FROM DUST TO NANOPARTICLES OKLAHOMA’S NEVER-ENDING PURSUIT OF A BETTER AND HEALTHIER LIFE
OKLAHOMA CITY BUILDING A BIG BRAIN MECCA FOR RESEARCHERS
AGRIC-BIOINFORMATICS
PUTS LIVESTOCK GENOMICS IN THE CLOUD
OKLAHOMA BIO INDUSTRY DIRECTORY
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OKBio GROW!
We invite you to join us in our efforts! Contact us today.
The Oklahoma Business Roundtable is proud to partner with OKBio to help grow the bioscience community in our great state. The Roundtable serves as the state’s key economic development support organization. We are comprised of over 180 top Oklahoma corporate, education and research partners – all working together to advance business expansion, recruitment and new start-up opportunities. Our state is an emerging bioscience location offering significant research infrastructure, business networking opportunities, a large talent pool and access to investment capital. We salute the work of OKBio and encourage you to meet the many bioscience companies who call Oklahoma home. We welcome your investment in our state!
Rhonda Hooper Roundtable Chairman Jordan Advertising, Oklahoma City
Oklahoma Business Roundtable 655 Research Parkway, Suite 420 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104 405-235-3787 2
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INSIDE THE BEST IN BIO 6 Honoring the achievements of Oklahoma bioscience leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs. BIG BRAIN MECCA 8 With facilities, support organizations and even a successful NBA team, Oklahoma City is thriving as a destination for biotechnology researchers. DYNAMIC DUO 10 A husband and wife team of researchers bring their laboratory to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation to focus on cancer research. SEEDING STEM GROWTH 12 The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education is Oklahoma’s strategic partner in biotech research as it works to create more workers ready for STEM jobs. TARGETING CANCER 14 A laboratory at Oklahoma State University is researching the possibility of using nanotechnology to deliver cancer-fighting therapeutics precisely where its needed. OKLAHOMA SUCCESS STORY 16 The University of Oklahoma Health Center delivers education, research and bioscience spin-outs that create jobs and wealth for the state. SUPPORT FOR BIOSCIENCE 19 The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology provides a host of programs that support bioscience research and companies in Oklahoma. SOIL SAVIORS 20 The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation joins with a diverse group of organizations to find ways to protect precious soil used in agriculture. CATTLE GENOMICS 22 Agric-Bioinformatics takes cattle performance and background data and puts it in the cloud to help producers improve their herds — and profits. THE SMARTER GRID 24 OG&E is working to stay ahead of the curve and incorporate wind and solar into its sources of power generation for Oklahoma customers. OKLAHOMA BIOSCIENCE FACTS & STATS 34 OKLAHOMA BIO INDUSTRY DIRECTORY 36 innovators & Entrepreneurs is produced by i2E, Inc., manager of the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization Center. For more information on any content contained herein, please contact i2E at 800-337-6822. © Copyright 2014 i2E, Inc. All rights reserved.
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i2E TEAM
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The i2E management and staff is composed of professionals with extensive experience in technology commercialization, business development, venture investing, finance, organizational.
Howard G. Barnett, Jr., Chairman OSU-Tulsa, OSU-CHS
Scott Meacham President & CEO Rex Smitherman Senior Vice President, Operations Sarah Seagraves Senior Vice President, Marketing Mark Lauinger Senior Vice President, Client Services Tom Francis Director of Funds Administration Judy Beech Director of Finance Elaine Hamm Venture Advisor & Director, Proof of Concept Center Richard Rainey Venture Advisor & Director, OSCR Program Kevin Moore Venture Advisor & SeedStep Angel Manager Claire Robison Venture Advisor
Stephen Prescott, Vice Chair OMRF Michael LaBrie, Secretary McAfee & Taft Leslie Batchelor Center for Economic Development Law
Michael Carolina OCAST Rita Combs REYAP Youth Programs Steve Cropper Philip Eller Eller Detrich, P.C. Elizabeth Frame Ellison Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation Carl Edwards Price Edwards Company Oklahoma Business Roundtable Presbyterian Health Foundation Joseph J. Ferretti University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center
Scott Thomas IT Manager
Brad Krieger Arvest Bank
Darcy Wilborn Client Engagement Director
Philip Kurtz CareATC
Cindy Williams Underwriting Coordinator & Investment Compliance Officer
Hershel Lamirand III Capital Development Strategies
Shaun Fair Underwriting Specialist Jennifer Buettner Executive Assistant Kate Nelson Administrative Assistant
Wes Stucky Development Management, Inc. Brien Thorstenberg Tulsa Regional Chamber Roy Williams Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Richard Williamson T.D. Williamson
Robert Brearton Duane Wilson LDW Services, LLC American Fidelity Assurance Company
James Lovely Suzette Hatfield Crawley Ventures Venture Advisor
Katelynn Henderson Events Specialist
Craig Shimasaki Moleculera Labs
Merl Lindstrom Phillips 66
PA R T N E R S Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) U.S. Economic Development Administration Greater Oklahoma City Chamber City of Oklahoma City Oklahoma Business Roundtable Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation American Fidelity Foundation Presbyterian Health Foundation Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation The Oklahoma Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Oklahoma Department of Commerce U.S. Department of Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative
Fred Morgan The State Chamber David Myers Ponca City Development Authority David Pitts Stillwater National Bank Mark Poole Summit Bank Theresa Rose Chesapeake Meg Salyer Accel Financial Staffing Darryl Schmidt BancFirst
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ABOUT i2E
WE INVEST IN ENTREPRENEURS TO BUILD SUCCESSFUL HIGH GROWTH OKLAHOMA COMPANIES Over our 16-year history, i2E’s nationally recognized services have provided business expertise and funding to more than 620 of Oklahoma’s emerging small businesses. With more than $48 million of investment capital under management, we are focused on serving companies in all phases of the business life cycle, from startups looking for their first round of capital all the way to established businesses seeking funding to expand their markets or products. We also are helping lead new business developments into the marketplace more efficiently and more quickly while providing guidance to bring more funding to Oklahoma’s researchers and entrepreneurs. Through our proven business and venture development process, we turn ideas into successful enterprises ... i2E.
W H AT W E D O • Evaluate the market potential of new concepts • Assist with evaluation of business plans, marketing plans and raising capital • Provide guidance in building a management team, business structure and financial forecasting • Assist with developing an effective investor presentation • Assist in obtaining funding through federal grant programs • Work with research universities to encourage commercialization of research technologies • Provide grant capital assistance and equity investment
Welcome from Scott Meacham Greetings to our readers, many of whom may be discovering i&E magazine for the first time. Welcome and enjoy this special publication that focuses on Oklahoma’s emerging biotechnology industry. This publication is produced by i2E, Inc., which manages the Oklahoma Bioscience Association on behalf of numerous sponsors across the state. Much of Oklahoma’s bioscience activity is focused on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus, located just east of downtown Oklahoma City. This 15-block area is home to thousands of biotech researchers, medical students, companies advancing new technologies and service providers. Located within the area is the University Research Park, where many of the biotech companies spun out of OU are located. The $100 million park offers 700,000 square feet of both class A office and wet lab space. Also on the Oklahoma Health Campus are the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, OU Medical Center, Children’s Hospital, the Oklahoma City Veteran’s Hospital, the Dean McGee Eye Institute, the Peggy and Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center, the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, the Oklahoma Blood Institute and a host of educational institutions, including the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine. But Oklahoma City doesn’t have a monopoly on the state’s life science industry. Our bioscience “corridor” spans a large area of the state, from the south in Ardmore to Stillwater in the north central to Tulsa in the northeast. In this edition of i&E magazine, we feature organizations and companies from each of these areas of Oklahoma. They are making a difference for people across the world with their important biotech research. Finally, turn to the back of this publication to discover a comprehensive list of all the biotech related entities in Oklahoma. This makes a great reference and I encourage you to use it as you seek business contacts in our state.
– Scott Meacham President & CEO
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Honoring the achievements of Oklahoma’s bioscience leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs. Oklahoma’s bioscience community is building one of the most exciting and advanced sectors in the country. The state is currently home to a thriving industry comprised of research institutions and operating companies in the biotechnology, life science, medical device, diagnostic, pharmaceutical, and bioagriculture spaces along with those businesses that provide critical services and products to these bioscience companies. At the center of this exciting growth is the Oklahoma Bioscience Association (OKBIO), shaping the policies and developing the programs to help Oklahoma’s bioscience community grow and prosper. To show our appreciation, each year OKBIO honors the achievements of Oklahoma’s bioscience leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs. These OKBioscience Award winners are the scientists, researchers, thinkers and culture changers challenging the status quo. These are the innovations, technologies and breakthroughs literally defining the face of science and changing lives. From laboratories to production, from concept to cultivation, from individual contributor to community leader, these industry champions are strengthening the growth and influence of Oklahoma’s bioscience sectors locally and globally.
CARL EDWARDS, recipient of the Hall of Fame Leadership Award, has been involved in the development of all aspects of the bioscience industry for many years. He is long-time chair of the Presbyterian Health Foundation, which built the University Research Park, home of many of the state’s emerging bioscience companies and service providers. “Carl has been at the forefront of many organizations and initiatives that have propelled the advancement of the bioscience presence in Oklahoma City,” said Roy Williams, President of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber who introduced Edwards at the Awards Dinner. “In his role at the Presbyterian Health Center Foundation, his role on many boards, and his leadership at the Chamber, he has brought insight, institutional knowledge, and leadership that merit him receiving this most important award.” Edwards also has served in leadership positions with the Oklahoma Bioscience Association, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, i2E, Inc., the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and the Oklahoma Business Roundtable.
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This year’s Community Recognition Award winner was JOSH O’BRIEN, director of entrepreneurial development for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. Among his many duties, O’Brien is responsible for fundraising, organizing and planning the Oklahoma Bioscience cluster’s annual trip to the Biotechnology Industry Organization International Convention and all the national bio conferences that are hosted in Oklahoma. Other finalists for the Community Recognition Award were Doug Branch, director with the Phillips Murrah Law Firm; and the Cherokee Nation Seed Bank Program.
DR. HEATHER GAPPA-FAHLENKAMP is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at Oklahoma State University. As this year’s Researcher Recognition Award recipient, she holds eight patents in her name and her research focuses on developing a tissue-engineered lung model that can be used to investigate how one’s immune system responds to infectious agents. Fahlenkamp was honored from among these finalists, including Dr. Judith James, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation; and Dr. William Orr, president-emeritus of the Lynn Institute.
Caisson Biotech, led by Chief Scientist Dr. Paul DeAngelis, discovered a natural sugar polymer that can be used for the delivery of drugs to the body in a safer, for effective, less toxic and more controlled manner. Caisson was named the Innovation Recognition Award for this innovative concept and for their pharmaceutical partnerships of two publically announced deals with global healthcare leader Novo Nordisk A/S (NYSE:NVO), estimated at more than $100M and $167M. Other finalists for the Innovation Recognition Award were Moleculera Labs and Haus Bioceuticals.
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Building a big brain mecca OKC a mecca for biotechnology researchers By Lillie-Beth Brinkman Content Marketing Manager Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
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orld-class research opportunities, available facilities, collaboration with other scientists and the Greater Oklahoma City community all work together to appeal to prospective researchers. Recruiting top bioscience research talent to Oklahoma City keeps getting easier. Those tasked with doing so note that the city’s thriving bioscience sector is a big appeal, as are the city’s ongoing growth and revitalization. Attractions range from the high-profile NBA team, the OKC Thunder, to niche activities like U.S. Olympicquality rowing and kayaking on the Oklahoma River to the bustling smaller neighborhood districts that offer cultural appeal and activity. Scientists first look at Oklahoma City for the research that they can do here. They want to know the answers to questions like: Will they be thriving scientifically? Is the environment intellectually stimulating? Will they have the resources and funding they need to support their research? Are there opportunities for networking within their fields? Then they look at the community beyond Oklahoma City’s bioscience sector. Those who work to recruit these scientists mention the quality of both the Oklahoma Health Center complex and the revitalized Oklahoma City itself as strong selling points. And the answer to many of the questions above is “yes.”
Dr. Dewayne Andrews
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Courtney Stevens Greenwood
“The research facilities are a big start,” said Shari Hawkins, senior public affairs specialist for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). “The Oklahoma City part is the icing on the cake. It’s so much more diverse than they imagine.” Recruiting researchers is an art that requires putting together the right materials on the right canvas so their work can thrive. Oklahoma City continues to provide that canvas in terms of the strength of its bioscience community and all the amenities and activities the city has to offer, researcher recruiters said. “The biomedical science environment in Oklahoma City has dramatically changed in the last 10 years,” said Dr. Dewayne Andrews, senior vice president and provost of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) and executive dean of the OU College of Medicine. “All the changes have been very positive.” Dr. Lorin Olson, a researcher in OMRF’s Immunobiology and Cancer Research Program, came to Oklahoma City five years ago from New York after looking for a job that would allow him to be an independent researcher, set up his own lab and satisfy his curiosity, he said. He found what he needed at OMRF with the equipment, the core facilities, the knowledge base of the people and resources. He said he enjoys showing off Oklahoma City to those from far away who don’t realize what Oklahoma has to offer, often surprising them.
“I found that the people and the environment here at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation were superior to the other places where I saw opportunities,” he said. “I think I am as well supported as I would have been anywhere else if not better.” Olson, whose research focuses on scar tissue and wound repair, also said he enjoyed the collaboration among other people outside of OMRF, including at OUHSC and the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute. The opportunities for collaboration between agencies in Oklahoma City’s bioscience sector boost the city’s appeal for scientists. Oklahoma City “is kind of like ‘Big Brain Mecca,” said Courtney Stevens Greenwood OMRF’s vice president for human resources who spends some of her time recruiting researchers from elsewhere. “That is a big appeal.” One of OMRF’s researchers, for example, works with the OU Stephenson Cancer Center across the street from OMRF – both sides are studying cancer, but different parts of the disease, she said. “It’s a win-win for them and for us and the scientists we’re recruiting,” Stevens said. “They’ve access to everything they need to thrive.” In addition to all the departments and brain power at OMRF, the Veterans Administration is next door. OUHSC is across the street. Nearby are OU’s Stephenson Cancer Center, the Harold
Dr. Lorin Olson
Hamm Diabetes Center, the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute and spinoff biotech companies and accelerators like Accele Biopharma and others. At OMRF, some collaboration even happens with the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences. “Most scientists … are quite pragmatic people,” said Dr. Stephen Prescott, OMRF’s president. “They want to discover something or unwind secrets. The main thing that drives them is opportunity. Are you offering the opportunity for them to do what they want to do?” Another factor is the community itself.
Prescott notes that people find day-to-day living much easier than in other cities, where everything is a hassle – grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, commuting, etc. In other cities, “everything takes forever. You have to plan ahead,” Prescott said. “Living in Oklahoma City, it’s like you hit the easy button for everything.” The low cost of living is also a draw. “Our scientists can have a much nicer lifestyle here than they could in Palo Alto or New York City or Boston,” Prescott said. “Life is so much more affordable here.”
Left: Dr. Stephen Prescott Top: HSC Night SeedSower Middle: Stanton L. Young Walk Photos provided by OMRF and OUHSC
www.okcchamber.com
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DYNAMIC
DUO When Drs. Alana and Bryan Welm arrived at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation last summer, they brought boxes of lab supplies and equipment, as well as a staff of technicians, students and postdoctoral fellows.
