Yale BioHaven Entrepreneurship Series Announces Schedule for 2007-2008

The Yale BioHaven Entrepreneurship Series, designed to showcase regionally developed life science technologies that have progressed along the path to commercialization, announced its schedule of workshops for 2007 - 2008.

Presented by the Yale Office of Cooperative Research (OCR) and Connecticut United for Research Excellence (CURE), the Yale-BioHaven events feature speakers who represent both the scientific and business sides of the enterprises. In addition to looking at the companies’ scientific or technological advantages and other key success factors, the programs examine the lessons the founders learned while starting and developing their businesses.

The program began in 2004 as a way to bring together the full spectrum of people involved in starting a bioscience business. “We have seen a steady increase in participation of academic researchers, corporate and small business operatives, as well as investors,” said Jon Soderstrom, Managing Director of Yale OCR. “There has been something of value for everyone involved.”

The hour-long seminars are in the Anlyan Center Auditorium at 300 Cedar Street beginning at 4:00 p.m., and each presentation is followed by a one-hour networking event that includes light refreshments.

“In 2007 we are adding a special BioHaven panel discussion designed to appeal to venture capitalists and entrepreneurs interested in the latest technology, and business trends that will shape the next wave of new therapeutics,” said Laura Malis, BioHaven coordinator from CURE.  The panel discussion will take place starting 5:00 p.m. on April 16, 2008.

Scheduled programs are:

• October 24, 2007 BioRelix Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  BioRelix is a company that is working to identify antibiotics that target pathogens resistant to currently available drugs. BioRelix’ competitive advantage resides in the use of novel patented bacterial RNA targets called “RiboSwitches.™”
• November 13, 2007 Vascular Insights, LLC
  Vascular Insights is developing a general infusion catheter and a system for the removal of blood vessels in the treatment of varicose veins. The market for varicose vein disease is one of the largest markets for any chronic condition in the developed world.
• February 20, 2008 Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
  Rib-X Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is designing and developing novel small-molecule antibiotics for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant infections in hospital and community settings. Rib-X has proprietary access to the high-resolution crystal structure of the target of numerous currently valuable antibiotics.
• March 19, 2008 Optherion, Inc.
  Optherion is a company dedicated to research, development and commercialization of therapeutics and diagnostics for Age-related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in people over age 60 in the developed world.
• April 16, 2008 “The Next Big Idea — Creating a New Venture”
  This special BioHaven panel presentation will give venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and the Yale community a chance to look into the future at the next generation of therapeutics. In addition to looking “under the hood” at several new technologies, the program will feature presentations leading industry observers on new trends in business formation.
• April 23, 2008 Vidus Ocular, Inc.
  Vidus Ocular is developing an innovative medical device for the treatment of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.  Their Aquashunt™ patented technology lowers intraocular pressure by providing a drainage pathway for aqueous fluid from the anterior chamber of the eye,

More information on the BioHaven Programs can be obtained from Tracy Huang at Yale OCR, 203-436-4933 or Laura Malis at CURE, (203) 458-0283. Tapes of selected programs are on the OCR website. To register for individual programs, RSVP to biohaven@yale.edu or call 203-785-6209.