Mid-Atlantic Bio

Oct 25, 2009

Local Local biotech firms planning show of force at D.C. gathering
Charlottesville Daily Progress
By Tasha Kates

Charlottesville’s local biotechnology sector will make a big showing at a regional conference in the nation’s capital.

Biotechnology firms from the Charlottesville area will make up six of the 24 presenters at the 2009 Mid-Atlantic Bio Conference from Nov. 4-6 at Washington’s Convention Center.

Julia Spicer, executive director of conference co-host the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association, said it is coincidental but not surprising that the region will be well represented at the conference.

“Charlottesville is growing and nurturing this sector,” Spicer said. “What this may mean is that there is a growing, strengthening community in the Charlottesville area helping to support and build these companies.”

CNN Money declared Charlottesville as one of the top small metropolitan areas to start a business in 2009.

Of the nine more established companies that will give presentations, two are from the area. HemoShear helps drug development companies find safe drug candidates, while openQ offers software related to the medical and scientific communities.

The other 15 emerging companies will have eight minutes to entice investors with a pitch. The local companies that will make presentations are substance abuse medication developer ADial Pharmaceuticals, male reproductive health product developer ContraVac, infectious disease diagnostic test creator Phthisis Diagnostics and heart-related medical device developer EpiEP.

Conference presenters are chosen from applications, Spicer said. The conference is a way for companies to network and potentially attract investors. More than 850 firms from 30 states and 10 countries will be present during this year’s event.

Crystal Icenhour, the president of Phthisis, said the company is attending the conference to raise capital.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to get our company in front of a large group of potential investors,” Icenhour said. “In addition to making a formal presentation, we also have the opportunity to have a booth so people can find us after presentations are completed.”

Ed Leary, president of ContraVac, said the conference seems like a good fit for companies with connections to the University of Virginia, such as ContraVac.

“We’re seeking investments, and Mid-Atlantic Bio is an excellent opportunity to get out to the right investors,” Leary said.