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They also brought with them an intangible, yet most valuable, asset: HOPE. For this husband-and-wife team, that hope comes in the form of precision medicine, which uses genetic and biological information to tailor treatments for individual cancer patients. “The ultimate goal is to provide this information to the oncologists treating that patient so we can develop more optimal therapies for that specific person,” says Alana Welm. The pair met while earning their PhDs at Baylor College of Medicine and joined OMRF from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, where both were faculty members. At OMRF, they work closely with physicians at the University of Oklahoma’s Stephenson Cancer Center, where they also serve as members of the cancer biology research program. After acquiring a sample of a patient’s tumor, the Welms implant portions of it into mice, hoping to generate a mouse model of that patient’s tumor. This gives them the opportunity to test different therapies against that person’s tumor and to pinpoint the one with the greatest chance of success. “Instead of the standard ‘sledgehammer’ approach of trying various drugs until one might work, this method takes the individual tumor’s unique biology into consideration,” says Alana Welm. The work has generated significant research support from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense and, most recently, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. But it’s just part of their research at OMRF. Metastasis, or spread, of cancer has long puzzled scientists and physicians. Why do cancers sometimes recur decades later? Where have they been all this time? Alana Welm’s lab identified a pathway that tumors hijack, causing suppression of the immune system and allowing tumor cells to “hide” in the body. They have found a way to block a particular protein in the pathway—and use the immune system to kill the tumor cells. “You have to do it when the tumor is very, very tiny,” says Alana Welm. “We’re going to try to use this new drug to block the protein’s activity so the body has a better immune response to any tumor cells that might be hiding out in the body. Right now, about 30 percent of breast cancers become fatal. We want to improve those odds.” Bryan Welm is searching for new therapeutics for breast cancer. Using cancerous cells removed from patients, his team tests the effects of a variety of compounds, many of them produced by the natural world. When they identify one that appears potent, they dig deeper to pinpoint the molecular pathways being targeted by the compound. “We found a new compound similar to one made by a sea sponge that has excellent anticancer activity, and almost no observed toxicity,” says Bryan Welm. “We are now studying why the compound kills breast cancer cells but leaves healthy cells alone and whether it can be developed into a drug.” The Welms’ notions call current treatment strategies into question, says OMRF President Stephen Prescott, a physician and medical researcher. And that, he says, is good. “We look for people with big ideas, novel ideas. The Welms ask profound questions. They’re on a course to make a real difference in what we know about cancer and the way we treat it.”
www.omrf.org
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Regents Seed STEM Growth with Grant OKLAHOMA’S COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION IN THE AREAS OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH (STEM) HAS INCREASED, AND SO HAVE THE NUMBER OF STEM EDUCATED GRADUATES IN THE STATE. The number of STEM certificates and degrees conferred at Oklahoma’s public colleges and universities hit a record high for the 2013-2014 academic year, when 6,000 students received certificates and degrees. At 23 percent, engineering awarded the largest number of STEM certificates and degrees, with biology/medical next at 17.9 percent. The number of computer and information science certificates and degrees has nearly doubled in the last five years. Oklahoma ranks 17th nationally in STEM job growth, according to the U.S. Chamber Foundation. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education provides a $500,000 match annually to an $18.4 million grant last June to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center from the National Institutes of Health. Through this grant, partnering colleges and universities receive support for expanding medical research and education, state-of-the-art research equipment and numerous outreach activities for educators and students. The State Regents also offer free STEM Summer Academies at campus locations across the state, which allow students in eighth through 12th grade to explore the latest trends in math, science, engineering and technology while experiencing life on a college campus. “Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are key ingredients to a brighter future in Oklahoma,” said higher education Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “This trend of producing more graduates in STEM fields is exciting and vitally important, and has been emphasized though Gov. Mary Fallin’s annual STEM Summit, a business and educator forum to advance STEM initiatives in our state.” The State Regents also have been strong supporters over the years of Oklahoma’s united efforts at the annual Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) show, in part to help the state grow its presence in the emerging world of biotech. Vonley Royal, OneNet’s executive director and higher education chief information officer, represents OneNet and the State Regents at the BIO show each year. OneNet supports biotech and STEM initiatives through the most advanced Internet network in the state.
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“As Oklahoma’s strategic partner in STEM research and education, OneNet is expanding our network to provide the Internet capacity required to meet the growing needs of Oklahoma’s researchers and educators,” said Royal. OneNet operates under the direction of the State Regents and partners with higher education institutions across the state to deliver its high-speed connections. “OneNet currently is deploying a 100 gbps ring around the state to support big data movement among the state’s higher education institutions,” Royal said. “This ring offers speeds 100,000 times faster than conventional Internet and connects Oklahoma’s researchers to Internet2’s 100 gbps nationwide network. These networks provide vital connectivity for the advancement of STEM research and education in our state.”
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Research at the OSU Center for Veterinary Health Sciences targets disease with therapies delivered by nanoparticles
By Derinda Blakeney, Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
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ost of us have known someone affected by cancer. Cancer knows no age, no financial boundaries and no mercy. But research is helping improve the way we treat this disease and others. And clinical veterinarians, researchers and students at Oklahoma State University’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences are doing their part to help save lives, animal and human alike. Ashish Ranjan leads a laboratory of researchers including an undergraduate student, two veterinary students, five Ph.D. candidates, a predoctoral fellow and two postdoctoral fellows. He also collaborates with others at in the veterinary center and across OSU. The assistant professor of physiological sciences secures funding through such sources as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement
of Science and Technology, and the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. His research focuses on targeting diseased cells using nanoparticles to deliver disease-fighting drugs. “Current cancer therapy treatment usually relies on systemic delivery with limited tumor specificity,” says Ranjan. “This may result in adverse side effects in normal tissues and insufficient drug delivery to the targeted cancerous tumor. Encapsulation of a chemotherapeutic agent into a nanoparticle has the potential to reduce systemic toxicity and enhance drug delivery. For cancer targeting, we are pursuing two parallel approaches to address this critical need. One involves development of image-guided drug delivery, and the other involves optimizing concurrent combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.”
For image-guided drug delivery, Ranjan’s team uses a simultaneous combination of drug encapsulated imageable nanocarriers with clinical imaging devices for more accurate targeting. “Basically, our team is developing nanoparticles that can be imaged using ultrasound and simultaneously achieve drug delivery under image guidance. For example, a team member will use a liposome, which is a vesicle or a bubble, and fill it with a cancer-fighting drug that can be detected on ultrasound. Then, using a specialized ultrasound, we are able to achieve site-specific delivery, treating the diseased area directly without harming surrounding healthy cells. Our team is trying to perfect this new technique, which has the same amount of efficacy as current protocols but with zero side effects,” adds Ranjan. Similarly, the concept of concurrent combinations of radiation and chemotherapy is based on the premise that radiation can be leveraged to localize nanoparticles in tumors and trigger drug release from them. “The ability to achieve non-toxic, selective chemotherapy with real-time assessment has applications in a variety of diseases including cancer. Our lab realizes this potential and while research on cancer constitutes the primary area of work, we are also investigating the therapeutic application of nanomedicine against chronic infection and thrombotic disease,” says Ranjan. Among those working in Ranjan’s lab is Peter Czajkowski, a second-year veterinary student. Czajkowski applied the nanotechnology to see if it
could treat thrombolysis by effectively breaking down blood clots in patients both animal and human. His original study was part of a 12-week Summer Research Training Program for first- and secondyear veterinary students. He soon discovered that research can take you down unexpected paths. “It was a great experience,” says Czajkowski. “The one thing I walked away from this knowing was how much work goes into a research project. Originally I thought it would be easily done in the three-month period. Realistically, it is not done. So I am taking an elective to do a follow-up study that will hopefully further improve this technique.”
“Medical applications of nanotechnology promise to revolutionize our ideas about healthcare delivery in both humans and in our veterinary patients in areas such as drug delivery or new technologies like nanoscale biosensors,” says Jerry Malayer, associate dean for research and graduate education. “Targeted drug delivery will reduce the amount of drug needed and possibly reduce side effects of drugs which could result in overall decreases in treatment costs. It is important for us to always be thinking about applications of new technologies and staying close to the edge of scientific developments.” cvhs.okstate.edu
Photo by Gary Lawson, Oklahoma State University Marketing
RANJAN oversees several projects in his laboratory, all aimed at using nanomedicine to treat life-threatening diseases. Here is a brief description of six such projects:
> Image-guided tumor drug delivery by ultrasound detected heat-released liposome: This research focuses on developing an imageable nanoparticle for localizing and treating cancer in combination with a high-intensity focused ultrasound device. It is funded by the National Cancer Institute at NIH. > Nanotherapeutic modulation of autophagy (or cell death) for treatment of lung pathogens: Chronic intracellular infection, such as tuberculosis, requires frequent administration of antibiotics for long durations such as six to nine months. To address this, the team is developing a multifunctional nanoplatform for targeting and killing chronic intracellular bacterial pathogens. The study is made possible through funding from the Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, which was created from a NIH Centers for Biomedical Research Excellence grant.
> Trackable nanocarriers for rational dosimetry (measurement of doses): Nanoparticles are normally tested in rodents. Attempts to translate the findings from rodent studies directly into humans have met with dismal clinical outcomes. This project focuses on determining the kinetics of echogenic liposomes in a clinically relevant large-animal tumor model and compares the results with a rodent model to ease translation to human patients. The study is funded by the Oklahoma State University Technology Business Development Program. > Dual-mode ultrasound-imageable thermosensitive liposomes for image-guided therapy: Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men in United States. Current therapy results in significant morbidity among patients. This research is investigating the thermal enhancement of chemotherapy under image guidance with an overall goal of dose reduction and increasing survival rates. The work is funded by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
> Mediated targeting of bioscavengers to the red blood cell for prolonged circulation and protection: This project will systematically design and characterize co-polymer nanoparticles encapsulating the bioscavenger enzyme BChE that can be selectively targeted to red blood cells. Once attached to or inside red blood cells, the nanoparticles will circulate in the blood for weeks to months, providing prolonged and enhanced protection against organophosphate intoxication. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense through the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. > High-intensity focused ultrasound-mediated clot lysis: Funded by OSU’s Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, this study aims to develop nanoparticles that can induce clot lysis (or a blood clot) in combination with a high-intensity focused ultrasound. While the projects vary and the financial funding comes from different sources, the goals are the same: minimize side effects and enhance therapeutic outcomes in animals and humans.
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OU HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO STATE’S BIOSCIENCES INDUSTRY
Muna Naash, Ph.D., a George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the Department of Cell Biology at the OU College of Medicine, has seen significant success with her research into retinal diseases.
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The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC) in Oklahoma City is a major contributor to the state’s biosciences industry. With seven colleges situated on one academic medical campus, as well as robust basic science, clinical and translational research programs, OUHSC is proud to conduct life-changing research that also benefits the state economically. In 1998, Oklahoma passed legislation that allows university research to be commercialized, and since that time, many OUHSC projects have been transformed into start-up companies. Several companies that got their start with OUHSC research have since attracted millions in state and federal funding. Recent success stories include Moleculara Labs, based on the research of Madeleine Cunningham, Ph.D., a George Lynn Cross Research Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the OU College of Medicine. Through the start-up company, five clinical assays are now commercially available to physicians. The assays are used in the diagnosis of Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococci (PANDAS), as well as a related condition, Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS). COARE Biotechnology, Inc., is based on the research of Courtney Houchen, M.D., a physician at the Stephenson Cancer Center and professor in the OU College of Medicine’s Department of Medicine. COARE is dedicated to developing novel therapeutic agents to treat solid tumor cancers; Houchen and his research team have made significant headway in unlocking the mysteries surround pancreatic cancer.
Other successful companies are making strides with their efforts, including Selexys, which is creating a drug for sickle cell anemia; Heparinex, which produces recombinant technologies for biopolymers; and DormaTarg, which identifies drugs that can safely prevent cancer recurrence. OUHSC offers state-of-the-art facilities to its researchers, and with the recent acquisition of University Research Park near campus, an additional 700,000 square feet has provided even more research space. OUHSC also continues to leverage major federal research awards it has received over the past few years. The Oklahoma Clinical and Translational Science Institute was formed from a $20.3 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health to engage in clinical and translational research. In 2014, the NIH also renewed a $14.8 million grant to OUHSC for the INBRE program, a multi-institutional effort that uses senior scientists and faculty to mentor researchers who are embarking on their own careers and projects within the health professions. OUHSC’s commitment to research grows stronger each year, and as a teaching facility, students begin their careers with significant exposure to all that research offers. That focus continues to translate into more Oklahoma bioscience and job creation that will bolster the state’s economic future. For more information about research endeavors at the OU Health Sciences Center, call the Office of Research Administration at (405) 271-2090 or visit http://research.ouhsc.edu.
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Innovation A Proven Investment in Oklahoma
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5122-562-668 vog.ko.tsaco.www vog.ko.tsaco/moc.koobecaf tsaco/moc.rettiwt
OCAST Supports BIO Conference A decade ago, Dr. Michael Centola, an Oklahoma medical researcher, had an idea to assess the genomic makeup of millions of people who suffer from an inflammatory disease known as rheumatoid arthritis. Then a scientist at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF), Dr. Centola founded Riley Genomics and based its operations at the Presbyterian Health Foundation Research Park. The company flourished as Dr. Centola proved that his theory worked – the genomic profile of rheumatoid arthritis patients could show health care providers the best medicine with which to treat their patients. The company attracted national attention, and investment funding and through a lucrative partnership became Crescendo Bioscience.
This spurred an agreement with pharmaceutical giant Novartis to buy the company for a deal potentially valued at $665 million depending on the outcome of its Phase 2 clinical trial of a therapeutic for sickle cell disease. Other successes are still in the making. Madeleine Cunningham created a series of tests in her University of Oklahoma laboratory for a childhood disorder known as PANDAS/PANS, which are treatable neurologic conditions that may be associated with motor tics, obsessive compulsive disorders and sometimes Autism Spectrum Disorders. Her work was funded in part by OCAST. Cunningham went on to co-found Moleculera Labs, which today is testing thousands of children worldwide who are suspected of
GET WITH THE PROGRAMS! The following OCAST programs and strategic partners are available to help Oklahoma businesses and researchers prove their ideas, attract additional funding and take their products to market. For information on specific programs, visit http://ocast. ok.gov or call 1-866-265-2215. > Oklahoma Applied Research Support (OARS): Cutting edge research leads to successful products, processes and services. OARS funds research in all fields, from medicine, agriculture and energy to manufacturing and nanotechnology. > Oklahoma Health Research: Oklahomans are developing treatments and conducting research to help people live longer, healthier lives. OCAST funds basic research projects related to human health. > Intern Partnerships: The Intern Partnership supports advanced technology projects that involve Oklahoma businesses and Oklahoma institutions of higher education by providing funds to support internship positions.
Dr. Michael Centola
Even though Crescendo Bioscience was a success, Dr. Centola was not done. He began researching the cardiovascular disease risk of rheumatoid arthritis patients and possible solutions. In 2010, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST), a state agency whose sole mission is technology-based economic development, awarded Dr. Centola a $300,000 research grant to further this work. Dr. Centola’s previous successes and funding from OCAST and its partners set the stage for what happened next. In 2014 Crescendo Bioscience was acquired by Myriad Genetics in a deal valued at $270 million. Dr. Centola and his Oklahoma team of researchers were handsomely rewarded for their pioneering research. While Dr. Centola may have set the standard for Oklahoma health research funding success, his is but one of hundreds of projects that have created wealth and high paying jobs across Oklahoma. For instance, with the help of OCAST funding, Selexys Pharmaceuticals received two NIH grants totaling more than $6.5 million.
suffering from PANDAS/PANS disorders. “OCAST doesn’t award grants for projects and hope for the best,” said Michael Carolina, executive director of OCAST. “It vets them thoroughly and carefully, weighing project merit and the potential for commercialization.” In its 27 years of history, OCAST has invested $254.4 million in 2,519 Oklahoma projects. Those projects have returned $5.2 billion in private and federal investment, a ratio of 20-to-1. “We are proud of this track record, and are excited to see Oklahoma’s researchers generating these types of returns. Our model has been proven, and the results are job and wealth creation that benefits the entire state,” Carolina said. “Between our research universities, OMRF, and the multitude of funding sources the state has to offer, Oklahoma is truly a great place to launch a bioscience venture.” Today, Dr. Centola and many other successful researchers remain in the state, developing new therapeutics and spinning out new companies.
> Oklahoma SBIR Collaborative Resources (OSCR): The federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTR) programs have complex application processes that can be challenging for small business owner and entrepreneurs. The OSCR program was created to improve the success rate of Oklahomans applying for the billions of dollars available. > Inventors Assistance Service (IAS)/New Project Development Center (NPDC): IAS helps inventors navigate the process of advancing an idea through education, enginerring analysis, market analysis, prototype development and business support. > Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance: The Alliance connects Oklahoma manufacturers to cost-effective resources, more efficient manufacturing concepts and technology to increase productivity and reduce costs. > Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund: The Oklahoma Seed Capital Fund was created to invest in Oklahoma high-tech companies that need capital to grow their business and create jobs. State dollars invested through the fund are matched with private sector co-investment.
