"We created the New Jersey Technology Fellowships to give early-stage firms what they need most - talented, dedicated employees," said Commission Chairman Donald L. Drakeman. "We are proud to launch the careers of these young scientists and to help New Jersey entrepreneurs create more quality high-tech jobs in New Jersey."
Through the New Jersey Technology Fellowship and the SBIR Bridge Grant programs, the Commission has awarded a total of $1.4 million to 24 companies in New Jersey during the past year.
Commission members today also announced selection of the American Institute of Biological Sciences to manage and conduct an independent, scientific review of applications for New Jersey's $5 million Stem Cell Research Grant program. The Commission received more than 70 complete applications for the Stem Cell Research Grant program by the October 14 filing deadline, including proposals from several private life sciences companies, as well as New Jersey's research universities and institutes.
AIBS was founded in 1947 as a part of the National Academy of Sciences and has been an independent member-governed organization since the 1950s. AIBS, headquartered in Washington, D.C, includes 200 professional societies and other organizations with a combined membership of more than 250,000 biologists.
The Stem Cell Research Grant program offers grants up to $300,000 over two years. The Commission, which administers the program, expects to announce grant awards before the end of the year during an open, public meeting of the Commission.
Commission members also approved a FY 2006 budget including $15.2 million for the Commission, compared to $8.8 million in FY 05. The FY 06 Budget includes $5.5 million for Business Assistance, a 50 percent increase from the FY 05 budget of $3.65 million.
New Jersey Technology Fellowships
October 2005
The New Jersey Technology Fellowship program, launched this year, helps move cutting-edge research from the lab to the marketplace by providing funding to emerging high-tech companies that hire post-doctoral graduates from New Jersey research universities.
In April, the Commission awarded Technology Fellowships to eight postdoctoral graduates and their employers. For a complete listing of companies and postdocs, please visit www.state.nj.us/scitech
New Jersey Technology Fellowships announced today include:
James Flint and PharmaSeq
PhD. Rutgers University, Biomedical Engineering
PharmaSeq 732 355-0100 x11
Wlodek Mandecki, president
PharmaSeq provides ultra high-throughput, low-cost multiplex bioassays and instruments for research and clinical use. The company pioneered a unique technology based on an ultra-small silicon integrated circuit, a microtransponder, which when activated by laser light emits a radio frequency signal carrying a unique identification code. Applications are being pursued in genomics, proteomics, pharmaceutical drug discovery and combinatorial chemistry. www.pharmaseq.com
Kathleen Gilbert and Pestka Biomedical Laboratories
PhD New Jersey Institute of Technology, Chemistry and Environmental Science.
Pestka Biomedical Laboratories 732 777-9123 x 20
Director of Drug Development and Discovery William Clark, PhD.
Pestka Biomedical Laboratories focuses on treating patients with better targeted, more effective therapeutic molecules and/or routes of administration in order to minimize adverse side effects. The company's founder, Dr. Sidney Pestka, was awarded the 2001 National Medal of Technology for his focus on innovation biotechnology and the dramatic impact his effort have had on the treatment of diseases including hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Dr. Clark is collaborating with UMDNJ researchers to develop novel treatments for infections diseases and cancer. www.pblbio.com
Nazieh Masoud and UV Solutions
Ph.D. Stevens Institute of Technology, Physics and Engineering Physics
UV Solutions, at the Enterprise Development Center technology incubator on the NJIT campus, is focusing on ozone treatment of water and wastewater, which is preferred by the EPA and the DEP as a safer method than disinfecting by mercury lamps and which leaves no toxic residue as in chlorination. www.uvsns.com
Mariela Reyes-Reyes and Advaxis, Inc.
Jason Steffener and Medsonics US, Inc
Medsonics, a client of the Enterprise Development Center technology incubator on the NJIT campus, is developing medical monitoring and imaging diagnostic devices using unique ultrasound techniques to quantitatively assess the status of bone fractures and image soft tissue trauma. http://medsonics.com
Songmei Yu and RelevantNOISE
RelevantNOISE is developing a process to mine the blogosphere for business intelligence that will enableclients to hear what bloggers are saying about their company and or products/services. Having this knowledge summarized into actionable categories can give the company's clients the ability to proactively launch and track the success of marketing campaigns, identify product or services issues before they become too widespread and give new insight to new or improved products and services. www.relevantnoise.com
SBIR Bridge Grants
October 2005
The Commission on Science and Technology strives to increase federal research funding for small technology firms in New Jersey, specifically by increasing investments through the federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
The Bridge Grant Program supports New Jersey's technology industry by awarding $50,000 grants to help sustain small businesses through the funding gap between completion of the federal SBIR Phase I grant and initiation of a Phase II award. Grant recipients include:
Princeton Multimedia Technologies (Vio Care)
Working with the National Institutes of Health, the company is developing tools, such as web-based questionnaires, that patients can use to report their health and activity data to physicians. Such information can help health care providers identify patients with lifestyle-related risks for metabolic diseases and provide motivational personalized counseling for change.
Herbst Research, Inc. www.herbst-research.com
Electrical stimulators are widely used for treatment of several medical problems. Herbst Research is working with the National Institutes of Health on adding a sensor interface, providing the ability to appropriately react to the conditions in the body and to optimize treatment outcomes.
Nanonex Corporation
Monmouth Junction
Larry Koecher, COO
732 355-1600
www.nanonex.com
Nanonex Corporation is working with the Department of Defense to develop its technology based on the pioneering research of Professor Stephen Y. Chou of Princeton University. The company offers many tools using nanoimprint lithography (NIL), a breakthrough method of nanopatterning and a revolutionary approach to nanomanufacturing.
