The Trinity of Innovation...(11 days and counting)

During my regional journey I have thoroughly explored Pennsylvania and New Jersey…two integral pieces of the mid-Atlantic bioscience cluster…however there was one piece missing…one piece of the region I had yet to explore…the first state…and my second to last stop before Biotech 2009…Delaware. Upon the completion of my Delaware exploration I will have researched all three states that make up the mid-Atlantic bioscience region, or as I’ve come to refer to it, the trinity of innovation.

I must say, I knew little about Delaware before I started my journey. I had heard, from some of the inhabitants of both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, that it was known as the First State, and that it has been very active in producing some of the region’s top bioscience companies. I was excited to explore this state, as I knew that there was much to discover.

I started my journey directly across the Delaware-Pennsylvania state line at AstraZeneca…I knew this was a hive of bioscience activity due to the incredible readings from my Bio Strength Locator. It seems that wherever I go in these three states there is something new to discover, and something new that nearly overloads my Helixbrain. The AZ facilities were huge…and steaming with new ideas and innovations that will improve the quality of life for all inhabitants of this great planet Earth. It's amazing to me that everyone at all of the facilities I've visited seem so proud of what they do...I think it's because they know that they are the reason people are living longer, healthier, and happier lives.

After I left AstraZeneca, my mind still reeling from all of the bioscience excitement, I turned my sights to The University of Delaware…but more specifically, the school of chemistry and biochemistry, where scientists and researchers are developing new ideas and uses for products everyday. For example, they are looking for biomarker compounds related to the production of a biopharmaceutical, with a goal in mind of a better understanding of the way in which this growth media is involved in the expression of the compounds of interest. The compounds being generated are known to be effective in the treatment of a form of cancer, yet they are difficult to produce in the bioprocesses currently used. They expect to classify materials as to their acceptability for use in the process. The Brown Group works with researchers at Biogen to examine the near-infrared and 1H NMR spectra of raw materials used in growth media for a biofermentation to determine what components are important in the production of the desired product and what compounds are inhibitors. The research should make production of these compounds more efficient and cheaper. It also may aid in production of other biopharmaceuticals that rely on similar raw materials.  I must say, the researchers at this institution are working on some extremely cutting-edge projects. One of the researchers I spoke with told me, if I was really interested in innovation (come on...of course I am), I should see the Delaware Technology Park, which was only a few blocks from the University of Delaware. I thanked the researcher and I was off…

I landed my Helixpod on a 40-acre site which sat adjacent to the University of Delaware…what a convenient location! The Tech Park offers accommodations for everything from start-ups to established businesses with needs that range from wet labs to traditional office space. I deduced some obvious benefits of this technology park, which are an advanced IT infrastructure, close proximity to like-minded companies and a culture that encourages networking, collaboration and mutual support, and last, but certainly, most definitely not least, there are more than 30 colleges and universities within a 35-mile radius of the park that support a broad pool of sophisticated and well-trained employees. This technology park is a great location for a start-up company to develop and grow. My BSL is reading off the charts…obviously because of the high levels of innovation.

When I was busy exploring the Technology Park, and its incredible facilities, I somehow intercepted an email transmission…something regarding complimentary one-on-one partnering meetings at Biotech 2009 through an online partnering system. I should really check this out…this will be a great way for me to meet, discuss, and share ideas with other like-minded individuals at the Symposium. I must get on this immediately. To the Helixpod!

I only have 11 days until Biotech 2009…the culmination of my exploration here on planet Earth.

Until next time.

Helixman