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SOIL RENAISSANCE MOVEMENT
REAWAKENS SAFEGUARDING
EARTH’S MOST VIABLE ASSET To see the most precious resource on the planet, walk outside and look down. Soil is the foundation of life. The top 6 to 8 inches of rich organic matter that covers a small fraction of Earth’s surface serves as the genesis of food, which drives the world’s economy and, in turn, gives rise to modern society. Yet so often, soil is treated like dirt. As vital to the life cycle as sunshine and water, soil remains undervalued and overlooked. Most people never contemplate that healthy soil could disappear, but this exhaustible resource requires active management to remain productive. This isn’t the first time in history that soil health has required immediate attention. The Southern Great Plains witnessed firsthand the life-altering impact of soil health. In the early 1900s, generations of farmers unknowingly taxed the soil with poor land stewardship. These practices 20
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combined with 10 years of drought to produce the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. If soil equated life, then Oklahoma was dead. Oilman and philanthropist Lloyd Noble had a unique perspective on the Dust Bowl’s devastation. Noble pioneered the use of personal aviation as a means to travel between his drilling rigs across North America. From the air, he saw his home state lying in ruin. He became an advocate for protecting the soil and safeguarding the land for future generations. “No civilization has outlived the usefulness of its soils,” Noble said. “When the soil is destroyed, the nation is gone.” Noble endowed The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, in part, as a tool to prevent another Dust Bowl by raising awareness about proper soil management and providing agricultural producers with land stewardship education.
No civilization has outlived the usefulness of its soils. When the soil is destroyed, the nation is gone.
Seven decades later, significant concerns surrounding soil health have become evident but on a global scale. The organization Noble established is once again reaching out to fulfill its mission. This time, though, it will take a renaissance. This national movement began with an unlikely conversation between Bill Buckner, Noble Foundation’s president and CEO, and Klaas Martens, an organic farmer from New York. The two men met at the Dialogue on Food and Agriculture in the 21st Century, an initiative led by Farm Foundation, NFP to create opportunities for people to discuss the critical issues of feeding a growing world population. Seated next to each other, the two men with radically different backgrounds found common ground on the importance of soil health issues. “Soil health is a key factor in any agricultural production system, whether conventional or organic, yet soil is too often ignored or overshadowed by other factors,” Buckner said. “It is critical that farmers and ranchers – the people working directly with the land – be in close communication with researchers and policymakers to ensure that their challenges are recognized and our
soils are protected and sustained for future generations.” By fall, the conversation had advanced into action through the leadership of the Noble Foundation and Farm Foundation. Twenty-five leaders representing conventional and organic agriculture, science and research, land managers, government agencies, and policymakers convened at the Noble Foundation’s campus in Ardmore, Oklahoma, to develop a road map. A mere 72 hours later, the Soil Renaissance was born to strengthen awareness of soil’s central role in productive agricultural and natural resource systems. “In many cases, the people in that room had little in common,” said Farm Foundation President Neil Conklin. “While they had different backgrounds and perspectives, the unifying factor was the common belief that action must be taken to conserve and build up our soil profile.” To conduct research, educate diverse audiences and understand the economics of soil, researchers must first agree on how to measure soil health. It’s the baseline from which everything else will spring. In November 2014, Soil Renaissance lead-
ers continued the process of hammering out the guidelines that can be adopted as the soil measurement test. With the measurement piece soon in place, a baseline will exist for that research. Through the Soil Renaissance’s research work group, scientists then will identify research priorities to help the USDA and congressional policymakers better understand the value and importance of soil research from a national perspective. Individual researchers and institutions will be able to provide support through collaborative projects, but funding on the national and international levels will be pivotal for success. In 2015, the Noble Foundation will continue the momentum from Soil Renaissance by launching a new program within the organization that will help provide additional resources to the soil health research effort. Running parallel to the research efforts will be an educational program for consumers and policymakers about the critical role of soil, as well as the underlying economics of soil health. Soil health advocates know adoption of soil health standards hinges on showing the underlying financial impact and the economic benefit of investing in soil health, as well as how it mitigates long-term risk. “There are layers upon layers of issues surrounding soil health to address,” Buckner said. “Soil Renaissance addresses them all with an interconnected strategy. Unlike other soil efforts, we will have no financial gain. We are doing this because this is our responsibility. This is our moment in history to make a change before we can no longer salvage the vitality of soil. We must act now.”
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IT’S MOO-LECULER.
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Cloud Based Software Decodes Livestock Genomic Data
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gric-Bioformatics LLC is an emerging Oklahoma agriculture company primed to use bioinformatics and genetic testing to help cattle producers improve the performance of their livestock. Sean Akadiri, founder and CEO of Agric-Bioformatics, is revolutionizing the livestock industry through development of an easy-to-use platform for small and large producers of cattle. After a few years working in the biotechnology industry in Oklahoma City, Sean decided it was time to make a difference on his own – recognizing the usefulness his knowledge of genomics could provide to the agriculture sector, he sought to find a way to apply this to daily routine for small and large producers of livestock. Sean launched AgricBioformatics in 2013 with the goal to help create an environment where small and large
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livestock producers have easy, affordable access to detailed, user-friendly genetic information that can be referenced for daily herd management. Ranching is inherently difficult – no other industry depends on the whims of nature and unstable markets in quite the same way. Cattle producers are under significant pressure to increase yields under strenuous conditions. They must continually make good decisions in response to rapid change in order to survive and thrive. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and second largest beef exporter, and yet years of drought have left many questioning what the future may hold. And as the global population rises, the demand for food will increase significantly – putting further pressure on livestock producers.
Agric-Bioformatics is developing an accessible, user-friendly system that effectively combines nutrigenomics – the study of how diet influences gene expression and health – with livestock operations and monitoring tools. This cloud-based platform, AgBoost™ online information services, will allow easy and affordable access to tools that to guide interpretation of genomic data in order to promote informed decision making. AgBoost™ services is currently in development. With collaborators in Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Canada, and Northern Ireland, Agric-Bioformatics is compiling feasibility data and preparing the platform. Nutrigenomic data will be compiled within AgBoost™ online information services, and be available as a subscription-based application on mobile devices, such as smartphones
Genetic Profiles and Assessment Our simple user interface and profiling process will bring genetics to livestock farms of all sizes.
Lineage Tracking Lineage tracking through DNA testing for accurate results. Track and increase the number of superior traits in your herd.
and tablets, for quick reference. The software will work alongside genomic profiling from individual cattle in a herd. Using proprietary algorithms, this information will guide ranchers to make more precise decisions regarding breeding, nutrition, health and environment for the herd over time. Agric-Bioformatics is poised to transform the livestock industry. AgBoost™ services is a platform technology that can be expanded to other agricultural industries including the dairy, poultry, and pork industry. A quick and effective decision-making process is the key to efficiency in agriculture – Agric-Bioformatics is determined to make the process a bit simpler for the everyday rancher.
Breeding Suggestions Use genetic profiles to pick optimal breeding pairs. Explore safe linebreeding practices. Improve your breeding through accurate information.
Nutritional Recommendation Use knowledge to improve the diet for your herd. Ensure your animals are receiving the nutrients they need most based on their genetic traits.
Valuation and Forecasting Assess the value of your animals. Learn when to sell offspring based on genetic traits. Estimate the optimal time to keep your animals.
To learn more visit AG-BOOST.COM or contact Sean Akadiri at 405-962-9663 or sakadiri@agricbioformatics.com BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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THE SMARTER GRID To be a leader in the electric power industry, companies must be at the forefront of adopting innovative technologies and approaches to meet the changing needs of their customers. Oklahoma Gas and Electric, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., has perfected its long-term approach by building on its 113 years as an industry leader to prepare for new opportunities. OG&E believes that a diverse generation portfolio is the key to balancing affordability, reliability, safety and environmental responsibility in providing power to its customers, and it applies this belief to the programs and services it offers. Already a leader in wind energy in the state of Oklahoma, with over 840 MW in its wind portfolio, the company now has launched a solar energy pilot project to test the benefits of solar from two perspectives: the customer’s side of the meter (rooftop); and solar power directly connected to the grid (solar farms). The company believes solar power and other distributed generation technology can create opportunities to offer new alternatives for customers to manage their bills.
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OG&E also is recognized as a national leader in smart grid deployment and the use of this asset to help customers better manage their electricity consumption. Since 2012, over 110,000 OG&E customers have enrolled in the award-winning SmartHoursŽ summer rate plan and have helped the company shave its demand peak, which reduces the need for new incremental fossil-fueled generation. The smart grid also creates grid intelligence which enables OG&E to restore power faster, reduce the frequency and duration of outages and improve information flow to customers. Preparing for the growth of electric vehicles, OG&E soon will launch an electrification program to make its fleet more environmentally friendly and reduce the company’s fuel and maintenance expenses while gaining knowledge and experience with electric vehicles. As a first step, the company will introduce Chevy Volts and Nissan Leafs into its fleet of passenger vehicles. Later, the company plans to pilot electric trucks, including
an Electric Power Take Off (ePTO) bucket truck with an electric powered bucket lift and electric powered heating and air conditioning, and a halfton extended range electric truck with a power output feature capable of providing job-site power or emergency power to a critical operations center, a small commercial building or a home. As its industry evolves, OG&E will continue to apply new technologies as it partners with customers to provide reliable service at the lowest reasonable cost.
www.oge.com
Becoming tomorrow’s biotech professionals Application of the most current technologies in biology and chemistry has the potential to fuel, feed, clean and heal the world. The field is diverse and necessary to solve our heath, agricultural and environmental questions. Tulsa Community College is proud to be educating students who will become tomorrow’s biotechnology professionals. Learning activities in the classrooms at TCC are as varied as the fields in which the students will eventually find employment. Students learn more than 40 protocols used by cellular researchers within the program that includes a myriad of assays performed on recombinant proteins, mammalian cell culture growth, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The TCC Biotechnology Program has fortyfour graduates who are supplying the workforce in companies such as Cytovance Biologics, Advanced 797, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, and quality control at Borden Dairy in Oklahoma. Most of the students achieve the Associate of Science Degree and continue with their studies by transferring to NSU/BA in biology with a molecular biology emphasis, or traveling to OSU on NSF scholarships.
The students in the program are coveted research technicians assisting professors at TCC behind the scenes for microbiology and chemistry lab preparation. An analysis of the students graduating from the AS program before the spring of 2012 demonstrates that 43% of the students have continued with graduate studies at OSU, NSU/BA and OUHSC. Much of the education at TCC goes beyond textbook learning. Novel research questions are investigated in the cell culture, proteomics, molecular biology, and the applied biology research courses. Students also have the ability to complete internships in a variety of options. Through a growing number of partnerships and collaborations of TCC Biotechnology, students have completed apprenticeships at OSU/CHS, Tulsa Area Bioscience Education and Research Consortium (TABERC) internships funded through the Tulsa Community Foundation, and Oklahoma-INBRE by working in research labs at OUHSC, OSU/CHS, OSU Stillwater, OMRF, TU, and OU Tulsa. Students have been invited to internships through the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates, the Oak Ridge National Lab, and the Baylor College of Medicine
SMART program. The NSF Community College Undergraduate Research Initiative has funded TCC Biotechnology students’ poster presentations in national student colloquiums including a Poster at the Capitol opportunity in Washington, D.C. Because of the financial support of Tulsa County’s Vision 2025 Project, TCC built the Health Sciences and Biotechnology Learning Center which opened in the spring 2007. TCC Biotechnology had the first graduate in the program in 2009 with approximately ten graduates each year. Through community donations, grant development, and collaborations, the program is able to develop biotech savvy students who demonstrate innovative thinking and promising careers. For more information about TCC’s Biotechnology Program, contact: Diana Spencer, PhD Biotechnology Coordinator DSpencer@tulsacc.edu
Students presenting one of four biotechnology posters at the 2015 Oklahoma Research Day. Students include (L to R): Jordan Cox, Tyler Noble, Jeffrey Bleichner, Alex DeLeon, Samantha Rice and Jennifer Nichols BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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A Biotech Power Trio EMERGENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC. is a leading innovation solutions company that identifies, manages, develops and brings to market gamechanging, early stage, platform technologies like those it discovered and licensed from the University of Oklahoma to form companies Caisson Biotech and Pure MHC. Emergent utilizes a partner-driven model to maximize the value of promising technologies and underutilized intellectual properties and to lower the risk associated with commercial development. To learn more about Emergent, visit emergenttechnologies.com or contact info@emergenttechnologies.com. PURE MHC is a platform technology company with expertise in diseasespecific target identification and validation for use in immunotherapeutic drug development for cancer, infectious & autoimmune disease and allergy. This proprietary technology provides access to every protein that is either synthesized or degraded inside any particular cell, including proteins that are not expressed on the cell surface, and consistently identifies previously unidentified disease targets and those targets previously known or suggested to be associated with the disease state. This analysis is undertaken without bias toward or against any protein under investigation. Pure MHC’s key enabling technology, Soluble HLA (sHLA), allows for the expression of a pure source of HLA in a diseased cell of choice. Using sensitive mass spectroscopy techniques referred to as Deep Ligand Sequencing, Pure MHC compares thousands of peptides recovered from HLA complexes extracted from cancer, infected, and normal cells and then determines with high confidence which peptides are unique, and therefore represent novel disease targets, to the affected cell line or primary tissue. Biomarkers discovered by Pure MHC represent nature’s own means of marking diseased cells for elimination, and Pure MHC has developed a unique class of monoclonal antibodies that are specific for the biomarkers that the company discovers and validates. These highly specific monoclonal antibodies mimic the immune system’s recognition mechanisms, and the provision of these monoclonal reagents compliments the discovery of disease-specific biomarkers. Moreover, Pure MHC’s monoclonal antibodies, referred
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to as T Cell Receptor mimics (TCRm), can readily be optimized to treat disease, for use in diagnostics or for other pre-clinical development assays. To learn more about Pure MHC, visit www.puremhc.com or contact info@puremhc.com. CAISSON BIOTECH is a privately held biopharmaceutical company focused on the commercialization of heparosan for drug delivery. Heparosan is a polymer composed of sugars that naturally exists in the human body and is broken down by the body’s natural processes. Caisson’s HEPtune® technology offers a paradigm shift in patient care and better compliance in multiple therapeutic areas to improve the quality of life for millions of patients. Caisson’s platform benefits patients with its non-toxicity potential, its stability in the bloodstream, and on the shelf, and its ability to increase resonance time of a drug, requiring less frequent administration. These attributes lead to increased compliance and safety, and thus is a transformative advancement for those with life-long diseases. Caisson’s approach is a superior alternative to the gold standard industrial polymer polyethylene glycol and other drug delivery technologies, and allows for synthesis of sugar polymers with a very narrow size distribution as well as defined chemical activation that facilitates selective coupling to therapeutics or other drug vehicles. Caisson was founded on the principles of bringing to market a novel drug delivery system but most importantly, a safe delivery system positioned to impact patients globally. To learn more about Caisson, visit caissonbiotech.com or contact info@caissonbiotech.com.
Join the
Renaissance www.soilrenaissance.org
The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation and the Farm Foundation, NFP, formed the Soil Renaissance to focus on the critical role of soil health in preserving sustainable natural resource systems and meeting the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050. No single person or organization can fully address the diverse and complex issues of soil health across the nation and the world. Advancing soil health requires a sustained effort by all stakeholders, so visit www.soilrenaissance.org to learn how you can join the renaissance.
