Clemson Program to Highlight Upstate Biomedical Industry, Entrepreneurial Activity

The coating on millions of artificial hips, the promise of aneurysms stunted with medication instead of surgery and powerful jolts of electricity from implanted defibrillators are examples of the biomedical innovations and products from Upstate South Carolina.

The Clemson University Research Foundation (CURF), in cooperation with the university's bioengineering department, will present a program from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, at the Westin Poinsett in Greenville on the emerging biomedical industry in the state, highlighting recent growth that builds on a long history of success in biomaterials and medical devices.

Clemson University's bioengineering department is internationally recognized for significant contributions in the field of biomaterials engineering. That reputation, along with the university's expertise in technology transfer and support of biomedical start-up businesses, led to the program, which is in its second year. Last year, the event attracted more than 150 attendees.

Experts from the medical device and biomaterials industry representing national and international companies will speak on topics spanning the birth of biomedical ideas to clinical trials.

Speakers and topics include:

Christian Przirembel, Clemson University vice president of research and economic development, on Clemson's emphasis in biomedical sciences

Pamela Bunes, president and CEO of Signallife, an Upstate medical device company that produces breakthrough cardiac monitoring systems

Michael Bolick, president and CEO of Selah Technologies, an emerging Upstate company focused on carbon-based nanotechnology useful in biomedical imaging

Tom Sander, vice president of engineering and research at Pegasus Biologics, on biomedical entrepreneurship

Scott Pletzer, vice president of quality and engineering at Carzer Technologies, on regulatory issues and the role of outsourcing

Dee Cross, president of Equi-tox Pharmaceutical Research & Development and Clemson University emeritus faculty, on professor-led technology start-ups

Matt Gevaert, technology commercialization officer of Clemson University Research Foundation, on biomedical activities in the Upstate over the past year

I.V. Hall, vice president at Synthes, with the keynote address on the orthopedic industry

The full agenda and registration information can be found online at www.clemson.edu/curf