OHSU Research Produces Two Angel Oregon Finalists

Research
Two companies based on Oregon Health & Science University research – DeltaPoint Inc., and Gamma Therapeutics – have been selected by the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) as finalists to be presented at OEN’s Angel Oregon 2010, to be held at The Nines in Portland on March 5, 2010. This is the first year since the inception of Angel Oregon that two companies arising from OHSU research have been selected as finalists.

A Launch Stage finalist, DeltaPoint Inc. is commercializing diagnostic software developed at OHSU’s Advanced Imaging Research Center (AIRC). The software is designed to non-invasively detect, diagnose and monitor cancer using a novel algorithm to analyze the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), making it the first MRI software that can reliably differentiate benign from malignant tumors. DeltaPoint aims to improve the quality of care for cancer patients and significantly reduce healthcare costs.
 
Vying for the Seed Stage award, Gamma Therapeutics is a startup biopharmaceutical company founded by David Farrell, Ph.D., professor of pathology in the OHSU School of Medicine. The company plans to develop therapeutics and diagnostics in the fields of hematology and cardiology.

Finalists for OEN’s Angel Oregon Launch Stage were chosen from nearly 50 companies based throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. The top two companies will receive investment awards upwards of $175,000 for the winning Launch Stage company and $25,000 for the Seed Stage company.

OHSU research is an incubator of discovery and serves as a bioscience industry catalyst for the region. Of the 40 startup companies launched by OHSU research since 2000, nearly three-quarters were launched as Oregon companies. A recent report prepared by ECONorthwest analyzed OHSU’s net economic impact in Oregon. That study included an analysis of OHSU’s research-based spinoff companies, concluding those companies contribute $372 million of economic activity a year in Oregon. The report can be found at www.ohsu.edu/impact.

As international leaders in research, OHSU scientists have reported more than 1,000 inventions since 1985, averaging one breakthrough, innovation or discovery every three days. The office of Technology Transfer and Business Development (TTBD) supports the university’s research community by collaborating with industry to facilitate research, license promising discoveries and create new companies. For more information about TTBD and innovation at OHSU, go to www.ohsu.edu/techtransfer.

About OHSU
Oregon Health & Science University is the state's only health and research university, and Oregon's only academic health center. OHSU is Portland's largest employer and the fourth largest in Oregon (excluding government). OHSU's size contributes to its ability to provide many services and community support activities not found anywhere else in the state. It serves patients from every corner of the state, and is a conduit for learning for more than 3,400 students and trainees. OHSU is the source of more than 200 community outreach programs that bring health and education services to every county in the state.

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