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No civilization has outlived the usefulness of its soils. When the soil is destroyed, the nation is gone. – Lloyd Noble, oilman, philanthropist, founder of The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation
TM
Knowledge to sustain Earth’s most valuable asset
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she completed her Ph.D. in Molecular and Integrated Physiology at the University of Illinois in 2009, Carol Curtis began seeking biotechnology industry opportunities in Florida. Curtis’ husband, Kevin, had been transferred to Florida with his job just as she was completing her Ph.D. “For a full year I was networking and talking to people in Florida, thinking of moving there, prepping, doing all the work necessary,” Curtis told me during a recent interview at the University Research Park offices of Oklahoma City-based EpimedX, where she is Associate Director of Research and Development. Just when she lined up potential opportunities with three Florida biotech companies, Kevin was transferred again, this time to Oklahoma City. Call it serendipity. The unexpected relocation and networking opportunities it brought opened doors that ultimately led Curtis to her role with EpimedX, a company developing a breakthrough therapeutic for Sickle Cell Disease. Instead of interviewing for positions in Florida, she found herself researching the biotech market in Oklahoma. Initially, Curtis was familiar with only the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. “Then I found the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation website,” she said. “I think I sent my resume to 10 different people doing research at OMRF and OUHSC that looked interesting. I got a lot of response and came down for a weekend and did six interviews.” Curtis took a job in the laboratory of OMRF scientist Courtney Griffin, who is an Associate Member in the foundation’s cardiovascular biology research program. Griffin is researching vascular development, trying to understand how blood vessels grow in cancer and the potential to inhibit growth in disease. “Courtney was supportive of me and knew that I didn’t necessarily want to be a researcher,” Curtis said. Wha t s he did want to d o was to help take laboratory discoveries into the market place
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Doors Open In Oklahoma where they can do the most good by benefiting patients. That quest led her to OMRF’s Technology Transfer office and to a role in 2012 as an i2E Fellow. “So, for 6 months I was a postdoc for OMRF, worked in tech transfer and was a Fellow at i2E,” she said. “It was a great opportunity for me; I learned a lot.” As an i2E Fellow, Curtis worked closely with i2E Venture Advisor Rick Rainey, put together operational strategies and pursued prototype development for startup companies. One of the companies she worked with was Otologic Pharmaceutics, which had OMRF ties. Networking opportunities offered by the i2E Fellows program also connected her with EpimedX at the conclusion of the paid fellowship. EpimedX had just become an i2E client in 2012, and Rainey suggested to Curtis that she explore opportunities with the company. “I think the i2E Fellowship is unlike any other opportunity,” Curtis said. “It offers real-life experience, a chance at understanding the entrepreneur’s mindset and what needs to be done to accomplish the goals that are set forth by that entrepreneur. The most beneficial thing was opening my eyes to how an idea gets to become a company.” Other doors have opened to consulting work with Accele Biopharma, an Oklahoma City-based life science accelerator that claims Otologic Pharmaceutics as one of its portfolio companies. See how serendipity works? A window that closed in Florida opened many doors of opportunity in Oklahoma. “I’m thankful for the opportunities I’ve had,” Curtis said. “Ultimately, I want to be able to facilitate the transfer of technology from the laboratory in a way is useful for patients.”
“See how serendipity works? A window that closed in Florida opened many doors of opportunity in Oklahoma.” – Carol Curtis
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Targeting Drug Resistant Bacteria as Oklahoma Success Story
Just a few years ago, we lived in a world that wasn’t connected by wireless networks and instantaneous communication. So you might have felt a bit isolated if you were raised in, say, Australia. That was definitely the perception of Anne Pereira in the early 1980s as she served a postdoctoral fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. She had earned both her undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in pathology at the University of Melbourne. “I felt I was so far away from everything that was happening in science!” Pereira said. “I decided I needed to go either to Europe or America to be where I thought science was happening. Of course, this was all pre-Internet.” So, she accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Emory University in Atlanta, working in the laboratory of John Spitznagel, who chaired Emory’s Department of Microbiology from 1979 to 1993. It was in Spitznagel’s laboratory that Pereira, now dean of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Graduate College, discovered the secret of a protein called CAP37.
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Pereira and colleagues discovered that a peptide or small region of the CAP37 protein had the ability to kill bacteria. (Peptides are short amino acid chains that play a key role in many biological functions.) A patent was filed in 1989 for the discovery with Pereira listed as one of the inventors. Pereira was subsequently named an assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. She has served OU since 1992, rising to professor and associate dean of Research in the College of Pharmacy before being named dean of the Graduate College in August. Along the way, Pereira’s research into the role of peptides at her OU lab has resulted in 18 patents awarded in her name. Numerous others are in the works. In 2005, she founded a company called Biolytx Pharmaceuticals Corp. to take her peptide discoveries to the marketplace. For almost a decade, Pereira and her Biolytx team have worked to prepare a therapeutic based on the CAP37 peptide that will kill drug-resistant bacteria. Biolytx is specifically targeting serious hospital-acquired infections. “In combination with standard antibiotics, we may be able to extend the life of conventional antibiotics and also use them at much lower concentrations, which could result in less toxicity,” she said. Like most life science startups, the company has operated for almost a decade generating no revenue. However, awards and grants from i2E Inc.; the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST); the National Institutes of Health and the state’s Economic Development Generating Excellence fund have sustained it. Pereira and her Biolytx team have worked to synthesize the peptide in quantities large enough for use in clinical trials. Animal studies have demonstrated its effectiveness. The company also contracted with Oklahoma City-based ARL Laboratories to develop assays for the peptide (a laboratory examination to help learn more about its physiology) and also to assess its stability in storage. “We’ve really achieved some major milestones,” Pereira said. “We are actually getting very close to an investigational new drug filing. I estimate it may happen in 12 to 18 months.”
Despite greater support for biotechnology on both the east and west coasts, Pereira is determined to build Biolytx as an Oklahoma success story. “Oklahoma has invested in me; the university has invested in me; and OCAST has invested in me,” she said. “I feel they have supported me to such a level that our successes in the laboratory and as a company are Oklahoma-generated and a tribute to what has been and continues to be accomplished in biotechnology here.”
Accele Biopharma (“Accele”) and Accele Venture Partners 1 LP, a related special purpose venture fund, were formed to create a capital-efficient mechanism to identify, finance and manage groundbreaking, early-stage life science technologies that have the potential to dramatically improve human healthcare, have strong commercial promise and have the potential for generating early proof of concept data. To achieve this goal Accele has assembled an experienced management team, a group of sophisticated investors, a nationally recognized advisory board, leading research facilities and the broad scientific expertise necessary to evaluate and manage such opportunities. Founded in 2011, Accele is located on the Oklahoma Health Sciences University Campus in Oklahoma City. For more information on Accele Biopharma, please visit www.accelebio.com.
Once a month members of the bioscience community meet in Oklahoma City to collaborate, share collective knowledge and insight, and address challenges the industry faces. Welcome to the Bioscience Roundtable, which serves as a sounding board to air and identify common issues that challenge emerging Oklahoma life science companies and research organizations. Roundtable discussion focuses on finding solutions and policy recommendations and as a vehicle for sharing resources. For more information contact Madison Jackson at madison.jackson90@gmail.com.
i2E: Investing in Oklahoma Bioscience For more than a decade, i2E has played a major role in funding Oklahoma researchers and entrepreneurs by investing more than $12 million in Oklahoma bioscience companies that are either developing new therapeutics or providing support for research and development. Companies in the i2E portfolio are advancing a diverse mix of medical solutions for specific conditions that range from inflammatory disease to macular degeneration to antibiotics to food safety, hearing loss, toxicology and much more. Even as these new technologies edge closer to bringing their life changing technologies to patients around the world, other promising discoveries continue to emerge from Oklahoma laboratories. Millions of dollars will be required to advance them to the market. In Oklahoma, many life science entrepreneurs will continue to turn to i2E for the critical seed funding needed to survive the initial stages of development. In the past year, i2E Inc. has invested over $2.1 million in 12 bioscience companies. The following is a look at some of the bioscience companies that i2E investments have supported over the years.
PAUL KINCADE, Ph.D.
OMRF, VICE PRESIDENT OF RESEARCH
THE WORLD’S LEADING RESEARCHERS AREN’T A WORLD AWAY. “The promise of adult stem cell research is almost immeasurable. The work we do here feeds into work being done in California and Tokyo. We’re part of a world community of scientists.” For more information, visit tset.ok.gov.
TSET brings researchers together, creating the promise of life-changing discoveries. Thanks to TSET’s grants to the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, scientists at local universities and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation are breaking new ground in revolutionary healing techniques. For every $1 TSET invests, outside sources invest an additional $3 in life-saving research.
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Cytovance® Biologics is a biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing company specializing in the production of therapeutic proteins and antibodies from both mammalian cell culture and microbial fermentation. In addition to its cGMP manufacturing services, the company offers process development, cGMP cell banking and support services from its Oklahoma City state- of-the-art facilities. Cytovance adds significant value to biopharmaceutical development programs by helping companies advance recombinant protein, antibody and cellbased therapeutic products rapidly and cost-effectively from the laboratory bench, through clinical development and to commercial launch in domestic and international markets. www.cytovance.com
We are a fully-accredited CLIA/COLA clinical laboratory focused on treatable autoimmune neurologic conditions in children and adults. The company’s first test (Cunningham Panel) is an aid to physicians in their diagnosis of children suffering from PANDAS/ PANS, a treatable neurologic condition associated with OCD, motor tics, and sometimes Autism Spectrum Disorder. This perplexing condition is an immune response directed against neurologic targets in the brain triggered by commonly occurring infections. Children identified and treated experience remission of symptoms. Currently, no other tests are available to identify this condition. Additional research is directed toward the autoimmune nature of other neuropsychiatric conditions such as Chronic Depression, Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Moleculera launched testing in April 2013 and has received over 2,300 orders from more than 300 physicians in the U.S. and internationally. The company is seeking strategic partnerships for testing expansion and development of companion diagnostics for these and other neuropsychiatric conditions. www.moleculera.com
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Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation 800 Research Parkway, Suite 400 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 405.271.2200
www.oklahomahealthcenter.com
ARL BioPharma, Inc., a contract research laboratory, DNA Solutions, a leader in animal and human DNA testing, and the Kupiec Group, a knowledge-based team of experts, offer a diverse range of services throughout the United States and abroad. Utilizing state-of-the art technologies to reveal scientific answers, the companies provide services in pharmaceutical sciences, cGMP testing, human, animal, and microbial forensics, relationship and food science testing. Trusted for over 20 years, the innovative scientists and experienced management team customize solutions for our clients, ranging from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to law firms, government and non-profit organizations. The companies provide the highest quality results in a short turnaround time required to solve complex cases. ARL, DNA Solutions and the Kupiec Group are committed to leading the way in pharmaceutical sciences, animal and human genomics, and forensics making our world a better place. For more information, contact (800) 393-1595, or visit www.arlok.com and www.dnasolutionsusa.com.
Dunlap Codding—the region’s largest and most versatile boutique IP firm—serves a global and sophisticated client base from offices in Oklahoma City, Austin, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington. We listen and respond to each client’s unique needs with micro-customized services; provide each with an exemplary work product; and help clients create and protect robust intellectual property portfolios, vigorously pursued and properly grounded in science and law. We assist legacy and start-up companies in the acquisition and exploitation of patent portfolios of cutting edge research in the areas of pharmaceuticals, drug formulation, medical diagnostics and devices, drug screening, inflammation inhibitors, nutritional therapies and nutraceuticals, regulation of skin pigmentation, testing for environmental pollution, novel treatments of septic shock, and water and food quality testing. We have an exceptional track record in identifying and protecting inventions involving biotechnology, life sciences, and pharmaceuticals. We also give back to our creative community by offering a space for collaborative work so that organizations can grow to the next stage of evolution. www.dunlapcodding.com
CareerTech: Biosciences and Medicine Academy STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: COREY ARDREY ADA, OK From a very young age, Corey Ardrey has had career aspirations of becoming a doctor. As he watched his grandfather struggle through personal health challenges with cancer, he became even more determined to pursue the field of medicine. Today, however, his interest has become more focused on regenerative medicine. While attending Vanoss High School, a small rural high school in southeastern Oklahoma, Corey knew he needed to plot a course to prepare him for the rigorous challenge of becoming a doctor. He found that opportunity in a newly established Environmental Biotechnology STEM Academy at Pontotoc Technology Center in Ada. The program offers challenging, hands-on, critical thinking laboratory investigations that encourage students to stretch beyond the standard high school science curriculum. Corey feels the biotech program is the right path that will help him achieve his dreams. For more information about Oklahoma CareerTech STEM programs, please contact Associate State Director Becki Foster at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education at 405.743.5432. Kim Simpson, Director of Instructional Services, ksimpson@pontotoctech.edu Susie Edens, Biotechnology Instructor, sedens@pontotoctech.edu
Ponca City, a free citywide Wi-fi micropolitan in north Central Oklahoma, is proud to welcome Log10 to our community. Log10 specializes in food safety, consulting and manufacturing including probiotic and enzymatic additives for all types of consumables. The company, which derives its name from a logarithm commonly used in food science, recently started migration of their manufacturing facility from the Pioneer Technology Center Business Incubator to their state of the art food grade laboratory and manufacturing facility in the Ponca City Airport Industrial Park. Company principles include Ph.D.s and technicians with significant experience in their fields both in private industry and academia. The company is currently serving several national accounts by producing probiotic products and providing food safety consulting. “Ponca City is pleased to welcome Log10 to the neighborhood. Live, Work, Play in Ponca City. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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OKLAHOMA SUPPORT FOR BIOSTARTUPS The Oklahoma Bioscience Association has made BIO scholarships available for two Oklahoma bioscience companies to attend the 2015 Biotechnology Industry Organization convention. “We’re happy that we can provide these scholarships to send some of Oklahoma’s most promising emerging companies to BIO,” said Scott Meacham, CEO of i2E and the Oklahoma Bioscience Association. “The BIO convention brings together potential research partners, investment sources and service providers from around the world to one location. It’s important that these Oklahoma startups can access these educational and networking opportunities.” Meet the companies that were each awarded $3,000 BIO scholarships: DormaTarg is developing DT330, our most promising lead compound in a series of three small molecule metastasis prevention agents: DT310, DT320, and DT330. DT330 is specifically designed to reduce the risk of cancer progression by targeting dormant tumor cells before they reactivate in metastasis or recurrence prone cancers. They are seeking initial FDA approval for triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), with plans to repurpose DT330 for other highly metastatic cancers such as surgery eligible pancreatic, bladder and non small cell lung cancers. AgricBioformatics, LLC is an agriculture technology company created with the mission of leveraging cutting edge technologies to empower livestock producers to make better, more informed decisions about their herd and their business. Our flagship product, AgBoost will be designed to significantly improve livestock producers’ ability to make decisions based on the integration and understanding of genetic and nutritional data. The feasibility of this selective breeding, health and nutritional management program will be demonstrated first for cattle, and then expanded to other livestock animals after commercialization (hogs, chickens, and other livestock).
OKLAHOMA BIO SELLING POINTS > High quality, affordable and available facilities > University of Oklahoma University Research Park > Incentives available for qualifying companies > Oklahoma’s bioscience sector: • Contributes more than $6.7 billion in economic activity • Supports more than 51,000 Oklahoma jobs • Has annual revenues more than $4.1 billion
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> Significant pockets of research excellence: • Dean McGee Eye Institute • Laureate Institute of Brain Research • Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation • Oklahoma State University • Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation • University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center > Innovative service providers are growing Oklahoma bioscience: • Accele BioPharma • Emergent Technologies • i2E, Inc. • OKBIO Association • Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology • Oklahoma Life Science Fund > Oklahoma’s cutting-edge research strengths: • Autoimmune Diseases and Immunology • Biofuels • Cardiovascular Research • Glycobiology and Carbohydrates • Infectious Disease and Microbiology • Plant Improvement • Natural Products for Health • Value-Added Food Products • Vision Research
OKLAHOMA BIOSCIENCE FAST FACTS 1. The Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) has funded 2,519 projects at more than $254 million, attracting almost $5.3 billion in private sector and federal dollars for a return on investment of 21:1. 2. The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is dedicated to both basic and translational research, with resources such as a Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program in the Cancer Center, a comprehensive Diabetes Center, and the only Oklahoma NIH grant to enhance collaboration between clinical and basic research missions. 3. The 27-acre, $100 million University Research Park, part of the Oklahoma Health Center complex, is home to 37 science-based companies. 4. The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, in Ardmore, is the largest private foundation in the country conducting plant science and agriculture research. Their rich legacy of forage development that started more than 60 years ago continues with the release of four new varieties, including a new wheat, rye, oat and triticale.
5. The National Institutes of Health once again designated the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation an Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, one of only 10 sites in the U.S. The designation was accompanied by a significant federal grant, which OMRF scientists and physicians will use to develop a better understanding of and treatments for autoimmune diseases like lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome and multiple sclerosis. 6. The Dean McGee Eye Institute has completed renovations of its world-class research facilities and recruited additional new clinical and research faculty from throughout the country, including the Wills Eye Hospital, the University of Southern California, Harvard Medical School, and Boston University. 7. Researchers at the Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences continue their investigations into targeted disease therapies for both animals and humans. The scientists are developing a number of medical applications of nanotechnology to treat diseases including cancer. 8. i2E, Inc. invested more than $2.1 million in 12 Oklahoma bioscience companies in the past year, and more than $12 million over the past 16 years. 9. Oklahomans will have access to the newest cutting-edge therapies, thanks to the Stephenson Cancer Center’s designation as a Lead Academic Site by the National Cancer Institute in its new National Clinical Trials Network. Lead Academic Site designation is awarded through a federal research grant that will bring more than $6 million in funding to Oklahoma over the next five years. This designation establishes the Stephenson Cancer Center as a national center of excellence in conducting innovative clinical trials research. 10. The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine researchers are exploring the effectiveness of a new high-tech treatment for atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. The new approach focuses on stimulating the vagus nerve, a nerve that exists on both sides of the body and plays an important role in helping the heart beat within a safe range. The research is evaluating a stimulator surgically implanted around the vagus nerve.
