Tri-Cities Tech Business Update

March 2009 Issue

News

*IsoRay signs distribution agreement

IsoRay Inc., based in Richland, Wash., has entered an agreement with BrachySciences- a division of Biocompatibles International-to distribute IsoRay's Proxcelan Cesium-131 brachytherapy seeds. The distribution agreement is designed to provide physicians with more choices and flexibility to offer patients the newest isotope available to treat prostate and other cancers. IsoRay, Inc. is the sole producer of the Cesium-131 brachytherapy seed that has a significantly shorter half-life than the two other isotopes commonly used in brachytherapy treatment. This results in a substantially faster delivery of therapeutic radiation, a lower probability of cancer cell survival, and a reduction of the longevity of common brachytherapy side effects. Contact Jonathan Hunt at (509) 375-1202.

J-U-B Engineers develops innovative anaerobic digester

Kennewick, Wash.-based J-U-B Engineers, Inc., has received funding to build a full-scale commercial demonstration of their patented anaerobic digester designed to treat dairy manure or other confined animal feeding operation waste streams. The TIREPower Anaerobic Digester demonstration project will be located at a dairy farm in Boardman, Ore. Anaerobic digestion is an effective method for reducing odors and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from dairy operations while producing useful methane gas. Contact Troy Green at (509) 783-2144.

JAD Environmental secures NEPA Contract

Dade Moeller & Associates of Richland, Wash., is part of the JAD Environmental Team that was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to provide National Environmental Policy Act support services across the department's weapons complex. The team will support preparation of environmental impact statements, environmental assessments, and environmental reports in compliance with NEPA. Dade Moeller's partners in the JAD joint venture are Jason Associates Corporation, based in San Diego, Calif., and AGEISS, Inc., based in Evergreen, Colo. Contact Ernie Harr at (301) 828-7342.

*Ladenburg Thalmann engaged by AIT for $15 million financing

Medical device manufacturer Advanced Imaging Technologies, a Richland, Wash., company, is partnering with a leading New York-based investment bank to secure financing for production of the company's ARIA Breast Imaging System. The ARIA system has demonstrated the capability to accurately identify more breast lesions than x-ray mammography, especially in women with dense tissue. The company has engaged Ladenburg Thalmann to lead its financing efforts to increase production to meet growing demand as well as to expand sales and marketing efforts. Contact Stephanie Hartwig at (509) 430-3515.

*Infinia and PNNL featured in Washington state development article

In the December/January issue of AreaDevelopment Online, Kennewick, Wash.-based Infinia Corporation and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash., were cited as leaders in the Washington State's commitment to clean technologies that support the green economy and green collar jobs. The article "Digital Media, Life Sciences, Aerospace Lead Washington's Economic Sector Development" credits the state's recent jump from fifth to third on the Forbes Best States for Business list to Washington's diverse industry sectors, such as life sciences and global health, aerospace, and clean technology. Larry Williams, interim director of the Washington State Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, mentioned Infinia's work in solar power generation solutions, and PNNL's research and development of green products, working with hydrogen, longer life fuel cells and other products.

Shelby Supercars unveils plans for high performance electric vehicle

Shelby Supercars, based in West Richland, Wash., has retained investment banking firm Sheffield International to raise capital for an initiative to develop a high-performance all-electric vehicle. Shelby will incorporate its All-Electric Scalable Powertrain into its Ultimate Aero vehicle-the world's fastest production car-to create the Ultimate Aero EV. The Ultimate Aero platform is being utilized to show the scalability of the powertrain technology prior to licensing it to volume auto manufacturers. Shelby plans to roll out its first full-scale, pre-production Ultimate Aero EV at the end June, followed by deliveries of the first four production vehicles by the end of the year. Contact Junus Khan at (866) 320-4617.

