Mitech News Biotechnology http://www.mitechnews.com Mitech News Biotechnology MEDC Exec Named Director Of WMU's Biosciences RandD Center http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=14122 KALAMAZOO - Michigan Economic Development Corp. executive Stephen Haakenson has been named executive director of Western Michigan University's Biosciences Research and Commercialization Center, effective Feb. 6. Michigan Ranks 7th In Midwest Health Care Investments In 2011 http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=14117 CLEVELAND - Midwest health care companies attracted $810 Million in new investments across 178 companies in 2011 according to the BioEnterprise Midwest Health Care Venture Investment Report. Sixteen Michigan companies received $30.8 million in investments, ranking the Wolverine state 7th out of 11 surveyed. Van Andel Institute Publishes Report On Plant Hormone Cell Process http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=14099 GRAND RAPIDS - A recent Van Andel Research Institute study published in the journal Science investigating the molecular structure and function of an essential plant hormone could profoundly change our understanding of a key cell process, and might ultimately lead to the development of new drugs for a variety of diseases. Wayne State Professor Elected To AIMBE http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=14091 DETROIT - Howard W.T. Matthew, Ph.D., professor of chemical engineering, materials science and biomedical engineering at Wayne State University, is one of 107 new members elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering. Public Testifies On Controversial State Health Exchange http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=14063 LANSING - The contentious debate in 2009 over the federal health care law was revisited Thursday morning at the Capitol as residents from around the state argued over the constitutionality of "Obamacare" and the implications of creating a mandated health exchange in Michigan. CytoPherx Closes $34 Million Funding Round For U.S. Clinical Trials http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13991 ANN ARBOR - CytoPherx announced it has closed a $34 million funding round that will be used to complete U.S. clinical trials and gain FDA approved for the anti-inflammatory therapy for acute kidney injury. Van Andel Inks Agrement With United Negro College Fund To Recruit Students http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13924 GRAND RAPIDS - The Van Andel Education Institute has signed an agreement with United Negro College Fund to cooperatively recruit students at historically black institutions interested in research training in the biomedical sciences, specifically in the cellular, molecular, and genetic biology of human disease. BioSeek Achieves First RandD Milestone On Drug Discovery Collaboration http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13902 SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO - BioSeek, LLC, a subsidiary of Asterand plc, announced Wednesday that the first research milestone has been achieved in the multi-year drug discovery collaboration with Ono Pharmaceutical Co. NepRx Gets Patent For Peptide Aimed At Gastrointestinal Tract http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13896 KALAMAZOO - NephRx Corporation Wednesday announced the issuance of U.S. patent for its novel peptide NX002, which currently is in preclinical development for the treatment of oral mucositis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. VAI To Participate In Dell-Funded RandD To Attack Pediatric Cancer http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13845 GRAND RAPIDS - Van Andel Research Institute and Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Thursday announced participation in a Dell-funded national initiative based on technology developed by VARI and tested in collaboration with Spectrum Health to support a personalized medicine trial for pediatric cancer.