Tuesday, May 8, 2018
Open Board of Directors Meeting
Norton Event Center
1601 E. Third St., Suite 138
San Bernardino, CA 92408
Minutes
Present: Deborah Barmack, Carole Beswick, Ann Bryan, Mike Burrows, Ken Coate, Jennifer Cusack, Kevin Dyerly, Adam Eventov, Louis Goodwin, Dick Hart, Fran Inman, Mark Kaenel, Lowell King, P.T. McEwen, John Mirau, Dan Murphy, Roman Nava, Vikki Ostermann, Kevin Pulliam, Michael Rivera, Kristine Scott, Paul Shimoff, Hassan Webb and Ray Wolfe.
Guests: Alexandra Causey and Blair Howie
Announcements: 1) Appreciation was expressed to those who have volunteered to financially support the legislative reception in Washington, D.C. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please inform staff if you would like to assist.
M/S/P: Minutes from May 1, 2018.
Dan Murphy introduced Dr. Richard Hart, President, Loma Linda University Health and Michael Samardzija, PhD, JD, Associate Vice President for Research, Loma Linda University.
Loma Linda University Health has an innovative center named n3EIGHT, (pronounced “incubate”), that will bring academic and clinical researchers together with business and corporate leaders to launch new products based on their discoveries. The name was chosen to highlight Loma Linda University Health’s (LLUH) emphasis on research and innovation.
n3EIGHT is set up to play a crucial role in helping Loma Linda research scientists find commercial and developmental resources to bring new cures, treatments and products for a wide variety of diseases and medical disorders to light. The center is designed to take the most promising inventions/research breakthroughs from the LLUH laboratories to create small business companies co-owned by faculty. Similar programs have been established and are successful at UCLA and Duke University.
Bringing intellectual property developed in the laboratory to the market is a lengthy, expensive and risky process but with great potential. Companies chosen to participate will sign an agreement & undergo a training program. Initial funding will include government grants from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) both intended to help certain small businesses conduct research and development (R&D) in life sciences. These Companies will obtain evidence of efficacy and safety, so they are ready for venture capital funding.
LLUH is working to develop a $50M venture fund located in San Bernardino focusing on life sciences companies which will bring interest to our area from other venture capitalists and will be a potential recruitment tool for other startup companies.
A biotech eco-system that supports innovation and trained personnel is needed in the Inland Empire. n3EIGHT will work with LLUH San Manuel Gateway College to train for specific entry-level jobs.
The following eight firms are participating in the new center.
- Step Lite- Need: Ability to correctly identify pedals during surgeries
- Product: Illuminated covers for surgical pedals
- iEye- Need: Early detection of Macular Degeneration
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- Product: Software capable of detection
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- iSpin- Need: Treat HPV+ cancers
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- Product: Small molecule that when co-delivered with a chemotherapeutic drug will make HPV+ cancers die
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- StemRex- Need: Rapid bone repair or bone growth in osteoporotic patients
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- Product: cell therapy to increase bone formation
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- Vis- Need: Decrease breakage of pedicle screws used in back surgery
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- Product: New generation of pedicle screws with increase stability and strength
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- Nuero Strong- Need: Ability for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease
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- Product: Predictive diagnostic test
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- Swim Key- Need: Ability to accurately identify dental implants and compatible parts
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- Product: App that allows for such identification and purchase of compatible parts
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- Elf Zone— Need: Treat patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
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- Product: Novel class of therapeutics to treat ALL
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A Q & A period followed.
The meeting adjourned at 8:20 a.m.