Prescience to Co-Host National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute San Diego Innovation Conference

SAN DIEGO - June 11, 2013 - PRLog -- SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – Prescience International, a firm dedicated to accelerating the commercialization and global adoption of science and technology, announced today its role as co-host of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) San Diego Innovation Conference. The Conference, which is designed to bring together small businesses, angel investors, venture capitalists, strategic partners, and business leaders from the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, will be held today Tuesday, June 11, from 10:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Janssen Research & Development, 3210 Merryfield Row, San Diego, California 92121.

“We are excited to bring the NHLBI showcase to Janssen Labs and the greater San Diego community,” said Melinda Richter, Founder and CEO of Prescience International and Operations Head of Janssen Labs. “Through this symposium, we hope to not only educate the biotech community about the many ways the NHLBI is actively funding and promoting innovation, but also show how the NHLBI supports companies in their quest to commercialize their products and ultimately deliver transformative healthcare to patients.”

The conference will include six company presentations by the following NHLBI-funded companies: Capricor, Inc., Fallbrook Engineering, KAER Biotherapeutics, Targeson, Inc., Vala Sciences, and Vascular BioSciences.  

Including the presenting companies, 14 scientific posters that highlight cutting-edge technologies will be on display throughout the day.  

In addition, funding and partnering experts from the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center, the Life Science Angels, Sanderling Ventures and the Tech Coast Angels will participate in an investor panel discussion on how to obtain funding as a startup.

During the conference, leaders from NHLBI will share information about the NHLBI Office of Translational Alliances and Coordination, changes in the SBIR/STTR program re-authorization, and other funding opportunities and resources. NHLBI staff also will be available to provide advice to applicants and awardees.

“Our first regional innovation conference in Maryland was a successful venture.We were able to showcase small businesses funded by the NHLBI SBIR program, introduce potential funding opportunities to current awardees, and provide information to the regional research and business communities about the NHLBI and its programs. We’re excited to bring this program to San Diego, which has a vibrant biotechnology and medical/scientific research community,” said Jodi Black, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Division of Extramural Research Activities, NHLBI, NIH.

Conference sponsorship is provided by Janssen Labs, a life science innovation center created by Janssen Research & Development to provide emerging healthcare companies with many big company advantages through a “no strings attached” model.

About Prescience International

Prescience is dedicated to the global adoption of life science, cleantech and other high-growth technologies which generate sustainable economic results and have a positive social impact. Prescience engages with private and public clients to create and operate unique innovation centers, design and deliver world-class educational programs, and provide targeted commercialization support services. Learn more at www.prescienceintl.com.

About the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Part of the National Institutes of Health, the NHLBI plans, conducts, and supports research related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases; and sleep disorders. The Institute also administers national health education campaigns on women and heart disease, healthy weight for children, and other topics. NHLBI press releases and other materials are available online at www.nhlbi.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs visit www.nih.gov.

Media contact:  Madelaine Holden, Marketing & Events Manager, Prescience International, 858.242.1503, madelaine@prescienceintl.com