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For Immediate Release
Alan Fogg,
Director of Communications
afogg@fceda.org, 703-790-0600 (o) or 571-213-5065 (m)
Fairfax County EDA dedicates BioAccelerator
to grow new bioscience companies
State Commerce Secretary Schewel cuts “double helix” ribbon to open first bioscience business incubator in northern Virginia
Fairfax County, Virginia, January 24, 2003—Virginia Commerce Secretary Michael J. Schewel and other dignitaries cut a symbolic “double helix” ribbon today to open officially the Fairfax County BioAccelerator, the first bioscience business incubator in northern Virginia.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) created the BioAccelerator to be a catalyst for the bioscience industry in northern Virginia, create a new employment base for the Springfield community in which it is located, and further diversify the Fairfax County economic base.
Secretary Schewel cut the ribbon with Fairfax County Supervisor Dana Kauffman (Lee District); Northern Virginia Community College President Robert Templin; FCEDA President and CEO Gerald L. Gordon; FCEDA Commission Chairman Harry N. Doyle; and ANGLE Technology Group CEO-U.S. Gary P. Evans.
The BioAccelerator is being managed by ANGLE Technology Group. The center is designed to house 10-12 early-stage companies based in the U.S. or overseas. ANGLE Technology also works with “virtual” clients who participate in the business development program but do not take space in the BioAccelerator. Five companies have entered the program:
- HealthRx Corporation is developing software that can predict heart attacks sooner by using advanced data mining techniques to analyze electrocardiograms.
- Digital Reasoning Systems has developed analytical software that allows healthcare practitioners to share real-time drug interaction and toxicity information with pharmaceutical companies.
- SmartBead Technologies LTD of Cambridge, England, has developed a system that uses microparticles etched with barcodes no wider than a human hair to tag and track molecules. SmartBead won the 2002 FCEDA UK/US incubator competition.
- Industrial Science and Technology Network specializes in the development and commercialization of nanotechnology products, including those with life sciences-related applications such as drug delivery and controlling biological processes.
- Health Technomics, a virtual client, is developing computer-based nutrition enhancement and education tools.
The BioAccelerator is close to the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station and the Northern Virginia Community College medical education campus under construction.
“The BioAccelerator is a key component of the vision to make biotechnology an integral part of the Fairfax County economy and to create a substantial commercial base in the Springfield area,” said Gerald Gordon, president and CEO of the FCEDA.
"Early-stage life science companies are enthusiastic about area industry and educational resources, plus the range of tailored business development services ANGLE Technology is delivering through Fairfax County's BioAccelerator," said Gary P. Evans CEO-US Operations, ANGLE Technology Group.
About the FCEDA: The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority promotes Fairfax County, Virginia, just west of Washington, D.C., as a business and technology center. The FCEDA assists businesses by identifying possible sites and facilities, and is a source for up-to-date demographic and economic statistics. The FCEDA also has marketing representatives in London, Frankfurt and Tokyo.
About ANGLE Technology Group: ANGLE Technology is an international venture management and commercialization firm. ANGLE develops and manages research parks, accelerators and incubators; creates, manages and finances technology-based companies; and collaborates with companies, universities and government institutes to create companies based on protected intellectual property. ANGLE is based in Guildford, England, and has its U.S. headquarters in Fairfax County.
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