Building Companies, Changing Lives
Issue 50 - January 2017
Miami-based Biscayne Pharmaceuticals has raised three million in financing for its new spin-out, Biscayne Neurotherapeutics, a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing drugs for serious central nervous system disorders such as refractory epilepsy. The financing round was led by Quark Venture and Chinese investment firm GF Securities, along with Mesa Verde Venture Partners. Existing Biscayne Pharmaceuticals investors and new private investors also participated in the financing round.
Biscayne Neurotherapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing drugs for serious central nervous system disorders such as refractory epilepsy. Biscayne’s technology is licensed from Harvard University, Yale University and the University of South Florida.
Receives Follow-on Funding
The Institute has finalized a follow-on funding agreement with Aviana Molecular Technologies, an Orlando-based company with technology developed at the University of Central Florida. Aviana is a point of care (POC) diagnostic company developing a miniaturized biosensor capable of attaching to a smartphone/smart device through Bluetooth or other wireless connections. The company received follow-on funding for achieving significant development milestones since initial funding in September 2015.
Gainesville-based MYOLYN, which creates medical technology for people with muscle weakness and paralysis, has submitted a 510(k) to the FDA, requesting clearance of the MyoCycle Home and the MyoCycle Pro – stationary bikes that utilize MYOLYN’s patent-pending functional electrical stimulation (FES) technology. The submission marks a major milestone for the company since initially receiving Institute financing in September of 2015.
Join the Florida Venture Forum for the 26th Annual Florida Venture Capital Conference being held on February 2 - 3, 2017 at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, FL. The Florida Venture Capital Conference offers numerous networking opportunities, programming featuring top investors and deal makers active in the state, and showcases 20-25 of Florida’s most innovative and fast growing later stage, private companies before an audience of venture capitalists and other investors. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Join the Moffitt Cancer Center Office of Technology Management and Commercialization on Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Moffitt Cancer Center for the 11th Annual Business of Biotech Conference. The conference brings together biomedical companies, startups, entrepreneurs, and investors for networking and partnership discussions. This year’s keynote address will be presented by George Golumbeski, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Celgene Corporation, and Sam Donaldson former ABC news correspondent and member of the Moffitt Board of Advisors. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Join AdvaMed for the Digital MedTech Conference on March 2, 2017 at the Mission Bay Conference Center in San Francisco, California. Join leading experts and innovators as they come together with key decision-makers to discuss the critical technology and business issues in today's digital medtech landscape. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
SUP-X is a two-day international conference and expo that attracts 1500+ startup and early-stage entrepreneurs, angel and VC investors and related service providers from throughout North America. This year’s conference is being held at the Greater Fort Lauderdale-Broward County Convention Center on March 6-7, 2017. Get 50% off General Admission Tickets with discount code: SUPX17GA99 or get 25% off VIP Passes with discount code SUPX17VIP299. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
This year the University of Florida (UF) will hold its eleventh annual startup showcase, “A Celebration of Innovation” on April 4, 2017 at the Hilton University of Florida Hotel and Conference Center. The showcase is a unique opportunity to see startup companies commercializing the latest life science, medical device, and cutting-edge technologies generated as a result of the more than $700 million in research conducted annually at UF. Those interested in licensing, commercializing, investing or otherwise becoming involved with getting new discoveries to the marketplace will want to mark their calendars to attend. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
Join Innovation Coast and the Office of Economic Development and Engagement (OEDE) at the University of West Florida for the Innovation Awards being held on April 12-13, 2017 at the Pensacola Beach Hilton. Registration is now open for companies willing to compete. Selected companies will compete for cash prizes ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 before a live audience of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential investors. More details and event registration may be viewed here.
About Us
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Florida Institute for the Commercialization of Public Research is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with the technology licensing and commercialization offices of Florida’s state universities and private research institutions to leverage a $2.5B+ research base and form investable companies that create clean jobs in new industries that are driving the global economy. The Institute provides company building services, and seed funding through the Florida Technology Seed Capital Fund, to promising Florida startups. Sixty-two companies have been funded to date, and the Institute’s economic impact through June 30, 2016 was $630 million, with an annual return on investment of 22 times to the State of Florida.