Northwest Entrepreneur Network selects new executive director

The Northwest Entrepreneur Network board has selected Rebecca Lovell as the organization's executive director. Lovell was previously the program director for the Alliance of Angels and has experience guiding early-stage companies and their investors to success. NWEN is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities and information entrepreneurs need to build companies with high growth potential. NWEN has more than 800 members and produces more than 40 events and programs each year focused on starting and running rapidly growing companies. Contact Rebecca Lovell at (425) 564-5700.

Tri-Cities Research District

Phil Singerman to speak

MARCH 5. REGISTER BY MARCH 2. Phil Singerman, the senior vice-president of B&D Consulting, will be the next speaker in the Tri-Cities Research District Speaker Series. Singerman will talk about federal funding available for development of research parks, including what is available, how to gain access to it, and why it's an important element of success. He will also address the federal economic development funding resources and the economic development implications of carbon cap and trade systems. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Washington State University Tri-Cities are teaming to host a speaker series dedicated to educating stakeholders, the community, and other interested individuals and organizations on what it takes to successfully develop a research park. Speakers who are experienced in developing research parks across the country will share their perspectives. Meetings are held at the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus. There is no charge to attend; however, you must pre-register by Monday, March 2. The event begins at 4 pm and will be followed by a light reception sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Register online.

Opportunities and Tools

Washington Technology Center commercialization grants available

The Washington Technology Center is accepting proposals for its next round of research grants aimed at transitioning great ideas out of the laboratory and into the marketplace. The Center's Research and Technology Development grants program awards up to $100,000 for initial proof-of-concept projects and up to $300,000 total for multi-phase projects. The deadline for notices of intent is March 19 and applications will be due April 23. More information. Contact Russell Paez at (206) 616-3102.

Development grand funding offered

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy facility in Golden, Colo., will issue a Solicitation for Letters of Interest to small businesses for the development of prototype photovoltaic modules and pilot production. This solicitation is targeted at innovative research and development on photovoltaic cell and module prototypes with demonstrated functionality in either large-area cell/module form prototypes produced in pilot-scale operations. Six to 10 subcontracts, worth up to three million dollars each, are expected to be awarded as 18-month phased subcontracts. A web conference on the project is scheduled for March 6 at 9:30 am Mountain Time. Download more information or view the solicitation.

Nominations open for Small Business Awards

The Mid-Columbia Small Business Awards Committee, coordinated by the Three Rivers Alliance of Chambers, is accepting nominations to recognize small businesses in Benton and Franklin Counties for exceptional customer service, outstanding commitment to employees, and superior community relations. The awards are presented to small businesses that best exemplify the qualities of honesty, fairness, ethical business practices, and concern for employees and customers. The application deadline is Thursday, April 2, 2008. The awards will be presented in May. Contact Tracy Hill at (509) 967-1063.

Washington Technology Center launches a news forum

The Washington Technology Center has launched a news forum covering innovation and technology in Washington. They plan to track news, events and funding opportunities related to companies in Washington's high impact sectors including energy, life sciences, aerospace, defense and security, and nanotechnology. News forum readers can post comments, view news by topic labels, and subscribe to news posts under the news feed. The WTC will continue to publish its quarterly email newsletter as a quarterly "news in review."

Resources online

1) The article "State of economy a good time for a startup" was published in the Tri-City Herald on February 1. The article explains why a "down" economy might be the best time for startup companies to find employees. 2) The Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association has changed its website address to http://www.washbio.org/. The new site has the organization's event registration center, job listings, information on group purchasing, and upcoming events. 3) The January 23 edition of WSU Today includes the article "Of ants and adjuncts" featuring PNNL economic development manager Gary Spanner.

Coming Up

Invest Northwest 2009

MARCH 17-18. Invest Northwest 2009 will be held in Seattle, Wash. The investment conference brings together public and private life science companies with institutional investors, analysts, investment bankers, fund managers, venture capitalists, angel investors, and prospective corporate partners. A featured panel discussion is "Technology Transfer in the Pacific Northwest," designed to explore how to effectively partner with technology transfer offices, dealing with challenges in the current economy, and how to promote commercialization innovation. More information and registration. Contact Maureen Harlow at (206) 732-6707.

