COLLEGE PARK, Md., March 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Maryland today announces 28 new research projects partnering Maryland companies with university researchers to develop high-tech commercial products.
Worth $5.2 million, the projects combine $3.3 million from participating companies and $1.9 million from the Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program. Funding supports work in the laboratories of participating faculty, who work closely with partner companies to advance their product development.
Two approved projects are related to homeland security, while 16 are in the biotechnology market segment. Four institutions are participating: the University of Maryland, Baltimore, with seven projects; the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, with four projects; Salisbury University, with one, and the University of Maryland, College Park, with 16. Four projects involve Baltimore-based companies. Company partners include 23 start-ups, four small companies, and one medium-sized firm.
Projects approved include: -- Rockville-based BioSurface Engineering Technologies Inc. and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute ($397,669): pre- clinical study testing the efficacy of BioSET’s spinal fusion product, which combines a proprietary, bone-stimulating peptide with a scaffold to induce bone formation between two vertebrae. -- Baltimore-based Comprehensive Cancer Cells Diagnostics LLC and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($410,477): University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center-based clinical studies of the company’s diagnostic service for personalized chemotherapy, which measures a tumor’s resistance to commonly used cancer drugs. -- Frederick-based Core-IT Technologies LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($407,173): developing software enabling first responders and emergency management organizations to seamlessly use wireless phones and devices during a catastrophic network outage, regardless of the phone services they are using. -- Rockville-based eClinForce.com Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($104,478): testing eClinforce’s web-based system for managing the entire process of conducting medical clinical trials effectively and efficiently. The system helps researchers streamline processes, improve data quality, shorten development cycles, and reduce costs. -- Laurel-based Five Aces Breeding LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($95,000): studying standard breeding and genetic engineering techniques to yield strawberry crops that grow well in warm environments and produce single-fruited trusses that ripen at the same time, enabling easy mechanical harvesting. -- Bethesda-based Hemodyne Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($164,877): clinical trial of Hemodyne’s hemostasis analyzer to determine a patient’s risk for blood clotting. The analysis system, which assesses a patient’s balance between bleeding and clotting, also measures receptivity to anticoagulants and coagulant drugs, as well as the risk of surgical bleeding. -- Columbia-based iBiquity Digital Corporation and Salisbury University ($81,000): studying the company’s radio technologies. -- Potomac-based Imagilin Technology LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($131,747): evaluating the toxicity of Imagilin’s probiotic product for animal and pet foods. Probiotics are dietary supplements containing live bacteria that may strengthen the immune system. Probiotic use could reduce antibiotic use in animal feed, as well as prevent diseases such as salmonella. -- College Park-based LeukoSight Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($107,023): tethering LeukoSight’s novel anti- inflammatory therapeutic to nanoparticles to effectively and efficiently deliver the drug to inflamed tissues. LeukoSight’s therapeutic could treat rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and sepsis. -- Gaithersburg-based Minkon Biotechnology Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($103,950): advancing toward product launch with a pre-clinical study measuring the efficacy and safety of Minkon’s novel product for preventing obesity. The product may inhibit a metabolic pathway. It has shown it can completely prevent diet- induced obesity in animal models without apparent toxicity. -- Silver Spring-Based MobiLaps LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($127,415): enhancing and extending the functionality of MobiLaps’ ISP Screen-Estate product. The Screen-Estate, which unobtrusively appears in the web browser as a toolbar and does not require client-side software installation, will play a key role in transforming ISPs into providers of location-specific content, and will enable e-commerce between local users and locally-owned businesses. -- Annapolis-based Mobile Digital Systems Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park (108,454): testing the ruggedness of Mobile Digital Systems’ wireless, vehicle-based video surveillance system for law enforcement, homeland security, and military personnel. The video system streams live feeds back to a base station, where it is viewed and stored. -- Silver Spring-based Mobitrum Corporation and the University of Maryland, College Park ($118,710): developing a software library for manufacturers of 802.11n wireless Internet equipment to use in easily programming wireless routers, switches, and PC cards. -- College Park-based MXF Technologies Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($446,948): developing