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Washington Technology Center awards $376,454 to spur innovation and jobs

Five company-researcher projects have been awarded state funding for the development of innovative commercial technologies.

SEATTLE – July 1, 2009 – Washington Technology Center has awarded a total of $376,454 in state funding to five researchers working with companies to develop commercially promising technologies. The companies expect commercial adoption of their technologies to create 175 new jobs in Washington during the next five years.

The company partners are: Data Data, of Vancouver; Healionics, of Redmond; Modumetal, of Seattle; Paine Electronics, of East Wenatchee; and Simulab, of Seattle. Winning proposals from the University of Washington and Washington State University Vancouver described innovation in computer systems and microelectronics, advanced materials and manufacturing, and biotechnology and biomedical devices.

"I commend these companies and their research partners for growing new business opportunities," said Washington Governor Chris Gregoire in support of this round of award winners. "This kind of investment in innovation builds on our state’s strong university research institutions, supports our 21st century industries, and most importantly, helps to create family-wage jobs in Washington.”

This round of projects addresses a wide range of innovation:

Data Data, Inc., a property data solutions company founded in 2007, is collaborating with the School of Engineering and Computer Science at Washington State University Vancouver to evaluate the use of machine learning algorithms to improve document classification and information extraction from images of public records documents. Data Data expects that successful application of this technology will enable the company to scale its real estate market statistics services to the national level and, in the process, create 40 new technology jobs in Washington during the next five years. WSU Vancouver will receive $28,546 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $5,845 from Data Data for the project. More

Healionics Corporation, a startup biomaterials company in Redmond, is partnered with the Department of Medicine at the University of Washington to commercialize UW technology that will reduce infection from skin-breaching devices such as catheters. Healionics expects this technology will enable the company to capture a significant part of a $100-200 million market resulting in the creation of 50 new technology jobs during the next five years. UW will receive $82,500 in Phase II research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $16,500 from Healionics for the project. More

Modumetal, Inc., a Seattle-based developer of nanostructured materials, is teamed with the University of Washington’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering to develop an innovative nanostructured anti-corrosion technology. Modumetal projects this new technology will lead to many opportunities in a $120 billion market and grow 50 jobs in the company during the next five years. UW will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Modumetal for the project. More

Paine Electronics, LLC, a manufacturer of pressure instrumentation with headquarters in East Wenatchee and a production facility in Renton, is collaborating with the University of Washington’s Department of Electrical Engineering to develop an integrated circuit for use in high-temperature sensors. Paine Electronics expects the new sensors will open up opportunities in the growing geothermal and mineral exploration markets, and create 25 jobs during the next five years. UW will receive $65,408 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $14,538 from Paine Electronics for the project. More

Simulab Corporation, a Seattle-based developer of medical and surgical simulators, is working with the BioRobotics Laboratory at the University of Washington to commercialize UW software capable of measuring hands-on surgical skills. Simulab plans to target surgical residency programs and large hospitals for the skill-evaluating simulators, and projects the creation of 20 jobs during the next five years. UW will receive $100,000 in Phase I research and technology development funding from Washington Technology Center and $20,000 from Simulab for the project. More

About the Research & Technology Development (RTD) Grant Program
Washington Technology Center competitively awards around $1 million in state funding annually through the Research & Technology Development Grant Program for technology projects that show strong potential for commercializing products and creating jobs in Washington. Each project team is comprised of a Washington company partner and a researcher from a university or research nonprofit in the state. The company defines the research challenge and provides access to the commercial market. The university or nonprofit researcher executes the research with funding from both Washington Technology Center and the company partner. Since 1996, the RTD program has supported 335 research commercialization projects. Applications for the next funding round are due October 22, 2009. More information about the research and technology development program is available online at http://www.watechcenter.org/rtd.

About Washington Technology Center
Washington Technology Center is a statewide economic development organization focused on technology and innovation. We spark ideas, form connections between people and resources, and foster job growth to position Washington state as a national technology leader. As an organization, Washington Technology Center channels state, federal, and private resources to help companies develop and commercialize new products and technologies. Our 15,000-square-foot Microfabrication Laboratory provides companies and university researchers access to facilities and specialized equipment for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) research and product/process development. The impact of Washington Technology Center’s work has generated more than $600 million in additional investment for Washington companies and researchers. For more information how Washington Technology Center can help research and development projects succeed, visit www.watechcenter.org or call 206-685-1920.

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Healionics ships its first product, glaucoma treatment for dogs

Healionics Corporation, a start-up biomaterials company in Redmond, announced the sale and shipment of the first commercial product featuring Healionics' STAR® biomaterial. A company press release says the product, TR-ClarifEYE™, an innovative veterinary glaucoma implant marketed by TR BioSurgical, LLC (TRBIO), is scheduled for limited market launch in April 2009. "We are very excited to announce the first commercial shipment of STAR, which is a significant milestone for Healionics and represents the Company’s first revenue from product sales," said Healionics CEO Michel Alvarez. In related news, Alvarez replaces Rob Brown as CEO in a management change.

Related external links (will open a new window):

  • Read more in the Healionics press release
  • Read more in Xconomy

    Related WTC links:

  • Healionics is a WTC client
  • Healionics raises $2.6 million
  • Healionics announces first commercial product for biomaterial

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    Healionics raises $2.6 million

    Healionics Corporation, a start-up biomaterials company in Redmond, has raised $2.6 million in a second round of financing. Investors came from several angel funding networks -- the Bellingham Angels, the Alliance of Angels, Keiretsu, the Tacoma Angel Network and the Zino Society. The company is commercializing UW technology that will reduce infection from skin-breaching devices such as catheters.

    Related external links (will open a new window):

  • Read more in the Seattle Times

    Related WTC links:

  • Healionics is a WTC client

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    Healionics announces first commercial product for biomaterial

    Healionics, a start-up company in Redmond, has entered into a multi-million dollar manufacturing, supply and distribution agreement for use of its biomaterial in a veterinary glaucoma implant made by TR BioSurgical. Healionics was founded on technology developed by Dr. Buddy Ratner and Dr. Andrew Marshall at the University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials center and licensed from UW.

    Related external links (will open a new window):

  • Read more in Xconomy

    Related WTC links:

  • Healionics is a WTC client

    - end of post -

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