Denver PR News and Information: Top Blog Posts of 2014 Achieve 3,988 Page Views for Absolutely PR Client News

Absolutely PR's Denver PR News and Information reports the following top local client blog posts in 2014:

# 1 - TechFlash: 'Colorado bioscience organization searches for new leadership' for The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 11/24/14 – 365 Page Views

# 2 - Media Coverage: 'Kevin M. Smith to Retire as President & CEO of CID4; Search Committee Formed to Hire Smith’s Successor' for The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 11/25/14 – 325 Page Views

# 3 - InnovatioNews: 'Kevin Smith to retire from leadership of Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development on Dec. 31' for The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 11/24/14 – 249 Page Views

# 4 - DeviceSpace: 'Kevin M. Smith To Retire As President & CEO Of The Colorado Institute For Drug, Device And Diagnostic Development; Search Committee Formed To Hire Smith’s Successor' for The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 11/24/14 – 235 Page Views

# 5 - Well-known Life Science Executive Kevin M. Smith to Retire as President/CEO of Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development; Search Committee Formed to Hire Smith’s Successor for The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 11/24/14 – 234 Page Views

# 6 - Video Highlights: 2014 CBSA Awards Dinner for Colorado BioScience Association – 11/14/14 – 230  Page Views

# 7 - In The News: 'Dan Ritchie joins Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority board' for Colorado BioScience Association and Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority – 12/14/14 – 221 Page Views

# 8 - Headed to the Cherry Creek Arts Fest? Stop in PISMO and Say Hi to Red Hot Ruby for 2014 Tails of the Painted Cats and Cat Care Society – 7/3/14 – 193 Page Views

# 9 - Xconomy: Colorado Bioscience "Companies Take a Bow" for Colorado BioScience Association – 11/13/14 – 185 Page Views

# 10 - BioWest 2014 on Wed Sept 10: Expo Returns + Conference Welcomes FDA Commissioner Hamburg as Lead Keynote for BioWest 2014 and Colorado BioScience Association – 9/2/14 – 175 Page Views

# 11 - InnovatioNews: 'Three finalists selected for 2014 CBSA BioWest Venture Showcase pitch competition Sept. 10' for Colorado BioScience Association – 8/21/14 – 172 Page Views

# 12 - DrBicuspid: 'Sapphire Technology gets funding for filling instruments' for Sapphire Technology, The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 10/10/14 - 166 Page Views

# 13 - Beau Jo's Hosts Last Feasting for Felines of 2014 - Nov. 19 - five locations! For Cat Care Society – 11/11/14 – 165 Page Views

# 14 - Artists Call for Entry: Tails of the Painted Cats 2015 for 2015 Tails of the Painted Cats and Cat Care Society – 9/5/14 – 159 Page Views

# 15 - Pharmiweb: 'Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development Awards Funding & Management Assistance to Sapphire Technology' for Sapphire Technology and The Colorado Institute for Drug Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) – 10/15/14 – 154 Page Views

# 16 - Denver Post: "Tails of the Painted Cats comes together purr-fectly for Cat Care Society" for 2014 Tails of the Painted Cats and Cat Care Society – 8/6/14 – 153 Page Views

# 17 - Tails of Painted Cats Tower of Wine Is Back in the Silent Auction This Weekend for 2014 Tails of the Painted Cats and Cat Care Society – 7/21/14 – 153 Page Views

# 18 - Coverage overview: CBSA's 2014 Colorado Bioscience Industry Awards for Colorado BioScience Association – 11/14/14 – 146 Page Views

# 19 - CBSA Partners with PrIME Health Collaborative to Offer a BioWest 2014 Pre-Event for Colorado BioScience Association – 8/20/14 – 146 Page Views

# 20 - Sept 10: BioWest Includes State's Top BioScience CEOs + FDA Commissioner Hamburg as Lead Keynote for BioWest 2014 and Colorado BioScience Association - 8/28/14 – 142 Page Views

Link to the Denver PR News and Information News Feed Blog

Year End Review: @COBioScience Top Ten Tweets of 2014 (based on Hootsuite click through data)

#1 22-Apr-14     

235 Clicks            

Denver Post: 'Boettcher Foundation awards $825,000 to CSU, CU Boulder and others' http://ow.ly/w3iQ8 @BoettcherFdn

#2 15-Jul-14       

63 Clicks              

DBJ: Med devices drive Colorado bioscience industry http://ow.ly/zc6Rz @GregAveryDenBiz #Colorado #MedDevice

#3 26-Jun-14     

43 Clicks

CBSA Applauds Colorado Companies to Watch for Honoring Five Local Bioscience Companies http://ow.ly/yuo4z #CCTW

#4 24-Jul-14       

37 Clicks              

DBJ: '5 #Colorado cities among Forbes' 30 best places for business' #Denver #BusinessFriendly http://ow.ly/zy4yA @MHardenDenBiz

