By Linda Barney, Barney and Associates
Oregon Bioscience Research Pavilion
The Oregon Bioscience Association features a Research Pavilion at the 2014 annual conference that showcases Oregon’s best research initiatives. The researchers who will be participating in the Research Pavilion were selected based on the commercialization or investment potential of their research project. The Research Pavilion is co-sponsored by Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute (OTRADI) and Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI). OTRADI has been a sponsor of the Research Pavilion since its inception in 2012, 2013 and now 2014.
The Research Pavilion will feature research being done at some of Oregon’s fastest growing bioscience companies and most innovative science from prominent universities and Signature Research Centers.
Focus of the Research Pavilion
Many of the companies providing speakers at the conference will also be exhibiting some of their most interesting new innovations. The Research Pavilion will feature 20-30 research posters from some of Oregon’s most prominent universities and Signature Research Centers as well as some “three-minute thesis” videos of the research being done. Representing some of Oregon’s fastest growing bioscience companies and most innovative science, the Pavilion provides attendees an opportunity to talk to inventors and executives about how to succeed in the rapidly evolving bioscience marketplace. At specific points throughout the day, conference attendees will have the opportunity for more in-depth discussions with the industry leaders or potential bio-partners featured in the Research Pavilion. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with researchers or company representatives regarding their breakthroughs. Most important, the conference will be a rare opportunity for entrepreneurs to learn from each other by networking and attending the pitch sessions of their peers.
Judging of companies doing investment pitches
The conference once again provides Oregon entrepreneurs the chance to pitch their companies to qualified investors. A panel of five judges will vote on these pitches. Winners will be recognized with on-stage awards, pitch profiles and in-kind services.
The Oregon Bioscience Association Conference is a unique opportunity to come and learn about what is going on in the bioscience community. At previous conferences, I had people come up to me and say they had no idea there was so much exciting work going on in Oregon. We encourage you to come to the 2014 conference and to check out the Research Pavilion to learn about the wide range of bioscience developments and companies in our region.
Dennis McNannay, Executive Director Oregon Bioscience Association
Importance of bioscience research
Bioscience research is a critical element in the discovery of new technologies and tools and to find ways to innovate and grow successful companies to meet the challenges of bioscience and today’s health care needs.
According to Skip Rung, President and Executive Director at Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI), “Bioscience research is a hot area in new technology development and venture capital, so it is gratifying to see Oregon increasing its research capacity and support for innovative new companies in these fields. We are particularly interested in assisting with shared university facility access through our ONAMI Technology Labs program as well as direct assistance for commercialization of bioscience-related technologies as we have done through our Commercialization Gap Fund over the past seven years.”
I am particularly interested in advancing the integration of bioscience research results with the electronics and materials technology that our region has excelled in for decades. This is consistent with growing interest in the semiconductor industry to add functionality to silicon and electronic devices by incorporating complementary technologies such as optics and biochemistry. There is room for tremendous creativity in this area.”
Skip Rung, President and Executive Director at Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI)
Expansion of bioscience research at OTRADI
“The bioscience industry in Oregon is expanding faster than we ever expected,” Dr. Jennifer Fox, Executive Director Oregon Translational Research and Development Institute and OTRADI Bioscience Incubator (OBI) commented. “OTRADI opened Oregon’s first bioscience incubator (OBI) in June last year. It was 100 percent full within six weeks.”
“We have just received $325,000 from Governor Kitzhaber’s strategic reserve fund to be used for expansion of OBI’s office and lab space at its current location on Portland’s south waterfront. This initial amount will launch our $1 million fundraising campaign to expand our BioMentoring program and fund two positions to provide support for our bio start-up companies,” Dr. Fox continued.
“The need is great in Oregon. At present, I have 15 companies on a waiting list for space at OBI. These early stage companies need cost efficient office and lab space and also guidance on commercializing their products and therapies, in addition to running their enterprises successfully.”
Dr. Jennifer Fox, Executive Director, OTRADI
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Linda Barney is the founder and owner of Barney and Associates, a technical / marketing writing, training and web design firm in Beaverton, Oregon that provides writing, training and web content for the high-tech, government, biotechnology, medical, sustainability and scientific communities. Linda has written articles for a variety of clients as well as the Software Association of Oregon, the Oregon Bioscience Association, the Clean Technology Alliance, CitizenTekk, Innotech, EclipseCon, OSCON and Supercomputing Conferences. She has acted as editor of the Microsoft Application Development Resources ezine and the Oregon Bioscience Association newsletter. Contact Linda at linda@barneyassoc.com.