Tuesday, July 22, 2003 - Nothing but Opportunity
Monday, April 28, 2003 - Business development is hurting
Thursday, October 31, 2002 - Wanted: Venture Capital
Sunday, October 27, 2002 - Discussion to focus on life sciences trends
Friday, May 24, 2002 - Report: Hospitals not ready for terrorist attack
Thursday, November 01, 2001 - Facing New Biotech Issues
Saturday, March 18, 2000 - High-tech corridor draws attention
Thursday, March 19, 1998 - A Look at Bio-tech Future

'Nothing but opportunity'
Conference looks at understanding possibilities of nanotechnology
By Andrew Blazier , Staff Writer

Imagine coated glass windows that don't need to be cleaned. Or a technology that creates computers that repair themselves.

Now imagine a host of entrepreneurs trying to maximize profits by being the first to mass-produce so many more life-changing products.

"The ideas are out there,' John L. Feeney, a founding member of the
Pasadena Angels Investment Group , told participants in a nanotechnology conference Tuesday at the
Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge. "We're a bunch of kids in a candy shop. It's just very exciting.'

Feeney's enthusiasm comes from nanotechnology, the use of devices that measure a few billionths of a meter the width of a handful of molecules. Scientists at Caltech, UCLA and throughout Southern California are engaged in a race to turn such advanced technology into products that could dramatically improve tasks such computer repair and housework.

"This has the potential to change the way we do things as profoundly possibly as the Industrial Revolution,' said Roy Doumani, interim chief operations officer at UCLA 's California NanoSystems Institute and a professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at the university's David Geffen School of Medicine .

That change would translate into big money for investors fortunate enough to find a successful idea.

"What we're trying to do is say, 'Can I create earnings as well?' ' Doumani said.

Tuesday's conference, "Visionary Forum 2003: Nanotechnology and Beyond,' was organized by The Technolink Association of Los Angeles to help scientists and business people understand the possibilities of a science still in its infancy.

"I would not be bashful about looking at and trying to find investments in nanotechnology today,' Doumani said. "That is where some of the major breakthroughs are going to happen.'

Most of those breakthroughs are still in the idea stage science fiction hopes based 15 years in the future. But others, like dress pants that repel liquid rather than absorbing it, are already here.

Just as genetic cloning raises many fears and questions, so too could the ability to alter substances at a molecular level.

But Gary Lazar, a speaker at the conference and the managing director of California Technology Ventures in Pasadena, focused on the possibilities of nanotechnology, not its limitations.

"I actually see nothing but opportunity. It's a natural progression of moving science forward,' Lazar said. "I think there's only upside.'

-- Andrew Blazier can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2477, or by e-mail at andrew.blazier@sgvn.com .

Business development is hurting

By Dereck Andrade, Business Editor
PASADENA -- While the city continues to foster a climate to encourage and support technology and life-science business development, the economy and a shortage of investment financing have hurt Pasadena's long- term plans, the city's top official said Monday.
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard told a group of about 25 high- level industry and legislative leaders, including a senior aid to Gov. Davis, that the city remains committed to moving forward with technology and biotech-related developments, especially those that seek venture capital funding.
"We continue to explore ways in which more space for more companies can be found, but that seems to be difficult,' Bogaard said during a meeting at Pasadena's BioCatalytics Inc. "It's a challenge.'
Many attending Monday's event, sponsored by the Technolink Association of Los Angeles, agreed that venture capital funding for many California-based start-up technology and biotech firms had become more difficult to obtain.
A report released on Monday by the National Venture Capital Association supported that assertion, as investments fell to a record low of $3.8 billion in the first quarter, it's lowest level since 1997.
Tal Finney, the interim director of the governor's planning and research office, said the number of VCs across the nation have dropped from a record number of 2,500 in 2000 to now under 600 in 2003.
"So it proves that while the rubber may be hitting road, only those VCs who take a new approach will have a chance at surviving,' Finney said.

Dereck Andrade can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2701, or by e-mail at dereck.andrade@sgvn.com .

Wanted: Venture Capital
By Don Jergler, Staff Writer
Thursday, October 31, 2002

PASADENA

Despite uncertainty about the economic health of the Southland's high-tech sector, now may be the time to make long-term investments in the industry. But who will fork over the cash?

The question lingered Wednesday at the Technolink Association's Technology Forecast 2003, a panel discussion comprised of top scientists and economists titled, "Is the Life Sciences Industry the Economic Boom for the 21st Century?"

Led by moderator Dereck Andrade, business editor of this newspaper, panelists at the Pasadena Doubletree Hotel talked about developments in biotechnology, including emerging nanotechnologies, bioterrorism defense and technology coming out of Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Canada Flintridge.