#5 29-May-14   

30 Clicks              

#Colorado Gov Hickenlooper signs HB 14-1012, Advanced Industry Investor Tax Credit Program http://ow.ly/xpm8u @HickenlooperNow

#6 7-Jul-14         

28 Clicks              

New #Colorado Bioscience Company #Directory http://ow.ly/yS5K4 #AKeeper #File #NewMagazine

#7 1-Jul-14         

24 Clicks              

#Colorado: Advanced Industry Accelerator Program Announces Close to $2 Million in Grants  http://ow.ly/yESjC @ColoradoEcoDevo

#8 17-Sep-14     

24 Clicks              

Three #Colorado Companies Present at Inaugural White Hat Life Sci Investor Conference in Phoenix http://ow.ly/BCaKE

#9 27-Jan-14      

23 Clicks              

Denver Post: 'Beer science: Avery Brewing pairs with CU biotech lab to improve quality control' http://ow.ly/t0IF7  @BioFrontiers

#10 6-Aug-14    

22 Clicks              

Curious about #Colorado’s Sharklet? CompanyWeek Profiles This Week: http://ow.ly/A2eFI  #MedDevice #InfectionControl

Link to the Colorado BioScience Association Twitter

Coverage: 'CBSA Names Primavera Group as PR rep following retirement of Absolutely PR's Maggie Holben'

Quoting from today's posting:

"The Primavera Group will assume media relations and strategic public relations for the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) following the departure of Absolutely Public Relations in that role due to the retirement of Maggie Holben, Absolutely PR’s owner...

...'We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah and her associates at the Primavera Group to our CBSA team,' said April Giles, CBSA president and CEO...

...Holben said she is only “semi-retiring” from the PR business and will keep Absolutely PR open but will take on fewer projects to allow for more time for family and travel."

Link to InnovatioNews

More coverage:

Link to BioSpace

Link to GotNewsWire

Aurora Sentinel: CID4 'bioscience boss in Aurora stepping down'

Quoting from this morning's posting by Quincy Snowdon:

"The leader of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development is stepping down at the end of 2014.

After helping to launch the life science-focused nonprofit in 2009, Kevin Smith, CEO of CID4, is retiring from his post as a part of a planned retirement.

'I’ve invested about seven years of my life into this project and I’m really proud of where we are,' Smith said. 'I’m indebted to the all of the people involved.'

Smith cited wanting to spend more time with his family and the end of the organization’s first five-year plan as the central reasons for his resignation."

Link to the Aurora Sentinel

Kevin Smith, president and CEO of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development, poses at his office Aug. 29, 2011, near the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. (Heather L. Smith/Aurora Sentinel)

Colorado BioScience Association Names Primavera Group to Succeed Absolutely PR as Media Relations & Strategic Public Relations Consulting Firm

The Primavera Group will assume the media relations and strategic public relations contract for the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) beginning January 5, 2015. The announcement is made by CBSA President and CEO April Giles, who says, "We’re thrilled to welcome Sarah and her associates at the Primavera Group to our CBSA team. They will be taking over from Absolutely PR’s Owner/Principal Maggie Holben who is retiring as CBSA's PR Consultant after more than ten years of service to the organization as a board member, contract PR resource and volunteer. In 2006, Absolutely PR was named CBSA Partner of the Year during the annual Awards Dinner. While we will miss Maggie, we are excited for all that will unfold under Sarah and her team’s direction going forward.”

Primavera Group is a Colorado-based brand development and integrated strategic marketing communications company that serves clients in technology, communications, business consulting and other growth industries. The team develops high-impact strategies, innovative solutions and persuasive content to communicate clients’ stories and compel audiences to action. Their client list spans established Fortune 50 companies to promising start ups.

“Our clients turn to us for crisp thinking, quick execution and our senior-level expertise. We believe the proof is in our performance, and we are proud of our 100% repeat engagement track record. We’re the firm that our clients count on time and again to generate results. In turn, our Primavera team looks forward to representing Colorado’s thriving Bioscience Industry,” Eder said.

In the bioscience space, Primavera has worked with CBSA member company, Sharklet Technologies, for the past seven years, achieving key media placements internationally, nationally and locally for the Colorado-based medical technology company. Most notably Primavera has placed Sharklet on a PBS Nova segment, CBS News Sunday Morning, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Wired, Discover Magazine, Inc Magazine, Popular Science, FierceBiotech, European Medical Device Manufacturer, the Discovery Channel and, the Jeopardy game show where Sharklet was included as a featured answer. For more information, visit http://sharklet.com/about-us/in-the-news and www.theprimaveragroup.com.

