BioForward Announces Winners of 2012 Bioscience Vision Summit’s Emerging Company Showcase

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Six Wisconsin bioscience companies have been selected as the winners of BioForward’s 2012 Emerging Company Showcase. The showcase is part of the 2012 Bioscience Vision Summit, being held on Wednesday, September 12^th, at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison, Wis. and hosted by BioForward, the member-driven state association that is the voice of Wisconsin’s bioscience industry. The Emerging Company Showcase is sponsored by MG&E and UW, Office of Corporate Relations.

“BioForward is committed to fostering growth in Wisconsin and these organizations represent key industries that will be at the center of future job creation.”

Each of these Wisconsin-based early stage companies were chosen because they have transitioned successfully out of research and development, with good proof of concept for their products. Each was judged to have a unique value proposition. This year’s Emerging Company Showcase winners are:

• Fused Innovation, Neenah, WI
  Fused Innovation began by researching advanced manufacturing solutions to support their internal needs, and discovered a vast number of innovations that can have a positive impact on the competitiveness of US manufacturing. The focus of Fused Innovation is to bridge the gap between research and commercial applications. Their desire is to collaborate with research institutions and manufacturers to continue to bring technology innovation to industry.

• VibeTech, Inc., Sheboygan, WI
  VibeTech, Inc. (Sheboygan, WI) is an early stage medical device company founded in 2007 by Jeff Leismer, PhD. The company has developed, patented, and clinically tested a unique rehabilitation product, the VibeTech Rehab Chair (VRC), to reduce or reverse disuse atrophy in immobile and functionally impaired individuals who cannot tolerate weight bearing physical activity. The product enables treatment of a population comprised of 15 million Americans who were previously considered untreatable, thus enabling a new stream of revenue for healthcare providers. VibeTech’s premier product, the VRC1000™, will be available to clinics this fall.

• Somna Therapeutics, LLC, Germantown, WI
  Somna Therapeutics’, created in partnership with the Medical College of Wisconsin in March of 2012, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for the millions of patients suffering from extraesophageal acid reflux disease (EERD) by offering the Reza-Band™, UES Assist Device, a revolutionary, safe, simple and powerfully effective medical device that relieves and eliminates the symptoms associated with this highly prevalent disease.

• PatientWise, Middleton, WI
  Take recruitment off your to-do list. PatientWise is a full-service patient recruiting and marketing agency for clinical trials. We partner with research sites, Sponsors, and CROs to optimize patient recruitment campaigns by blending traditional and non-traditional advertising. We also specialize in customizing recruitment plans, negotiating recruitment budgets, and developing site-focused advertising campaigns.

• NanoOncology, a subsidiary of Peptimed, Madison, WI
  NanoOncology (Fitchburg, WI) is developing novel biological therapeutics with cutting-edge approaches to maximize potency and specificity for ameliorating late-stage cancer while avoiding debilitating side effects, thereby improving prognosis and quality of life for patients. Our two lead products are: 1) EVIRNA™, the active anti-cancer ingredient of our therapeutic, and 2) hELP™, a polypeptide drug delivery platform to target EVIRNA™ or other similar therapeutics to tumors. NanoOncology anticipates moving these products into the clinic by 2014.

• PharmaSeek Financial Services, Middleton, WI
  Since 1994, PharmaSeek Financial Services has been committed to assisting clinical research sites improve the financial management of their operation. Providing outsource business solutions, such as revenue cycle management, budget negotiation, and coverage analysis, allows for site personnel to focus their attention on clinical activities.

In addition to complimentary registration for the summit, the winners receive high-visibility exhibit space, recognition at one of the summit’s large plenary sessions, a complimentary year of membership in BioForward, and specialized one-on-one technical assistance ranging from business planning and investor introductions to collaborative partnerships courtesy of Madison Gas & Electric and UW-Office of Corporate Relations.

“These six companies characterize the diversity and innovation of technology within Wisconsin’s bioscience industry,” said Bryan Z. Renk, Executive Director of BioForward. “BioForward is committed to fostering growth in Wisconsin and these organizations represent key industries that will be at the center of future job creation.”

Registration for the Biotechnology Vision Summit 2012 is available online, with additional information at http://www.bioforward.org/?page=2012VisionSummit.

About BioForward

BioForward is the member-driven state association that is the voice of Wisconsin’s bioscience industry. We advocate actively on our members’ behalf to create investment and partnership opportunities, attract and retain the very best people, and support public policy that fosters their continued growth. We also provide member-support services that include networking opportunities through a variety of conferences and events, online resources and group purchasing programs. Our members include bioscience companies, universities, non-profits, service providers, and state, regional and local government representatives.