OKLAHOMA BIO ABOUT TOWN
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2015 OKBio Directory Agriculture & Environmental Related Bio Polymer Industries Tulsa www.biopolymerindustries.com BioPolymer Industries services the needs of various segments of the erosion control market that can utilize water soluble polymer technology. Bio-Cide International, Inc. Norman www.bio-cide.com Bio-Cide International, Inc. is the leading manufacturer of Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide and Acidified Sodium Chlorite sanitizers and disinfectants. BugRight Bristow www.bugright.com bugRIGHT is the organic non-toxic pest repellent that is safe for people, animals, and the environment. CP Kelco Okmulgee www.cpkelco.com CP Kelco is a leading producer of specialty hydrocolloids with key product lines such as Gellan Gum, Pectin, Cellulose Gum, Xanthan Gum, Carrageenan, Carboxymethyl Cellulose and Microparticulated Whey Protein Concentrate, as well as other unique biopolymers. Crystal Laboratory, Inc. Luther www.crystallabsllc.com Crystal Laboratory has been supplying pollens and powdered allergens to customers in and out of the United States for over 25 years. Crystal Laboratory carries thousands of different raw allergenic products in inventory, including pollens, molds, foods and epidermals. Environmental Testing, Inc. Oklahoma City www.eti-lab.com Environmental Testing, Inc. (ETI) is a full service petroleum testing laboratory which adheres to ASTM methods and delivers analysis for a wide range of petroleum products. Fort Environmental Laboratories, Inc. Stillwater www.fortlabs.com Fort Environmental Laboratories is an environmental toxicology laboratory and consulting firm specializing in study of amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Grazinglands Research Laboratory El Reno www.ars.usda.gov The mission of the Grazinglands Research Laboratory is to develop and deliver improved technologies, management strategies, and strategic and tactical planning tools.
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Helena Chemical Company Coweta www.helenachemical.com Helena’s core strength is our commitment to provide customers with efficient delivery of products and services that help increase productivity, enhance crop yields, and provide reliable product performance.
RTASCo Oklahoma City www.tepcoproducts.com RTASCo uses patented technologies that offer economical solutions to remediate and clean-up a wide-variety of fuel spills, oil spills, and other organic hydrocarbon spills from hard surfaces, soils, and water.
Johnson Agronomics, Inc. Weatherford www.johnsonargonomicsinc.com Johnson Agronomics’ goal is to help farmers produce economical and environmentally sound crops. Johnson Agronomics engages in soil analysis, irrigation scheduling, study of insects, entomology study, and plant pathology.
Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Ardmore www.noble.org The Noble Foundation is an independent, nonprofit institute conducting plant science research and agricultural programs to enhance agricultural productivity. Founded in 1945 by Lloyd Noble, the Noble Foundation’s early efforts focused on educating and encouraging area farmers and ranchers to practice land stewardship and resource conservation.
Nu Era Farms Stillwater www.nuerafarms.com Established in 1982, Nu-Era Farms Research facility functions as a contract facility for industrial organizations that are testing parasiticides for use on domestic livestock and companion animals and their housing facilities. Oklahoma Crop Improvement Association Stillwater www.okcrop.com OCIA is designated by Oklahoma State University as the seed certifying agency for the State of Oklahoma in accordance with the Oklahoma Seed Laws. Oklahoma Genetics, Inc. Stillwater www.okgenetics.com Oklahoma Genetics, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c) (5) corporation that assembles in an organized manner as a group of interested and capable seed enterprises to promote stewardship and publicize and market the use of improved genetics, traits, and benefits of quality Pedigreed seed and vegetatively propagated materials. Orbitek, Inc Tulsa www.orbitekinc.com Orbitek offers multiple feedstock flexibility. Orbitek’s Three- Phase Biodiesel Production Solution is capable of taking even the most degraded feedstock and converting it into ASTM quality biodiesel fuel. Poole Chemical Altus www.poolechemical.com Poole Chemical Company was established to sell various liquid and dry fertilizer products, and will help you choose and use the right combination of agricultural products to improve yeilds and profit quickly. QuanTEM Laboratories, LLC Oklahoma City www.quantem.com QuanTem is a nationally accredited environmental laboratory specializing in the analyses of asbestos, bacteria, lead and mold.
Set Environmental Noble www.setenv.com Setenv is an evironmental services company that provides environmentally friendly spill clean up. Setenv serves a variety of industries including chemical, pharmaceutical, disposal factories, and universities. Surbec Environmental, LLC Norman www.surbec.com Surbec Environmental, L.L.C. is a company of engineers and scientists developing and designing Surfactant for Groundwater Remediation. Tallgrass Environmental Solutions Luther www.tallgrasssolutions.com Tallgrass Solutions provides services in the following areas: erosion control, custom seeding and hydromulching, wetlands and riparian plantings, and vegetarian management. VF Canna, LLC Stillwater www.vfcanna.com VF Canna is hoping to revitalize the canna lily industry by offering guaranteed virus-free canna lilies on the market. The canna lily virus has infected nearly all of the canna lily crops in many countries including the U.S., but VF Canna is using the latest scientific advancements to ensure that our canna are virus-free.
Bio Informatics Avansic Tulsa www.avansic.com Avansic offers a wide range of digital forensics services for corporate and litigation purposes. Vieux & Associates, Inc. Norman www.vieuxinc.com Vieux, Inc. is an engineering technology firm specializing in water information software, products and services.
Best Energy Solutions, LLC Tulsa www.best-ok.com Best Energy Solutions, LLC was established to develop methods for the production and utilization of algae. High Plains Bioenergy Guymon www.highplainsbioenergy.com High Plains Bioenergy’s first endeavor is a 30 million-gallon-per-year biodiesel plant that uses animal fats, including pork fat from the Seaboard Foods’ Guymon processing plant, and vegetable oils as the feedstock for biodiesel. Ko-Ko Best, Inc. Tulsa www.kbi-ok.com KoKo-Best, Inc. was established to capitalize on a proven technology to produce ethanol and protein from cereal grains. Oklahoma Bioenergy Center Oklahoma City www.okbioenergycenter.org The Oklahoma Bioenergy Center is a collaboration among the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, and the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation to cultivate the growth of Oklahoma’s renewable energy industry. Sol Tactics Norman www.soltactics.com Reshaping the face of energy conservation, Soltactics was founded to provide solutions for industry on energy costs with the greatest energy savings for the customer.
Bioenergy & Related Syntroleum Corporation Tulsa www.syntroleum.com Syntroleum Corporation’s synthetic fuel technologies make it a recognized force in the renewable fuels, biomass-to-liquids (BTL), gas-to-liquids (GTL), and coal-to-liquids (CTL) industries. Totally Green, Inc. Tulsa www.totallygreen.com Totally Green seeks to be a catalyst for change in the food and beverage industry by providing compostable packaging alternatives and organic food processing systems along with green education and advocacy.
Biotech, Pharmaceutical & Related
> memb er Accele BioPharma Oklahoma City www.accelebio.com Accele BioPharma is an incubator for early stage life science technologies that have the potential to dramatically improve human healthcare, have strong commercial promise and have the potential for generating early proof of concept data.
> m emb er Accele Venture Partners Oklahoma City www.accelebio.com Accele Venture Partners is a venture group established as a funding mechanism for spinouts from Accele Biopharma, Inc. Advance Research Chemicals Catoosa www.fluoridearc.com Advance Research Chemicals, Inc. offers basic and advanced chemical applications and services in a wide array of industries including military defense, semiconductors, battery materials, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive components, textiles, agricultural solutions, surfactants and industrial cleaners. Analytical Edge Laboratories Oklahoma City www.theedgelabs.com Analytical testing laboratory that provides innovative methodologies for greater flexibility and higher throughput for data collection needs. Anastasia Marie Laboratories, Inc. Oklahoma City www.amlabs.com Anastasia Marie Labs, Inc. specializes in overthe-counter diabetic skin treatment products. Astellas Pharma Technologies, Inc. Norman www.astellas.com Astellas is an international pharmaceutical company intensely focused on five key therapeutic areas: cardiology, dermatology, immunology, infectious disease, and urology. AstraZeneca www.astrazeneca.com AstraZeneca is a global innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company specialising in the discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of prescription medicines that make a meaningful difference in healthcare.
> m emb er Biolytx Pharmaceuticals Corporation Oklahoma City www.biolytxcorp.com Biolytx Pharmaceuticals develops a novel antibiotic peptide for use in treatment of serious hospital-acquired infections, including those resistant to current antibiotics. Caisson Biotech Oklahoma City www.caissonbiotech.com Cassion Biotech has developed a bio-superior drug delivery system, HEPylation ® System, which uses a patented composition designed to improve the performance of many powerful drug compounds in terms of safety, tolerability, efficacy, and quality. Charlesson, LLC Oklahoma City www.charlessonllc.com Charlesson is an ocular pharmaceutical company that is developing therapeutics for various eye diseases, including wet and dry Agerelated Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic Retinopathy (DR), and Uveitis.
Choncept, LLC Oklahoma City www.choncept.com Choncept’s scientific innovation is focused on development of new technology to produce chondroitin from fermentation of recombinant bacteria to replace the current chondroitin source of beef and other animal by-products. Coare Biotechnology Oklahoma City www.coarebiotechnology.com COARE Biotechnology is a research driven pharmaceutical company dedicated to developing novel therapeutic agents designed to treat solid tumor cancers. Cosmetic Specialty Labs, Inc. Lawton www.aloe-vera.com Cosmetic Specialty Labs is skilled in developing high end, prestige skin care products, as well as custom formulated over the counter drugs. Cytovance Biologics, LLC Oklahoma City www.cytovance.com Cytovance® Biologics adds value to biopharmaceutical development programs assisting companies to advance recombinant protein, antibody and cellbased therapeutic products rapidly and cost-effectively from the laboratory bench, through clinical development and to commercial launch. DermaMedics Oklahoma City www.dermamedics.com DermaMedics is a skin care company that specializies in the discovery of technologies for the dermatology market.
> memb er DormaTarg, Inc. Oklahoma City www.dormatarg.com DormaTarg, Inc is a biotechnology company researching and developing therapeutic drugs for cancer recurrence prevention. Ecolab, Inc. Oklahoma City www.ecolab.com Ecolab Inc. (Ecolab) develops and markets products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets.
> memb er EpimedX Oklahoma City www.epimedx.com EpimedX, LLC is a biotechnology company that was founded in 2011 with the mission to develop Gene Regulation Therapy© – a promising technology that is expected to provide a safe, cost-effective, and permanent treatment for sickle cell disease, beta-thalassemia, and malaria without dangerous or harmful side effects. Heparinex, LLC Oklahoma City www.heparinex.com Heparinex is a biotechnology company focused on the development of novel recombinant synthesis of heparinoid compounds for various markets including anticoagulation, biomaterials, and cellular modulation applications. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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Biotech, Pharmaceutical & Related contunued
> memb er Hyalose, LLC Oklahoma City www.hyalose.com Hyalose specializes in Hyaluronic Acid production and application. The Emergent Technologies Inc. “Sugar Companies” offer innovative technologies for producing Hyaluronic Acid, heparosan, and chondroitin in a reproducible and safe manner for a variety of medical and aesthetic uses. Hyalose was formed to commercialize unique recombinant technologies for producing Hyaluronic Acid. Integrated Physician Solutions Research Company Oklahoma City www.ipsresearch.com IPS Research Company provides phase 1-4 inpatient and outpatient clinical trials. IPS Research specializes in clinical drug trials dealing with psychiatric disorders, including Depression, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Depression, ADHD, GAD, PTSD, Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Child Depression and a variety of Anxiety Disorders.
> memb er Jortan Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Oklahoma City www.accelebio.com/portfolio/jortan/ Jortan Pharmaceuticals Inc. (JORTAN) was founded around aspartic protease inhibitors as potential diabetes therapeutics based on technology from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation (OMRF). Kemmx Corporation Sapulpa www.kemmx.com Kemmx Corporation is a start-up, Biotechnology company pioneering the development and commercialization of targeted analgesics for chronic pain. Their topical analgesic formulations provide long lasting pain relief with minimal side effects. Kupiec Group Oklahoma City www.arlok.com Kupiec Group is a consortium of scientific professionals specializing in pharmaceutical, genetic and forensic fields that provide knowledge-based expert services to the legal and risk management communities. Leviathan Applied Sciences Edmond Leviathan proposes a next-generation tool that will make it possible to distinguish and examine heterogeneous states among suspension cells in situ, with the potential for a significant increase in sensitivity, selectivity, resolution, and scalability over current technology. Lupus Family Registry and Repository Oklahoma City www.lupus.omrf.org The Lupus Multiplex Registry and Repository is finding the genes that cause lupus. It works with families with one or more living lupus patients from across the US, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, utilizing the genetic link between blood relatives to locate responsible genes. 38
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Mills Biopharmaceuticals, Inc Oklahoma City A subsidiary of Core Oncology, Mills Biopharmaceuticals, LLC (Mills) manufactures ProstaSeed® Iodine 125 brachytherapy seeds for the treatment of prostate cancer. Mills’ stateof-the-art 25,000 square foot manufacturing facility features highly automated machines and advanced manufacturing systems.
> m e m be r Moleculera Labs Oklahoma City www.moleculera.com Moleculera Labs provides personalized clinical testing services for individuals suspected of suffering from PANDAS/PANS, which are treatable neurologic conditions that may be associated with motor tics, obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) and sometimes Autism Spectrum Disorders.
> m e m be r Otologic Pharmaceutics, Inc. Oklahoma City www.otologicpharmaceutics.com Otologic Pharmaceutics, Inc. is an organization formed specifically to commercialize promising technologies that address novel pharmacological solutions for hearing and balance health.
> m e m be r Pamlico Biopharma Oklahoma City Pamlico Biopharma has developed personalized, targeted human antibody therapeutics against severe pneumonia that were created using patent-pending methodology from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. Plymouth Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Tulsa www.plymouthpharmaceuticals.com Plymouth Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading research and development company exploring safe, effective, oral therapies for inflammatory skin disorders. Plymouth offers Rx and OTC products for psoriasis, eczema, acne and seborrhea dermatitis. PreDent, LLC Oklahoma City PreDENT has developed a vaccine to help prevent gingivitis and periodontal disease in pets that produces significant pain and possibly even fatal damage to an animal’s organs. Pure Protein, LLC Oklahoma City www.pureproteinllc.com Pure Protein focuses on HLA related immunology tools for vaccine development and immunotherapy validation. Respiron Stillwater Respiron is developing an antiviral drug, RN-1, to treat any existing and emerging strains of influenza virus. It can potentially cure flu symptoms in nearly 300 million people worldwide regardless of virus mutation.
> memb er Selexys Pharmaceuticals Corporation Oklahoma City www.selexys.com Selexys is a development stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the treatment of inflammatory and thrombotic diseases. The company has developed antibodies that block recruitment of white blood cells to activated endothelium and platelets. Sensulin, LLC Oklahoma CIty www.sensulin.com Sensuli, LLC is developing a true once-a-day glucose-responsive insulin that may mimic a healthy human pancreas. Sensulin™ may eliminate the need for basal & prandial insulin, offer a substantial improvement in the standard of care, and most importantly, give those with diabetes a chance at a normal life.
> memb er Synereca Pharmaceuticals Oklahoma City www.synereca.com Synereca Pharmaceuticals addresses the growing problem of bacterial resistance to current antibiotics by developing orally active drugs that restore or increase the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. Wavetech, LLC Stillwater www.wavetechllc.,com Wavetech, LLC is privately held specializing in research and development in emerging technology markets. Their emphasis is on electromagnetic technologies, including terahertz, artificial materials, and nondestructive evaluation.