“I’ve worked with Sarah over the years and I’m simply thrilled to be able to pass CBSA’s PR baton to her and her team. I’m confident Sarah’s business and PR acumen is exactly what CBSA needs to take our organization to the next level in its awareness growth curve. While I’m retiring as CBSA’s PR consultant, I’m only semi-retiring from the PR business. I’ll continue to keep my Absolutely PR consulting firm open in the future, but will be taking on projects of a lesser scope than the CBSA contract to allow for more travel and time with my family,” Holben explains. For more information, visit: http://www.absolutelypr.com.

Link to the PR.com release posting

Link to the PitchEngine social media release

2014: Colorado's Major Bioscience Fundings + M&A Activity

Colorado attained a number of key financings, acquisitions and expansions in its bioscience industry during 2014. April Giles, President and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association says: "We’ve seen a number of exciting deals come to fruition in our Colorado bioscience community during 2014, which strengthens our state’s position as a national industry leader. We’re thrilled that CBSA has continued to play a significant role in promoting Colorado as a dynamic region for bioscience innovation and investment.”

Highlighted Financings and Acquisitions in 2014 Include: 

* Terumo BCT broke ground on a 120,000-square-foot global headquarters building – April 1, 2014 Terumo BCT is building a 120,000-square-foot Global Headquarters building on its Lakewood campus. In 2015, when the building opens, Terumo BCT will occupy 90,000 square feet, leaving the additional space available for future growth and development. When complete, it will accommodate an estimated 400 associates. http://coloradocommunitymedia.com/stories/A-global-home,151084

* BioScience Park Center 2 groundbreaking adding 112,000 square foot building – April 4, 2014 The Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA) and CU's Bioengineering program, design a multipurpose building for education, research and clinical care, with an added entrepreneurial element of private biosciences companies. Bioengineering students will have classes on the first two floors of the four-story building, and from there, the students will move up a floor and practice what they have learned and then move up again to begin their own commercial bioscience company on the top floor. http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/newsreleases/Pages/Bioscience-2-groundbreaking-April-2014.aspx

* Spectranetics acquires California based AngioScore Inc. for $230 million in cash – June 30, 2014 Colorado Springs based Spectranetics Corporation (Nasdaq:SPNC) announced that it completed the acquisition of AngioScore Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of cardiovascular, specialty balloons, for $230 million in cash, along with additional contingent commercial and regulatory milestone payments. http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2014/05/27/639682/10083292/en/Spectranetics-Announces-Agreement-to-Acquire-AngioScore-Inc.html

* Covidien to be acquired by Medtronic for $42.9B – June 16, 2014 Medtronic announced it will pay $42.9 billion in cash and stock to acquire Covidien and its medical-device lines in a deal expected to close in the fourth quarter or early 2015. Medtronic in Lousiville, and Covidien in Boulder, combined have over 2000 jobs in Colorado. http://www.massdevice.com/news/blockbuster-medtronic-43b-deal-acquire-covidien

* Clovis Oncology to offer $200M in convertible senior notes in private placement to investors – Sept 3, 2014 Boulder based Clovis Oncology Inc. announced it intended to offer $200 million aggregate principal amount of its convertible senior notes due 2021 in a private placement to qualified international buyers. http://innovationews.com/science/bioscience/clovis-oncology-to-offer-200m-in-convertible-senior-notes-in-private-placement-to-foreign-investors

* InDevR Wins $14.7M Barda Contract for Cutting-Edge Influenza Diagnostic – September 15, 2014 Boulder based InDevR announced that it signed a contract with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to complete product development of their unique influenza diagnostic, FluChip-8G, which is capable of rapidly genotyping influenza viruses directly from clinical samples. http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/-1947252.htm

* SomaLogic announces Novartis agreement extension, equity investment – October 20, 2014 Boulder based SomaLogic, Inc. announced that Novartis has extended its multi-year research agreement for the development and application of SomaLogic’s unique proteomics technology to Novartis’ drug discovery and development efforts. Novartis will also take an equity position in SomaLogic under the agreement extension. http://www.somalogic.com/Resources/News-Events/News/2014/SomaLogic-announces-Novartis-agreement-extension,.aspx

* N30 Pharmaceuticals Secures $30 Million in Oversubscribed Crossover Financing – November 19, 2014 Boulder based N30 Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“N30 Pharma”), a clinical stage, biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF), has raised $30 million in a mezzanine round of financing. Proceeds from the financing will primarily be used to advance the Company’s clinical trial program. New investors include Wellington Management, RA Capital Management, LLC, Jennison Associates LLC (on behalf of certain clients), Rock Springs Capital Management LP, and Sabby Management, LLC, who joined existing investor, Deerfield Management Company. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/n30-pharmaceuticals-secures-30-million-in-oversubscribed-crossover-financing-283193921.html

Link to the Business Wire release

Link to the Pitch Engine social media newswire

Media Coverage: 'Kevin M. Smith to Retire as President & CEO of CID4; Search Committee Formed to Hire Smith’s Successor'

Coverage overview:

"The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) has begun a search for a new Executive Director, as Kevin M. Smith leaves as part of a planned retirement."
Link to BioPortfolio

"Kevin M. Smith will step down from his position as president and chief executive of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development, also known as CID4, on Dec. 31. The nonprofit bioscience charity has formed a search committee to find a new CEO, CID4 board Chairman Steve Orndorff said. Smith will be available through February to assist during the transition." Link to BizWest

TechFlash: 'Colorado bioscience organization searches for new leadership'

Quoting from today's Denver Business Journal posting by Greg Avery:

"The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development is looking for a new CEO in advance of the retirement of Kevin Smith, the nonprofit group's current leader.

