Translational Drug Discovery and Research

[Bill Ford]

Just in and I hope everyone reading this also got a copy and that this is old news!!! If it is not please give it wide distribution. I think this is one of the best investments the state will make as it relates to our emerging cluster. Fantastic talent on both of their boards.

[Bill Ford]

Looks like the html spliced web page just causes my computer fits and spins so I am trying to paste this into the reply so someone is able to see what I am so excited about:

NEW STATEWIDE CONSORTIUM LAUNCHED TO
ACCELERATE DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTICS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Portland-based Oregon Translational Research and Drug Development Institute
will provide a bridge in therapeutic development between research and
marketplace

PORTLAND, Ore. -- An innovative organization that will provide a bridge in
therapeutic development between the research scientist and the patient has
launched in Portland. The Oregon Translational Research and Drug
Development Institute (OTRADI) is a key component
of the infrastructure, people and equipment required to accelerate the
development of therapeutics and technologies resulting from infectious
disease research. A nonprofit organization, OTRADI is funded as part of the
Oregon InC. initiative, as administered by the
Oregon Economic and Community Development Department.

According to Executive Director Robert Monaghan, OTRADI will work to
stimulate discovery in therapeutic, vaccine, and diagnostic development by
fostering collaboration across disciplines and between institutions. He says
the statewide consortium will also create, maintain and support core
facilities to screen and develop lead compounds.

"Our initial focus is on infectious disease," Monaghan says. "The institute
covers all vital steps in the pre-clinical therapeutic development timeline:
chemical screens, preclinical models, drug toxicology assays, libraries of
promising compounds and medicinal chemistry. We'll also incorporate
potential therapeutic discoveries from the four Oregon research universities
into the 'Oregon Collection' library - a proprietary collection of chemical
and biological compounds."

The OTRADI concept was developed by the Oregon
research universities and local biotech companies. Oregon university
research programs produce the licensable technologies and services that form
the foundation of therapeutic development (lead compounds, diagnostics and
therapeutics). Monaghan notes that OTRADI provides a value added component
to Oregon companies and universities to develop their respective
intellectual property further before partnering with large pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies, seeking additional investment or creating
start-up companies.

The OTRADI signature research institute model is unique in the
constituencies that are collaborating and the focus on infectious disease. A
signature research center focused on infectious disease therapy development
will enable companies and research institutions to participate in
technology-based economic development, create additional value in existing
intellectual property portfolios, attract additional grant money to Oregon
institutions, attract additional researchers to the region, and accelerate
the local infrastructure for the biotech, diagnostic and pharmaceutical
clusters.

OTRADI will be guided by a board of directors and a scientific advisory
board. Chairing the board of directors is Robert Jordan, Ph.D., director of
antiviral research, SIGA Technologies Inc. Members of the board of directors
are the following: John Cassady, Ph.D., vice president for research, Oregon
State University (OSU); Daniel M. Dorsa, Ph.D., vice president for research,
Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU); Adolph J. Ferro, Ph.D., CEO, ID
Biopharma, Inc.; William Feyerherm, Ph.D., vice provost for research and
graduate studies, Portland State University (PSU); David Forman, partner,
Tonkon Torp LLP, secretary; Don Gerhart, Ph.D., director, technology
transfer, University of Oregon; Larry Johnson, M.S., consultant in
regulatory affairs, Biofinity Inc.; David K. Lyon, Ph.D.; director,
chemistry, Bend Research Inc.; Robert Monaghan, M.B.A., executive director,
OTRADI; Rep. Mary Nolan; Chockalingam Palaniappan, Ph.D., vice president,
research and development, labeling and detection technologies, Invitrogen
Corporation; E. Walter Van Valkenburg, attorney, Stoel Rives LLC; and Carl
Weissman, general partner, OVP Venture Partners.

OTRADI's scientific advisory board is chaired by Kevin A. Reynolds, Ph.D.,
professor and chair of chemistry, PSU. Other members include Bruce
Branchaud, Ph.D., director, global chemistry, Invitrogen; Michael M. Haley,
professor of chemistry and member, Materials Science Institute, University
of Oregon; Jeff King, Ph.D., CEO, ID Biopharma Inc.; Mary Stenzel-Poore,
Ph.D. professor and interim chair molecular microbiology and immunology,
OHSU; Klaus Fruh, Ph.D., OHSU Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute; and Mark
Zabriskie, professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, OSU.

Oregon Translational Research and Drug Development Institute is located at
1717 S.W. 10th Ave., Suite 4, Portland. The phone number is [phone].
More information about OTRADI can be found at www.otradi.org.

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