CBSA Event Coverage: 'Tax on medical devices threatens profits, exec says'

Quoting from the April 27th article by Wayne Heilman:

"A tax on medical devices approved in 2010 as part of federal health care reform legislation would wipe out all of the profits Colorado Springs-based Spectranetics Corp. expects to make this year when the tax takes effect next year, a top company executive said...

...'We aren’t going to cut back on product development or clinical research, but as we think about investing in the future we will probably think twice and be able to do less of it,' Childs [Guy Childs, chief financial officer of Spectranetics] told about 120 business and civic leaders attending a panel discussion during a lunch hosted by the Colorado BioScience Association and the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. “This tax is another variable that detracts from our ability to invest in innovation because it comes right off the top line of our revenue. It impedes further investment and makes it more difficult.'"

Link to the article

Bell Aquaculture launches Fish Rich™ 2-2-2 Organic & Fish Rich+ 6-3-3 Fertilizers

Bell Aquaculture, the nation's largest yellow perch (Perca flavescens) farm and pioneer in sustainable fish farming operations, is formally launching its new OMRI Listed 'Fish Rich Organic 2-2-2 Fertilizer' and 'Fish Rich+ 6-3-3 Fertilizer' products at the 2012 National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, May 1-3, Booth #8951 in the Central Hall's Lawn & Garden/Outdoor Living Pavilion for new exhibitors.

The announcement is made by Norman McCowan, president of Bell Aquaculture, who says, "Fish have been used as soil fertilizer since the Native Americans first began farming our nearby land centuries ago. Our natural plant fertilizers, marketed as the Fish Rich brand, are made from the remains of the Bell Perch processed at our aquaculture facility in Indiana."

Fish Rich 2-2-2 (Organic) - Fish Rich is OMRI Listed and is allowed for use in organic crop production under the USDA National Organic Program rules. It is completely garden and human safe.

Fish Rich+ 6-3-3 - Fish Rich+ is a natural based fertilizer, just “plussed up” with some nitrogen and potassium. This formula will offer your plants faster greening, swifter root establishment and more brilliant, longer lasting blooms.

Both products are available for purchase online at the company website: http://www.bellaquaculture.com

Link to the PR Web newswire

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Larger-than-life Painted Cats will again be raising funds for Cat Care Society shelter cats

The 2012 'Tails of the Painted Cats,' the Cat Care Society's lineup of 18 one-of-a-kind, larger-than-life artwork cats - created by accomplished area artists - will debut during the month of May at the Lakewood Arts Council Co-op Gallery, 85 South Union Blvd., Suite C. A reception, open to the general public at the LAC Gallery, is Thursday, May 3, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. The announcement is made by CCS President Diane Stoner, who says, "Our wonderful Painted Cats will again be raising funds for Cat Care Society's shelter cats and community outreach programs. Last year, we raised more than our $30,000 goal, and hope to do the same with our project this year." (that's Little Roar by Jane McFadden Dorsey pictured - http://www.catcaresociety.org/pc_little_roar.html)

Some of the Painted Cats are standing, and some are sitting, but they are all unique, original decorator pieces. You can visit the Online Gallery at http://www.catcaresociety.org/paintedcatsgallery.html - the larger (about 28" tall) Painted Cats each have an opening bid of $300 and the smaller Painted Cats open at $150. Advanced online bidding is available at http://BidOnACat.blogspot.com through Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at noon (MDT). Advanced bids can also be placed by calling Suellen Scott, CCS director of development, at 303-239-9680, ext. 19.

After the LAC Gallery during May, the second tour stop will be the Santa Fe Arts District during June, where the Painted Cats will be separated at galleries throughout the area in time for the First Friday Art Walk. Next, they will make an appearance at the Aar River Gallery in Westminster on June 29th for a Cat Care Society wine tasting. From Westminster, the Painted Cats head to the Tennyson Street Cultural District and will be placed in various businesses and galleries during July.

On July 28th, the Painted Cats will be auctioned at Cat Care Society's Gala Dinner Auction at Lakewood Country Club. The emcee is Ed Greene, CBS4 weather and news anchor. The auctioneers are Warren and Terri Smith of Two for the Show Auctions. Individual tickets for the Gala are $75.00 each ($65.00 prior to June 1).  New this year is an individual patron ticket to a private VIP Meet & Greet prior to the dinner on July 28 where Ed Greene will sign the 2013 'Weather Cat' painted cat -- $100.00 each ($90.00 prior to June 1). Details regarding sponsorships, table upgrades and proxy bidding are also available by calling Suellen Scott, CCS director of development, at 303-239-9680, ext. 19.

Link to the PR Web newswire

Link ot the PitchEngine Social Media Release

Link to the Lakewood Pet Examiner's Recent Article

Colorado BioScience Association Seeks Region’s Top Start-up Companies for Venture Showcase Competition at BioWest 2012

Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) is now accepting applications from emerging bioscience companies for the Venture Showcase Competition at BioWest 2012, being held September 11th at the Marriott City Center, Denver. The announcement is made by CBSA President & CEO Holli Riebel, who says, "Six finalists will be selected from the applicants and the winner will receive a $7,500 cash prize at the competition."

"The Venture Showcase creates a huge amount of excitement at the BioWest Conference and gives our emerging bioscience companies an opportunity to present their technologies on a large scale. Our sponsors this year include Dorsey & Whitney LLP, EKS&H - Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC, and the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation. We're appreciative of their support of this important, and popular, competition," Riebel explains.

The six selected finalists will receive expert coaching to fine tune their presentations leading up to the conference.  Each start-up company will have 15 minutes to pitch their technologies and business plans to a panel of bioscience experts and venture capitalists in-front of a live audience at the BioWest Conference & Expo. The cash prize will be given to the outstanding presenting company live at the Conference closing reception.

Link to the Business Wire Release

Link to the PitchEngine Social Media Release

'The mother of inventions...Denise Brown stepping down from unique Colorado projects and an industry she helped create'

Quoting from the April 10th article on Denise Brown's career growing Colorado's Bioscience Industry by Brandon Johannson:

"When she retires next month, Brown will cap a career during which she has been as involved in Colorado and Aurora’s booming bioscience industry as just about anyone.

After working in the state legislature and the governor’s office, Brown spent 17 years at CU before launching the Colorado BioScience Association a decade ago."

Link to the Aurora Sentinel

Bell Aquaculture To Exhibit Fish Rich Fertilizer Products at National Hardware Show May 1-3 in Las Vegas

The Bell Aquaculture team will be exhibiting its Fish Rich Fertilizer products at the National Hardward Show, May 1-3 in Las Vegas.

Link the Bell Aquaculture/Fish Rich Exhibitor Page

DBJ: 'Clinical trials abundant; more sought for Colorado'

Quoting from the April 6th article by Ed Sealover:

"Colorado was home to more than 3,000 clinical drug trials in the past 12 years — a little-known but increasingly important factor in the state’s health care economy.

A new study out by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) doesn’t detail the economic impact of such trials. Nevertheless, state officials estimate that impact could be in the billions of dollars, and they’re promoting Colorado as a place for biotech and medical research expansion...

...It also can help to develop Colorado’s growing biopharmaceutical industry, which includes about 300 companies employing more than 5,410 people, according to the Colorado Bioscience Association. A 2008 study by Archstone Consulting of Miami found that biopharmaceutical companies invested $379.9 million in research and development in Colorado that year."

Link to the DBJ