Smith is a co-founding executive of the Aurora-based nonprofit, known as CID4, that was started to help fill a gap in funding for bioscience startups. CID4 identifies and helps fund early-stage Colorado bioscience companies that have the potential to grow and create local jobs.

Smith, a former president of Gambro U.S.A., a Lakewood-based medical device company, plans to retire Dec. 31. He'll be available to the organization through February to help in the transition, the organization said. The CID4 board has formed a CEO search committee."

Link to the Denver Business Journal

InnovatioNews: 'Kevin Smith to retire from leadership of Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development on Dec. 31'

Quoting from this morning's posting:

"Kevin M. Smith, president and CEO of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) since 2010, will retire from his post on Dec. 31.

Steve Orndorff, chairman of the CID4 board and president and CEO of Micobiome Therapeutics, said the board has formed a search committee and that Smith will remain available through February 2015 to assist in a smooth transition for CID4’s new executive director...

...CID4 said all inquiries should be directed to the CID4 Search Committee at jobs@cid4.com. Deadline to apply is Dec. 20."

Link to InnovatioNews

DeviceSpace: 'Kevin M. Smith To Retire As President & CEO Of The Colorado Institute For Drug, Device And Diagnostic Development; Search Committee Formed To Hire Smith’s Successor'

Quoting from this morning's posting:

"Kevin M. Smith, President and CEO of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) since 2010, will retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2014. The announcement is made by Steve Orndorff, PhD, Chairman of the CID4 Board and President & CEO of MicroBiome Therapeutics, who says the CID4 Board has formed a search committee and that Smith will be available through February 2015 to assist in a smooth transition for the new Executive Director."

Link to DeviceSpace

Well-known Life Science Executive Kevin M. Smith to Retire as President/CEO of Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development; Search Committee Formed to Hire Smith’s Successor

Kevin M. Smith to Retire as President & CEO of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development; Search Committee Formed to Hire Smith’s Successor

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) has begun a search for a new Executive Director, as Kevin M. Smith leaves as part of a planned retirement. Mr. Smith will remain with CID4 through February 2015 to ensure a smooth and successful transition for CID4’s new leader.

Aurora, CO November 24, 2014 – Kevin M. Smith, President and CEO of the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) since 2010, will retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2014. The announcement is made by Steve Orndorff, PhD, Chairman of the CID4 Board and President & CEO of MicroBiome Therapeutics, who says the CID4 Board has formed a search committee and that Smith will be available through February 2015 to assist in a smooth transition for the new Executive Director.

“With the ongoing changes in the healthcare and life science sectors, CID4 is revisiting how it can best support our industry,” Orndorff said. “CID4 is well positioned for its future and we believe the new Executive Director position will strengthen our alignment with the State of Colorado in our mutual quest to create new jobs and business opportunities within the dynamic life science sector of advanced industries.”

All inquiries should be directed to the ‘CID4 Search Committee’ at jobs@cid4.com. The deadline for applications is December 20, 2014. Principals only need apply, please.

About Kevin M. Smith, CID4 President/CEO

Smith was part of the team that founded CID4 in 2009. Prior to CID4, Smith was President of Gambro, Inc., the U.S. holding company for Gambro AB, the Sweden-based medical device and healthcare services company. He started his career with Arthur Young in New York and was a partner with Ernst & Young, leading the development of their Colorado life science practice at the time he left to join Gambro.

“While I will no longer be leading CID4, I will stay active in the Colorado life science community through my Board responsibilities at the Colorado BioScience Association, Donor Alliance and AlloSource, my service on the Centura Health Audit and Corporate Responsibility Committee and my investment activities at KMG Capital Partners LLC,” Smith said. “CID4’s success is grounded in the excellent technologies that are being developed in Colorado. We have invested approximately $3 million into nine early stage companies. Those firms have gone on to create 85 new jobs and raise an additional $30 million to support the commercialization of their patient-focused technologies. I am proud to have played a role in this process.”

About the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development

Founded in 2009, the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization whose mission is to advance the Colorado bioscience ecosystem through company creation and job growth. Active business management and capital work in tandem to help bridge the gap between discovery and product development. CID4 works to identify, fund and actively manage emerging life science technologies. This aim is achieved via an ongoing technology solicitation process augmented by additional deal flow sourcing through networked relationships. Active due diligence is provided by CID4 management in consultation with members of the CID4 Technical and Business Advisory Committee. For more information visit http://CID4.com. 

