As early as 2000 B.C., the ancient Phoenicians used ink from mollusks to dye clothes. The resulting purple cloth, used for coloring ceremonial robes, was a status symbol.

In Focus

TARDC Goes Way Back (and All Over the Field) for Love of Science

On the third Thursday of each month, a group of 40 to 50 professionals from around The Research Triangle Park meet at the RTP headquarters on Davis Drive. This group, known as the Triangle Area Research Directors Council, features well-known speakers on a variety of topics. Those in attendance include professionals from companies, science-related economic development organizations and venture capital firms.

Read more about TARDC and how to participate in this week's In Focus.

From Our Web Site

University-Corporate Projects Awarded $400K
Collaborative Funding Grants last year went to: NC State and Advanced Animal Diagnostics; UNC-Chapel Hill and Entegrion; Duke and Phase Bio; Duke and Entex Technologies; and the Hamner Institutes and Zen-Bio.

Metabolon Unveils Prostate Test
Metabolon, a Research Triangle Park company that develops biomarkers for disease detection, has begun offering a test that may how aggressive a case of prostate cancer is.

Pioneer's E-Matrix Wins Award
Pioneer Surgical Technology, which has a research facility in Greenville, has won the prestigious Frost & Sullivan 2009 North American Technology Innovation of the Year Award for its E-Matrix Tissue Scaffold. The company received early funding from the Biotechnology Center.

Biocomposites to Market Bone Graft Substitute in China
Chinese regulators have given marketing approval to a new bone-graft material from Biocomposites, a British firm with U.S. headquarters in Wilmington.

Muscadine Supplement Hits Heart-Health Market
Forsyth County-based Muscadine Naturals has launched a new product containing Muscadine grape skins and seed powder. The company expects the product to prove useful against heart disease.

Duke Research Finds HIV Target
Duke University scientists have isolated a rare antibody that appears to stifle HIV, providing a possible basis for developing a new kind of vaccine.

Charlotte BioNight Honors Achievement
The celebration highlighted achievements in economic development, research and education.

Technomark Seeks Co-Development Partners
Technomark, a multi-national firm with headquarters in RTP, takes a new approach to product development.

Alveolus Sold for $19M
Charlotte stent maker Alveolus has been sold to Merit Medical Systems of South Jordan, Utah, for $19 million. Most employees are expected to remain in Charlotte.

Larick Named NCSU Grad School Dean
Duane Larick, Ph.D., interim dean of North Carolina State University's Graduate School and a professor of food, bioprocessing and nutrition sciences, has been named dean of the Graduate School, effective March 1.

News from Other Sites

Leaders Eye Growth Changes - Aviation, Biotech Seen as Top New Jobs
More than 100 people from 16 counties gathered in northeastern North Carolina for the first-ever State of the Region forum.
From the (Elizabeth City) Daily Advance

ASU Moves in at N.C. Research Campus
Appalachian State University will conduct exercise and nutrition research in Kannapolis.
From the Salisbury Post

Charlotte Teacher Honored with First Bioachievement Award
The Biotechnology Center presented Tamika Stubbs the award for her teaching efforts.
From the Charlotte Observer (scroll down to news brief)

RCCC to Sign Lease with N.C. Research Campus Soon
The college will offer two-year associate degrees in biotechnology and agricultural biotechnology.
From the Salisbury Post

Start Up the Risk-Takers
Thomas Friedman argues in an op-ed column that the U.S. should direct bailout money to find the next great idea. Industries that get the nod include biotech, infotech, clean-tech and nanotech.
From the New York Times

Community Watch

• Lynn Baird, Ph.D., former senior vice president of regulatory, quality and clinical operations with CombinatoRx has joined Research Triangle Park-based AlphaVax as vice president of regulatory, quality and clinical operations. More

• Mardil, a Research Triangle Park-based cardiac medical device company, has named Daniel Pelak to its board of directors. Pelak is senior advisor to the New York private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson and Stowe.

• Pharmaceutical veteran Frank Johnson has been named vice president of sales and marketing for Cary-based Trana Discovery, a spin-out from North Carolina State University. The company received a $250,000 Biotechnology Center loan to commercialize technology for quickly identifying new drugs to fight staph infection. More

Please send Community Watch items to Jim Shamp.

This newsletter was sent Thursday, February 26, 2009. For the latest headlines from North Carolina’s biotechnology industry, please visit the news section of our Web site.

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