While the Southland is rife with hard science and world- class learning institutions, the region's high-tech future is being jeopardized by a lack of available start-up funding, also known as venture capital, according to panelists.

"The bad news is that venture capital is drying up," said Ross DeVol,... director of regional and demographic studies at the Santa Monica-based Milken Institute.

Traditionally, Southern California's high-tech sector has been funded with venture capital from Silicon Valley, which has lost confidence in this region, he said.

"They don't see this as a safe investment down here," DeVol added.

And the issue is thwarting the application of new technologies into products and the creation of regional firms, panelists said.

"Things are really tough. It is hard to get a deal done," said Gary Lazar, managing director of Pasadena-based California Technology Ventures. "Entrepreneurs and researchers have to be extraordinarily tenacious to survive."

The problem is caused by a shortage of incubators to take technologies out of institutions, such as Caltech in Pasadena, and turn them into operable companies, said James Lambert, a bio-instrument technologist for JPL.

"There's a giant gap where government leaves off and venture capital is ready to begin," Lambert said.

Lazar agreed. "We have unbelievable opportunities here that haven't been realized," he said.

Nanotechnology, for example, is one technology that holds great promise, but few people understand it, said Charles Ostman, a consultant who offers his services to private and government sectors.

Using nanotechnology, scientists build electronic circuits and devices from single atoms and molecules, or can string together small components -- such as wires -- to create a device, such as a circuit board.

Because the field is misunderstood, it's difficult to find backers willing to wait the seven to 10 years it often takes for an investment in nanotechnology to begin paying off, Ostman said.

"Nanotechnology is a long-term, but very promising realm," he said, adding that applications for the science in homeland defense are expansive. "You have sensors that can detect a single molecule."

And without funding for such technology, people could face threats even more menacing than those posed by the sniper who killed seven residents and kept communities in Maryland gripped by fear throughout October, said Billy Robbins, Technolink's president.

"If this one guy with a tool as ancient as a rifle can paralyze a community, think what someone with bioterrorism technology could do," Robbins said.

Don Jergler can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2703, or by e- mail at don.jergler@sgvn.com.

Discussion to focus on life sciences trends

Don Jergler, Staff Writer
Sunday, October 27, 2002 - PASADENA

Life sciences, in cluding nanotechnology and funding biotech businesses, will be among the trends discussed by community, civic and corporate leaders at the Technolink Association Lifescience luncheon Wednesday at the Pasade na Doubletree Hotel.

The luncheon, themed, "Is the life sciences industry the economic boom for the 21st Century?'' will feature speakers rang ing from venture capitalists to NASA scientists. "What we try to do is provide thought provoking, cutting-edge round tables that will provide people advanced news on the industry,'' said Ssusan Forte O'Neill, who manages the Los Angeles-based association.

Updates on technology under development at Caltech and JPL, such as robotics and space research, will also be given, O'Neill said.

The mission statement of Tech nolink is to support the development of a high-tech trade and technology corridor in the greater Los Angeles area.

Speakers include Gary Lazar, managing director of California Technology Ventures; Norman Finch, an attorney for Fulbright & Jaworski LLP; James Lambert from JPL; and Ross DeVol, chief economist for the Milken Institute. The panel will be moderated by Dereck Andrade, the business editor of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group that includes the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News.

Cost is $45 for members and $55 for non-members, and includes lunch. Reservations must be made in advance. Call (949) 443-4026 for reservations or more information.

Don Jergler can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2703, or by e- mail at don.jergler@sgvn.com .

Report: Hospitals not ready for terrorist attack

By Dave Melendi
Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES -- In a dire scenario that may have ominous implications, experts on Thursday during a life sciences industry forum warned that Southland hospitals are ill-prepared to deal with a massive biological terrorist attack.
"A major biological threat would overwhelm the healthcare system overnight," said Randall Wetzel, director of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Whittier Virtual Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

"There aren't 10,000 empty (hospital) beds in Los Angeles," he said at the forum hosted by The Technolink Association, a coalition of government, business and high-tech industry leaders aimed at developing a virtual high technology corridor in Southern California.

"There aren't 3,000 ICU beds. There isn't the capacity. There isn't the space."

The association's forum at The Omni Los Angeles Hotel drew about 35 high-level healthcare, biotech and technology professionals.

A panel at the event included Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, whose city recently has seen the closure of St. Luke Medical Center, operated by Santa Barbara-based Tenet Healthcare Corp., during a critical time for the county's healthcare system.

Panelist Mark Kadzielski, a partner at Los Angeles-based Fulbright & Jaworski, said the nation, state and region already are facing a healthcare crisis, with underfunded hospitals being forced to close.