Contacts:

Kevin M. Smith, President/CEO CID4, http://CID4.com - kevin.smith@cid4.com, (720) 859-4047

Maggie Chamberlin Holben, APR, http://www.absolutelypr.com - maggie@absolutelypr.com, (303) 984-9801 or (303) 669-3558

Link to the PitchEngine social media release

Link to the PR.com posting

Video Highlights: 2014 CBSA Awards Dinner

Colorado BioScience Association announced winners of its 11th annual industry awards at the Marriott City Center, Denver, on November 6th. The announcement is made by April Giles, CBSA President and CEO, who opened the evening with an overview of this year’s industry accomplishments. Giles was joined by 850 KOA’s Steffan Tubbs and CBSA Board Chair Derek Cole in announcing the winners. For more information, visit: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20141020005183/en/Colorado-BioScience-Association-Honors-Industry#.VGZWIvnF98E
 
Colorado Bioscience Industry: 2014 Accomplishments
http://youtu.be/GJAPrxe8Enc
 
CBSA Awards Emcee Steffan Tubbs Opening Remarks
http://youtu.be/P_f1wLPrUYg
 
Presentation of the 2014 Boettcher Investigators
http://youtu.be/LBcMi1Y6tVg
 
CBSA Awards 2014 Recipients

http://youtu.be/MFh5B2ibGKo
 
Chairman's Award: Derek Cole Presents
http://youtu.be/18fsXfwddrI
 
CBSA Lifetime Achievement: Dr Richard Duke Remarks
http://youtu.be/6FQ1yqz8T7s
 
Davis Phinney Introduction by Bob Reddy, Medtronic
http://youtu.be/xj5ggFi2rck
 
2014 CBSA Awards Keynote: Davis Phinney
http://youtu.be/Ux82IQayzPU
 
CBSA Awards 2014 Closing: Patients are the Reason
http://youtu.be/xj5ggFi2rck

Xconomy: Colorado Bioscience "Companies Take a Bow"

Quoting from the November 7th edition:

"Colorado bioscience’s best: The Colorado BioScience Association also honored their industry’s leaders this week. AlloSource, which is a nonprofit organization based in Centennial, was named company of the year by the association.

AlloSource develops and distributes tissues that can be used in surgical procedures such as skin grafts and joint repair. It has more than 400 employees.

This year, AlloSource expanded its work in stem cell research and began using microbe detection technology developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to improve tissue decontamination procedures. AlloSource’s hope is that the NASA technology will cut the time it takes to get donated tissue and organs to recipients.

Boulder-based ViroCyt won the award for rising star of the year. The company’s Virus Counter is able to calculate a virus’ growth rate in minutes and is used in vaccine and drug development, viral therapeutics, and protein expression research.

For a list of individual winners, click here."

Link to Xconomy

Colorado BioScience Association Showcases Industry’s Best at 2014 Awards Dinner Celebration

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) announced winners of its 11th annual industry awards at the Marriott City Center, Denver, on November 6. The announcement is made by April Giles, CBSA President and CEO, who opened the evening with an overview of this year’s industry accomplishments.

Giles was joined by 850 KOA’s Steffan Tubbs and CBSA Board Chair Derek Cole, announcing the following winners:

Company of the Year: AlloSource

AlloSource, based in Centennial, is committed to its success and growth in Colorado’s bioscience community. Expanding its Colorado headquarters by 90,000 square feet in 2012, the company continued the momentum in 2013 by launching a new proprietary allograft used in a broad range of soft tissue surgical procedures. Most recently in 2014, AlloSource announced two new partnerships which will expand their work in stem cell innovation as well as undertake a new project with NASA through the Space Act Agreement. This work will advance microbial research in tissue processing for various Mars missions. Visit: http://www.allosource.org . Finalists for Company of the Year were: Mountainside Medical, Boulder, http://mountainsidemed.com and Spectranetics, Colorado Springs, http://www.spectranetics.com.

Rising Star of the Year: ViroCyt 

ViroCyt, Boulder, launched the first Virus Counter in 2011, which has proven to be faster, more accurate and cost effective than traditional viral quantification methods with results in minutes instead of days or weeks. This year ViroCyt announced the introduction of the next generation Virus Counter at the World Vaccine Congress held in Washington, DC. The technology has already been adopted by the leading companies in the fields of viral vaccine development and therapeutic protein expression. Virocyt’s innovations are changing the landscape of virus detection technologies. Visit: http://virocyt.com. Finalists for Rising Star were: JustRight Surgical, Boulder, http://www.justrightsurgical.com and Silvergate Pharmaceuticals, Greenwood Village, http://www.silvergatepharma.com.

Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Richard Duke

Dr. Duke is an accomplished scientist with over 25 years of experience in cutting-edge biomedical research, and is a tenured faculty member in the Departments of Medicine and Immunology at the University of Colorado Denver. He has been instrumental in the development of Colorado’s bioscience industry as an executive, inventor, biomedical researcher and serial entrepreneur. Dr. Duke was involved in the formation and management of GlobeImmune, Newellink USA, ApopLogic Pharmaceuticals, Sierra Neuropharmaceuticals, PeptiVir, MenoGeniX and Aurora Oncology. He has also been integral to these Colorado-based companies, by raising more than $200 million in financing and helped bring multiple products to human clinical trials.

One of the Colorado bioscience industry’s proudest achievements was the creation of the BioScience Discovery Evaluation Grant Program (also referred to as BDEG). Dr. Duke was the visionary and driving force behind the development of BDEG, making the program what it is today. This initial concept in 2006 has now become a national model for state’s trying to cultivate a bioscience industry of their own.

Institute Leadership: Jim Rosa

During last year’s Awards Dinner, CBSA introduced a new award, the Institute Leadership award. This award was created to recognize outstanding efforts that further the Colorado Bioscience Institute’s mission of providing education, workforce and career development for life science professionals, companies, students and teachers. This year, CBSA honors one outstanding Institute champion, Jim Rosa, for his leadership on the workforce training programs. The workforce training programs involve partners with deep content expertise and a strong commitment to advancing knowledge and closing workforce gaps in Colorado’s bioscience eco-system.

Business Partner of the Year: Phyllis Arthur, BIO

CBSA’s 2014 Business Partner of the Year is Phyllis Arthur, Senior Director of Vaccines, Immunotherapeutics and Diagnostics Policy at the Biotechnology Industry Organization. Ms. Arthur was a remarkable partner for CBSA on Senate Bill 222, becoming the bioscience industry’s taskforce representative and also forging lasting relationships with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, the Colorado Children's Immunization Coalition and many other stakeholders. In the end, the taskforce collectively - and unanimously – agreed to all of the recommendations for Colorado. Phyllis continues to remain involved during the implementation phase and will act as a resource providing national best practice models and allowing the State to leverage her relationships and knowledge base.

Educator of the Year: Deborah Carnevale

Deborah Carnevale is the Director of the Overland High School Biotechnology Program. Under her leadership, the school’s biotechnology program has received multiple grants and certifications. Students who have completed the program have an advantage when entering college. Their advanced research skills in biotechnology has enabled many of them to receive laboratory jobs as university freshmen, a rare opportunity. Her dedication and commitment to her students is commendable.

Volunteer of the Year: Amy Wedeking Shannon

Ms. Shannon is Principal Consultant for Caliber One Solutions and an active participant on CBSA’s Membership Committee. Her knowledge base and relationships in the community have proven to be very valuable to the membership efforts of CBSA. Her drive is tireless and capable when bringing new members into the organization. Amy also provides great leadership and insight through her recommendations to better the committee process. In the words of Committee Chair (and 2013 Volunteer of the Year) Dustin Whistler, the committee is very lucky to have her.

Chairman’s Award: Monisha Merchant

Monisha Merchant serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Senator Michael Bennet and has been a tremendous leader for the bioscience industry and the State as a whole. During the development of the 2011 America Invents Act, Senator Bennet co-authored a provision to establish three United States Satellite Patent and Trademark Offices. Ms. Merchant’s commitment to the goal of securing a satellite office in Colorado was truly commendable. She helped to spearhead the process and forged an incredible coalition of public and private partners which ultimately led to the selection of the Denver site. This achievement will not only better the entrepreneurs in the state and also across the region. Ms. Merchant also played an integral role in leveraging her influence and relationships to create the Blackstone Entrepreneurial Network (BEN) in Colorado. BEN links Master Entrepreneurs across industries and regions to support high growth entrepreneurial activities. Most recently, she facilitated the “Bioscience in Colorado” day where she and Senator Bennet invited key community leaders to explore the industry’s eco-system.

About the Awards Dinner 

The Awards Dinner began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and the awards program. In addition, the Boettcher Foundation presented its 2014 Class of Boettcher Investigators in the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program. The event closed with a keynote address by Olympic cycling medalist and Parkinson’s survivor Davis Phinney.

Phinney, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000 at the age of 40, founded the Boulder-based Davis Phinney Foundation in 2004. Today, Phinney is both a role model in the cycling community and an inspiration to the estimated 1.5 million Americans and estimated 10 million worldwide who are currently living with the disease. Tens of thousands of people living with this disease have been directly touched by one of the Davis Phinney Foundation programs or through Davis Phinney’s inspirational message: “it is possible to live well with Parkinson’s today.” For more information, visit: http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org and http://www.medtronicdbs.com/parkinsons/personal-stories/davis-phinney/index.htm.