Diagnostic & Related Accurate Environmental Oklahoma City www.accuratelabs.com Accurate Labs and Training Center provides analytical support for projects involving wastewater, drinking water, ground water, soil, sediment and sludge. Allergy Laboratories, Inc. Oklahoma City www.allergylabs.com Allergy Laboratories, Inc. is a FDA licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer of over 500 different biological extracts for the diagnostic testing and therapeutic treatment of allergy.
> memb er Analytical Research Laboratories, Inc. Oklahoma City www.arlok.com ARL offers a full range of professional laboratory services including; potency, sterility, endotoxin, compendial testing, as well as consulting services, research and development and forensic legal support. Diagnostic Lab of Oklahoma Tulsa www.dlolab.com Diagnostic Lab of Oklahoma (DLO) mission is to be Oklahoma’s undisputed leader in diagnostic testing, information and services.
> memb er DNA Solutions, Inc. Oklahoma City www.dnasolutionsusa.com DNA Solutions, Inc. provides highly discerning service products including paternity and forensic testing in humans and sire confirmation, genotype registry, DNA banking and forensic identification in animals. Emerson Resources, Inc. www.emersonresources.com Emerson Resources provides pre-formulation through phase III and small commercial production. They have been producing phase I and II clinical supplies since 2005 and will be adding phase III and small volume and orphan drug commercial manufacturing in 2013. Enerlabs Oklahoma City www.enerlabsinc.com Enerlabs is an oil and gas company specializing in diagnostics for the oil and gas industry. Enerlabs recently purchased its first strategic laboratory, Zalco Laboratories. Glomics, Inc. Norman www.glomics.com Glomics, Inc. targets global genomics technologies, develops microarray-based technologies and provides their associated services to customers working in a variety of fields involved in microbial functional genomics, community genomics, microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, and geobiochemistry. Haus Bioceuticals, Inc. Oklahoma City www.hausbio.com Haus Bioceuticals is developing safe and effective products, including Metaderm. Metaderm resolves eczema through a vast combination of spagyric essenses formulated specifically to address the immune signaling disregulation associated with atopic dermatitis and eczema. Helix BioScience Tulsa www.helixbioscience.com Helix Bioscience is a healthcare firm focusing on innovative genetic diagnostics to help physicians effectively and accurately prescribe medications that promote better health outcomes. Inoveon Corporation Oklahoma City www.inoveon.com Inoveon is a premier medical services company that delivers solutions to detect, stage and monitor diseases affecting the eye - diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Inoveon’s initial target is to help patients and their providers improve diabetic retinopathy care through Inoveon diagnostic service centers that are co-located in high volume diabetes care sites. Intergenetics, Inc. Oklahoma City www.intergenetics.com Intergenetics® is a personalized medicine company focused on molecular genetics to predict the risk of cancer prior to disease occurrence.
JKAutoimmunity Oklahoma City www.omrf.ouhsc.edu JKAutoimmunity provides a DNA pooling service. LabCorp/Dianon Systems Oklahoma City www.labcorp.com LabCorp’s mission is to improve American healthcare by providing the highest quality cancer and genomic diagnostic services and personalized health information to physicians, patients, and health plans throughout the country. Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic Oklahoma City www.oklahomaallergy.com Since 1925, the Oklahoma Allergy & Asthma Clinic has specialized in the diagnosis and management of allergies, asthma and other allergic disorders in adults and children. Polyskope Labs Oklahoma City www.polyskopelabs.com PolySkope Labs is among the most sophisticated food safety laboratories in the world. They offer the highest quality, speed, and reliability in the industry–right in your backyard. Precision Histology Lab, Inc. Oklahoma City www.precisionhistologylab.com Precision Histology Lab, Inc. takes pride in more than 75 years of combined professional experience in the field of histology. Tulsa Medical Laboratory, LLC Tulsa www.tulsamedicallab.com TML performs a variety of diagnostic services, including tissue, cytology, bone marrow examinations, clinical consultations, blood bank services, peripheral blood and other body fluid smear consultations, and frozen section evaluation.
Foundations, Funders & Service Providers Accele Venture Partners Oklahoma City www.accelebio.com Accele Venture Partners is a venture group established as a funding mechanism for spinouts from Accele Biopharma, Inc. Accelerate, LLC Kansas www.vickeadams.com Accelerate, LLC is an Oklahoma-based business providing consulting services to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Consulting services include technical writing, business plan development and proposal writing. Acorn Growth Companies Oklahoma City www.acorngrowthcompanies.com Acorn Growth Companies is a private equity firm focused exclusively on aerospace and defense opportunities.
Advancia Corporation Oklahoma City www.advancia.com Advancia’s professionals use cutting-edge technology to help clients maximize their longterm business viability and competitive advantage by using analytical tools to present the facts and options to our clients in clear and concise terms. American Biomedical Group Oklahoma City www.americanbiomedicalgroup.com American Biomedical Group is a strategic partner that engineers business, information and technology solutions for organizations, all with the ultimate financial outcomes in view. AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporporation Tulsa www.amerisourcebergen.com AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation delivers medicines purchased directly from the manufacturer to thousands of retail and institutional pharmacy customers on a just-in-time basis. Applied Technology Specialists, Inc. Bixby www.cleanair-tech.net ATSI is an Engineering firm that can design and supply specialized pollution control equipment and technology. Ardmore Development Authority Ardmore www.ardmoredevelopment.com The ADA owns four industrial parks totaling 3,500 acres and more than 40 buildings under lease encompassing more than one million square feet. The ADA has a 40 acre technology park under construction and operates a technology incubator. Arvest Bank Oklahoma City www.arvest.com Arvest Bank is a regional bank that operates in a unique, customer-focused way. Arvest delivers the convenience and technological advantages of a large super-regional bank, but with the local commitment and decision-making of a local community bank. Bank of Oklahoma Oklahoma City www.bankofoklahoma.com Bank of Oklahoma is a top 25 US-based bank with operations that include commercial and consumer banking, investment and trust services, mortgage origination and servicing, and an electronic transfer network. Bartlesville Development Corporation Bartlesville www.bdcok.com The BDC facilitates the recruitment, retention and expansion of primary industry jobs, and new destination retail businesses. BioSource Consulting Group Oklahoma City www.biosourceconsulting.com BioSource Consulting Group is a strategic consulting firm that assists entrepreneurs and growing organizations in all facets of translating ideas to commercial products, including start-up strategy. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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Foundations, Funders, and Service Providers contunued BioSpec Products Bartlesville www.biospec.com BioSpec has been providing innovative scientific equipment for more than 30 years. Century Venture Partners Oklahoma City www.centuryvp.com Century Venture Partners is a unique early-stage technology commercialization fund. Chesapeake Energy Corporation Oklahoma City www.chk.com Chesapeake is a Top 15 producer of oil and natural gas liquids and the most active driller of new wells in the U.S. Chesapeake NG Ventures Oklahoma City www.chk.com Chesapeake NG Ventures has invested over $300 million into the bioenergy industry, and has bolstered Chesapeake’s image in the Americas’ transitioning energy and transportation sectors. > member Chickasaw Nation Ada www.chickasaw.net Since the 1980s,Chickasaw Nation tribal government has focused most of its efforts on building an economically diverse base to generate funds that will support programs and services to Indian people. Children’s Hospital Foundation Oklahoma City www.childrenshospitalfoundation.net Children’s Hospital Foundation is the only nonprofit organization in Oklahoma whose sole focus is the advancement of pediatric research and education while supporting specialized clinical care for Oklahoma’s children. > me m ber Chubb Group Of Insurance Companies Oklahoma City www.chubb.com Chubb Corporation is the twelfth largest property and casualty insurer in the United States, with over 120 offices located in 26 countries, and offers commercial, specialty, surety and personal insurance services. According to Fortune magazine, Chubb is the 202nd largest U.S.-based corporation. Cimarron Capital Partners Oklahoma City www.cimarroncapital.com Cimarron provides discretionary and nondiscretionary venture capital and private equity asset management services. City of Ponca City Ponca City www.goponca.com Whether it is the world’s premiere sensor test and evaluation center or Sustainable Alternative Green Energy, agriculture, or a combination of all, Ponca City offers a strategically located, non-urban environment which capitalizes on the best of North American innovation and connectivity. 40
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Claremore Development Authority Claremore www.claremoredevelopment.com CIEDA’s mission is to carry out economic activities, community development, and to bring jobs and prosperity to the Claremore area by marketing nationally and regionally to attract new businesses. Cole & Reed, P. C. Oklahoma City www.coleandreed.com Cole & Reed provides audit and assurance, tax planning and compliance, consulting, and accounting services to businesses of all sizes throughout Oklahoma and beyond, and has a reputation for providing quality, responsive service. Consolidated Networks Oklahoma City www.consolidatednetworks.com Consolidated Networks Corporation provides endto-end network engineering and IT services to its government, education and corporate clients. Crisalis, LLC Oklahoma City www.crisalisllc.com CRISALIS has developed specialized research database applications for research institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits. Crowe & Dunlevy Oklahoma City www.crowedunlevy.com Crowe & Dunlevy has been advising clients for over 100 years. Their depth of experience allows them to assemble dynamic legal teams to provide advice that is both focused and valuable to their client range from individuals to Fortune 100 companies.
Emergent Technologies, Inc. Oklahoma City www.etibio.com EmergentTechnologies reduces the costs and risks associated with the commercialization of early stage technology by identifying the right Industry/Corporate partners and producing welltimed strategic partnering arrangements. Enid Regional Development Alliance Enid www.growenid.com The Enid Regional Development Alliance seeks to grow local businesses and companies in Enid by making resources available. Failsafe Hazmat Compliance Tulsa www.failsafehazmat.com Failsafe has developed hazmat software to help companies that ship hazardous materials (dangerous goods) with all US domestic and international shipping regulations. Freedom Pharmaceuticals Tulsa www.freedomrxinc.com As a boutique supplier of fine compounding chemicals, excipients, bases and capsules, Freedom prides itself on high quality products and first-class customer service. Galaxy Chemicals, LLC Claremore www.galaxychemfluoride.com Galaxy Chemicals has expertise in AHF, aqueous HF and elemental fluorine chemistry. They can produce fluorinated products from small to large scale with flexible packaging available.
Geo-Microbial Technologies, Inc. Ochelata www.gmtgeochem.com GMT has more than 25 years of experience conducting successful surface geochemical exploration surveys all over the world in geologically and environmentally diverse settings, > member ranging from the arctic to the tropics, from Drik, LLC desserts to jungles to grasslands. Edmond > member www.atdrik.com Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Drik LLC helps clients to conduct quality Oklahoma City pre-clinical toxicology studies utilizing a cost www.okcchamber.com efficient approach. They help companies with The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber all their outsourced toxicology needs. promotes the Oklahoma Bioscience Industry > member by supporting recruitment partnerships and Dunlap Codding, P.C. achieving national recognition. Oklahoma City www.dunlapcodding.com GreenTeam, Inc. Dunlap Codding, P.C. offers revolutionary Tulsa partnering counsel helping global and domestic www.thegreenteaminc.com biotechnology clients create strategic, optimally The GreenTeam, Inc. provides strategic profitable intellectual property portfolios. environmental consultin helping clients address sustainable design and environmental issues. Edmond Economic Services include life cycle assessment (LCA) Development Authority for environmental product declarations, carbon Edmond accounting, environmental management systems, www.eeda.com and standards guidance. The Edmond Economic Development Authority site is designed to provide assistance for those Hall Estill, Attorneys at Law looking to establish, expand or relocate their Oklahoma City business to Edmond, Oklahoma. www.HallEstill.com Hall Estill is an Oklahoma based full service law firm which has created a practice that taps the knowledge of skilled attorneys while focusing on clients’ needs. Devon Energy Oklahoma City www.dvn.com Devon Energy Corporation is a leading independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company.
Hillcrest Clinical Research Oklahoma City www.clinicalconnection.com The staff at Hillcrest Clinical Research is knowledgeable and experienced and is capable of providing fast study start-up and effective FDA and IRB submission and coordination. > member i2E, Inc. Oklahoma City www.i2E.org i2E, Inc. is a nationally recognized private not-for-profit corporation focused on growing innovative small businesses in Oklahoma. They work directly with entrepreneurs, researchers and companies to help them commercialize their technologies, launch and grow new businesses and access needed capital.
> memb er INSURICA Insurance Management Network Oklahoma City www.insurica.com INSURICA is made up of independent insurance agencies that specialize in core industries and business disciplines. From construction to hospitality, transportation to education and beyond, their industry-specific knowledge and in-depth experience gives us valuable insight into your unique needs. Intergris Baptist Medical Center Oklahoma City www.integrisok.com INTEGRIS Health is one of the state s largest health systems with hospitals, rehabilitation centers, physician clinics, mental health facilities, independent living centers and home health agencies. Kalchem International, Inc. Lindsay www.kalcheminternational.com Kalchem International Imports a wide range of products from different locations around the world and can source anything from chemicals and capsules to equipment as well as provide you with all your pharmaceutical compounding needs. > member McAfee & Taft Oklahoma City www.mcafeetaft.com For nearly 60 years, clients have counted on McAfee & Taft’s multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving, along with the depth and talent of its dedicated attorneys and support staff, to create comprehensive, customized legal solutions. McKesson Corporation Oklahoma City www.mckesson.com McKesson is dedicated to delivering the vital medicines, medical supplies and information technologies that enable the health care industry to provide patients better, safer care. MedEncentive Oklahoma City www.medencentive.com Through innovative incentives, Med Incintive helps employers, health insurers and governments of all types contain health care costs while engaging physicians and patients in ways that fundamentally change their behaviors.
MedIntelligence, LLC Oklahoma City www.medintelligence.net MedIntelligence delivers quality work through internal team collaboration and their long-standing partnerships with leading universities, academicians, CME providers, medical associations, and other healthcare experts committed to the same mission of ensuring scientific integrity and balance.
> m emb er Norman Economic Development Coalition Norman www.nedcok.com The Norman Economic Development Coalition is dedicated to expanding the economic base of the Norman community, enhancing the earning opportunities of area residents by retaining and expanding existing businesses and industries, as well as attracting desirable new employers.
Nova Venture Services Oklahoma City www.novaventureservices.com Nova Venture Services is a consultation and management firm for biotech startup companies. OGE Energy Corp Oklahoma City www.oge.com OGE Energy Corp. is the parent company of OG&E Electric Services, a regulated electric utility serving approximately 750,000 customers in a service territory spanning 30,000 square miles across Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers Oklahoma City www. oahcp.org The Oklahoma Association of Health Care Providers’ mission is Driving Dramatic Improvement to Long Term Care. Oklahoma Bioscience Association Oklahoma City www.okbio.org The mission of the Oklahoma Bioscience Association is to promote the growth of biosciences in Oklahoma through partnership building, education and outreach, networking, policy development and publicity.
> m emb er Oklahoma Blood Institute Oklahoma City www.obi.org OBI is a state-wide not-for-profit blood center providing blood to more than 110 hospitals in 58 Oklahoma counties as well as five counties in north central Texas. OBI’s mission is “to provide the safest and highest quality blood, services and health programs to the patients and communities we serve.
> m emb er Oklahoma Business Roundtable Oklahoma City www.okbusinessroundtable.com The Oklahoma Business Roundtable serves as the state’s major economic development support organization.
Oklahoma Capital Investment Board Oklahoma City www.ocib.org Oklahoma Capital Investment Board (OCIB) was created by the state of Oklahoma to help ensure that entrepreneurs have access to the intelligent seed and venture capital they need to launch and grow their companies. Oklahoma Center For Adult Stem Cell Research Oklahoma City www.ocascr.org The mission of the OCASCR is to catalyze researchers’ work in numerous ways, leverage resources obtainable from traditional funding agencies, and help attract additional talent to the state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science and Technology Oklahoma City www.ocast.state.ok.us OCAST was established in 1987 as the state’s agency for technology-based economic development. Their mandate is to “expand and diversify Oklahoma’s economy and provide new and higher quality jobs for Oklahomans by encouraging the development of new products, new processes and whole new industries in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Stillwater www.okcareertech.org The Oklahoma CareerTech provides leadership and resources to ensure standards of excellence throughout the statewide system.
> memb er Oklahoma Department of Commerce Oklahoma City www.okcommerce.gov ODC focuses on increasing the quality and quantity of jobs in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Health Care Workforce Center Oklahoma City www.ohcwc.com The Oklahoman Health Care Workforce Center was created by legislation in 2006 to help alleviate the projected health care worker shortages, to help retain health care workers already employed or graduating from OK educational institutions, and to provide information about health careers to Oklahomans of all ages.
