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New X Prize Challenge for Ocean Oil Cleanup
The X Prize Foundation unveiled today a $1.4 million challenge competition to inspire scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative new methods for cleaning up ocean oil spills. Teams taking part are encouraged to submit ideas for cleaning up spills or leaks from ships or tankers, land drainage, waste disposal, or oil platforms, the best-known…
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Chile Seeking International Start-Ups
The Chilean Economic Development Agency has launched a new program to help entrepreneurs and early-stage companies with innovative and high-growth business plans quickly launch and run their businesses in Chile. The program, Start-Up Chile (InnovaChile), offers entrepreneurs entry and logistical assistance, funding, and a support network to aid in the successful launch of their operations.…
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Coronary Stent Approved for Sale in Europe
Devax Inc., a medical device developer in Lake Forest, California says it received the Conformité Européenne (CE) mark for its AXXESS stent system designed for the treatment of coronary and vascular bifurcation lesions. The CE mark certifies that a product has met EU health, safety, and environmental requirements, allowing the company to market the stent…
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New Study Assesses Potential of Nanotech in Construction Industry
The use of new materials based on nanotechnology can spread widely through the construction industry, where they offer significant advantages over traditional materials. But their widespread use in building materials comes with potential environmental and health risks that cannot be ignored. These findings were published in a study appearing this month in the journal ACS…
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Trial Shows Results for Topical Treatment of Head Lice
Topaz Pharmaceuticals Inc. in Horsham, Pennsylvania presented results of a clinical trial showing topical ivermectin cream effective at treating head lice. Findings from a related study, also presented at the recent annual meeting of the Society for Pediatric Dermatology in Portland, Oregon, showed minimal plasma absorption of ivermectin when the topical formulation was applied to…
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Instrumention, Engineering Firms Produce Immunoassay Platform
Bodkin Design & Engineering in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, with Boston University and Zoíray Technologies, also in Boston, have developed a commercial instrument based on the partners’ basic research. The product, the Spectral Reflectance Imaging Biosensor (SRIB), is a multiplexed immunoassay platform for life science research and clinical diagnostics. Immunoassays are chemical tests used to detect…
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Packaging, Insulation Produced from Agricultural Byproducts
Ecovative Design of Green Island, New York, is producing a new packaging material (pictured left) made from inedible agricultural waste and mushroom roots. The company is also developing a process for sterilizing this material based on spice oils rather than steam. The technology to create this composite, marketed under the name Eco-Cradle, requires one-eighth the…
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Cellulosic Ethanol Company to Build R&D Center
The Boston Business Journal reports that Qteros Inc., a Marlborough, Massachusetts company making cellulosic ethanol, will open a new research and development facility in Chicopee, Massachusetts by the end of 2010. CEO John McCarthy tells the Journal the 15,000 square-foot plant will allow for fermentation of biomass on a larger scale than is now possible…
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Financing Tips from Angel and VC Investors
The FundingPost.com Angel Investor and Early-Stage VC Event in Washington, DC today drew a full house of 125+ entrepreneurs and investors to the K Street law offices of Bingham McCutchen. Participants heard elevator pitches from 15 entrepreneurs, ranging from a day-spa that features exotic destination themes, to a genetics lab seeking funds for a joint…
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Light posting today
I will be at the DC Angel Investor and Venture Capital Conference this afternoon. Regular posting will resume tomorrow.