University of Alberta Spin-Off Companies
Since 1961, over 75 spin-off companies have been formed
through the University of Alberta and with the assistance of the
Research
Services Office (formerly the Industry Liaison Office). These companies
represent U of A innovation and scholarship in the life and physical sciences,
and information technology. The following selection of spin-off company profiles
speaks to this diversity and the research excellence at the U of A.
BioMS
Medical Corp.
BioMS
Medical Corp. is a public biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the developing
and making available innovative therapies. Targeted diseases include multiple
sclerosis (MS). Through decades of research, Dr. Kenneth G. Warren and Dr.
Ingrid Catz of the University of Alberta have developed a treatment for MS,
MBP8298, a pharmaceutical licensed through the Giese family, an Alberta family
with strong commercial and community ties. The Gieses became involved because a
family member has MS and was aided by clinical trial treatments with MPB8298 (a
synthetic Myelin Basic Protein peptide). The technology is still in the testing
and regulation process, but results have been positive and many are hopeful the
treatment will soon be available and prove successful.
Isotechnika Inc.
Founded
in 1993 by Dr. Robert Foster, Isotechnika is an international life sciences
company that specializes in treatments to help patients accept transplanted
organs and medications that suppress the immune system. These drugs are
developed by the company in Edmonton. Isotechnika recently signed an agreement
with the Swiss pharmaceutical company Hoffmann La Roche. The deal was the
largest of its kind at the time, with Hoffman La Roche intending to invest $215
million into the development of Isotechnikas lead organ transplant drug,
ISA(TX)247. Isotechnika also has a subsidiary company called Isodiagnostika,
which develops breath-based test kits for onsite diagnosis.
Chinook Multimedia Inc.
Chinook Multimedia (est. 1997) is an experienced and trusted
developer of Flash software, Web sites, and learning objects for the general
public as well as for the education and corporate markets. Chinook's innovative
cooleSuite of online software offers users sophisticated authoring and display
tools for creating Web-based multimedia activities, documents, slideshows, photo
albums, and scrapbooks.
Dynastream Innovations
Dynastream Innovations grew out of the research of Dr. Ken
Fyfe in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Alberta.
Dr. Fyfe studied biomechanics using inertial sensors concentrating on athletics.
Located in Cochrane, Alberta and partnered with Nike Inc., Dynastream
concentrates their production,
research and development on proprioceptive, or "smart" devicesmachines that
have self-perception and which increase the accuracy, improve the reliability
and foster the possibilities of measuring the bodys motion. Expanding from the
realm of sports sensors, Dynastream is now producing devices that have medical
applications for amputees.
Click here for more information on the technology developed at Dynastream
Innovations.
L & R Wang Enterprises Ltd.
Based
on his research on the subject of improved cold tolerance in humans and animals,
Dr. Larry Wang of the University of Alberta has become involved in the corporate
enterprise that produces the Access Fat Burning Bar (formerly known as the
Coldbuster Bar). This bar enables the body to produce heat by helping it to burn
its own fuel through enhancing muscle activity. The bar was first produced for
the Canadian military but is now marketed worldwide.
Click here
for more information on Dr. Larry Wang.
"Continental Traffic"
by D. Larraine
"Faith and Good Science" by Kenton Friesen "Fast Times" by Elaine Davidson
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