Clemson University, CURF and SCRA’s SC Launch® Present an Interactive Session with The Clemson Cluster Followed by SC Launch check presentation to KIYATEC™ LLC
February 17, 2009Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 4:30 p.m., followed by wine & cheese reception
Clemson University Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, 91 Technology Drive, Anderson, SC
CHARLESTON, SC – February 18, 2009 – Clemson University, The Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF) and SC Launch are hosting an interactive session to recognize technology-based companies in Upstate South Carolina that are affiliated with Clemson University’s Technology Innovation Partnership program. These 18 companies, dubbed the Clemson Cluster, have either licensed Clemson University intellectual property or are located in university-affiliated incubation space. Cluster companies that will be showcased today include the following firms – of which eight of the nine are SC Launch client companies:
ABTech
Advanced Photonic Crystals
Anaxtal Silicon
Fast Fetch
Hoowaki
Invenca
KIYATEC
Poly-Med
Selah Technologies
SensorTech
Specialty and Custom Fibers
Storm Rider
Tetramer Technologies
The full list of Clemson Cluster companies is included at the end of this news release in the “About” section.
After the interactive session, SCRA affiliate SC Launch will present a $200,000 check to KIYATEC, an innovative South Carolina company. KIYATEC has created a unique technology that enables three dimensional cell culture with compelling advantages for use in laboratory research, drug discovery and personalized medicine. The company’s core intellectual property has been licensed from Clemson University. SC Launch has identified KIYATEC as a promising South Carolina start-up company and is assisting it with a seed-capital investment, ongoing mentoring and SC Launch Resource Network services.
“Today’s event further demonstrates how collaboration among South Carolina businesses and SC university research foundations commercializes important academic research and helps strengthen the Knowledge Economy within the state,” said Bill Mahoney, SCRA CEO.
KIYATEC founders Matt Gevaert, Ph.D and David Orr, Ph. D. both earned their doctorate degrees at Clemson University. KIYATEC originally applied to the SC Launch program in early 2007 and was awarded a $25,000 grant. Upon meeting several important business milestones and by following advice from many sources which led to the company winning the Five Ventures business plan contest, extensive business and technical planning by the partners and working through the rigorous SC Launch due diligence process, the company presented to the SC Launch board and was awarded $175,000 in seed funding in 2008.
“We looked at a great idea from a specific 3-D cell culture experiment and recognized its potential as a technology platform for multiple markets,” said David Orr, KIYATEC co-founder and inventor of the company’s technology. “After quietly maturing things behind the scenes, this is now a very exciting time for our company. The SC Launch support has allowed us to obtain wet laboratory and office space and go ahead with key product development activities.” Orr says the company plans to eventually develop a bench-top diagnostic system for the drug discovery market which could translate into potential product applications in regenerative medicine.
“The KIYATEC model is an ideal model of technology transfer for Clemson University and for the State of South Carolina. A Clemson University student, earning a Ph.D. in bioengineering, invents a technology and upon graduation establishes a South Carolina company to license and take the technology to the marketplace,” said Vincie Albritton, Clemson University Director of Technology Transfer. Albritton is referring to Orr, KIYATEC co-founder and partner and an inventor of the core intellectual property. “Our investment in the student is rewarded exponentially because we have kept the fruits of our best and brightest, a new technology-based company has been formed, and needed technology will be introduced into the marketplace.”
Throughout the past 12-18 months, SC Launch has provided counsel and support to more than 125 start-ups. The average salary of jobs created to date by these start-ups is $77,000. Additionally, SC Launch!-supported companies have to date secured more than $55 million in follow-on venture capital and private equity financing.
Calder Ehrmann to be Presented with SCRA Knowledge Economist Award Today at KIYATEC and Clemson Cluster event
Also at today’s event, SCRA CEO Bill Mahoney will present a Knowledge Economist award to former Michelin executive Calder Ehrmann. The award will recognize Mr. Ehrmann’s leadership among SCRA Trustees and as a principal of the Riley Institute at Furman University.
The SCRA Knowledge Economist Award program recognizes outstanding citizens who have made significant contributions to South Carolina’s Knowledge Economy “where the value of the mind shapes the successful profile of progress and great prospects for the future” according to Mahoney.
For more information about the SCRA Knowledge Economist Award program and a list of persons who have been recognized, please click on these links:
http://www.sclaunch.org/knowledge_economy_awards.shtml
http://www.sclaunch.org/docs/Knowledge_Economists.pdf
Clemson Cluster Companies:
ABTECH Scientific
Advanced Photonic Crystals
Ansell Medical
ANAXTAL
Equi-Tox
FastFetch
Gulf Fiber Optics
Hoowaki
Invenca
KIYATEC
Poly-Med
Selah Technologies
SensorTech
Smart Blending Technologies
Specialty and Custom Fibers
Stormrider Technologies
Tetramer Technologies
ZINC IT
About KIYATEC (http://www.kiyatec.com)
KIYATEC, LLC is an emerging company that creates laboratory products for the life science, pharmaceutical and health care industries. KIYATEC’s products will assist researchers and clinicians to develop better therapeutic drugs and treatment regimens by provid
ing more accurate models of biological systems. The company’s office and laboratory are located in Pendleton, South Carolina; for more information visit www.kiyatec.com
About the Clemson University Technology Innovation Partnership Program
The Clemson University Technology Innovation Partnership Program is a university-driven innovation program to enable and accelerate the development of high-growth, high-impact technology-based startups. The primary area of operation and influence of the Innovation Program is geographic and functional area serviced by Clemson University.
About CURF (http://www.clemson.edu/curf)
The Clemson University Research Foundation is an affiliated 501(c)3 corporation that supports the research and economic development enterprise of Clemson University. CURF’s primary role is the licensing of university intellectual property. CURF also supports the Clemson start-up activities by providing leased space, including laboratory space, at subsidized rates.
About SCRA (http://www.scra.org)
SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with offices in South Carolina, Ohio and in McLean, Virginia. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing technology-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry, government, and research universities in SC, the US and globally.
About SC Launch (http://www.sclaunch.org/)
SC Launch, an SCRA collaboration, assists entrepreneurial start-up companies with up-front counseling, seed-funding, and access to a powerful resource network. The SC Launch mission is to help generate knowledge economy jobs in South Carolina, enhance the state’s quality of life and provide opportunity for all South Carolinians in the new economy. For more information please visit www.sclaunch.org.