WEEKLY E-NEWS FROM THE NORTH CAROLINA BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER

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What is Biotechnology? A Course for Kannapolis

Visit the North Carolina Research Campus to learn what biotechnology means and how it is relevant to life in Kannapolis. NC BioNetwork and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College are presenting a class called "An Introduction to Biotechnology for the Non-Scientist." This introductory biotechnology and life-sciences program will cover all aspects of the industry and explain the benefits to the Kannapolis community. To reserve a seat, call 704-216-3512 or e-mail hallb@rowancabarrus.edu.

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IN FOCUS FEATURE

A Miniature Compilation of Success Stories From Around the State

FROM OUR WEB SITE

• Industry Day Will Present New Products to Entrepreneurs
• Two Triangle Companies Deliver FDA-Compliant Software
• UNC to Open Four New Labs
• Biodiesel Firm Targets NC Feedstock Suppliers
• Reports: Stiefel for Sale

DEPARTMENTS

• News from Other Sites
• Community Watch
• Events Calendar

For the third year in a row, Raleigh has topped Forbes' Best Places for Business and Careers list. Durham ranked third. Also on the list: #6 Asheville #13 Wilmington #18 Winston-Salem #19 Charlotte   In Focus A Miniature Compilation of Success Stories From Around the State During the past year, BT Catalyst has highlighted story after story that proves North Carolina is a powerhouse when it comes to biotechnology. We've put together a list of some of our favorites - just in case you missed them the first time around. Read these stories, which include our programs, sectors, accolades and even one special Biotechnology Center employee, in this week's In Focus.

From Our Web Site Industry Day Will Present New Products to Entrepreneurs At the May 7 event in Charlotte, entrepreneurs will see new product opportunities arising from discoveries at federal labs. Two Triangle Companies Deliver FDA-Compliant Software Durham's Mi-Co has announced a strategic alliance with Apex's Code Refinery, a provider of FDA-compliant software and services, to jointly deliver custom software and data-collection solutions for pharmaceutical, biotech and medical-device customers. UNC to Open Four New Labs Four new public-health-innovation laboratories will be started in July with grants of $100,000 to $350,000 each at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Gillings School of Global Public Health. Biodiesel Firm Targets NC Feedstock Suppliers Global Earth Energy, a biodiesel company based in Buffalo, N.Y., has said it plans to do business in North Carolina. Reports: Stiefel for Sale Stiefel Laboratories, a dermatology-products firm with a research and development facility in Research Triangle Park, is seeking a buyer, according to reports last week.

Follow Us On Twitter! Keep up with North Carolina's biotechnology industry with our daily tweets! Follow @ncbiotech for facts, figures and news. Be sure to send us ideas for what you'd like to see.

News from Other Sites

Atkins (High School) Seen as a Perfect Choice for Biotech Task
A $50,000 Education Enhancement Grant from the Biotechnology Center will enable high school students in Winston-Salem to produce animated educational videos about biotechnology.
From the Winston-Salem Journal

Dropping Anchor: Rooted in Burlington, Labcorp Says it's Here to Stay
Although many companies are outsourcing operations to other countries, Alamance County's largest employer plans to keep its roots right where they are.
From the (Burlington) Times-News

Drug Tester Resists Trend; Health Decisions is Adding Staff
While many companies are cutting staff, a Durham contract research organization has grown in the last 18 months.
From the (Raleigh) News & Observer

Gillings Funds Four 'Innovation Labs' at UNC
The labs at UNC's Gillings School of Global Public Health are designed to help accelerate delivery of real-world solutions for some of the most challenging public health problems.
From WRAL

Sweet Sorghum Part Of Ethanol Production
Researchers at NC State University are using sweet sorghum, which is usually grown to make molasses, for ethanol production in North Carolina.
From NBC 17

TransEnterix Looks for Fast Track
The Durham-based company has sped up its production schedule in hopes to market a tool that promises scar-free abdominal surgery.
From the (Raleigh) News & Observer

UNC Traveling Science Labs Visit Buncombe Students
The DESTINY program visited three schools in Buncombe County this week.
From the Ashville Citizen-Times

Want a Job? Ask a Billionaire
David Murdock is hoping to help revive the Kannapolis community by creating thousands of jobs.
From ABC News

Raleigh, Durham Top Forbes List
Six North Carolina metros placed in the Top-20 Best Places for Business and Careers.
From WRAL

A new feature has been added to IAmBiotech.org this week — an open forum for biotechnology enthusiasts to discuss any topic. The forum already lists a number of threads — join in the conversation!

Community Watch

• Biogen Idec, which has major research and development and manufacturing operations in Research Triangle Park, has named Robert Hamm as its new chief operating officer. Hamm, 57, has been executive vice president for pharmaceutical operations and technology at the company since 2007. More

• Craig Collard, president and CEO of Cary-based Cornerstone Therapeutics, is presenting a corporate overview today at BioCentury's 16th Annual Future Leaders in the Biotech Industry conference in New York City. More

• Students in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School won’t have far to travel when they compete April 16-18 in the international Venture Capital Investment Competition. The 12th annual event will be held in Chapel Hill. The UNC team is one of eight from universities in the U.S. and Europe. More

Please send Community Watch items to Jim Shamp.

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This newsletter was sent Thursday, April 2, 2009. For the latest headlines from North Carolina’s biotechnology industry, please visit the news section of our Web site.

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