> memb er Oklahoma Health Center Foundation Oklahoma City www.oklahomahealthcenter.com The Oklahoma Health Center Foundation promotes and supports the 300-acre Oklahoma Health Center complex that consists of 31 member organizations, including several cutting edge Biotech companies and support organizations. Oklahoma Innovation Institute Tulsa www.oklahomainnovationinstitute.com The Oklahoma Innovation Institute fosters collaborative research and development, entrepreneurship, company creation and retention, life-long learning and creative, futureoriented thinking. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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Foundations, Funders, and Service Providers contunued Oklahoma Life Science Fund Tulsa www.olsfventures.com Oklahoma Life Science Fund, LLC (OLSF) invests in the most promising very early-stage life science companies that are not yet able to attract venture capital. OLSF investments are made to fund validation of promising research results, develop business plans and, where appropriate, identify and recruit management teams and venture capital syndicates. Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance Tulsa www.okalliance.com Through its network of extension agents and applications engineers, the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance provides hands-on resources for improving productivity, increasing sales and reducing costs. It connects companies to local expertise and state, regional and national resources.
> memb er Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma City www.omrf.org Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is a nonprofit biomedical research institute, dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease, focusing on such critical research areas as heart disease, cancer, lupus and Alzheimer’s disease. Oklahoma Nurses Association Oklahoma city www.oknurses.com ONA is the professional association for all registered nurses in Oklahoma. It is a community of nurses across all specialties and practice settings working to promote the profession of nursing. Oklahoma Osteopathic Association Oklahoma city www.okosteo.org The Oklahoma Osteopathic Association continues to exist to promote the causes, purposes, and goals of the osteopathic profession in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Pharmaceutical Association Oklahoma City www.opha.com OPHAs mission is to unite and promote the profession of pharmacy through advocacy, communication, and education. They facilitate pharmacists in the development of innovative pharmacy practices that demonstrate improved health outcomes for patients and reinforce the role of pharmacists as essential members of the healthcare team. Oklahoma Technology and Research Park Stillwater www.oktechpark.com Oklahoma Technology and Research Park is an emerging knowledge center and high-value business destination for knowledge-based companies in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
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Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Trust Oklahoma City The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Trust approved a five-year, $30 million grant to the Stephenson Cancer center in November 2011. The new and increased research funding supports efforts at OU, OSU, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and other Oklahoma institutions which are currrently conducting innovative biomedical research. Oklahoma Venture Forum Oklahoma City www.ovf.org The Oklahoma Venture Forum (OVF) is a non-profit corporation organized to encourage economic development in Oklahoma. The OVF works to increase the utilization of Oklahoma’s resources, resulting in the establishment and growth of new and existing business ventures. Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association Oklahoma City www.okvma.org The Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) is a professional trade organization for veterinarians. OMEDtech, LLC Oklahoma City www.omedtech.com OMEDtech provides quality system design, regulatory, compliance, clinical and operations consulting services that are focused on helping managers and companies meet the aggressive challenges of bringing new medical device products to market. Owens & Minor Tulsa www.owens-minor.com A world class supplier of medical surgical supplies, Owens-Minor has locations throughout the United States. Pardalis Software, Inc Stillwater www.pardalis.com Pardalis’ mission is to promote the granular sharing of confidential, trustworthy and traceable information along complex supply chains, and within the emerging data web, by empowering information owners and producers with innovative Common Point AuthoringTM methods. PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Oklahoma City www.pdrx.com PD-Rx Pharmaceuticals Inc. is a pharmaceutical distributer. PetNet Pharmaceutical, Inc. Broken Arrow www.petnetsolutions.com PETNET Solutions operates the largest PET radiopharmacy network with over 47 radiopharmacies and distribution centers at multiple locations that produce and distribute PET radiopharmaceuticals to hospitals, clinics, and research facilities for PET imaging.
Phillips Murrah, P.C. Oklahoma City www.phillipsmurrah.com Phillips Murrah is a full service law firm with an Intellectual Property department that handles clients around the country. Many clients find their legal costs half of what they would pay for the same services with law firms on the east or west coast. Physicians Total Care, Inc. Tulsa www.physicianstotalcare.com PTC has developed the PTC9000 software that allows physicians to dispense prescribed medications directly to patients while in the office. Ponca City Development Authority Ponca City www.goponca.com The Ponca City Development Authority helps to steer North Central Oklahoma’s dynamic economy through the support of local businesses, education and community, while fostering a climate of innovation and economic growth in one of North America’s most attractive hometowns.
> memb er Presbyterian Health Foundation Oklahoma City www.phfokc.com Presbyterian Health Foundation supports medical research by recruiting high-quality research scientists at the Oklahoma Health Center and supporting bioscience tech transfer. Price Edwards & Company Oklahoma City www.priceedwards.com Price Edwards & Company is proud to be among the leaders in Oklahoma commercial real estate. Price Edwards & Company is a full service firm headquartered in Oklahoma City. Formed in 1988, Price Edwards & Company employs approximately 150 professionals in Oklahoma City, Okla. providing commercial real estate services. Productive Technologies, LLC Oklahoma City www.productiveT.com ProductiveT has a complement of 75 experienced specialists in innovation management, asset management, and web and software solutions. Rural Enterprises, Inc. Ada www.ruralenterprises.com Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, Inc. is a statewide non-profit organization with a mission to promote economic growth through the utilization of financial and business services. Saic, Inc. Midwest City www.saic.com A fortune 500 company with over 41,000 employees worldwide, Saic provides best value services and solutions based on innovative applications of science and technology.
Saint Francis Hospital Tulsa www.saintfrancis.com Saint Francis Health System is an integrated, medically-based health system with an emphasis on a complete continuum of care. From services for the tiniest premature newborns, to end-of-life care options, to all medical needs in between, the physicians and staff of Saint Francis treat each patient with dignity and integrity. Sigma Blood Systems, LLC Oklahoma City www.sigmablood.com Sigma Blood System’s goal is to be the leader in delivering operational efficiencies for blood centers in the collection, manufacturing, quality control and distribution processes. SMC Technologies Midwest City www.smc-technologies.com SMC Technologies, Inc. is available to provide products, consultation, services and research programs to meet water, energy, environmental, and specialty chemical needs. Southwest Nanotechnologies, Inc. Norman www.swentnano.com SWeNT is a privately held independent specialty chemical firm, manufacturing single wall carbon nanotubes for a broad array of specialty products. Southwestern Biomedical Electronics Tulsa www.swbiomed.com Southwestern Biomedical Electronics was established in 1976 as an authorized sales and service representative to distribute Spacelabs products to area hospitals in Oklahoma. Stillwater Chamber of Commerce Stillwater www.stillwaterchamber.org As a catalyst for prosperity, the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce will provide the leadership necessary to create an environment that rewards business investment in the Stillwater community. Strategic Solutions International. LLC Stillwater www.strategicsolutions.us SSI’s strategic mission is to apply sound research principles and visionary innovation to develop novel, robust, rugged solutions to significant, unsolved problems. The Kerr Center Poteau www.kerrcenter.com The Kerr Center is focused on finding sustainable solutions to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing Oklahoma’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The State Chamber of Oklahoma Oklahoma City www.okstatechamber.com The State Chamber of Oklahoma is establishing Oklahoma as a global leader in the technical, industrial and economic arenas.
Tulsa Metro Chamber Tulsa www.tulsachamber.com The Tulsa Metro Chamber is the principal business-driven leadership organization improving the quality of community life through the development of regional economic prosperity. University Hospital Authority Oklahoma City www.uhatok.com The Authority and Trust provides support for important educational enhancements, for key research and health care advancements and for critical capital improvement projects on campus, including the new OU Physicians Building and phase two of the Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center. USDA Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service Stillwater www.aphis.usda.gov The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is a multi-faceted Agency with a broad mission area that includes protecting and promoting U.S. agricultural health, regulating genetically engineered organisms, administering the Animal Welfare Act and carrying out wildlife damage management activities. William K. Warren Foundation Tulsa www.williamkwarrenfoundation.org The Warren Foundation provides financial assistance in support of worthy charitable, scientific, Catholic, and health programs dedicated to improving the quality of life. The Warren Foundation primarily limits its grants to non-profit organizations in and around Tulsa, Oklahoma. WILLIS of Oklahoma Oklahoma City www.willis.com Willis is recognized as a leading global insurance broker, handling risk management and reinsurance across a wide range of service areas and industries. Willis is grounded in an entrepreneurial approach to the risk management business, with an unequaled commitment to the delivery of customized solutions.
Medical Devices 3DIcon Corporation Tulsa www.3dicon.net 3DIcon Corporation is a developer of groundbreaking 3D projection and display technologies that are being designed to produce full color, 360° volumetric images. Access Optics Broken Arrow www.accessoptics.com Access Optics brings together inventive manufacturing engineering, process development, leading-edge optical fabrication and advanced coating technology to deliver exceptional products. Adroit Surgical, LLC • Nichols Hills Adroit Surgical LLC is a medical device company that has developed a patented method for securing the airway in emergency situations. Medical Devices & Related
All American Mold Laboratories, Inc. Oklahoma City www.allamericanmold.com All American Mold provides quality service, craftsmanship, products and materials and is one of the nation’s leading full service ear mold laboratories. Amethyst Research, Inc. Ardmore www.amethystresearch.com Amethyst Research delivers the enabling process technologies to equip its manufacturing partners to build better, cheaper, higher performance infrared focal plane arrays. Artison Corporation Inola www.artisonweb.com Artison is a medical device and biotechnology company utilizing ultrasoundenergy (nonimaging) for the fields of medicine and biotechnology. Artison designs, develops, and manufactures medical devices and biotechnology platforms that utilize ultrasound energy. Bijhem Scientific, Inc. Norman www.bijhem.com Bijhem Scientific, Inc. is an innovation centered product development corporation with a primary focus in nanomaterial based applications. CareFusion Mannford www.carefusion.com CareFusion has built a foundation of medical products and software analytics to help improve patient safety and reduce the cost of health care for generations to come. Clear Tone Hearing Aid Laboratories, Inc. Tulsa www.cleartonehearingaids.com Clear Tone has brought together the professional expertise of licensed hearing aid specialists, electronic engineers and electro-acoustic engineers in our own custom manufacturing lab and testing facility. Cognitive Systems, Inc. Oklahoma City www.cog-systems.com The Cognitive Systems Teletherapy System is an innovative Internet Enabled technology that provides a clinical approach to regeneration or “rewiring” of the neurological connectivity in the brain. Compression Solutions Tulsa www.compressionsolutions.us Compression Solutions is on the forefront of preventing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) where patients are most vulnerable — at home after surgery.
> memb er Contact Process Piping Oklahoma City www.contactprocesspiping.publishpath.com Process Piping specializes in Welding of Stainless Steel Tube and Pipe Systems in Sanitary (Hygienic) Applications for the construction of food processing, beverage, pharmaceutical and dairy plants where sanitary conditions are of the highest importance. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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Medical Devices contunued Criticare, Inc. Oklahoma City www.neochild.com Criticare offers a unique availability of custom products backed with extensive in-service capabilities to I.V. infusion teams, neonatal, pediatric, anesthesia and pharmacy departments.
La Fuente Prosthetics Oklahoma City www.oklahomaprosthetics.com La Fuente’s Maxillofacial and Artificial eye prosthetics are custom fitted using the newest technology available. In 2004, La Fuente Prosthetics began making prosthetic limbs.
DA/PRO Rubber, Inc. Broken Arrow www.daprorubber.com Da/Pro Rubber is a manufacturer of custom medical device components ranging from components for blood analysis machines to surgical instruments.
Landauer, Inc. Stillwater www.landauer.com Landauer Inc supports a stand-alone research center dedicated to aluminum oxide crystal growth production for our optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters, as well as new crystal development to enhance our current applications.
EKIPS Technologies, Inc. Norman www.ekipstech.com Ekips develops and sells tunable mid-infrared lasers and laser systems for molecular spectroscopy applications. Exakt Technologies, Inc. Oklahoma City www.exaktusa.com EXAKT Technologies, Inc. has been providing precision laboratory equipment to research facilities for over 11 years. Get People Moving, LLC Edmond www.getpeoplemoving.com Get People Moving, LLC (GPM) is a start-up company engaged in commercializing personal mobility products in global healthcare markets. Hassco Oklahoma City Hassco is an Oklahoma City-based MedicalDevice startup developing new medical devices for laparoscopic procedures. The company currently holds a provisional utility patent on its flagship device, the Robotic Articulating Laparoscopic System (RAL SYSTEM) which will allow for improved range of motion and faster, more effective surgeries. Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc. Oklahoma City www.hanger.com Hanger is the largest provider of prosthetics, orthopedic supports, and braces in the United States.
> memb er Immuno-Mycologics, Inc. Norman www.immy.com Immuno Mycologics, Inc. is Oklahoma’s oldest biotechnology company, specializing in the manufacture and distribution of fungal diagnostic kits and reagents. IMMY’s products utilize conventional serological technology for antigen and antibody detection, and are produced in a GMP manufacturing facility under the auspices of the FDA. Jobri, LLC Konawa www.jobri.com Ergonomic back supports, ergonomic chairs, orthopedic soft goods and sleep products.
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Lazarus Medical, LLC Tulsa www.lazarusmed.com Lazarus Medical was started by medical professionals to design, develop, and bring to market innovative products that cost-effectively answer unmet clinical needs. Lifetone Technology Oklahoma City www.lifetonesafety.com Lifetone technology develops and markets proprietary, code-compliant products which provide improved alarming and alerting capability in response to emergencies as compared in existing solutions. Medtrieval, LLC Oklahoma City Medtrieval LLC’s mission is to provide safe, efficient, and reliable automated medication retrieval systems for use in correctional and assisted living facilities where there are high risks for error and drug abuse. Norris Surgical, LLC Tulsa Norris Surgical will provide a low profile periarticular tension band plating system with a soft tissue neutralization cable tunnel/channel. Essentially it acts as a fracture plate implant system for small bones. Optima TechLabs, Inc. Edmond www.optimatechlabs.com Optima TechLabs is an early-stage development company founded with a vision of transforming innovative concepts into marketable products. PatientLink Oklahoma City www.mypatientlink.com PatientLink® Enterprises, Inc. has been serving the medical community since 1999 by providing the fastest, most cost-effective way to enter discrete data into Electronic Medical Records. PatientLink® Enterprises, Inc. has been serving the medical community since 1999 by providing the fastest, most cost-effective way to enter discrete data into Electronic Medical Records. PrimeSource DME Tulsa www.primesourcedme.com PrimeSource DME is privately held company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma that was founded January 2012 to focus on the rental of durable medical equipment (“DME”) to the hospice industry.
Rich-Mar, Inc. Inola www.richmarweb.com Rich-Mar provides a complete product line of ultrasound and stimulation equipment for use by health care professionals. Sanlo Orthopedics, LLC Midwest City www.sanloorthopedicsllc.com SanLo Orthopedics, LLC is a fully accredited Orthotics & Prosthetics facility by the State of Oklahoma and by The American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics. Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research Oklahoma City www.scottsabolich.com The mission of Scott Sabolich Prosthetics and Research is to build a lifelong partnership with our patients and their families, providing cutting edge prosthetic care. SeboTek Hearing Systems Tulsa www.sebotek.com SeboTek Hearing Systems is a fast-growing, privately-held company that revolutionized the hearing instrument industry with it’s patented receiver in the canal (RIC) technology.
> memb er SensiQ Technologies, Inc. Oklahoma City www.sensiqtech.com SensiQ Technologies, Inc. develops and manufactures innovative tools for the advancement of life sciences research, including drug discovery. Smith & Nephew Dyonics, Inc. Oklahoma City www.smith-nephew.com Smith & Nephew’s three Global Business Units Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management - have worldwide responsibility for the research and development, manufacturing and marketing of their respective product ranges. Team Effort Optical Oklahoma City www.teameffortoptical.com Team Effort Optical offers single vision lenses to the latest technology in progressive bifocals, and everything in between. Most of these products are available in Glass, CR-39, Hard Resin, High Index, and Polycarbonate. Transtimulation Research, Inc. Oklahoma City www.transtimulation.com Transtimulations Research Inc. offers a gastric electrical stimulator for reflux disease. VADovations Oklahoma City VADovations, a spin out of INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center, is creating a miniature blood pump the size of a AAA battery, enabling less invasive surgery to implant, shortening hospitalization time from three weeks to three or four days.