Sponsors of the Awards Dinner included: Boettcher Foundation; Cooley, LLP; Fisher Scientific, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Medtronic and Terumo BCT.

Link to the Business Wire Newswire

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

CBSA Honors Industry's Best + Features Olympian/Parkinson's Survivor Davis Phinney As Keynote

CBSA will host its Annual Awards Dinner on November 6 at the Denver Marriott City Center. The announcement is made by April Giles, CBSA President and CEO, who says, “We are thrilled to again celebrate the success of Colorado’s bioscience industry and recognize those standout companies and individuals who have contributed significantly to the growth of our community this year. Further, we are fortunate to welcome Olympic medalist and cycling great Davis Phinney as our keynote speaker for the event.”

Phinney, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2000 at the age of 40, founded the Davis Phinney Foundation in 2004; a national organization, based in Boulder, CO. Today, Phinney is both a role model in the cycling community and an inspiration to the estimated 1.5 million Americans and 10 million worldwide who are currently living with the disease. Tens of thousands of people living with this disease have been directly touched by one of the Davis Phinney Foundation programs or through Davis Phinney’s inspirational message: “it is possible to live well with Parkinson’s today.” For more information, visit: http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org.

In 2009, it was announced that Phinney’s foundation had joined forces with Medtronic, Inc. (one of the sponsors of the CBSA Awards Dinner) to raise awareness among individuals with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers about how to improve their lives today. Together, through educational programs focused on daily victories over Parkinson’s disease, they aim to increase understanding about the importance of exercise, living a healthy lifestyle and the consideration of various treatment options. Phinney has found relief from debilitating tremors and stiff limbs and joints after receiving Medtronic Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Therapy. For more information about Phinney’s experience with DBS, visit: http://www.medtronicdbs.com/parkinsons/personal-stories/davis-phinney/index.htm.

The Awards Dinner, emceed by 850 KOA Morning News Anchor Steffan Tubbs, will begin with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and a dynamic program. CBSA will first recognize those companies and individuals who are making a significant difference in Colorado’s vibrant bioscience industry. The Boettcher Foundation will then present the 2014 Class of Boettcher Investigators in the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Program. The event closes with Phinney’s keynote.

This year’s Bioscience Industry Awards include:

* Lifetime Achievement
* Company of the Year
* Rising Star
* Institute Leadership
* Business Partner of the Year
* Educator of the Year
* Volunteer of the Year
 * Chairman’s Award

Tickets for the Awards Dinner are available for purchase at the CBSA website. Individual tickets are $150. Tables (8 seats) are available for $1,250 for CBSA members and $1,500 for non-CBSA members. Please note: the Awards Dinner was a sellout event last year, so do not delay securing arrangements. Visit: http://www.cobioscience.com/events-calendar/awards-dinner-2014. 

Sponsorships for the Awards Dinner are also still available. Those interested in sponsorships should contact Tracey Nilson at tnilson@cobioscience.com no later than October 24. Sponsors, as of the date of this release, include: Boettcher Foundation; Cooley, LLP; Fisher Scientific, Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority, Medtronic and Terumo BCT.

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DrBicuspid: 'Sapphire Technology gets funding for filling instruments'

Quoting from the October 8th posting:

"The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) announced it is awarding $200,000 to Denver-based Sapphire Technology for funding and management assistance in developing its proprietary dental instruments. 

Unlike current dental filling instruments, which typically use metal for their tips, Sapphire's SGS instrument line will employ highly polished and optically clear sapphire tips instead. The use of sapphire is intended to significantly reduce composite pullback as experienced with current metal instruments, which in turn is expected to provide a reduction of voids in the composite material and improve the bond between the filling material and the patient's natural tooth, according to the company."

Link to the DrBiscuspid.com

Coverage Overview: CID4 Awards Funding and Management Assistance to Sapphire Technology

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Denver Post: 'Denver-based Sapphire Technology gets funding for gemstone-tipped dental instruments'

Quoting from yesterday's posting by Laura Keeney:

"Your dental visit may soon have a lot more bling.

Denver-based Sapphire Technology LLC on Tuesday was awarded $200,000 from the Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development, or CID4, for continued development of its dental instruments made with sapphires.

Sapphire, which is a gemstone variety of corundum, ranks at the top of the Mohs scale of mineral hardness — the universal standard to measure the hardness of gemstones and minerals.

The gemstone has been in the news recently amid speculation that Apple might use highly scratch-resistant glass made of sapphires for its new iPhone screens.

But what does this have to do with dental work?"

Link to the Denver Post

Bioscience: 'CID4 awards $200K to Sapphire Technology to advance development of dental instruments'

Quoting from today's posting:

"The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4) awarded $200,000 to Denver-based Sapphire Technology LLC to develop the company’s proprietary dental instruments.