algorithms and a searchable database of signatures for explosive and non-explosive liquids and solid chemicals. These will be coupled with MXF’s advanced X-ray technology to detect and identify explosives at checkpoints in bottles, containers and luggage. -- Personics Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($162,778): developing a database of the way sound scatters in various human ear shapes to personalize and deliver extremely high- fidelity “surround sound” to Compact Disc and MP3 player headphones. -- North Potomac-based Potomac Affinity Proteins LLC and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute ($105,000): optimizing and refining the company’s protein purification system, which accelerates and simplifies the process of accurately purifying proteins for drug discovery and development. -- Bethesda-based Prasidiux LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($182,600): refining and expanding Prasidiux’s smart polymer gel for mass production. The gel, which could be attached to perishables such as vaccines or meat products, indicates changes in temperature that might be undesirable for sensitive materials. -- Baltimore-based Profectus BioSciences Inc. and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute ($225,622): pre-clinical study of a pharmacological agent that could increase the efficacy of Profectus’ human immunodeficiency virus vaccine. -- Hagerstown-based Rampf Molds Industries Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($303,652): integrating advanced materials and structure technologies into Rampf’s molds, which are sold to concrete product manufacturers. The new technologies will extend the life cycle of the molds, and possibly reduce their weight-and subsequent setup times. -- Hollywood-based Recovery Science LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($308,750): scientific study and product testing trial of Recovery’s Wrist IsolatorÔ, a new, low-cost, portable athletic training and rehabilitation device that strengthens and increases control within the full range of a wrist’s six possible motions. -- Potomac-based reoSYM and the University of Maryland, College Park ($173,478): developing compression protocols to carry radio signals from the edge of a wireless network to its core. -- Rockville-based Rexahn Pharmaceuticals Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($215,408): developing non-toxic, water-soluble polymers for delivering cancer drugs. With drugs attached, Rexahn’s polymers could be wrapped around a tumor, after which they would release drugs to attack just the cancer cells, leaving healthy cells unharmed. -- Beltsville-based SD Nanosciences Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($105,714): developing a novel, nanotechnology-based delivery system for a bacterial meningitis B vaccine. -- Bethesda-based TestSolvers LLC and the University of Maryland, College Park ($96,400): developing algorithms to enhance the company’s tool for testing software, which detects more errors in less time than currently used methods. -- Baltimore-based Theradigm Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($107,477): animal study tracing the path neural stem cells take to replace dying or dead brain cells. The study, using the university’s unique, image-guided cell delivery system, could provide Theradigm with an effective tool for delivering neural stem cells during clinical trials. -- Rockville-based VorCat Inc. and the University of Maryland, College Park ($106,250): benchmarking VorCat’s turbulent fluid flow simulation software for new uses in the chemical processing and pharmaceutical industries. VorCat’s software is currently used in the automotive, aerospace, maritime, and biomedical markets. -- Baltimore-based WellDoc Communications Inc. and the University of Maryland, Baltimore ($196,402): evaluating the effectiveness of a patient-to-physician interactive diabetes management system. The system includes a cell phone-based software platform and supporting web-based interface, which together enable real-time analysis, feedback, and education between a patient and physician. -- Boyds-based Zylacta Corporation and the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute ($115,963): developing optimal methods to mass-produce Zylacta’s hepatitis C therapeutic. The drug also could be used to treat autoimmune diseases such as type I diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as chronic heart failure and multiple cancers.
This is the 39th round of MIPS funding. The program has supported research projects with close to 400 different Maryland companies since 1987.
Commercial products MIPS-related research has contributed to have generated more than $12.1 billion in revenue, added jobs to the region, and contributed to successes such as Martek Biosciences’ infant formula additives, Hughes Network Systems’ HughesNetO, MedImmune Inc.'s Synagis(R), and Black & Decker’s Bullet(R) Speed Tip Masonry Drill Bit.
About MIPS (http://www.mips.umd.edu)
The Maryland Industrial Partnerships Program, an initiative of the A. James Clark School of Engineering’s Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute, brings university innovation to the commercial sector by supporting university-based research projects to help Maryland companies develop technology-based products.
Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute
CONTACT: Eric Schurr of Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute,+1-301-405-3889, schurr@umd.edu
