News
6/28/2010 - UAB Start-up Companies Present at Entrepreneurial Forum
Six UAB researchers and their emerging technologies gave 10 minute presentations describing their product’s applications, market size, and funding requirements at the first inaugural UAB spin-out company forum followed by a 10 minute question and answer session. The event was sponsored by both the UAB Research Foundation and the Biotechnology Association of Alabama. A panel of biotechnology experts provided feedback and questions to each researcher. The panel consisted of Vinny Jindal and Bryce Knight from Bay Street Advisors- a Los Angeles based venture capital company, David Dodd of Rivers Edge Bioventures of Beaufort, South Carolina, and James Childs a Birmingham attorney at the Bradley Arant law firm.
The UAB researchers responsible for the technology behind the six start-up companies included Dr. Brigitta Brott, M.D. from the Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Dr. Larry DeLucas, Ph.D. from the Center for Biophysical Science and Engineering, Mr. Michael Heaven from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Dr. Olaf Kutsch, Ph.D. from the Department of Medicine, Dr. Barton Guthrie, M.D. from the Department of Neurosurgery, and Dr. Paul Wolkowicz, Ph.D. from the Department of Cardiovascular Disease.
The spin-out company formed by Michael Heaven from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics relates broadly to the use of mass spectrometry to quantify compounds in experimental samples. The technology provides standardization of quantitative measurements made using mass spectrometry that is relevant in the analysis of proteins, peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, organic and inorganic molecules etc. Compared to existing reagents the technology behind Michael Heaven’s start-up company named Aquifex Scientific, L.L.C. provides tools that require fewer experimental steps and standardization of sample preparation and mass spectrometric ionization of compounds in different samples. The applications of this technology are relevant to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and academic research fields.