SAVE THE DATE: SBIR National Conference Coming to RTP April 30 - May 3, 2007 We are pleased to announce that the SBTDC will be planning and hosting the Spring 2007 SBIR National Conference. The conference will be held April 30 - May 3, 2007 at the Sheraton Imperial in Research Triangle Park, NC. This will be the first time the SBIR National Conference has been in North Carolina. Much more information about this event will be available soon. For now, SAVE THE DATE!

Southeast Venture Conference (SEVC)

Join the SEVC in welcoming some of the most exciting and dynamic emerging companies in the Southeast. Opportunity and collaboration will take center stage at the luxurious Umstead Hotel and Spa. Exclusive networking opportunities, featured speakers, investor/executive panels, and company presentations will promote a successful environment for growth.

The principal purpose of the first Southeast Venture Conference is to showcase approximately 25 high-growth private companies before a regional audience of venture capitalists, private equity investors, angel investors, investment bankers, and the technology service community. Presenting companies should have talented management teams, proprietary technology, high growth potential, and be headquartered in one of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Virginia/DC.

For more information, visit http://www.seventure.org.

Current Solicitations Open

NIH: Closes 12/1
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm

National Science Foundation: Closes 12/4
http://www.nsf.gov/eng/sbir

DOD: Closes 1/10
http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/solicitations/index.htm

Affinergy Awarded $1.8M SBIR Grant

Affinergy Inc., a Duke University spinout with a proprietary site-specific biological delivery system, announced that it has been awarded a Phase 2 SBIR grant for more than $1.8 million. The multi-year grant is funded through the NIH by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

"Affinergy is very excited to move forward with this important program," said Jonathan Gindes, Affinergy's CFO and SVP of Business Development. "This further validates our technology as reviewed by scientific peers and acknowledges the progress that was demonstrated by our staff during Phase 1 of the program. Affinergy and our shareholders are grateful for the ability to continue these programs without the need for external funding."

"We are anxious to initiate the Phase 2 activities and accelerate the pathway to commercialization," said Dr. Paul Hamilton, Ph.D. Affinergy's VP of Research and Development who is principal investigator for the program. "We believe this program is a great fit for the skills of our scientific team and are excited by the potential to improve the performance of these implants. This program could provide a significant clinical benefit for a large number of patients."

"This grant will fund a series of critical in vivo tests over the coming years," said Dr. Quinn Wickham Affinergy's Director of Preclinical Studies. "Over 950,000 devices are implanted each year in the hip, knee, and dental implant markets. Improving the fixation and integration of those devices will have major clinical benefits for the patients, improve their overall quality of life, and reduce general healthcare costs. We are anxious to move the program forward to get these improved devices to market."

Source: http://www.affinergy.com/news/060929_SBIR.html