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Under The Microscope: Biomedical Innovations In Orange County

OCTANe’s Annual Forum Examines Key Trends and Companies, Highlights Products
Wednesday, October 26, 2005 - Hyatt Regency Irvine - Doors Open at 5:00 p.m.

IRVINE, Calif. – October 17, 2005 – Southern California produces more biomedical products and research than any other area in the world and accounts for 25% of all Federal Drug Administration medical product approvals, according to the Orange County Business Council.. Locally, biomedical firms employ more than 15,000 residents. On Wednesday, October 26 OCTANe will host leading executives from biomedical companies, venture capital firms and the University of California, Irvine for a cocktail reception and forum to examine key trends and showcase products from local companies. The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, with doors opening at 5:00 p.m.

“The forum is a ‘must see’ for those involved in the Orange County biomedical community,” said Gary Augusta, Executive Director of the Orange County Technology Action Network (OCTANe). “Discussions will revolve around hot topics in the industry today and what it takes for a biomedical company to thrive in Southern California. The product showcase will display the ‘best of Orange County’ from a technology perspective.”

A biomedical industry “snapshot” will be presented by Michael Mussallem, chairman and CEO of Edwards Lifesciences and an OCTANe Board Member. Additionally, trends in stem cell research, medical device manufacturing and diagnostic technologies will be addressed by a panel of executives from leading companies, including:

  • Dr. Oswald Steward: Reeve-Irvine professor of Anatomy & Neurobiology; director of the Reeve-Irvine Research Center; member of the 29-member Independent Citizens Oversight Committee (ICOC), which makes funding recommendations about proposed embryonic and adult stem cell research projects.
  • Don Milder: managing director at Versant Ventures
  • Ken Galt: Mr. Galt has held Senior R&D roles at Genyx Medical, Biopsys Medical, Gish Biomedical and Trymedyne, Inc.
  • Russell Pflueger: Mr. Pflueger is the founder of Pain Concepts and Quiescence Medical, among other career achievements.
  • Bob Rosenbluth: Dr. Rosenbluth, a founder of MicroVention, served as president and CEO since its inception through September 2002 and is currently chairman of the board. Previously, he founded Advanced Surgical Intervention, and served in various positions at Medtronic, Pfizer, NovaMed, CardioThoracic Systems, and Integrated Medical Technology
  • James Osborne: Mr. Osborne has served as vice president of Advanced Technology Center, of Beckman Coulter, Inc. since April 1998.

To register for the event, please visit octane.uci.edu or contact Cynthia Bemis at cynthia.bemis@octaneoc.org. The event is free for OCTANe members and $75 for entrepreneurs, VC-backed companies and University staff or students. For the general public, admission is $95.

About OCTANe

OCTANe is a non-profit corporation comprised of information and biomedical technology business executives, venture capitalists, service providers, private investors and leaders from UC Irvine as well as other universities, all working together to drive innovation and accelerate the growth of technology business in Orange County and surrounding regions.

About UC Irvine Extension

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