ACADEMIA
UMass Boston's Venture Development Center Announces New Bio-Science Partner
Pressure BioSciences Inc. to Join University's R&D Facility
The University of Massachusetts Boston today announced that South Easton-based Pressure BioSciences Inc., (PBI) a developer of bench-top sample preparation instruments, has moved its research and development operations to the university's Venture Development Center. PBI develops and markets pressure cycling technology that enables safe, rapid, and reproducible extraction of proteins, DNA, RNA, and small molecules from biological samples for biochemical analysis.
This brings the 18,000-square-foot business incubator to 75 percent occupancy since opening in May 2009.
The addition of PBI is expected to greatly benefit the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, a joint UMass Boston venture with the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center to be launched within the VDC. The purpose of the CPCT is to conduct basic and translational research to develop low-cost diagnostic tests focusing on cancers that vary at the molecular level but remain indistinguishable in conventional clinical analyses.
“Our scientists connected with the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy are excited about collaborating with PBI," said William Brah, executive director of the VDC. “The goals of CPCT are ideally complemented by the cutting-edge, PCT-based sample preparation technology developed by PBI, which can permit tumor biomarkers in ordinary clinical preparations to be more rapidly and effectively analyzed.”
UMass Boston has purchased PBI's Barocycler instrument, which offers shorter processing time, higher throughput, and reduced operating costs, all without sacrificing quality. The instrument will be available to UMass Boston scientists and students to enhance their research and training, and will also provide CPCT with an important tool for its translational research.
PBI, a publicly traded company (PBIO), began commercializing pressure cycling technology in 2005. It recently raised approximately $1.2 million to support on-going efforts to increase sales and applications for PCT. PBI currently has about 90 instrument installations worldwide.
In addition to Pressure BioSciences Inc., the VDC is home to:
* DPixel, a management consulting company specialized in seed and early stage investments.
* Anthurium Solutions, Inc., a software company building a platform for matching continuous digital work with virtual workers globally.
* Symmetric Computing, a startup company commercializing advanced supercomputing technology.
* RetireHub.com, a technology-powered provider of retirement planning and investment management services.
* GeoMed Analytical, a full service analytical testing and development laboratory.
* Developmental Sciences Research Center/HORIZON, a translational research center focused on the study of community health.
* Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security, a center focused on the security of living environments and global coastal communities.
The University of Massachusetts Boston today announced that South Easton-based Pressure BioSciences Inc., (PBI) a developer of bench-top sample preparation instruments, has moved its research and development operations to the university's Venture Development Center. PBI develops and markets pressure cycling technology that enables safe, rapid, and reproducible extraction of proteins, DNA, RNA, and small molecules from biological samples for biochemical analysis.
This brings the 18,000-square-foot business incubator to 75 percent occupancy since opening in May 2009.
The addition of PBI is expected to greatly benefit the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy, a joint UMass Boston venture with the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center to be launched within the VDC. The purpose of the CPCT is to conduct basic and translational research to develop low-cost diagnostic tests focusing on cancers that vary at the molecular level but remain indistinguishable in conventional clinical analyses.
“Our scientists connected with the Center for Personalized Cancer Therapy are excited about collaborating with PBI," said William Brah, executive director of the VDC. “The goals of CPCT are ideally complemented by the cutting-edge, PCT-based sample preparation technology developed by PBI, which can permit tumor biomarkers in ordinary clinical preparations to be more rapidly and effectively analyzed.”
UMass Boston has purchased PBI's Barocycler instrument, which offers shorter processing time, higher throughput, and reduced operating costs, all without sacrificing quality. The instrument will be available to UMass Boston scientists and students to enhance their research and training, and will also provide CPCT with an important tool for its translational research.
PBI, a publicly traded company (PBIO), began commercializing pressure cycling technology in 2005. It recently raised approximately $1.2 million to support on-going efforts to increase sales and applications for PCT. PBI currently has about 90 instrument installations worldwide.
In addition to Pressure BioSciences Inc., the VDC is home to:
* DPixel, a management consulting company specialized in seed and early stage investments.
* Anthurium Solutions, Inc., a software company building a platform for matching continuous digital work with virtual workers globally.
* Symmetric Computing, a startup company commercializing advanced supercomputing technology.
* RetireHub.com, a technology-powered provider of retirement planning and investment management services.
* GeoMed Analytical, a full service analytical testing and development laboratory.
* Developmental Sciences Research Center/HORIZON, a translational research center focused on the study of community health.
* Collaborative Institute for Oceans, Climate, and Security, a center focused on the security of living environments and global coastal communities.