WRF Press Releases

February 14, 2001

PANEL TO SHARE TIPS FOR LAUNCHING BIOTECH, DEVICE COMPANIES

SEATTLE - Want to learn how to start up a new biotech or high tech device company from corporate executives who did it?

WRF Capital will sponsor a panel discussion for University of Washington graduate students on launching biotechnology and device-based ventures on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the University of Washington.  The discussion, from 7 to 9 p.m. in HUB Room 106B, will feature three local high tech executives with strong UW ties.

Panelists include David Basiji, Ph.D., founder and chief technology officer of Amnis Corp.; Adi Scheidemann, Ph.D., founder and vice president of research and development for Intelligent Ion, and Bernhard Weigl, founding scientist and manager of microfluidics applications for Micronics, Inc.

Thong Le, business development associate for WRF Capital, which invests seed money in technology-based start-ups, will moderate the discussion.  All three companies represented received early stage support from WRF Capital, part of Washington Research Foundation.

Basiji is a former graduate student in the department of bioengineering. Amnis was founded in 1998 to develop, manufacture and market proprietary laboratory automation tools based on a novel molecular and cellular detection technology.

Scheidemann was formerly a research assistant professor in the department of chemistry.  Intelligent Ion is developing a miniature mass spectrometer based on proprietary technologies developed at the UW and the California Institute of Technology/Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Weigl was formerly a graduate student in the department of bioengineering.  Micronics is developing and commercializing innovative healthcare products for the diagnostic market.

Le is primarily responsible for the identification, development and assessment of investment opportunities concerning biomedical products, high tech devices and Internet-related applications for WRF Capital.  Proceeds from its investments are used to make financial gifts to the UW and other Washington state research institutions.

WRF is a 25-year-old independent nonprofit foundation that captures and enhances the value of intellectual property arising from Washington state research institutions to support research and scholarship.

Washington Research Foundation
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