Research & Educational Institutions American Cancer Society, Inc. Oklahoma City www.cancer.org American Cancer Society is a large research organization that actively participates in cancer research. American Diabetes Association Oklahoma City www.diabetes.org The American Diabetes Association is committed to educating the public about how to stop diabetes and support those living with the disease. American Drug Utilization Edmond www.adurs.com The mission of ADURS is to provide a forum of leadership and support for the individuals active in drug utilization review to obtain information, develop skills, and receive training to efficiently and effectively perform their duties. American Indian Diabetes Prevention Center Oklahoma City www.ndndiabetes.ouhsc.edu The American Indian Diabetes Prevention Center will reduce the excess mortality and morbidity of diabetes so that quality of life and cultural vitality is made secure. American Institute of Medical Technology Tulsa www.aimt.edu AIMT believes in providing superior professional and technical preparation by offering students modern technology equipment and methods of study. American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics www.aoao.org The American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics facilitates the finest training and continuous development of Osteopathic Orthopedic Surgeons to positively improve the care, healing and quality of life of patients.
> memb er Dean McGee Eye Institute Oklahoma City www.dmei.org The Dean McGee Eye Institute is one of only a small handful of institutions in the Southwest and Midwest which offers a complete spectrum of subspecialty eye care for everything from tumors to macular degeneration as well as a nationally-ranked vision research enterprise.
Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center Oklahoma City www.hhodc.ouhsc.edu The Harold Hamm Oklahoma Diabetes Center is a program established by the University of Oklahoma with the goal of promoting the well-being of all people with, or at high risk of, diabetes in Oklahoma, regardless of ethnic background or financial status. Helmerich Research Center at Oklahoma State University Tulsa Tulsa www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu/helmerich/index.php OSU-Tulsa’s Helmerich Research Center provides opportunities for students to receive a world-class engineering education at an affordable price in a state-of-the-art research facility in Tulsa. Hough Ear Institute Oklahoma City www.houghear.org Hough Ear Institute conducts research, provides education and serves humanitarian needs relating to hearing and balance improvement or restoration. Meridian Technology Center Stillwater www.meridiantech.edu From innovative full-time courses to services for business and industry, Meridian Technology’s mission is to provide up to date information on the most current technological and management advances available. Oklahoma City Community College Oklahoma City www.occc.edu/BiologyLab The BSC is an interdisciplinary area designed to accommodate the independent study needs of students in the biological sciences. Oklahoma City University Oklahoma City www.okcu.edu OKU is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and offers a wide variety of degrees in the liberal arts and sciences disciplines, including Biology, Biomedical Science, and Cell & Molecular Biology. Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Stillwater www.okcareertech.org Advancing Oklahoma’s bioscience industry by implementing workforce development initiatives such as biomedical academies, biotechnology and nanotechnology training.
Oklahoma Foundation for Digestive Research Oklahoma City www.ofdr.org OFDR’s mission is to advance basic science and clinical research in gastrointestinal disease, treat Francis Tuttle- Biosciences patients with such diseases, participate in the and Medicine Academy Oklahoma City training of physicians, and to educate the public www.francistuttle.edu about gastrointestinal illnesses. The Biosciences and Medicine Academy is Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation designed to prepare high school sophmores Oklahoma City and juniors for success in college. www.omrf.org OMRF is a nonprofit biomedical research institute, dedicated to understanding and developing more effective treatments for human disease, focusing on such critical research areas as heart disease, cancer, lupus and Alzheimer’s disease.
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Oklahoma City www.okhighered.org The Regents provide information, communication, collaboration and training about grantsmanship for Oklahoma higher education. Partnerships between higher education institutions and community organizations and corporate entities are encouraged and supported.
> memb er Oklahoma State University Stillwater www.okstate.edu OSU is one of the nation’s most comprehensive land-grant systems dedicated to providing students with an education to prepare them for success. OSU students and faculty are working to find solutions through the diverse programs and opportunities in research and technology. OSU Biobased Products and Energy Center Stillwater www.bioenergycenter.okstate.edu OSU continues to expand research efforts, addressing the critical issues in further establishing renewable energy industries. Areas of emphasis include enhancing productivity of potential feedstocks, improving conversion technologies, and optimizing the value of coproducts and by-products. OSU Center for Engineering in Logistics and Distribution Stillwater http://lfp.okstate.edu/celdiokstate.edu/celdi CELDi helps industry partners excel by leveraging their supply chain to achieve a distinguishable, sustainable difference. OSU Center for Health Sciences Tulsa www.healthsciences.okstate.edu OSU Center for Health Sciences educates osteopathic physicians, research scientists and other health care professionals with emphasis on serving rural and under-served Oklahomans. OSU Henry Bellmon Research Center Stillwater www.hbrc.okstate.edu The HBRC is OSU-Stillwater’s only building dedicated exclusively to research. This state-ofthe-art facility brings together researchers from different departments who collaborate on projects at the cutting-edge of modern research. OSU Institute of Technology Okmulgee www.osuit.edu OSU Institute of Technology is a public, statesupported technical institution committed to increasing the potential and productivity of the people it serves. OSU Microscopy Laboratory Stillwater www.microscopy.okstate.edu Oklahoma State University Microscopy Laboratory is a highly specialized research support and teaching lab that uses some of the most powerful microscopes ever developed to peek into the very molecular structure of all kinds of materials. BIO Edition 2015 i&E
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Research and Educational Institutions contunued OSU Office of Research and Technology Transfer Stillwater www.vpr.okstate.edu OSU Office of Research and Technology Transfer provides access to a variety of research and technology services at OSU including intellectual property management, proposal development, university reseach services, collaboration and partnership development. OSU Oklahoma City Oklahoma City www.osuokc.edu OSU-Oklahoma City responds to students’ career aspirations and current business and industry workforce development needs by offering Associate in Science and applied science degree programs, certificate programs and general education programs. OSU Technology Development Center Stillwater http://tdc.okstate.edu The Technology Development Center (TDC) at Oklahoma State University assists faculty and staff members, administrators, and students with intellectual property issues resulting from their scholarly and creative activities. OSU Tulsa Tulsa www.osu-tulsa.okstate.edu OSU Tulsa is a public, nationally recognized comprehensive research university that offers junior, senior and graduate-level classes. OUHSC Center for American Indian Health Research Oklahoma City http://caihr.ouhsc.edu The Center for American Indian Health Research performs research and health-related studies with American Indian groups. OUHSC Center for Biosecurity Research Oklahoma City www.cbr.ouhsc.edu The Center for Biosecurity Research at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is committed to conducting scientific research, assessing and modeling risks, and developing decision support tools that enhance U.S. military force protection and homeland security. OUHSC DNA Sequencing/Genomics Oklahoma City www.genetics.ouhsc.edu The Laboratory for Genomics and Bioinformatics is a core facility offering an array of services aimed at facilitating the research of a variety of different investigators across a multitude of disciplines. OUHSC Lab for Molecular Biology and Cytometry Research Oklahoma City www.microgen.ouhsc.edu The Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Cytometry Research is a state of the art facility offering a variety of services in the areas of DNA sequencing/genomics, mass spectrometry/ proteomics and flow cytometry and imaging.
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OUHSC Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience Oklahoma City www.oumedicine.com/ocns The OUHSC Oklahoma Center of Neuroscience advances the science and understanding of brain-gut interactions by pursuing interdisciplinary synergistic collaborations to take advantage of cutting edge technologies, and innovative research approaches to treat gastrointestinal disorders. OUHSC Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging Oklahoma City www.oumedicine.com/roca ROCA researchers excel in the basic sciences of aging and are able to translate their information from the laboratory bench to understanding aging and age-related diseases in humans. OUHSC The Flow and Image Cytometry Laboratory Oklahoma City http://research.ouhsc.edu The Flow and Image Cytometry Laboratory provides the University of Oklahoma research community with state-of-the-art cell analysis and sorting instrumentation, and the technical expertise to best utilize this technology. Redlands Community College El Reno www.redlandscc.edu Redlands Community College provides a learnercentered environment committed to academic excellence strengthened through service and civic engagement. The Redlands offer various associate degree programs in Science. Rogers State University Department of Biology Claremore www.rsu.edu/academics/biology The Department of Biology at Rogers State offers a diverse combination of traditional laboratory and empirically based components of biological sciences. Rose State College Health Services Division Midwest City www.rose.edu/health-sciences1 Rose State currently offers eight Allied Health, Nursing and Allied Dental programs facilitating entry into the exciting and rewarding world of health care. Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Ardmore www.noble.org The Noble Foundation is an independent, nonprofit institute conducting plant science research and agricultural programs to enhance agricultural productivity. Founded in 1945 by Lloyd Noble, the Noble Foundation’s early efforts focused on educating and encouraging area farmers and ranchers to practice land stewardship and resource conservation. The Sickle Cell Cure Foundation Oklahoma City www.sicklecellcurefoundation.org Sickle Cell Disease affects more people in the world than any other genetic disease. Globally, almost one-half million babies die from SCD each year. The SCCF has discovered a treatment that promises permanent relief from the suffering, pain and premature death caused by SCD.
> memb er Tulsa Community College Tulsa www.tulsacc.edu TCC offers three biotechnology degree programs. They also have been awarded NSF and NIH ARRA funds to develop outreach biotechnology academies to regional secondary schools. TCC is amoung the top 50 community colleges in the nation in granting associate degrees in health professions and related clinical sciences. Tulsa Technology Center Tulsa www.tulsatech.edu Tulsa Tech is a career and technology center school district dedicated to preparing people for success in the workplace. Tulsa Tech helps high school and adult students from accross the Tulsa region explore new careers, upgrade their training and skills, and pursue their dreams. Tulsa Technology Center Biomedical Sciences Program Tulsa www.tulsatech.com Students with interest in exploring the variety of occupations that medicine offers will find Project Lead the Way’s Biomedical Sciences program a fantastic doorway to a future in the industry. University of Central Oklahoma Edmond www.uco.edu The Biomedical Engineering program works to provide students with a fundamental education in health science and biomedical engineering, allowing them to learn and adapt new technologies to solve health related problems in an ever-changing workplace. University of Oklahoma Norman www.ou.edu OU provides the best possible educational experience for their students through excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and service to the state and society. OU has diverse and integrated bioscience and technology degree programs, research projects, facilities and nation and internaitonal partnerships. University of Oklahoma Advanced Center for Genome Technology Norman www.genome.ou.edu The (ACGT) is a world class Genome Center applying high throughput, state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technology and computer-based automated genome annotation to address important and significant biological, biomedical and agricultual problems at the genome level. University of Oklahoma Bioengineering Center Norman www.oubc.ou.edu OUBC offers a wide range of courses in bioengineering as well as research opportunities in the application of technology to biological systems.
University of Oklahoma Center for Electromagnetic Compatibility Norman www.ou.edu/engineering/emc The University of Oklahoma Center for Electromagnetic Compatibility’s goal is to serve as an independent center dedicated to the investigation of issues related to the electromagnetic compatibility of electronic equipment with wireless devices.
> memb er University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City www.ouhsc.edu OUHSC educates students to become highly qualified health services practitioners, educators, and research scientists; to conduct research and creative activities for the advancement of knowledge through teaching and development of skills; and to provide continuing education, public service, and clinical care of exemplary quality. University of Oklahoma Intellectual Property Management Norman www.otd.ou.edu The University of Oklahoma Intellectual Property Management Office administers the university’s Intellectual Property policy and is responsible for economic development and technologyrelated activities, including private industry and governmental relationships. University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center Tulsa www.ou.edu/content/tulsa The University of Oklahoma Tulsa Schusterman Center is a research and learning campus that offers Bachelor and advance degrees in nursing, medical imaging, physical therapy, public health, pharmacy and other medical and non-medical programs. The Center includes the Oklahoma Diabetes Center and the Oklahoma Bioethics Center. University of Oklahoma Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center Norman http://srtc.ou.edu The Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center houses the research and administrative functions of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as a number of chemists, biochemists and other life science researchers. University of Tulsa Tulsa www.utulsa.edu The University of Tulsa is a private, comprehensive doctoral, research university. The Institute of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Tulsa maintains a vision of excellence in education, research and service in the emerging fields of bioinformatics and computational biology.
Research and Testing Aegis Food Testing Laboratories Oklahoma City www.aegisfoodtestinglabs.com Aegis Food Testing Labs provides ISO 17025 accredited independent microbiological and chemical testing services.
COR Clinical Research, LLC Oklahoma City www.corclinical.com COR Clinical Research is a medical research facility that is dedicated to finding new medical treatments, medications and other options for treating diseases and disorders. Fractionation Research, Inc. Stillwater www.fri.org Fractionation Research, Inc. (FRI) is a nonprofit research consortium supported by memberships which include many of the largest petroleum, chemical, and engineering companies in the world. Legacy Clinical Research Oklahoma City Legacy Clinical Research conducts clinical trials in many different therapeutic areas. Our physicians and research professionals who conduct these trials are committed to providing you with quality patient care and medical attention. Lynn Health Science Institute Oklahoma City www.lhsi.net In operation since 1989, the Lynn Health Science Institute (LHSI) is an innovative site for comprehensive medical research. Red River Medical Research Center Oklahoma City www.redriverokc.com Red River Medical Research Center specializes in Phase 2, 3 and 4 clinical trials in psychiatry and neurology. Regional Medical Laboratory Tulsa www.rmlonline.com Regional Medical Laboratory is a nationallyrenowned commercial pathology laboratory that provides testing services for thousands of physicians and hospitals within a four-state region. Tulsa Clinical Research, LLC Tulsa www.tulsaclinicalresearch.com Tulsa Clinical Research, LLC has participated in a large number of pivotal multicenter trials investigating areas such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, seizures, multiple sclerosis, painful neuropathy, narcolepsy, attention deficit disorder (ADHD), depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, AIDS, and various other conditions.
Veterinarian Medicine & Related Cobb-Vantress, Inc. Spavinaw www.cobb-vantress.com Cobb-Vantress is a global company using innovative research and technology to make protein available, healthy and affordable worldwide. Quality Liquid Feeds Muskogee www.qlf.com QLF is a nationwide manufacturer of liquid feed supplements for animals or liquid feed for cattle. They are a family owned company who produces molasses cattle feed.
SolidTech Animal Health, Inc. Newcastle www.solidtechah.com SolidTech has developed two proprietory delivery systems for administering vaccines to livestock. One for chute side delivery and one for rifle delivery. SolidTech has also developed a brand of time released vaccines. Vetpath Laboratory Tulsa www.vetpathlab.com VetPath is a national, full-service vet path lab offering veterinary vet diagnostic, veterinary vet consultative services, and veterinary vet Coggins - EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia) testing to vets, DVMs, and the veterinary profession.
OKBio Advisory Board Chris Anoatubby Chickasaw Nation Division of Commerce Sean Bauman Immuno-Mycologics, Inc. Bill Buckner The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation Paul DeAngelis Hyalose LLC Carl Edwards Presbyterian Health Foundation Darren Head Cytovance Biologics P. Lloyd Hildebrand Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center James Tomasek Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center Thomas Kupiec Analytical Research Laboratories and DNA Solutions Stephen McKeever Oklahoma State University and the State of Oklahoma Stephen Prescott Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Scott Rollins Selexys Pharmaceuticals Craig Shimasaki Moleculera Labs Jim Turner Astellas Pharma Roy H. Williams Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Mickey Young Hall Estill
Annual Sustaining Sponsors Chickasaw Nation Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Oklahoma Business Roundtable Oklahoma Department of Commerce Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Oklahoma State University Presbyterian Health Foundation
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D OW N TOW N O K L A H O M A C I T Y ’ S B I O C LU ST E R
OKLAHOMA CITY CULTIVATES
TAKING OFF: In OKC, we’ve found that our combination of assets important to biotech researchers, executives and entrepreneurs, like high-quality, low-cost facilities; access to talent via our 125,000 college students; low costs of living and doing business; innovative grant and investment programs; and our collaborative, supportive business environment have all helped fuel our growth. From medical devices and new drug therapies to disease research and tech innovations, our biotech community has discovered just why we say in OKC, it’s a better living and a better life. Check us out— and you could be the next to benefit from our success.
Explore OKC’s online channel and website at GreaterOKC.tv
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