"What would happen if a disaster were to occur? We would not be able to deal with it in any shape or form because of our health care system. We have a crisis in the making anyway and a bioterrorism attack would exacerbate (the crisis)."

Bogaard said more than 40 percent of Pasadena and Altadena residents do not have health insurance yet those without insurance seek medical services the most.

"The uninsured are the principal users of emergency facilities," the mayor said.

Bogaard is hoping his city - home to Caltech and the Huntington Medical Research Institutes - will provide infrastructure to support biotech firms.

Pasadena has designated three areas as potential biotech corridors, all near the Gold Line rail system, which is scheduled to begin running in July 2003.

Bogaard said the industry could provide employment and affects that would ripple out to the rest of the local economy.

Separately, before the forum, panelist Edward Pope, the founder and president of Westlake Village-based Matech, said the ethical debate over stem cell research is essentially a waste of time.

Pope said stem cells have received a lot of "hype," but are "not as useful as proponents say they are."

The cells would still be rejected by the immune system, leaving them little use. However, they could be used to treat neurological diseases such as Parkinson's, he said.

"Forget stem cells," he said. "The real issue is if we can begin to understand how genetics work."

Pope said when scientists come to learn how blocks and sequences of genes work, they will be able to design life forms.

"In decades from now, scientists can design animals and life forms," he said. "That's something we ought to be ethically debating."

Dereck Andrade, business editor of the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group that includes the Pasadena Star-News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Whittier Daily News, moderated the panel.

-- Dave Melendi can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2477, or by e-mail at david.melendisgvn.com.

A panel of experts discussed the southlands future in relation to a new wave of biotech and life sciences at the Huntington Medical Rresearch. (Staff Photo Keith Birmingham)

Facing New Biotech Issues

Pasadena seen as a good place for companies; government overreaction to terrorism feared

By Dave Melendi
Staff Writer

PASADENA - Threats of bioterrorism and what Southland biotech companies are now facing in a post-Sept. 11 world dominated the discussion at a Trendwatch Forecast summit presented Wednesday at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena.

The event, sponsored by the Orange County-based Technolink Association, featured six panelists who commented on the local biotech industry and how it may affect the area economy.

Ross DeVol of the Milken Institute said that Pasadena is "well-positioned" to potentially handle an increase in biotech and biomed firms, but needs to supply more infrastructure.

DeVol said some biotech businesses that started up in Pasadena moved out once they grew and found the city did not have the infrastructure necessary to support a larger firm.

"In my assessment, more needs to be done to support the commercialization process," said DeVol, who is director of regional and demographic studies for the Santa Monica-based think tank and a recognized global economic expert.

But David Rozzell, president and chief executive officer of BioCatalytics, which develops enzyme applications for drug-makers, said that his company likes its Pasadena-based headquarters.

"We've found Pasadena to be a good place to locate so far," Rozzell said, adding that the company has taken advantage of Caltech and Pasadena City College and that laboratory space is available.

He also said that because Pasadena is a desirable place to live, recruiting talent from other parts of the country is easier.

Still, Rozzell agreed with DeVol about the area's infrastructure, even suggesting that should his company grow larger it may have to consider a move.

"All in all, I think more infrastructure would be helpful," he said.

Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard, who attended the event, said in an interview prior to the summit that he sees biotech as a "long-term source of business" in the city.

"To have biomedical enterprise is more important today than it was two months ago because our economy is so uncertain after Sept. 11," the mayor said. "This is a long-term effort, but nonetheless an important one."

Several panelists cautioned against investing in companies that are after "the next Cipro" because while anthrax is the scare today, it may be something else tomorrow.

Chris Thornberg, a senior economist for the UCLA Anderson Forecast, said the biggest threat to the economy right now is an overreaction by the government, which he believes is occurring.

"There is a fear instilled into people right now," Thornberg said. "To a large extent, it's an irrational fear."

He said that with all the media coverage given to anthrax since Sept. 11, there have only been a handful of deaths.

Other panelists included Paul Kennedy, president and chief executive officer of Ventura-based VivoMetrics; Carol Lucas, an attorney with Fulbright & Jaworki LLP; and Alex Suh, managing director with California Technology Ventures, a venture capital fund focused on early stage information technology and life sciences companies.

-- Dave Melendi can be reached at (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2477, or by e-mail at david.melendi@sgvn.com.

High-tech corridor draws attention
Adviser to Gov. Davis gets a first-hand look at workings of JPL, dot.com firms

by Dereck Andrade
Staff Writer

Meeting focuses on integration of business and science, keeping companies in area

By Adam Eventov
Staff Writer