from the National Human Genome Research Institute and Washington University's Science Outreach Program will cover key technologies supporting genomic science, and applications of this science in medicine and agriculture. Instructors will highlight simple activities and demonstrate how model organisms can be used in the classroom to study genomics and bioinformatics. For more information.
July 8-11, 2008. Let it Glow: Using GFP as a Basis for Understanding Protein Structure and Function, Campbell University. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) is used to explore protein expression because its glow makes visualizing the protein straightforward. The simple detection of this protein means that it can be used to demonstrate concepts as diverse as bacterial transformation and protein separation. For more information.
September 9-10, 2008. BioPharm America 2008, Atlanta, GA
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| In Remembrance of John Irick |
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NCBIO This Month
