Issue 75 – February 2019
Merck Animal Health and Rapid Genomics Sign Exclusive Agreement on Vaccine Verification
Merck Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., announced a collaboration agreement with Rapid Genomics, a company funded by the Institute in 2015. The agreement grants the company exclusive rights to Rapid Genomics’ vaccination verification tool, Viral Flex-Seq®. This tool will be utilized in combination with Merck Animal Health’s Innovax® range of vaccines, including Innovax®-ND-IBD, a unique vaccine that provides long-term protection against three infectious poultry diseases, Newcastle Disease (ND), Infectious Bursal Disease (IBD) and Marek’s Disease (MD), in a single dose. The collaboration was announced at the 2019 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta, Georgia. More information about the collaboration may be viewed here.
Fox Rothschild Joins Institute Leadership Council
The Institute is pleased to welcome Atty. Gregory Nelson and Fox Rothschild to its Leadership Council. Fox Rothschild has grown to a 900-lawyer national law firm with 27 offices by focusing on client service and responsiveness. The firm opened its West Palm Beach office in 2005 when it integrated with a nationally recognized boutique law firm that offered clients federal and state taxation, estate planning and administration and tax litigation services. Today, the office is a hub of growth, providing clients with a wide range of legal services, including litigation, intellectual property, taxation and wealth planning, labor and employment, real estate, financial restructuring and bankruptcy and family law.
The Leadership Council is comprised of leading corporations, foundations, and service provider organizations who share the Institute’s vision for a vibrant diversified economy in Florida. Consider supporting the growth of Florida’s innovation ecosystem and join today to help shape Florida’s future! More information about the Leadership Council may be viewedhere.
The Leadership Council is comprised of leading corporations, foundations, and service provider organizations who share the Institute’s vision for a vibrant diversified economy in Florida. Consider supporting the growth of Florida’s innovation ecosystem and join today to help shape Florida’s future! More information about the Leadership Council may be viewedhere.
Kairos Secures $4 Million Investment to Support Continued Growth
Kairos, a leading face-recognition artificial intelligence (AI) company with an ethical approach to identity, today announced a $4 million investment from E. Jay Saunders, Chairman and CEO of Domus Semo Sancus (DSS), a Turks & Caicos Islands regulation technology (RegTech) company. Kairos’ face-recognition AI creates safer, more accessible customer experiences across multiple industries, including fintech, retail, cybersecurity, digital asset management, and human capital management. Kairos, based in Miami, received initial funding from the Institute in 2015, and the DSS investment brings Kairos’ total funding to date to $17 million. More information may be viewed here.
BioFlorida Members Advocate for BioMedical Research, Industry Priorities at BioFlorida Days
Over 50 business and community leaders involved in the Life Sciences visited Tallahassee from February 12-13 to demonstrate the strength of the industry and communicate BioFlorida’s message of economic impact, ground-breaking research and life-saving treatment and cures to Florida’s leading policymakers. Over the course of two days, participants attended 25 meetings to educate new legislators and underscore the importance of the industry throughout the state. More information about BioFlorida and photos of the event may be viewed here.
Apply today to Present at the Florida Venture Forum Early Stage Capital Conference!
Applications are being accepted through April 19, 2019 from early stage companies seeking to present at the 2019 Early Stage Capital Conference being held on May 9-10 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.
The Florida Early Stage Capital Conference is one of the largest gatherings of angel and early stage investors in the state, and features top speakers and high-quality presentations by some of Florida's fastest growing private companies. Also, hear pitches from students representing the top universities throughout the state as they compete to win the 2019 Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition. Space Florida will be contributing prize money again this year to selected entrepreneurs. More information about the selection criteria and how to apply may be viewed here.
About Us
Formed by the Florida Legislature in 2007, the Institute for Commercialization of Florida Technology supports and funds innovation 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 that are developing products that improve and save lives, and help companies improve their bottom line. The Institute’s economic impact between 2011 and 2018 was $1.4 billion, with an annual return on investment of 31 times to the State of Florida.