Sapphire is a development-stage dental device company advancing proprietary sapphire-tipped instruments for use in dental procedures involving photo-cured, resin composite filling and restoration materials.

'We are extremely excited about our investment and involvement in Sapphire Technology,' said Kevin Smith, CID4 president and CEO."

Link to InnovatioNews

CID4 Awards Funding and Management Assistance to Sapphire Technology

The Colorado Institute for Drug, Device and Diagnostic Development (CID4), is awarding $200,000 to Denver-based Sapphire Technology, LLC, for funding and management assistance in developing its proprietary dental instruments. The announcement is made by Kevin M. Smith, CID4 President and CEO, who says, “Sapphire Technology is a development-stage dental device company, advancing its proprietary sapphire-tipped instruments for use in dental procedures involving photo-cured resin composite filling and restoration materials.”

As part of CID4’s management support, Jonathan Thorne, a member of the CID4 Board for the past two years, will join Sapphire Technology’s Founder Alan Wong, DDS, and CEO H. Steven Rosen on the Company’s Board of Managers.

“We are extremely excited about our investment and involvement in Sapphire Technology,” Smith said. “Not only will Sapphire Technology’s proprietary devices address a recognized problem in the dental instrument market as the movement toward composite filling and restoration materials continues to grow, but Sapphire Technology’s use of Colorado-based contract manufacturers should contribute significantly to the advancement of the State’s life science industry.”

Unlike current dental filling instruments, which typically utilize metal for their tips, Sapphire Technology’s SGS® instrument line will employ highly polished and optically clear sapphire tips instead. The use of sapphire is intended to significantly reduce composite pullback as experienced with current metal instruments, which in turn is expected to provide a reduction of voids in the composite material and improve the bond between the filling material and the patient’s natural tooth. Voids and poor bonds in dental fillings can trap bacteria, provide opportunity for further tooth decay, and provide micro-leakage pathways for post-filling hot and cold sensitivity issues.

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Video Highlights: BioWest 2014, Marriott City Center, Denver

BioWest 2014 Video Highlights

Founders Breakfast Health and Wellness Panel: Introductions By Steve VanNurden - http://youtu.be/23faLOw30ac

Health/Wellness Panel: Jandel Allen-Davis on the Kaiser Model - http://youtu.be/qzUO1_QayvI

Health/Wellness Panel: James Hill on Extreme Weight Loss TV - http://youtu.be/p2xukgmHKRI

Health/Wellness Panel: Len Tacconi on What Works - http://youtu.be/dL3ddy08DPA

C-Level Unplugged: Larry Gold, Chairman of the Board, SomaLogic - http://youtu.be/j8EiWcLkkzQ

C-Level Unplugged: Shar Matin, COO, Spectranetics - http://youtu.be/BIxzpNwmI_0

CEO Panel: Bill Aldrich, CEO, EndoShape - http://youtu.be/T-mLI0GM7mo

CEO Panel: David Brunel, CEO, Biodesix - http://youtu.be/hRaO0zao-yc

CEO Panel: Byron Hewett, CEO, SomaLogic - http://youtu.be/W501l9z6FEo

BioTalks Excerpt: Jonathan Norris – Investments, Exits - http://youtu.be/8s3pjDmqscU

BioTalks Excerpt: David Gary, Clinical Trials Ethics - http://youtu.be/7g6V7082kr0

BioTalks Excerpt: Iya Khalil on Big Data Healthcare - http://youtu.be/QFuad4jPIEE

BioTalks Excerpt: Robert Atkinson, How Colorado Ranks - http://youtu.be/AJ8mYHWm-o8

BioTalks Excerpt: Rhea May, Superbugs - http://youtu.be/fGon5MgE6qs

BioTalks Excerpt: Larry Blankenship, Valley of Death - http://youtu.be/ZgfeTYvNxw0

BioTalks Excerpt: Mark Sirangelo, Innovation in Colorado - http://youtu.be/iUhM1WL3DeQ

BioTalks Excerpt: Lindsay Guerdrum, Beer Bioscience - http://youtu.be/YWuXZ1AmWzM

Russell Slifer – About the USPTO - http://youtu.be/T8Up-0LcwAY

Russell Slifer – USPTO Rocky Mtn Regional Office - http://youtu.be/WlgkRDM0Ue0

Venture Showcase Sponsors and Judges http://youtu.be/N2MwTev0rLk

dBMEDx Winning Venture Showcase Presentation - http://youtu.be/TUoQK71wPEU

KromaTiD Venture Showcase Presentation - http://youtu.be/QHnrLHNo3D8

Mighty Oak Medical Venture Showcase Presentation - http://youtu.be/r9oYdewEbvk

FDA Commissioner Hamburg Opening Remarks to Closing Keynote - http://youtu.be/3Wkqls_9zuw

Link to the related InnovatioNews article

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