News & Events

Research Triangle Park, NC--June 1, 2001-- Three North Carolina biotechnology companies were honored here on May 31, as the first companies to graduate from the BD Incubator Program, a collaborative research initiative founded two years ago by BD Technologies to identify and partner with promising local biotechnology firms.

Graduation ceremonies were held at BD Technologies headquarters in Research Triangle Park. Guest speakers included U.S. Representative David Price, NC Secretary of Commerce James T. Fain and Edward J. Ludwig, president and CEO of BD.

The graduate companies are Cirrus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., StemCo Biomedical, Inc., and MERIX Bioscience, Inc. Three additional start-ups are still participating in the BD program: Norak Biosciences, Inc., SyneCor LLC Biosciences and Synergy Vaccines.

"These innovative companies--graduates and those still enrolled in the BD Incubator Program--are the future of biotechnology in Research Triangle Park," said Charles Goldstein, vice president and research director of BD Technologies. "Together, they have made a positive impact on scientific discovery, as well as on the Triangle area where the have generated over 60 new biotech-related jobs."

BD Technologies has been headquartered in Research Triangle Park since 1972 and today employs 160 people. It is the technology development arm of BD, a global healthcare company that develops and provides medical and research technology tools used by healthcare professionals, researchers, industry and the general public. BD created the Incubator Program to successfully assist emerging biotechnology companies whose work is focused on development activities aligned with BD businesses and new product development goals.

BD Technologies offers biotech start-up firms unique business opportunities as well as significant benefits. Incubator partners use BD's state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and equipment and have the opportunity to research collaboratively with BD scientists during an "incubation" period that can range from six months to two years. The ultimate goal is to see successful research and development collaborations lead to further investments in new business development opportunities for both parties.