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October 17, 2005 --
Wasatch Microfluidics Inc. may have the potential to speed the discovery
of a cure for cancer, diabetes, HIV and a host of other diseases.
The new biopharmaceutical start-up company is announcing a new product,
the Continuous Flow Microspotter™. This microspotter is a
protein printer which prints proteins onto glass producing micro
arrays more accurately than other technologies. Researchers in various
fields can use this device in applications such as drug discovery,
genetics and clinical diagnostics.
Based on technologies developed at the University of Utah, the Continuous
Flow Microspotter™ is more efficient and produces better results
than technologies that are currently being used in a variety of
research fields. The spotter works by continuously delivering material
to the spot of interest until either a maximal or ideal concentration
is reached. Because the spotter seals around the spot, background
signals and cross talk are eliminated. Specifically, Wasatch’s
microspotter produces an 86 fold improvement over technologies that
are currently being used. It is the hope of all involved at Wasatch
Microfluidics that this device will become a standard protein research
platform.
Wasatch’s technology was developed at the University of Utah
by company founder Dr. Bruce Gale, a Biomedical Microfluidics professor
in the Mechanical Engineering Department. He developed the technology
in conjunction with Dr. David Myszka, a world-renowned protein interaction
researcher at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The University
of Utah Technology Commercialization Office is assisting with the
company’s business development plan.
“Wasatch Microfluidics is an excellent example of creating
a win for the University, and a win for the State,” said Jack
Brittain, Vice President, Technology Venture Development and Dean
of the David Eccles School of Business. “By focusing our efforts
on building an entrepreneurial community and servicing the needs
of our researchers we are able to keep a new company within the
State of Utah and foster economic development.” Partnerships
like the one created with the University of Utah and companies like
Wasatch Microfluidics, Inc. mean future economic benefits for the
citizens of Utah through increased job opportunities and tax revenue.
Wasatch Microfluidics Inc. has already been recognized with several
honors and awards, including first place in the Utah Entrepreneur
Challenge, a statewide business plan competition sponsored by The
Utah Entrepreneur Center at the David Eccles School of Business,
and finalist in the New Venture Championship, an international competition
held at the University of Oregon.
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