Speaker series features cancer treatment

MARCH 20. Suzanne Lindsey from the biotech startup Recodagen will be the March speaker in the Spokane Science, Technology & Business Discovery series. Lindsey's presentation will focus on new therapies to stop the spread of cancerous tumors. The speaker series highlights new and breakthrough developments in science, technology and their business applications by showcasing Washington state scientists and business leaders. The Series is designed for business and community leaders who want to stay on top of important advancements being made in our state, nationally and internationally. Contact Amy Bell Rousso at (206) 389-7261.

Small Business Cost Proposal & Government Accounting Workshop

MARCH 31 (Seattle) and APRIL 1 (Vancouver). The Washington Technology Center is hosting Small Business Innovation Research / Small Business Technology Transfer workshops, featuring Jim Greenwood of the Greenwood Consulting Group, well-known SBIR and STTR consultants. The workshops focus on the cost proposal and accounting for SBIR and STTR awards.  Sessions cover basic terms and concepts like direct versus indirect rates, allowable and unallowable costs, cost proposal format variations among the Federal agencies, and includes an exercise to estimate the indirect/facilities & administrative rate for your business.   More information and  registration. Contact Suzanne Mitchell at (509) 372-5146.

Mark Your Calendar

American Society for Quality meeting

APRIL 1. REGISTER BY MARCH 26. The Columbia Basin Chapter of the American Society for Quality's April meeting will feature the presentation "Of Silos, Swim Lanes and Stovepipes" by Mike Schwenk, Vice President of Battelle and Director of Technology Deployment and Outreach at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Wash. The presentation will focus on what "technology-based economic development" means and how to go about it, regardless of the size or location of the community.  Schwenk will also talk about the importance of government, industry and academia working together to become more innovative and develop answers to pressing global questions and concerns. The meeting will be held at the Shilo Inn in Richland, Wash., with check-in and networking beginning at 5:30 pm, chapter business and buffet dinner at 6 pm, followed by the presentation at 7 pm. The cost is $17 for members and $20 for non-members, or $5 for the presentation only. To register, contact Alvin Langstaff at (509) 371-2221 with your name, phone number and company affiliation.

Washington Innovation Summit 2009

APRIL 9. REGISTER BY MARCH 6 FOR EARLY BIRD RATE. Washington Innovation Summit 2009 will bring together more than 400 innovators and thought leaders in sustainability and technology who are driving industry development in sustainable energy, innovative materials & manufacturing, urban sustainability, and healthy ecosystems. The Summit will focus on how we are developing innovative and sustainable approaches to realize our opportunities and overcome challenges. Keynote speakers will include Gifford Pinchot III, co-founder and president emeritus of the Bainbridge Graduate Institute, and Thomas E. Plimpton, vice chairman of PACCAR. Presenters from the Tri-Cities include Mike Schwenk and Jim Buelt of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Jeff Surma of InEnTec Medical Services, and Birgitte Ahring of the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory at WSU Tri-Cities. Full registration includes all summit breakout and general sessions, breakfast, lunch and reception and is $190 until March 6 and $230 after March 6. Registration for the reception only is $45. Register online.

Got News?

We invite your contributions! We will consider items that fit the mission of this publication, including your tech-related news, awards, and notices of upcoming events. Please send text and photos to Diane Kahler or call (509) 372-4133.

Tri-Cities Tech Business Update is published by the Economic Development Office at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Each month, we send you an e-mail message, giving you the link of news, tips, awards, upcoming events, and other information about local technology-based businesses and organizations that support them. With business and community partners, our goal is to build and diversify the Tri-Cities economy—adding skilled jobs in primary-sector industries that bring in outside dollars. Currently, more than 1,100 tech-related businesses, investors, and economic development stakeholders subscribe to the newsletter, mostly in the Mid-Columbia area and the rest of the Pacific Northwest. This newsletter (RL-P00-009) supports DOE-Richland's vision for the future of the Hanford Site and surrounding area through the creation of research opportunities, new industries, and new business clusters