Protein Analysis Venture Gains Business and Scientific Expertise From Private Industry, Academia
INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 2004--The Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences (INCAPS) today announced that it has successfully completed its first round of hiring. INCAPS is a for-profit venture that provides proteomic technology validation and protein analysis services for academic and private sector clients. The Center was formed through BioCrossroads, Indiana's initiative for the expansion of the life sciences sector through business formation and attraction.
The President and CEO, Dr. James R. Ludwig, has built a strong management team with Thomson Inc. executive Carl Bruhn, who has been tapped as Chief Business Officer. In his new role, Bruhn will lead INCAPS' business development, sales, partnerships, finance and operational activities. INCAPS has the potential to serve a wide range of private sector and academic clients; proteomics, the study of how proteins interact with other molecules and one another, has significant applications for "post-genomics" pharmaceutical R&D and other biotech industries.
"There is a great need for technical support services for proteomics research. In Carl Bruhn, we've found the right person to exploit the market demand for INCAPS' services," said Ludwig, who is also a veteran of Eli Lilly & Company's proteomic programs. "Carl brings nearly two decades of technology-oriented business knowledge to this position."
Bruhn started his career as a lab biochemist but has spent nearly the last twenty years at Thomson, Inc. Early in his tenure, he focused on new product management for RCA consumer electronics, but later took his career in a more entrepreneurial direction with the company's business formation efforts in emerging industries. For example, Bruhn played a key role in starting Thomson's high-speed cable modem business, securing funding and growing to over $100 million revenue annually. From 1997-2003, he served on Thomson's Entrepreneur management network. He ended his career with Thomson as General Manager of Broadband Cable Video Initiatives.
"My focus in business has always been exploring new markets, so INCAPS is a perfect fit," said Bruhn. "We're pioneering a new niche in a cutting-edge area of science - it's an exciting opportunity to grow a business while contributing to Indiana's life science initiative or great advancements in human health."
Susan Montgomery, formerly of Indiana University's Department of Biochemistry, also joins INCAPS as Office Manager. Montgomery has brought to INCAPS her extensive accounting and administrative experience in previous roles with U.S. Steel, Baxter Group, Chiola Medical Associate and Methodist Hospitals of Northwest Indiana.
INCAPS' Scientific Team focused on commercial customers has come together, including three outstanding proteomics experts, a manager for High Performance Computing and two talented technicians. Dr. Jinsam You joins the Technology Validation and Protein Analysis team from Post Doctoral experience at the Indiana University School of Medicine and Lilly, bringing experience in multiple forms of protein and proteomic analysis including high throughput LC MS and LC MS/MS. Dr. Tony Tegeler joins INCAPS from the laboratory of Dr. Milos Novotny at Indiana University Bloomington, with extensive expertise in separation systems, mass spectrometry and post-translational modification. Dr. Dariusz Janecki also joins as a post-doctoral Fellow from the laboratory of Dr. James Reilly at Indiana University Bloomington, where he has extensive experience in all types of mass spectrometry approaches. On the technical side, Ivan Jenkins joins upon his retirement from Lilly after 35 years and Jaime Smith joins from the Proteomic Core at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
INCAPS has also retained Dr. Kerry Bemis, formerly of Eli Lilly & Company, to lead its Biostatistics team and play a key role in the Proteomics Testing and Technology Validation team. Dr. Bemis has been with Eli Lilly for more than 15 years, most recently serving as Group Leader of Genomic Informatics. He has also taught at Indiana University and has been published extensively in key biochemical, pharmacological and statistical journals.
Finally, on loan from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Dr. Mu Wang, Director of the Proteomics Core Facility, is serving as Director for the Protein Analysis and Research Center at INCAPS. Dr. Wang will supervise several of his former colleagues from the Indiana University School of Medicine's Proteomic Core, who are now INCAPS employees. Yinong Zhang, Chad Walls and Guihong Qi will be working diligently to meet the needs of its academic customers.
Dr. James R. Ludwig, a veteran of Lilly's proteomics programs who has spent 19 years with Lilly in various capacities, is very proud of his new team. "INCAPS has been fortunate to attract a wealth of talent in a relatively brief period of time," said Dr. Ludwig. "We've moved quickly since the BioCrossroads initiative identified protein analysis as a key strength for Indiana and perceived a market need for contract testing and validation services. I am especially pleased that we were able to fill all of our initial positions with individuals from Indiana institutions, confirming our assertion that there is an extensive reservoir of talent in this state.
"Our team is growing, our facilities are taking shape and we stand ready to serve clients in private industry and academia with the latest analytical tools and instrumentation for proteomic research," continued Ludwig.
"BioCrossroads' mission is job creation in Indiana. This first wave of hiring at INCAPS shows there are opportunities for college graduates and other professionals to continue their careers in Indiana," said BioCrossroads President and CEO Charles E. Schalliol. "As the demand for services from INCAPS grows, so will the need for additional staff. INCAPS is a perfect example of 'growing our own' to create jobs for Hoosiers."
About the Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences
The Indiana Centers for Applied Protein Sciences, a Protein Center of Excellence, is a for-profit venture providing proteomic technology validation and protein analysis services for academic and private sector clients. The Center was formed through BioCrossroads, Indiana's life sciences initiative. Learn more at www.indianacaps.com
About BioCrossroads
BioCrossroads is Indiana's life science initiative, a public-private collaboration that supports the region's research and corporate strengths while encouraging new business development. With government, industry and academic resources aligned to accelerate business growth, the region is fertile ground for investors and entrepreneurs to build new ventures. Learn more at www.biocrossroads.com.
Contact:
MARC USA Public Relations Jenny Cebalo, 317-635-9175 (office) 317-213-5466 (mobile) jcebalo@marcusa.com
Source: INCAPS
